Misty Meadows - Faculty & Staff

Misty Meadows 2012 Faculty & Staff

It is with great pleasure and gratitude that we present this year's teachers and staff of Misty Meadows.

Wendy Snow Fogg, Founder/Director/Senior Herbalist at Misty Meadows Herbal Center.

She maintains a busy private healing practice, the scope of which includes Herbalism, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Flower Essence Therapy and Ear Candling. She co-designs the Misty Meadows website (www.mistymeadows.org) and is the primary executive for Misty Meadows.

Wendy designed and is the primary instructor for the Misty Meadows herbal apprenticeship program titled The Spirited Herbalist ~ A Plant-Guided Journey To Your-Self.

She organizes the Misty Meadows Advanced Herbal Studies Program and teaches many workshops and playshops here at Misty Meadows.

She is frequently a featured teacher at the annual New England Women’s Herbal Conference. Her articles have been published in the journals of the American Botanical Council and the Northeast Herbal Association.

She is available to speak at service clubs, libraries and public schools. She is active in local land conservation efforts and serves on the Town of Lee Agricultural Commission. She holds memberships in United Plant Savers, Northeast Herb Association, American Botanical Council, American Herbalist Guild and Strafford County Farm Bureau.

Wendy is a Reiki Master Teacher in the Usui Tibetan Enhanced Tradition as well as in the tradition of Karuna Reiki®. She is certified in Aromatherapy, Magnified Healing, Ear Candling Wendy sees clients by appointment at Misty Meadows.

Cindy Bir, Associate Director and Medicine Maker, is a Native Mohawk Healer, Certified Herbalist, Eclectic Reiki Master/ Teacher, Run Valdr Healer and Aromatherapist. Cindy brings a fun and fiery energy to Misty Meadows and Misty Meadows products. She loves to listen to people and feels that everyone has something to teach. Her love of learning goes hand in hand with her love of listening. Cindy has studied with many wonderful teachers including Linn Stilwell, Wendy Fogg, Christopher Penczak, Matthew Wood and Diana DeLuca (Botanica Erotica).Cindy believes that life should be filled with the blessings and fun of spirit in all things.

Sara Woods Kender, Associate Herbalist ~ I began my journey into herbalism at a young age. Always spending hours in the woods near my rural home of Alton, NH, I found sanctuary there. Spending time with the trees and plants of the forest, hours of walking along logging roads of past and present closely observing mosses & ferns of the forest floor. Maneuvering through gnarled roots, streams and glacial till and just feeling at home; at peace. With my father's love of subsistence gardening and my grandmother's love of ornamentals, I came by it honestly. There was always something missing to me though. Always something in the back of my mind prompting me to take it a step further. After much reading and experimenting with the plants on my own, I found Misty Meadows in the Spring of 2008. I completed the seven month Herbal Apprenticeship and finally found the stepping stones that would become my path. For a short time I became the Junior Herbalist while continuing my education in the Advanced Herbal Studies Program and now enjoy the benefits of becoming the Associate Herbalist where I can continue my herbal journey learning, healing and being in contact with people who seek healing as well as give it. I also became an ordained minister receiving my certificate from the Universal Life Church in 2008. This allows me to do hands-on healing channeling the universal life force of Reiki in the Usui- Tibetan Enhanced Tradition. I continue to participate in workshops, conferences and classes to hone my skills as a healer and broaden my knowledge as an herbalist.

Veronica Sica, Herbalist is the newest member of the Misty Meadows herbal team. She began her herbal journey as an apprentice at Misty Meadows in 2008. Upon completion of that program, she served as Jr. Herbalist from January through October 2011. Veronica is now a full member of our staff of herbalists here at Misty Meadows. She will continue to learn and grow as an herbalist as she works in the herb shop caring for our customers, strengthening her herbal knowledge and preparing for herbal practice.

This year she will also begin her Reiki journey, stepping into the world of energy healing.

Helen Clark, Garden Manager has spent the past five years working at farms and gardens in the Seacoast area and is honored to be joining the Misty Meadows staff this season. She graduated from UNH in 2009 where she studied Anthropology and spent three years working for the school's Organic Garden. After graduating, she spent a year and a half working on a USDA grant-funded research project studying the historic Burley-Demeritt Farm in Lee, NH.

