Staff

Jamie Reygle Jamie Reygle, CMT-P (Executive Director) began studying meditation techniques in the late ’90s, and has been practicing mindfulness since 2003. Since then, his interest in mindfulness has led him to teach mindfulness in many settings, including public schools, businesses, independent workshops, and music festivals; staff around a dozen iBme retreats, and write a short book on mindfulness practice called The Unenlightened Buddha. His work history includes much work with disadvantaged youth, music promotion and management, journalism, teaching, and corporate customer service. He has served on the boards of The Wilderness Society, the Queensland Music Industry Association, radio station 2NCR, and Blue Mountain School. Jamie holds a BA in Psychology from Murdoch University, is an IMTA Certified Mindfulness Teacher, a graduate of The School for the Work with Byron Katie, and has completed Level I Focusing training.

Teachers

 

Jim Borling Jim Borling, MM, MT-BC is a Professor Emeritus of Music, and former Director of Music Therapy at Radford University. He is a Board Certified Music Therapist and a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery, receiving his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from DePauw University, and his Master of Music degree in Music Therapy from the University of Miami. Currently, Jim provides music therapy services for Anderson & Associates, and for Avenues to Recovery’s Intensive Outpatient Programs for adults and adolescents recovering from addiction. He has worked extensively for the American Music Therapy Association and the Certification Board for Music Therapists. Along with his wife Nannette, Jim is co-founder of a clinical private practice called MusicVisions, LLC, where he specializes in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music.
Shimila Keenum Shimila Keenum runs Grounded Path Holistic Counseling. She has dedicated herself to helping others through bridging the mind and body connection as a social worker and registered nurse. She currently works as a mental health and substance abuse therapist at Horizon Behavioral Health, where she supports healing using mindfulness in yoga, EMDR, and Acudetox. She received her MSW from Radford University. Her research background is in mindfulness and burnout in the human services field. Shimila has been cultivating her own personal mindfulness practice for many years, which has inspired her passion to help others through teaching and co-facilitating experiential and didactic outpatient groups and public workshops.
Doro Kiley Doro Kiley has been a professional life coach for 20 years, bringing mindfulness into her clients’ challenges in every aspect of life. She has been practicing meditation since 1967, and continues to explore multiple Eastern and contemporary paths, teachers, and oracles; including the new sciences of quantum and string theories. Her personal teachers have included Ram Dass, Muktananda, Stephen Levine and others. Doro is formally trained in a number of meditation/mindfulness practices, and has attended dozens of long silent retreats at the Bhavana Buddhist Monastery and the Lama Foundation. She has been a student of author and abbot monk, Bhante Gunaratana, since 1979. Originally from New York, Doro settled in Virginia in 1990 after living in France for 10 years.
Anna Pittman Anna Pittman holds a PhD in Consciousness Studies and a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology. She also holds certifications as an Advanced teacher of  Hatha Yoga, Meditation, Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy, Shiatsu bodywork, Massage, Transpersonal Barratt Breathwork, Healing Touch, Reiki and Life Transformation Consulting.
Nenden Stillman-Runyon Nenden Stillman-Runyon, LCSW is a mental health therapist who brings mindfulness practices into her work with veterans at the Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center. With an emphasis on cultivating awareness of the mind-body connection in trauma-informed therapy, she integrates mindfulness into individual and group settings and is continually impressed by its flexibility, effectiveness and expansive quality. Nenden continues to explore ways in which mindfulness can be used in work with chronic pain, and as a modality in combination with her training in EMDR. She also leads online mindfulness groups for brain injury survivors through Brain Injury Services of Southwestern Virginia’s CLiC Forward program. She received her MSW from Radford University, where she learned how to use mindfulness practice for personal and professional growth.
Katie Wells Katie Wells MFA has 25 years of teaching experience. She is a Mind Body Spirit coach at Life in Balance Counseling and Wellness Center, a certified Spiritual Embodiment Teacher, professor at Radford University, dance artist, and yoga practitioner. Trained in a plethora of mind-body-spirit modalities, Katie has developed courses such as Mindful Embodiment, Chakras in Motion, and Journey of Empowerment. She leads Goddess Retreats in Southwest Virginia and hosts events for personal and community development on her land at the Studio Barn at Jewel Creek. Katie is devoted to assisting others in happier and healthier ways of being.

