Molly Mele, RN, MS, HNC, CMSII-BC

Molly is a board certified Holistic Nurse with a Bachelors degree in Nursing and a Master's Degree in Health Science.  She has over twenty-five years experience in somatic therapies and Mind-Body Stress Management and is a Certified Massage Therapist.  Molly is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and love of Holistic Nursing, Meditation, and mind-body therapies. 

In addition to her Meditation Specialist training, she is trained in Buddhist Mindfulness Meditation and Mindfulness based stress management.  She maintains a longstanding private meditation and yoga practice and teaches individual and group Mindfulness Meditation and Mindful Movement classes in Northern California. 

Molly is a  Continuing Education Provider for the California Board of Registered Nursing. Member: American Holistic Nurses Association,  Associated Bodywork & Massage Professionals, California Board of Registered Nursing, Vice Chair of Paradise Community Wellness Connection.

Sharon Ballenger, RN, CMSII-BC

Sharon Balenger has been in nursing, as an R.N., for 27 years. She has a background in acute care and staff development. Previously, she was an owner and developer of assisted living homes for nine years.  Currently, Ms. Balenger has been self employed as a Certified Medical Exercise Specialist for the past 10 years and in 2008, she was certified as a Meditation Specialist. She now teaches exercise, yoga, and meditation in a studio at her home.

Megan McHugh, MS, RN, CCRN, CNRN, CMSII-BC

Megan has worked in clinical neuroscience for 27 years, in both technical and nursing capacities.  She has a strong interest in mind-body medicine, and has worked as a neuroscience nurse since 2002.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiological Psychology and a Master’s degree in Information Science in addition to her nursing degree, and is now pursuing her MSN.  She holds certifications in both neuroscience and critical care nursing and has completed a course in Mindfulness Meditation in addition to her Meditation Specialist training.  She is a member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses.

Current interests include bringing the benefits of meditation and stress reduction to her neuroscience patient and family populations as well as the continued development of her personal practice.

Nick Hall, PH.D.

Nick Hall, Ph.D. is a medical scientist and professional speaker, who for over 20 years has conducted groundbreaking studies linking the mind and body. This research has been published in over 150 periodicals and featured by the national and international media, including CBS’ 60 Minutes, the BBC’s Nova series, and the Emmy Award-winning program Healing and the Mind, aired by PBS. He also has been the recipient of two prestigious Research Scientist Development Awards, which the National Institutes of Health grants only to the top scientists in the United States. Nick is no stranger, as well, to the more pragmatic aspects of dealing with change and with making difficult choices. After earning his way through college wrestling alligators and milking rattlesnakes, he worked as an intelligence-operative for the U.S. Government. He also led a National Geographic-sponsored expedition to the West Indies, where he studied mass-stranding behavior in whales. While working in the islands, he endured the Marxist revolution in Grenada and the La Soufriere volcano eruption in St. Vincent. His practical insights for coping with change and adversity have been shaped over a span of nearly four decades. For example, in 1968, he became the first person to complete the grueling Baja 1,000 mile off-road race on a bicycle, while in 2006, he completed WaterTribe’s Ultimate Florida Challenge in a sea-kayak. This 1200 mile nautical race, which included a 40 mile portage, has been described by The London Times as, “the most dangerous small boat race in the world.” At his Saddlebrook Resort headquarters in Florida, Dr. Hall presents highly successful workshops and motivational programs for some of America’s leading corporations.

Jamie Jensen, RN,  Co-Chair
Tyler, TX

Jamie and her husband Phil live in East Texas. They own and operate Red Rock Ranch allowing for the outdoor lifestyle they both enjoy. Presently Jamie is also acting as director of an after school program for elementary and middle school children located in a low socio-economic neighborhood. Her experiences include developing and teaching outdoor education curriculum in elementary schools. Instructing teacher training in outdoor education for schoolteachers in Costa Rica. Volunteer recruiter and coordinator for low socio-economic public school. As an active community volunteer she has served on the Board of Directors for several non profit organizations including American Red Cross and St. Paul Children’s Foundation where she also volunteers as an RN at their pediatric medical clinic. Her interests include outdoor activities, organic gardening, yoga, and meditation.

George Goldstone, CMSII-BC, PTI, Chair
Denver, Colorado

George is an entrepreneur and technology consultant with over 20 years experience in the computer and information technology industry. Technology is one of the most stressful occupations in which to work and one of the keys to his success is a systematic meditation practice based on traditional Yoga Meditation. George has a private meditation teaching practice in Denver, Colorado.

George is a Pet CPR, First Aid & Care Instructor and helps rescue, rehabilitate, and care for dogs in need. The human/canine symbiotic relationship is an natural extension to his meditation practice.

George is also on the Green Valley Ranch Citizens Advisory Board, a Registered Neighborhood Organization in the Denver area, where he co-chair's the Neighborhood Economics Committee.

Melanie-Salvatore August , E-RYT500, RPYT, ISHTA500
San Francisco, California

Our perception is our reality.  Melanie came to the yoga and meditation to shift out of destructive thought patterns and to heal from anxiety and feelings of powerlessness.  Through these practices Melanie has changed her perception of her life and transformed it in every way.  A 17 year journey from suffering to joyfulness has created an inspiring energized courageously loving offering to her students. Integrating the simple yet profound tools of Focus, Fire, Truth and Love with the Mindful Precision of the YogaWorks Method Melanie awakens students to the ever-present light in and around them.

 “When we awaken to the magnificent beauty of our life we become empowered to create our deepest healing dreams as true reality.  Awakening from the dull slumber of habitual life (which holds ignorance of our true nature, fear, isolation) we beam light and guidance to others by our example.  Thru that example and the echo of each of our joyful empowered awareness we will shift the consciousness of the world from scarcity to abundance.”  MSA

E-RYT 500, Melanie is a YogaWorks Certified Teacher Trainer, ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha Tantra Ayurveda) 500hr as well as a Registered Prenatal Yoga Teacher RPYT.  She lives with her husband, 2 little boys on their family homestead in the SF Bay and works toward earthling consciousness shifting and fully sustainable eco living.

Brad Fedorchuk                                                                                                          Ontario, Canada

Brad Fedorchuk resides in Ontario, Canada with his wife Patti. After graduating with an Honors Bachelor of Arts from Wilfrid Laurier University in Economic Geography, Brad spent the next 10 years in the financial services industry as an Account Executive, helping clients reach their financial goals. For the past 12 years Brad has been an outside Sales Representative in the food industry.  He and his wife Patti are activists in the area of animal welfare and sponsorship of children in underprivileged countries. Brad loves spending time in northern Canada canoeing and hiking with his friends, family and beloved labrador retriever. Meditation and yoga play a significant role in Brad’s life with regards to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Melissa Shafer CMSII-BC, RN
Behtlehem, PA

Melissa has been in the nursing field caring for our elderly population for more than 30 years. As a nursing supervisor in a long term care facility, her position  is supported by her experience in integrative medicine. Melissa has gained experience working with the subtle energy body as a master level Reiki practitioner (Usui Shiki Ryoho) and insight into spiritual needs as an Ordained Minister. Through personal experience she’s discovered that meditation, utilizing both mindfulness and focused awareness,  are the best tools to bring ones life into balance… and that balance in all things leads to true health. Because balanced people lead to a balanced planet, Melissa’s goal is to bring balance to the world one person at a time.

Kathleen Bell,  RN, AHN-BC, MS I-BC
Portland, OR

Kathleen brings much experience in holistic health education to the board.

Thomas Kenison MS, CPA
Boston, MA

Tom Kenison brings much experience in traditional yoga as well as being a financial investor.