Since finishing school, Helen has continued to cultivate her interests in local food and local medicine, yoga, herbal folklore, women’s reproductive health, and lunar agriculture. In 2011, she completed an herbal apprenticeship at Misty Meadows. Helen felt at home as soon as she set foot on the farm and looks forward to continuing to learn and grow in such a thriving environment.

Damian Woodard, Wildcrafter has been an important part of Misty Meadows for all of his 16 years.
He's been wildcrafting with his grandma since he could walk and now also assists in the gardens. In the summer of 2011 Damian earned the roll of Chief Wildcrafter.

Jean-Marie Belzile, RYT is a certified Herbalist and Yoga Instructor who began as a Nutrition Counselor and Exercise Instructor in 1996. Having studied Yoga throughout her exercise practice for flexibility she realized the importance of holistic health after participating in an intensive spiritual apprenticeship program in herbal medicine at Misty Meadows Herbal Center, in 2004, in which the balance of herbalism and spirituality are combined, increasing the self awareness of body & mind connection with Whole Health and a deep understanding of native plants. In 2004 she began to incorporate meditation and asana into her daily practice as she studied yoga asana in the form of Ashtanga Vinyasa, which incorporates holding asanas and flow work. While teaching asana and meditation classes, Jean-Marie went on to become a Registered Yoga Teacher by fulfilling the requirements of the Yoga Alliance through Anahata Integrated Yoga Teacher Training, graduating in 2010. In her classes, beginners and intermediate practitioners are able to grow in balance, breath, flexibility and make a mind-body connection in a stimulating atmosphere. All levels are welcome as modifications to beginners and advance participants are offered in the postures. Each class is completed with a progressive meditative relaxation in order to learn how to receive the most from your yoga practice. Jean-Marie is now continuing to deepen her understanding of Ayurveda while working closely with Susan and incorporating the proper styles of yoga asana to balance each Dosha (mind body constitution). In addition to teaching Jean-Marie also practices Reiki and Reflexology based massage in Londonderry, NH.

Darlene Chadbourne

Self-Awareness Consultant using Numerology and Sacred Geometry.

Darlene is an intuitive numerologist and life coach, guiding men and women from 20 to 80, who are searching for their passion, purpose, and self-confidence to fuel the rest of their life, for a journey well worth the ride. Darlene is a dynamic teacher and public speaker who has delivered multiple classes and presentations based on tools to help the individual become a self-empowered guide on their own individualized path.

Life is like a labyrinth that started Darlene’s current journey and passions, constantly going within to come out stepping it up to the next level. Darlene’s greatest accomplishments are running a fulltime and part-time business while raising four children and claiming at fifty that the last fifty years of her life are hers, going for a college degree and four years later knowing who she is as a person, with passion and individuality.

Darlene E. Chadbourne
Midlife Guide and Numerologist
www.midlifeguidance.com
www.nativepaths.com

Janaki Clancy is a professional Astrologer and a Reiki Master. After 14 years as a staff/faculty member at Unicorn Books in Arlington, MA, she has relocated to the seacoast area, where she now maintains a private practice. She uses astrology to establish an understanding of the intention of the soul for this incarnation, to ferret out relationship boondoggles, to understand who we are and how we got to be this way and where we want to go, to help bridge the gap from the self to the Self. As a lifelong discipline for Janaki, Astrology provides a unique frame of reference supporting ever-greater self-acceptance and awareness, which can then lead to a willingness to change and grow. Janaki sees astrology clients at her office in Newmarket, NH. Call her at 603-659-0388 to schedule an appointment.

Sean Donahue is a poet, witch, and traditional herbalist living in Turner, Maine. As an herbalist, Sean works primarily with the wild plants of the forests and fields of New England. He views the plants as teachers, helping the body, mind, and spirit learn to correct imbalances that stand in the way of health. As a teacher, poet, and ritualist, Sean works to connect people with their own wild nature and with the life of the world around them. He believes that personal, community, and cultural healing are all deeply intertwined with the healing of our planet.