Board

 

Lori Marsh Lori Marsh, PhD (Chair) is the creator of Walking Stick Yoga. She earned a Ph.D. from Cornell University in Agricultural and Biological Engineering, and served on the faculty of the Biological Systems Engineering Department at Virginia Tech for 15 years before becoming a Research Associate Professor in the university’s Food Science and Technology Department. She is now as an Adjunct Professor in the Math and Statistics Department at Radford University. She became interested in yoga and eastern philosophy after hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2000, and has completed a Yoga Alliance Certified yoga teacher training and taught yoga for several years. Yoga led her to meditation, and she is a member of a New River Valley sangha and attends meditation retreats annually. Her daughter was an ordained Buddhist nun in Myanmar, where they have spent months together in retreat, immersing themselves in a wide range of teachings in the Theravada tradition.
Alan Forrest Dr. Alan Forrest, Ed.D, LPC, LMFT (Vice-Chair) is a Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Radford University. Alan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist who has extensive clinical experience in the areas of individual, couples, family, and group counseling. In addition to his personal mindfulness meditation practice, Alan leads, and co-leads, mindfulness retreats for college and graduate students, medical students, human service and mental health professionals, educators, young adults and others. He is actively involved in infusing mindfulness into both his counseling practice and into the college classroom. Alan is interested in contemplative pedagogy and facilitates weekly mindfulness practice groups at Radford University for faculty, staff, and students. He has served as a conference committee member for various mindfulness-based conferences in Southwest Virginia. Alan has been a consultant and trainer for various mental health centers, school districts, hospices, businesses, and organizations. Alan is affiliated with a private practice, Life in Balance: Counseling & Wellness Center in Christiansburg.
Jamie McReynolds Rev. Jamie McReynolds (Treasurer) is the Fiscal/HR/Grants Technician at Moss Arts Center, and has held finance and information technology roles in the banking, manufacturing and winery industries. He also served as a chaplain at VITAS Hospice, and Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital. He serves on the board of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley, and has also served on the boards of Community Action Marin, Committee on the Shelterless, and UU Congregation, Santa Rosa. Jamie is also involved with Dialogue on Race and Braver Angels, and led the Starr King UU Fellowship Meditation group. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Starr King School for the Ministry, and a B.S. in Business Administration from San Francisco State University.  
Juliet Trail Juliet Trail, PhD (Secretary) is Founder and Director of Courageous Compassion Connection, a non-profit founded in 2020 dedicated to bringing contemplative practices and approaches to diverse groups and individuals in the service of resilience, wholeness, healing, and compassion for self, fellow humans, nature, and all other beings. She builds upon more than fifteen years of experience in higher education at the University of Virginia as well as doctoral studies focusing on Network Enablers, defined as individuals with a strongly empowering and positive impact on others around them in their professional networks. She was co-chair in organizing the 2020 Contemplative Practices for Higher Education Conference, as well as serving on the planning committees for the conferences in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2021. She is also a poet and musician who explores the intersections of creativity and contemplation.
Jason Dilg Jason Dilg is a mindfulness and applied neuroscience facilitator and coach, who brings expertise from two decades of mindfulness and applied neuroscience study and practice. He was executive director the nonprofit, Be Mindful, where he led the curriculum development for FedEx’s successful Human Performance Initiative. He is a regular guest lecturer at Radford University’s graduate counseling program; his presentation “Don’t Think of a Virus” was the highest-rated session at the 2020 National Emergency Management Association’s annual conference; and his paper “Walk for your Life: Mindfulness Practices for Challenging Times,” was included in Journal of Buddhist Studies. Jason is an ecological design adjunct at Springhouse Community School, and has recently become a certified remote SUAV pilot. He has completed Be Mindful’s instructor training as well as an applied neuroscience coaching certificate.
Kim Dove Kimberly Dove, M.Ed., E-RYT 200, YACEP is the founder of Bella Vita, a health and wellness company offering services to people of all abilities and ages. She is an expert-level registered yoga teacher and continuing education provider, specializing in therapeutic applications of yoga, mindfulness, and movement. She is a masters-level trainer and life coach, educator, and speaker with more than 35 years of corporate experience. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Michigan State University and a Master’s in Education and Human Development from George Washington University.
