Sarah Rury, MA

Sarah Rury is an Advanced-level Therapeutic Riding Instructor, certified through the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA).  Her studies began at Horse Power a therapeutic riding center specifically focused on the psychosocial realm of therapeutic riding.  While at Horse Power, Sarah presented Integrated Riding workshops at the National Horses and Healing Conference  of 2004, featuring GaWaNi Pony Boy.

Sarah is a graduate of the Center for Yoga  Teacher Training in Amherst, MA and is pursuing certification in forrest Yoga; a vigorous branch of yoga emphasizing core strength and spirit.  Sarah strives to bring a sense of safety and creativity to her yoga and integrated riding classes.  She approaches somatic movement with curiosity, encouraging students to discover and name their own individual experiences, as awareness in the body deepens.

Additionally, Sarah is a certified Rape Crisis Counselor who has worked with the Counselor/Advocate Program at the Everywoman’s Center in Amherst, MA.  She has created psycho-educational curriculum for and co-facilitated support groups and wilderness retreats for survivors of sexual abuse. Sarah completed the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Youth Opportunities Program (YOP), a program that trains people who work with youth how to successfully lead groups into the wilderness.  This adventure-based, challenge by choice framework is a component of Integrated Riding classes and workshops.

Erika Heilig, MA

Erika Heilig is a license Massachusetts Riding Instructor.  She is passionate about adventure education. Her caving, rock climbing, and backpacking skills provide ample opportunities for clients to take healthy risks following the challenge by choice format. She is certified through the Appalachian Mountain Club as a Youth Opportunities Program Leader, as well as an advanced backpacking leader. Erika is an avid horsewoman and find that horses can become an integral element of adventure education.

As a Reiki II practitioner, certified through the Usui Healing system, Erika brings hands on healing to her clients, alleviating issues of depression, anxiety, pain and stress management.

Erika is a certified yoga instructor through the Amherst Yoga Center. Currently, she is teaching at The Body Shop on High Street in Greenfield. Through yoga, Erika works to develop a more subtle sense of self as she explores movement as a therapeutic model. As a Somatic Educator, Erika believes the body is the key component to exploring ones' sense of self.  

Hayley Gilmore

Hayley Gilmore joined us in the spring of 2008 as a riding instructor.  Hayley started as a volunteer during the summer of 2007 and made her skills apparent.  She has a strong background in working with children and is currently a graduate student at Smith College in the field of Special Education.  We are excited to have Hayley with us.

Jessie Blakeney-Hayward

Copyright 2006 Ashvana
All rights reserved