Gwen Houghton – Metaphysician, Psychic, Medium, Channel

The Flower of life has for several thousands of years, been a symbol of BALANCE.

The ancients knew long ago that Balance was the key to success.

I say, Balance is the Key to a Successful Life...

I believe that the more we learn about ourselves and our five bodies, the more balanced our lives will become. The more balanced our lives become, the more empowered we are in our world. Awareness is the starting point to getting to know why we do the things we do.

My passion in this lifetime has been to learn about what makes us tick as humans and what we can do to be more in control of our destinies. Does your life feel like a broken record? Are you sick of living the same life patterns over and over again? Let’s move forward on our journeys together! I have a Bachelors Degree in Metaphysics. I am a Shamanic Reiki Master and an Advanced Angel Practitioner, so I have many tools in my tool bag.

Carol Hutchins - I am an intuitive card reader and medium who provides individual sessions locally in Maine and New Hampshire . Through my expertise as a natural born intuit and years spent honing my skills, I offer people deeper understandings of relationships, insights into life changes and stressful situations, and spiritual awareness and comfort and encouragement.

Together we can learn if you are on the right path or need to make minor or major changes helping you live a happier life.

"Knowing that you choose your destiny allows you to fulfill your dreams and move into your personal power.”

Carol Lizotte - Certified Herbalist, Aromatherapist, Shamballa Reiki Master, Flower Essence Practitioner.

My love for helping the animals started when I was very young. I could be found bringing home an injured bird or caring for abandoned turtle eggs, pleading with Mom to care for a stray and even sitting with our family dog as she gave birth. I have always had a canine companion in my life and now use my knowledge to help them and other animal companions to find harmony and balance again.

An herbalist, Flower Essence & Crystal healing practitioner, Aromatherapist, and Shamballa Reiki Master, I have studied with many teachers over the years including Wendy Snow Fogg, Linn Stilwell, David Dalton, Matthew Wood, Lynn Roberts Herrick and Christopher Penczak.

Understanding that learning is a life long journey, I continue to attend conferences and workshops as well as working in her my private animal practice, Green Gems Herbals. My efforts and passion are directed fully toward the Animals and their well being. Meeting you and your animal will be my great pleasure as we all walk our healing paths.

Amanda McQuade Crawford, B.A., MNIMH is an herbalist, and teacher. She received her BA in Medieval History from Vassar College, but later went to England where she could study herbal medicine in a depth that was not possible in the United States where herbal medicine had no legal status. She spent time at Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland where she participated in growing and using medicinal herbs. She received a Diploma in Herbal Medicine from the College of Phytotherapy in England and was elected a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists(MNIMH) in 1986. She returned to the United States where she is currently in private practice in Ojai, California and travels to teach at schools and herbal conferences. Philosophically she integrates her knowledge and clinical experience of primarily western herbs and nutrition with stress management, and an awareness of spiritual well-being.

Amanda is a well known international public speaker and author. She wrote The Herbal Menopause Book and Herbal Remedies for Women. She is the Associate Director, for the United States of the International College of Herbal Medicine.^[3] She has more than 20 years experience in clinical herbal medicine, is a founding member of the American Herbalists Guild ^[4]and the founder of the National College of Phytotherapy in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She serves on numerous professional advisory boards and scientific review panels including The American Herbal Pharmacopeia.^[5]

Kathleen Maier, AHG, PA has been a practicing herbalist for over twenty years. She was co-founder and Director of Dreamtime Center for Herbal Studies and has taught at nationally known herb schools and centers for the last ten years. Her studies of plant medicines began as a Peace Corp volunteer and have included the wisdom of Stephen Buhner, Rosemary Gladstar, Susun Weed and Matthew Wood. Her training as a Physician's Assistant allows her to translate the language of medicine we know today and ground it in the wisdom of earth-centered practices known for millennia. She is very active locally with United Plant Savers and the restoration of native plants and the preservation of fragile ecosystems.