Lewis Grogan Lewis Grogan is founder and chief executive officer of The Knowledge Connection, LLC, an audiovisual company that has worked for the Pentagon, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, and the Federal Reserve Banks, among others. Previously, he was the director of the nonprofit, Valley Character, and also worked with at risk youth. He has served on the board of Total Action Against Poverty, as treasurer of the Harrison Museum of African American Culture, as president of the Northwest Neighborhood Improvement Council, and as a grant writer on Roanoke’s Community Development Block Grant review committee. Lewis served in the Air Force for six years, was an Eagle Scout, and possesses a BA in History.

Advisory Team

Megan Atkinson Megan Atkinson, Ed.S. is the Director of Career and Technical Education and the Governor’s STEM Academy at Pulaski County Public Schools. Prior to this, she was Assistant Principal at Christiansburg High School. She has also worked for Black Rocket Productions, HammerDown Crossfit, Falls Church City Public Schools, Paramount’s Kings Dominion, and King & Queen County Public Schools. Megan is currently working on her Doctor of Education (EdD) in Leadership & Policy Studies at Virginia Tech, and has completed studies in Driver Education and Health Promotion.
Tommy Bailey Tommy Bailey has an extensive background in project management and marketing, and is currently the Marketing Manager for Inflow. He is the founder of the Floyd Silent Meditation Group, and has been practicing mindfulness for several years. Tommy has also completed the Appalachian Trail, and is the author of The Appalachian Trail, Step by Step. He also compiled and edited Floyd Folks: Collective Wisdom from a (One Stoplight) Mountain Community.
Jessie Benson Jessie Benson is a physician, yoga-meditation teacher, and a certified life coach. In addition, Jessie is a professional artist, specializing in a technique she originated in 2013 that utilizes beeswax and oil, and often includes her original poetry.
Paula Casteel Bolte Paula Casteel Bolte—or the ‘Toylady’—has been the owner of Imaginations Toy & Furniture Co for over 20 years and Annie Kay’s Main Street Market for more than ten. Through these businesses, she has been an avid supporter of local-area nonprofits, providing both product donations and a ‘Donation Station’ in Imaginations. A Floyd native, the Emory and Henry alumnus is also the president of South Main Merchants Association of Blacksburg.
ShirleyAnn Burgess ShirleyAnn Burgess is the co-creator of Floyd Yoga Jam and owner of Living Light River Studio. She is a Certified Yoga Teacher, Rolfer, and Massage Therapist with over 40 years of experience, and is on the board of the Community Educational Research Coalition—a Floyd nonprofit with a vision of supporting community interaction.
Cheryl Burrell-Graves Cheryl Burrell-Graves is an Assistant Principal at Christiansburg Middle School. She has been an avid mindfulness and meditation supporter for students and educators, and an advocate for how they increase focus and retention. She has years of experience in the medical insurance and engineering fields and holds a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Angela Cardenas Angela Cardenas‘ passion is to help individuals achieve personal growth and maintain balance in their lives. She believes that good mental health is a vital part of wellness and a practice of mindfulness can play a key role. Angela holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Development, and is a licensed professional counselor in private practice. Her undergraduate studies included psychology, biology, and a BS in Medical Technology. Angela is also an Adjunct Instructor at Radford University where she teaches the undergraduate course The Concepts, Process, and Practices of Mindfulness. She facilitates mindfulness retreats, groups, and classes.
Alexa Zalopany Casey Alexa Z. Casey, PsyD is a psychologist who specializes in dealing with stress, conflict, motivation, drive, and becoming our best self. She is passionate about creating resilience for individuals and the communities they live in. Alexa strongly believes in strengthening supports and connections for people, in order to develop engaged, dynamic and inclusive communities that allow people to thrive. This has led her to be involved in projects including 100+ Women Who Care, Community Connect, Conversation NRV, Pulaski Grow, and The Good Company Cafe. She works both as a psychologist in private practice and at the Veteran’s Administration, and is co-founder of Totus Learning, an online marketing company that assists groups in sharing their message to a larger audience.
