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.
Emma Towle
Emma joins our staff
this summer as an intern through the UMASS Stockbridge program. Emma came
to us as a volunteer in the spring of 2007 and has put in well over 100
hours of volunteer time. Emma's passion for horses is complimented by her
ease in learning. Emma is patient, inquisitive, and kind. We are pleased
that Emma has joined our staff.