Chris Marano, RH(AHG)

Chris Marano, MA,BS is a clinical herbalist with a health care practice in the Pioneer Valley of Massachusetts. His practice and teachings take him throughout the US, Canada and the British Isles. He is founder of the Clearpath School of Herbal Medicine, dedicated to the teaching of holistic health, herbalism and Earth-based wisdom; and Clearpath Herbals, offering health consultations and high-quality, custom-blended herbal preparations.

His experience draws upon Chinese, Native American and Western healing traditions. He is a registered herbalist in the American Herbalist Guild (AHG), a professional member of the Northeast Herbal Association (NEHA), veteran teacher, author, meditation instructor, and has degrees in pre-medicine, Chinese philosophy and science education from Columbia University, a graduate degree from The Herbal Therapeutics School of Botanic Medicine, Zen and Chinese philosophy training from the Institute of Chung-hwa Chinese and Buddhist Culture, and training in Cherokee and Annishnabe traditions. In addition to teaching workshops, courses and apprenticeship programs through Clearpath Herbals in both Western Massachusetts and Coastal Maine, Chris also teaches Clinical Herbalism at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Jim McDonald, Herbalist/Herbal Educator. In 1994, while living in an old, overgrown farmhouse in Okemos, MI, I discovered a tattered, purple herb book left out haphazardly on the kitchen counter by one of my roommates. I began flipping through the book, and within a few weeks had begun foraging through the abundant weeds that covered the property and brewing them into strange tasting teas. Til then, I had little interest in either herbs or health, and so my sudden and growing passion with them was perhaps unusual. In hindsight, I think something in those first sips of strange tea woke in me my passion for plants and their medicine. From those first curious experiences, my hunger to both learn from and serve my green friends has been without end.

I am, in may ways, a self taught herbalist. This is not to say that I'm responsible for learning everything I know myself, but rather that I've never really had any formal training with any other herbalist, gone through any courses, or attended any schools. Though every now and again I get grief from those who value credentials, I hardly view this as a liability. If anything, it has provided me with a unique opportunity to learn from doing, and to base my knowledge firmly upon my own first had experience. My education in herbcraft has been, above all things, experiential. Unable to readily find a teacher (this was in the dark ages before you could look online for people teaching hear you), I was left to my senses and intuition. While plenty of time was spent in libraries and bookstores devouring what information I could find, more still was spent wandering through the forests and fields around my various homes in southeast Michigan, learning one by one the plants I shared this land with, and the communities that together they created. This, by far, was (and still is) the most valuable study I've ever engaged in. Being with the plants creates relationships with them, relationships that change entirely one's understanding of their medicinal uses.

Debbie Mercier is a certified herbalist with over 13 years experience. She is

the owner of Greenwood Herbals in Limerick, Me, which offers a line of herbal products and consultations. Debbie teaches classes on plant identification, medicine making, and various workshops, such as Women’s Herbs, Herbs for Children, as well as an herbalist apprenticeship program and a children’s summer herb program.

She has studied under Wendy Fogg of Misty Meadows Herbal Center in New Hampshire, Matthew Wood of Sunnyfield Farm in Minnesota, and Rosemary Gladstar of Sage Mountain Herbal Center in Vermont, as well as other notable herbalists.

Susan Morgan-Barton is a Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant, graduate of Kripalu School of Ayurveda and a professional member of the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). She is also a MA & NH Licensed and Nationally Certified Massage Therapist and Bodyworker with specialties in Ayurvedic, Holistic and Therapeutic Treatments and a member of the Association of Bodyworkers and Massage Professionals. Susan is also a certified Life and Small Business Coach having graduated from Coach U in 2006. After many years in the corporate business world, Susan began her journey in the world of natural medicine after being diagnosed with a painful and incurable disease in 2003. She was prescribed medication that left her barely functional and refused to believe that this was how she would live the rest of her life so she began to research alternative medicine. She discovered Ayurveda and it's beautifully natural simplicity and by incorporating Ayurvedic lifestyle principles, she now leads a physically, mentally and spiritually joyful life. Sue now looks at this event in her life as a gift, one that lead her to fulfill her destiny of sharing this knowledge with others. In addition to her work, Sue is the MA, NH & VT Commissioner of Scots Clan Farquharson USA.