Dr. Mark Church Dr. Mark Church is the Superintendent of Franklin County Public Schools, which is the school division he and his children graduated from. An accomplished educator who has served in both urban and rural school districts, Dr. Church is also an Adjunct Professor at James Madison University, and has served as the State Director of SkillsUSA Virginia. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Virginia Tech, and Masters degrees from Lynchburg College and Virginia Tech.
William Crenshaw William Crenshaw is a craftsman, builder, community developer, and farmer. He owned and operated nationally known chandelier studio, Crenshaw Lighting, for 30 years; was a promoter of heritage music as owner of the Floyd Country Store; created and managed Riverstone Organic Farm; was the founding President of the SustainFloyd Foundation; and is a past president of The Crooked Road organization. He has a lifelong interest in meditation and transformative practices, is the father of three daughters, and lives with his wife Jackie in a woodland cabin they built in Floyd County.
Jessica Cromer Jessica Cromer is the Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Innovation at Floyd County Public Schools. Formerly the Principal of Check Elementary School, she has been inspired by the impact mindfulness training has had on her students. She has a passion for education and hard work, and is committed to make every effort to use her talents for the greater good.
Tricia Easterling Dr. Tricia Easterling is a professor in the Radford University Department of Education and Human Development. Previously, she was an environmental educator for the State of Tennessee, teaching students from pre-school through college in 32 school districts. Dr. Easterling has published on several topics, including influence of time on task to learning, critical thinking, classroom management, and teaching science.
Catherine Fae Catherine Fae is the Adult Service and Reference Manager at Jefferson-Madison Regional Library. She has a wide-ranging background, including as Director of Strategic Community Initiatives at Monticello Area Community Action Agency; an attorney, mediator, with Albright & Bongard, PLC, and Fae Law Firm; and serving as a librarian with Radford and Blacksburg Public Libraries. She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Cincinnati, a JD from Antonin Scalia Law School, and an MLIS in Library and Information Services, Storytelling and Community Engagement from the University of North Texas.
Brian Gardner Brian Gardner is a lifelong learner and seeker, looking for the connectedness between all people. He moved to Draper from Charlotte to help run the Draper Mercantile. He manages the village market and plans programming for the Draper Village’s healing arts. Brian is a trained Labyrinth facilitator, and directed the construction of the 46-foot medieval Labyrinth at Merc Farms. He is on the board of Directors for the Draper Community Park and was the project coordinator for its LOVEworks installation. Brian holds a degree in theology, and is the Spiritual Director of The Village Chapel in Draper. He enjoys spending time with his biological and recovery families, his red healer dog, goats, and three roosters. His interests include journaling, meditation, drumming, silent retreats, twelve-step spirituality and traveling.
Will Griffin Will Griffin is a certified CPA with decades of experience. Although not claiming to personally have a mindfulness practice, he is an avid golfer, which is perhaps the most mindful sport of all. He has been the Mayor of Floyd since 2010.
Robert Hernberger Robert Hernberger has worked the last 11-plus years in field operations for Starbucks, currently managing the First & Main location in Blacksburg. He holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and Learning from The George Washington University, and has a passion for organization development and talent development. Robert is on the board of directors for Blacksburg’s South Main Merchants Association–fueling his love of supporting community in the NRV–and is a professional member of the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and Organization Development Network (ODN). Meditation has been a transformative part of his personal journey since 2018, and mindfulness has become a central focus of his advocacy for self-care through HR and leadership development programs.
Jack Howard Jack Howard owned Tea & Jam in Blacksburg, a tea shoppe dedicated to fulfilling its mission of “Supporting Balanced and Healthy Lifestyles.” It hosted the Blacksburg InSpire community, group sound therapy sessions, Yoga philosophy, and Gurdjieff study groups, and works closely with its neighbor In Balance Yoga Studio to promote mindfulness in the community. Jack found meditation and mindfulness in the midst of a technology career that spanned four decades, while working for Wisdom Media Group, which produced groundbreaking self-development and spirituality programming for television, radio, and web distribution.
Dr. Sunil K. Jain Dr. Sunil K. Jain has served as Medical Director in a variety of clinical settings, utilizing a wide range of medical techniques, for the last 20 years. He is currently most interested in the synthesis of Rehabilitation Medicine and Integrative Medicine, especially as it pertains to neurorerehabilitation, cancer and pain medicine. Dr. Jain is an invited speaker on a broad spectrum of medical topics and has been honored by Phoenix Magazine as a “Top Doctor” in Physiatry. The Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation also named Dr. Jain a Physician Philanthropist for “his contribution to the medical community in the Greater Phoenix area.” He believes in a patient-centered, evidence based, cost-effective, compassionate, and comprehensive team approach to patient care.
Joe Klein Joe Klein, LPC, CSAC is the lead clinician of a mindfulness-based addiction treatment program in rural Virginia. He began practicing meditation in 2001, began staffing teen retreats in 2007, and is a co-founder of iBme. Since 2010, Joe has been teaching a graduate course at Radford University and leading retreats and workshops on mindfulness practice for college students, counselors, social workers and education professionals. Joe brings playfulness, Earth connection and whole person engagement to his ways of teaching and embodying mindfulness practice.
Parrish Lee Parrish Lee is a graphic designer and marketer. Born and raised in North Carolina, he has worked with large and small companies from Madonna to Crafty Quilting (a small quilting company created by a stay-at-home mother), and genuinely enjoys helping others succeed. Parrish has been practicing mindfulness for three years and until now has been entirely self taught. He enjoys guiding friends and family who are ready to experience mindfulness with him.
John R. F. Lewis The Late John R. F. Lewis was the owner of Infinite Way Circle. He was the Executive Director of Apple Ridge Farm. He is a Roanoke native, with more than 15 years of experience working with inner-city youth and communities in Richmond and Roanoke, in the fields of public education and nonprofit management. He was the Founder and former Executive Director of the urban agricultural education nonprofit Renew Richmond. He was also an educator, Certified Prevention Specialist and Qualified Mental Health Professional, engaging communities in evidence-based prevention and enrichment programs.
Douglas K. Lindner The Late Dr. Douglas K. Lindner was a faculty member in Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research interests included control theory, smart materials, and the development of ethics instruction for STEM incorporating mindfulness. He organized the following conferences:

In the 2013-14 academic year he was the Fredrick Lenz Fellow at Naropa University. He practiced meditation and qigong.

Doug was a member of our very first board, and passed away on February 1, 2020. We are very grateful for all he contributed to InStill, and to the promotion of mindfulness in higher education. He is deeply missed.
Jill Loftis Jill Loftis is the owner of Uttara Yoga Studio, where she teaches yoga, stress relief, meditation, and mindfulness, and leads yoga teacher trainings, and also owns Nuit Astrology. She also teaches a range of workshops outside her studio, and leads national and international yoga retreats. She has completed YOGA ed. training and is certified K-8 to teach yoga and mindfulness to children and educators, and has taught in many local schools and other institutions over the past decade. Jill began practicing yoga in 2000, and completed her yoga teacher training with the Temple of Kriya Yoga in 2007.
Swede McBroom Swede McBroom is a long-term mindfulness practitioner, who has led the Blue Mountain Center of Meditation Satsang in Floyd for many years. He also leads a community meditation group, and both are held at Shanti on Deer Park Farm—a beautiful meditation hall that is open to the public, which he built on his property. He has plans to build a retreat center at the same location. He is the former owner of The Natural Woodworking Co., which produced quality hand-made furniture pieces using traditional means of joinery.
Jackie McNabb Jackie McNabb is the Director of Web & Mobile Technologies at Radford University and has been involved in technology for Higher Education for over 30 years. She is also the president of the Blacksburg Community Tennis Association and has worked to provide low-cost fitness opportunities through tennis in the New River Valley for the past 5 years. She is sometimes known as the “Shoe Lady” because she collects new and used athletic shoes for redistribution/recycling – keeping the shoes out of the landfills. Recently introduced to mindfulness practice, Jackie is excited to learn more and incorporate mindfulness into all aspects of life. She is also passionate about reading, writing/journaling, camping, Guided Imagery & Music, and….tennis! 