Dr. Jody Noé is a Licensed Board Certified Naturopathic Doctor, full time academic and clinical faculty at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine. She has been in practice for over 15 years and is a specialist in Integrative Medicine and Integrative Naturopathic Oncology. Dr. Noe’ has been a practicing medical herbalist and a university trained ethnobotanist who specializes in the ethnomedicinal botany of the Cherokee both eastern and western bands. Dr. Noe’s book, Fundamentals of Naturopathic Integrative Oncology will be published this year.

Jody practices traditional Cherokee medicine as taught by her Cherokee elders. This is a practice that encompasses mind, body and spirit. She was accepted as an official apprentice in 1987 by Crosslin F. Smith, high medicine priest of the Keetoowah, Cherokees of the western band of Cherokees in Tahlequah, OK. She was adopted into the Smith family shortly after starting her apprenticeship. This is a unique honor reserved for few.

The traditional Cherokee medicine way uses plants, earth, air, water and fire (heat) along with rituals and prayers to invoke Spirit and Healing.

Dr. Noe’s specialty training in traditional herbal medicine, psychology and spirituality has made her a leader in the field of integrative medicine. Her background as a clinical research scientist and ethnobotanist has added a dimension of scientific knowledge to her traditional training that has made her a leading educator in her field.

Christopher Penczak is an eclectic witch, writer and healing practitioner. His practice draws upon the foundation of modern Witchcraft blended with the wisdom of mystical traditions from across the globe. Christopher is the author of several award winning books, including City Magick, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft, The Outer Temple of Witchcraft, and Magick of Reiki. His articles have been featured in many publications including New Witch, PanGaia, New Worlds and Circle. Based in New England, he travels extensively teaching magick and healing, believing that we can all live a magickal life.

Misty Meadows wishes to thank the following teachers who have shared their gifts with our community in the past.

We hope you'll come back again soon!

Judy Schinck is a Magnified Healing® Master-Teacher. She was initiated in the 1st Phase of Magnified Healing® in 2000, but Kwan Yin did not summon her to begin teaching this modality until 2009. Since then, she has received her 3rd Phase Teacher Training certification from the co-founder of Magnified Healing®, Gisele King. Judy is also a Usui Reiki Master-Teacher, an Integrated Energy Therapy Master-Instructor and an ordained Reverend in the Healing Fellowship of the Unified Mother-Father. She also incorporates the use of crystals, aromatherapy, meditation and spirit communication in her teaching and healing practice. Judy feels great joy and gratitude when sharing information she learns with others. She has taught Reiki, Spiritual Healthcare and regularly leads Spiritual Gatherings in her home, but practicing and teaching Magnified Healing®, Self Empowerment and Light Body Activation are her passions. Judy resides in Lempster, NH with her husband and can be reached at 603-863-5624 or at judyschinck@wildblue.net. For more information on Magnified Healing®, please go to www.magnifiedhealing.com.

Pat Trotter, Earth Intuitive

So many of us have traveled many roads to find who we are or why we are here. I can speak for myself only that this is what I have done. Just the awareness of the question or need to know its answer sets many apart from others.

Years ago, Spirit told me that it is like a crap shoot. Roll the dice; not all who could are willing to find the answer or answer the call.

While living in this present place, I have learned through an elder Spirit teacher how to BE the fire, air, water and earth which has assisted my work at a cellular level of our planet’s needs.

I do not ‘compare’ myself to others; it is not my wish to do so, fully realizing that the gifts afforded to me are not singular nor are they to be taken for granted. When I speak of vibration and frequency differences, it is not as a ‘statement of description,’ rather the reality that I actually feel, see and know.

“The earth is alive; a gentle loving essence that sustains and holds us. I believe we must never take from the Mother without first seeking her blessing.

I offer you the grand insight and wisdom of the Earth, assisting you to hear and acknowledge the story your land has to tell.

Kate Leigh, LMT

Teaching classes at Misty Meadows since the early days, Kate has a broad-based knowledge of massage therapy, aromatherapy, and other healing modalities. This is useful, as she has synthesized practical wisdom from many fields. Kate enjoys the mutual learning that takes place in the small group workshop format, and will lead participants in blending their own products by the conclusion of the session.