Nancy Mignone Nancy Mignone earned a B.A. in German and International Studies from Iowa State University, and a Master’s in Fisheries & Wildlife Sciences at Virginia Tech. She worked at the VT Museum of Natural History doing a bit of everything. She has been a licensed massage therapist since 1997 and has a private practice in Blacksburg. She was formerly an administrator for the Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, and held the space there for a yoga meditation group for seven years. She completed 200 hours of yoga teacher training with Anna Pittman, as well as other classes on consciousness and embodiment. She has had a regular meditation practice since 2004.
Andy Morikawa Andrew J. Morikawa served as executive director of the Community Foundation of the New River Valley (CFNRV), from 1997-2010, leaving a legacy of community-based philanthropy. He has served as a founding board member for a number of community-based nonprofits including the New Mountain Climbers Giving Circle, Free Clinic of the New River Valley, and New River Valley Habitat for Humanity. He served as CEO of New River Community Action (1981-1988) and World SHARE (1988-1996). Andy currently is Senior Fellow at the Virginia Tech School of Public and International Affairs’ Institute for Policy and Governance, where he produces the Community Voices program and the Trustees Without Borders podcast. He is a founder and steering group member of the Dialogue on Race, a community-based initiative working to end racial injustice in Virginia’s Montgomery County. He is Past Chair of the Board for Community Housing Partners and board member for Via International, SustainFloyd Foundation, and The Community Group (the African American civic organization that runs the Dialogue on Race). He does consulting work specializing in nonprofit governance and board development.
Kim O'Donnell Kim O’Donnell is a retired Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge. Prior to becoming a judge, she served as both a public defender and a prosecutor in Richmond, Virginia. During her legal career, she served on the boards of various non-profits, including the Richmond CASA program, the Prison Visitation Project, and the YWCA of Greater Richmond. She has also served on the Advisory Board of Visitors for Mary Baldwin College and was a member of the McArthur Foundation Research Network on Adolescent Development and Juvenile Justice. In addition to her undergraduate and law degrees, she has a Masters in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University. Her interest in mindfulness-based practices began over a decade ago when she served as a full-time caregiver for her mother and began searching for ways to deal with the stress associated with end of life transitions. Her life has been profoundly enriched by these practices as well as other disciplines that support greater awareness and consciousness in daily life.
Courtney Pace
Courtney Pace is a teacher and practitioner of yoga, and owner of Studio 221 Yoga, Wellness & Community in Floyd. She received a Bachelor of Science from Virginia Tech in 2001 and attained her license as a massage therapist in 2004. In yoga, Courtney has worked and studied with mentors and teachers from a variety of lineages and styles since 1998, and has developed a passion for sharing the transformational power of adaptive gentle yoga with those that may otherwise consider yoga to be inaccessible or even impossible. She is a registered teacher through Yoga Alliance, and a Level 1 Professional Yoga Therapist. In addition to being a yogi business owner, Courtney also has a knack for logistics and business management which she has nurtured throughout her career, consulting with companies and organizations during periods of growth and development. She formerly served as a Senior Consultant in Corporate Responsibility for Peacework Development Fund. 
Rob Patzig Rob Patzig is the President of Ligmincha International and Chair of the Ligmincha International Board. He has served as Chief Financial Officer for Ligmincha and Serenity Ridge since 2012. He first encountered Bön in 2007 and immediately found his spiritual home within the lineage. Rob also teaches yoga, in the tradition of Dharma Mittra. He previously spent 19 years working as the Chief Investment Officer and Senior Manager for investment firm Third Security, LLC, and prior to that was an instructor of English at Virginia Tech. He has a B.A. in philosophy and an M.A. in literature from Virginia Tech. He and his wife, Eileen, live in Blacksburg.
Jacqui Pile Jacqui Pile is a wellness practitioner who has lived in Abingdon for nearly 16 years. She has over 20 years’ experience working as a Medical Exercise Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer and Health Coach through the American Council on Exercise, and is registered with Yoga Alliance having completed a 500-hour Yoga Teacher Training. Jacqui enjoys sharing reiki and is currently studying to become an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach. She has a huge passion for people and loves helping them discover their own ‘best selves’.
Laura Pynn Laura Pynn has been the office manager at the Community Foundation of the New River Valley since 2007, where she represents a large part of small team that has a big impact. In her ‘spare’ time, she manages Pynnhaven Farm, where she milks goats and makes cheese. Prior to her current role, she served as Associate Executive Director at Serenity House, a Home for Recovering Alcoholics. She holds a BA in Marketing and Business Administration from Radford University, where she graduated summa cum laude, and a BA in Latin and Greek from the University of Mary Washington.
Emily Redding Emily Redding is a public speaker, and High School Math Teacher at Christiansburg High School. She has a BS in Mathematics Education from Kansas State University and a MS in Educational Leadership from Radford University. Emily has been helping students in math for the past 18 years through private tutoring and teaching in high schools in the United States and Dominican Republic. Her graduate research project examined how mindfulness could be incorporated in schools to help ease anxiety in both students and teachers. Emily uses parts of the MindUp Curriculum and resources from ClassDojo in her teaching to help students learn about their brains, their emotions, and ways to cope with anxiety and stress in the classroom setting.
Elisha Reygle Elisha Reygle has had a private practice as a Licensed Massage Therapist for over 25 years and was a core instructor at the Blue Ridge School of Massage and Yoga, where she also ran their continuing education program. She organized the Healing Arts Village at FloydFest for 15 years before transitioning to run their backstage Massage Oasis. She has over 30 years of experience meditating, and practicing and teaching tai chi, and is well versed in traditional Chinese healing arts. Elisha is also a Focusing practitioner and birth doula. She loves being an artist, and lives in her self-built cob house.
Beverly Robinette Rev. Beverly Robinette, LCSW holds a Master of Social Work from Radford University, a Master of Divinity from Emory University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Emory & Henry College. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker she utilizes Integrative Psychodynamic Therapy as her therapy model foundation, incorporating other models as appropriate and needed, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Structural Family Therapy, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Supportive Therapy—all with a healthy dose of play.
Chris Saeger Chris Saeger has been creating interactive learning experiences for a variety of organizations since 1985. He has served as the Executive Director of the North American Simulation and Gaming Association and Director of Training for the American Red Cross Disaster Program. His work has been recognized by Association for Talent Development (ATD) and Training Magazine. Chris was introduced to mindfulness through Taiji and Qigong about ten years ago, and he is now a Tai Chi for Health and World Hunyuan Taiji Association certified instructor. To deepen his movement arts practices, Chris attended a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program, and has developed an ongoing mindfulness practice.
R. Scott Schwarzer R. Scott Schwarzer is a Captain and SWAT Commander with Radford City Police Department, where he has served for over twenty-five years. Scott also works as an instructor across the region in multiple law enforcement subjects. He was introduced to mindfulness, meditation, and yoga by friends. He is grateful to serve with InStill and seeks to assist others on their path while working on his own practice. He enjoys backpacking, music festivals, and working at the local scout camp.
Pat Shoemaker Dr. Pat Shoemaker taught in elementary, music, early childhood, and gifted education programs for twenty years. She has worked in post-secondary education for over thirty years. Dr. Shoemaker served as the Dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Radford University from 2006 to 2015, where she fostered the overarching theme of Mind, Body, Spirit, incorporating faculty development activities and campus workshops on mindfulness and socio-emotional development, and mindfulness in education, leadership, and organizational development. She recently retired as the Director of Peace Studies at Radford, and is Co-Coordinator of the Roots and Branches Commission, where she continues to teach classes in peace studies and mindfulness. Dr. Shoemaker’s research interests are in socio-emotional learning and developmentally-based education, and in contemplative practices in higher education, leadership, and organizational development.
Jill Smeltzer Jill Smeltzer, LCSW has worked as a therapist in the mental health field for over 30 years in inpatient mental health, college counseling, community mental health and private practice settings, incorporating various forms of mindfulness into her clinical practice. She is currently the Clinical Outreach Manager for Clearview Behavioral Health, and has volunteered for the American Red Cross for over 18 years as a Disaster Mental Health responder and trainer. Jill lives in Abingdon and in her spare time enjoys yoga, walking, swimming, traveling and playing mahjong. She has earned a Bachelor of Social Work from Radford University, and a Master of Social Work from VCU.