Kate began Midheaven Blends, out of her kitchen, making oils, tinctures, and teas. She has been a licensed massage practitioner for 26 years and past President of the American Massage Therapy Association. She is a registered aromatherapist. Kate has been actively involved in developing the inclusion of natures tools in the massage room for the last fifteen years. Her article in Massage Therapy Journal, “Seashells As Massage Tools”, was published in 1993. Kate is highly respected as a teacher and colleague, most recently moderating at the International Aromatherapy Conference on Cancer, Auto-Immune and Degenerative Diseases.

elderberries, Michael S. Ford and Blanche, Goldenrod Michael Steven Ford, M.S., M.A.

Michael Steven Ford, co-owner of Apollo Herbs, founded his herbal company in 1991 after training with master herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar. He has been formulating herbal products and teaching herb programs that blend scientific training with herbal traditions,nutrition, cosmetic science, & environmental awareness since 1991. Michael has a Bachelor of Science degree in Botany, Bachelor of Arts degrees in Classics and Biology, a Master of Science degree in Pharmacognosy/Natural Product Chemistry, and a Master of Arts degree in Education, all from the University of Rhode Island. Michael also studied Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. He is a professor at the University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine in Bridgeport, CT.

Margi Flint, AHG
is a professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, an Adjunct Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine since 1994. She is also affiliated with Union Hospital in Lynn, MA. Margi lectures at herbal symposiums as well as medical institutions. She teaches Herbal Pharmacology at North Shore Community College and is a regular guest lecturer at Mass College of Pharmacy and their Masters program. Many area physicians refer clients to her office.

Margi's teaching ranges from beginner herbal apprenticeship to advanced herb and practitioner classes. She oversees Practitioner Circles in Marblehead, MA and Newport, RI.

Margi has been working with people and herbs since she began her herbal studies in 1974. Her clinical practice evolved through continued study with admired herbalists. Influential herbalists have been Rosemary Gladstar, David Winston, Matthew Wood, Christopher Hobbs, Donald Yance, Mindy Green, Chancel Cabrera, Annie McIntyre, Jeffrey Bland, the late great William LeSassier and many more.

This blend of teachers created a truly American-mongrel-Practitioner. A little Ayurveda, some Chinese, lots of Aromatherapy, Native American with some science and a heavy dose of Folk. Throw in years of studying supplements, their quality, best combinations, and time of day to consume. Add to that twenty years of attending births as a labor coach and herbalist, raising four kids who have grown into wonderful adults.

"We teach through the filter of our experience." states Margi, and what a varied and powerful experience these teachers and clients have built into her filter!

Linda Carley is a Magnified Healing® Master Teacher. She was initiated in the 1st Phase of Magnified Healing® in 2000, and was guided to begin teaching this modality in 2009. Since then, she has received her 3rd Phase Teacher Training certification from the co-founder of Magnified Healing®, Gisele King. Since becoming a Usui Reiki Master Teacher in 1997, energy work has blossomed in Linda’s life. She is a Karuna Reiki Master Teacher, IET Master Instructor, Certified Angel Reader and an ordained Reverend in the Healing Fellowship of the Unified Mother-Father. She is also trained in Crystalline Sound Reiki and Aromatherapy. She teaches classes at the Women’s Health Resource Center, Lebanon, NH, as well as other various locations throughout NH & VT. Linda has a great love of animals and also does animal communication. She resides in Newport, NH with her husband and 3 dogs and can be reached at 603-477-7988 or Angelstar@Valley.net. For more information on Magnified Healing®, please go to www.magnifiedhealing.com.

Asrianna Dameron ~ As a Psychic Medium, Asrianna taps into your emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual energy to help you understand your personal life issues. She helps you identify your limiting belief systems, thinking patterns, and typical ways of acting and reacting so that you can make informed choices rather than impulsive decisions.