Susanna Smith Susanna Smith is a Reading Specialist, with over 20 years’ experience, at Belview Elementary School. She has an MA in Elementary Education from Virginia Tech, and a Reading Specialist Degree from UVA. Smith taught at Blue Mountain School in Floyd before moving to Arlington, where she was a Reading Specialist for Arlington Public Schools for 14 years. She has attended many workshops through the Kennedy Center’s Changing Education Through the Arts Program (CETA), which gives teachers skills to help students understand and maintain a calm mind and body during learning.
Jennifer Speiden Jennifer Speiden owns and runs Inner Awareness, as a certified yoga therapist, registered yoga teacher, and Ayurvedic lifestyle counselor. She has an MS in Physical Therapy, and has also immersed herself in the study of transnational dance and drum traditions that serve to connect people in community while celebrating and expressing one’s unique experiences. She enjoys weaving tools and teachings from both Eastern and Western medicine, as well as expressive arts approaches, to encourage people of all ages and ability levels to tend and befriend their bodies, breath, and minds. Through integrative medicine and contemplative mindfulness practices, she invites individuals to enjoy the beauty of both mindful movement and reflective stillness.
Elizabeth Spellman Elizabeth Spellman, JD is a Virginia native who is building a sustainable farm and homestead, Singing Spring Farm, with her husband in the Sinking Creek Valley. She is a nonprofit consultant and works with organizations and cooperatives in Appalachia, the Chesapeake region, and New England, with a focus on sliding scale models and food systems. Elizabeth completed an alignment-based yoga teacher training at New River Yoga in West Virginia, and taught there before moving to southwest Virginia.  She has a Mental Health First Aid certification and attends Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine part-time. Elizabeth is committed to affordable and holistic medicine in central Appalachia, as well as making opportunities for personal cultivation and mental and spiritual well-being more accessible in rural places.
Joseph Taylor Joseph Taylor draws on decades of professional experience in helping people and organizations to grow and thrive. Following an early career in banking and business, his call to servant leadership brought him to executive positions in institutional advancement at Emory & Henry College, University at Albany/SUNY, James Madison’s Montpelier, and The University of Virginia’s Miller Center for Public Affairs. Currently, Joseph serves as Legacy Giving Advisor for the Association for Research & Enlightenment. In addition, he and his spouse, Rana Duncan, LCSW, Ed.D, are building a holistic hypnotherapy practice in Bristol, VA. Joseph holds a B.A. degree from Manhattan College and certifications as consulting hypnotist (National Guild of Hypnotists) and teacher of meditation and the inner life (Atlantic University).
Gibby Waitzkin Gibby Waitzkin is a fiber artist, papermaker, and photographer, with an extensive background in political and environmental activism, and a commitment to living a life built around an environment conducive to both physical and spiritual health. Prior to settling in Floyd, Gibby spent 30 years in Washington DC in roles including Production and Editorial Consultant for the White House Office of Consumer Affairs and US Department of Agriculture; Development Consultant for the Institute for Policy Studies, Youth Project Foundation, and Highland Center; and 15 years as President of Gibson Creative. She holds a BS in Education Photography and Art Education from the University of Georgia.
Steve Weber Steve Weber is our original Board Chair. He retired from electrical power generation after thirty years working at generating stations in North Carolina, Utah, Colorado, and Washington. He is past chair of the board of trustees for Ocean View United Methodist Church in Oak Island, NC, and was the founding chair, and later secretary, for the Springhouse Community School Board. In past years Steve attended various workshops with Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements. He attended a three-year guided meditative practice traveling to Connecticut monthly to participate in what Ruiz calls the Art of Dreaming. Steve continues to meditate on a regular basis. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Virginia Tech.
Virginia Weisz Virginia Weisz PhD, WHNP-BC has been working as a Nurse Practitioner since 1994. She is a tenured Associate Professor and has been teaching at Radford University since 1996. Virginia has worked in the women’s health care field, emergency department, ski patrol, and hospice settings for many years, including in Russia and Belize, and she maintains her certification as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She has a private Reiki practice, and her research interests include global, rural and underserved access to health care, complementary health approaches, and women’s health care. Virginia lives on a farm in rural southwest Virginia.