Of Cherokee descent, Asrianna blends Native traditions of Shamanic healing with nearly three decades of study in Tarot, psychology, and complimentary healing methods. She is a certified Hypnotherapist, Reiki Master, and Past Life Regression Therapist.

Asrianna is a published writer, workshop leader, and speaker on topics such as psychic development, mediumship, dreams, shamanism, hypnosis, and creativity. She has been a featured speaker on the subject of journal writing in an author and poet lecture series funded by the Lila Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund and the National Endowment of the Arts. She has a bimonthly column at www.innertapestry.org where she answers questions about living a spiritual life in a secular world.

Mark DuMars, MS, PA, AT, LMT

Mark has accumulated nearly 35 years of experience in Sports Medicine and Allied Health. He spent 10 years as a Navy Combat Medic attached to both Navy and Marine Corps Special Forces before receiving his Bachelors’ Degree in Physical Anthropology (Structural Anatomy) from San Diego State University. He then became the Head Athletic Trainer for Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, NH before being accepted at Andrew Weill-Cornell Medical School in New York to be trained as a Physician Assistant specializing in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and to attain his Master’s Degree in the field of Exercise Physiology. The majority of his residency was attained at The Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

After a number of years as a PA and undergoing a life-changing event, Mark changed directions somewhat, broadening his skill base with Therapeutic Massage, Eastern Philosophy and Nutrition. He now, teaches Massage Therapy, Anatomy, Adaptive Physiology, and Structural Integration (TBW) while maintaining a private practice specializing in physical efficiency in athletes and lay people alike.

Julie Farrell (left) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist practicing in Portsmouth, N.H., a Level II Usui Reiki practitioner and an ardent student of alternative healing practices. She blends mind-body and energy techniques with traditional psychotherapy to help clients achieve significant improvement in their lives.

Jahnay Pickett (right) has been a certified Bioenergy Balancing Practitioner since 1985, a system which clears emotional and physical blockages by accessing the Meridians. She is also an Absolute Balanced Mastery practitioner and teaches Usui and Shambhala Reiki. She has worked with many indigenous groups over the globe and has been a student of meditation, yoga and world philosophies since 1972.

Karen Lacharite is a Sundoor Certified Advanced Firewalk Instructor, Shamballa Master, Certified Aromatherapist, graduate of a Two-year Women's Empowerment Training, and a dedicate of the Goddess. She is a daughter of the Earth who brings her powerful, rooted energy to everything she does. She, like the fire she so loves, has a heart that burns with enthusiasm and a passion for healing on the deepest levels. She is dedicated to sharing the ancient spiritual practice of firewalking with any who dare to dance with these sacred fires! She has walked the long journey through the fires of transformation and healing and wishes to share this powerful ceremony with others. Karen also walks the path of the Peruvian Shaman. She has studied the Inca Medicine Wheel where she trained in the sacred ceremonies, rites and practices of these ancient traditions. Karen resides in Northwood, NH and can be reached at 603-767-8710.

7Song is a clinical herbalist and director of the Northeast School of Botanical Medicine in Ithaca, NY. He practices at the Ithaca Free Clinic, where he is the Director of Holistic Medicine. He has been enthralled with plants (from both the botanical and clinical perspective) for more years than he cares to venture.

Dr. Mary Bove obtained her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Midwifery Certification from Bastyr College of Natural Health Sciences in Seattle, WA. She received the Diploma of Phytotherapy/Herbal Medicine at the School of Phytotherapy in Great Britain and received membership to the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, London, England. As a young herbalist she started her studies with Native American medicine woman, Norma Myers in British Columbia, Canada. Dr. Bove practices Naturopathic Family Medicine, including women healthcare, well pregnancy care, and pediatric medicine at the Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic, Brattleboro, VT.

Dr Bove served as a full-time faculty member at Bastyr University in Seattle WA and chaired the departments of Botanical Medicine and Naturopathic Midwifery. She currently serves as adjunct faculty for the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine in the Masters level course, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, Natural Products Program, and Tai Sophie Institute, Botanical Science Program Columbia, Maryland. She is the author of the Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children and Infants and co-author of Herbs for Women’s Health and has been published in many magazines and journals. She lectures and teaches at various national and international herb, midwifery, and naturopathic conferences including the Gaia Herb Symposium, Woman’s Herbal Conference, Midwifery Today Conferences, American Herbalist Guild, Medi-Herb New Zealand Symposium, Institute of Functional Medicine, Naturopathic state organizations, American Association of Naturopathic Midwives on the topics of botanical medicine, phytotherapy, pediatrics, women’s healthcare, fertility issues, and natural childbirth.

Dr. Bove works as a consultant and formulator for Gaia Herbs and in collaboration with Gaia Herbs developed a line of children’s herbal products. She is the mother of two healthy, happy, adult children who were raised with herbal medicines and natural lifestyles.

Candis Cantin has over 25 years practical experience as an herbalist, herbal and nutritional counselor and teacher of holistic lifestyle principles. Her background includes extensive Western herbal studies, as well as studies in Ayurvedic and Chinese healing systems. Two of Candis’ main teachers are Dr. Michael Tierra with the East West Herbal program and Dr. Vasant Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque. She is also a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild. For 25 years, Candis has owned and directed the EverGreen Herb Garden and School of Integrative Herbology located in the Sierra Foothills where there are extensive organic botanical gardens to view.

Candis is the author of Pocket Guide to Ayurvedic Healing (Crossing Press), and the artist of The Herbal Tarot and co- author of its companion book The Spirit of Herbs.(US Games).

Bevin Clare is a clinical herbalist, nutritionist, and plant lover. She is the Clinical Division Chair of the MS in Herbal Medicine Program at Tai Sophia Institute in Maryland where she teaches and practices. Bevin holds a MS in Infectious Disease from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine based on her years of travel around the globe and witnessing the power of plants. She serves on the board of directors of United Plant Savers and of the American Herbalists Guild. Bevin works to bring plants into the lives of people through food, medicine, and spirit.

David Winston, RH (AHG) is an herbalist and ethnobotanist with almost 40 years of training in Cherokee, Chinese and Western herbal traditions. He has had a clinical practice for over 30 years and is a herbal consultant to physicians throughout the USA and Canada. President of Herbalist & Alchemist, Inc. an herbal manufacturing company, he is also founder/director of David Winston's Center for Herbal Studies, which features his highly respected Two-Year Clinical Herbalist Training Program. He is an internationally known lecturer and teaches frequently at medical schools, symposia and herb conferences.

David is the co-author of Winston & Kuhn's Herbal Therapies and Supplements: A Scientific and Traditional Approach, 2nd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2008, and Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief, Healing Arts, 2007. He is the author of Saw Palmetto for Men & Women, Storey, 1999, Herbal Therapeutics, specific Indications For Herbs and Herbal Formulas, HTRL, 2003, and a contributing author to American Herbalism, published in 1992 by Crossings Press. In addition, he is a founding/professional member of the American Herbalist Guild, and he has served four terms on the Board of Directors.

Matthew Wood, RH, MS has been a practicing herbalist since 1982. In a period when many authors and lecturers are merely "arm chair herbalists" who offer theories and opinions based on book learning, and others have turned to the exotic traditions of India or China, he has been an active practitioner of traditional Western herbalism. He has helped tens of thousands of clients over the years, with many difficult health problems. While Matthew believes in the virtue of many other healing modalities, he has always been inspired to learn, preserve, and practice the tradition of herbal medicine descending to us from our European, Anglo-American, and Native American heritage. He is a member of the American Herbalists Guild (registered herbalist) and has earned his Masters of Science degree from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine (accredited by the University of Wales).

Matthew has lectured throughout the United States, from Georgia to Maine, New York to California, and Santa Fe to Sperryville, Virginia. He has also taught in Canada, Scotland, England, and Australia. He is known throughout the world as an excellent teacher of herbal medicine. He is also the author of five acclaimed books on herbal medicine:

Seven Herbs, Plants as Teachers (1987)
Vitalism, The History of Herbalism, Homeopathy, and Flower Essences, originally entitled The Magical Staff (1993)
The Book of Herbal Wisdom (1998)
The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism (2004)
Earthwise Herbal (2008)