Kelsy Timas is a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Author, Therapist, Educator, and Speaker/Coach assisting the world in discovering and recovering a life in balance. A lifelong yoga practitioner with a professional background in Quality/Risk Management and Emergency Medicine, Kelsy is on a mission to serve humanity in their journey and return to holism through evidence based mind body practices that support effective performance, resilience and recovery in a life well lived.

Recognized as an industry leader and sought after as a subject matter expert, Kelsy invests her time and talents in people, organizations and communities looking for wellness solutions that move us toward a more productive and integrative world. Her 20+ years of clinical experience, evidence based holistic strategies and vision for the future of collaborative health care is the driving force behind the growth and development of her national Health and Wellness company, Guiding Wellness Institute Inc. Kelsy’s drive and success can be attributed to her deep desire and commitment to creating accessible and sustainable solutions that serve performance, resilience and recovery; pillars of support that allow people to create and live their best life. A natural entrepreneur and pioneering spirit that has never been afraid to create solutions needed in order to find “a better way”, and the sincere belief that she is in service of her life’s calling, Kelsy has blazed a trail that will support many generations to discover, recover and maintain their balance in an ever changing world.

Kelsy was awarded the Outstanding Entrepreneur of the Year by Reeves Business school in 2019, the Owner and Director of Guiding Wellness Institute’s Registered Yoga School (RYS) and the Author of LIVE WELL Magazine and BE WELL Podcast.

Devoted to her role as a military spouse and her military family, Kelsy serves, directs and advises many non-profit organizations serving those who serve and their families that sacrifice so much. When she is not teaching or at work running her national operation, Kelsy spends time with her six dogs, her family and close friends, living the message of “Be well” she shares with the world. She is a connoisseur of coffee and French wine, loves cooking from her home potager and taking time for regular sunshine in nature and the outdoors, her favorite people call her “Naynay”. Kelsy also enjoys reading, writing, pottery and house projects along with her deepest passions of yoga, meditation and mindfulness.

Kelsy’s Guiding Wellness Blog

Julia comes to us from a very eclectic background.  Her first love was always teaching and sharing her passions.  Her life’s path had quite a few forks and curves in the road before landing at Guiding Wellness Institute as a Yoga Instructor and Assistant Program Director.  Her love of educating, mentoring and learning range from singing (she’s an opera singer!), to business management, to training facilitation, to motorcycle safety.  Her passions come alive when she leads a yoga class and shares the benefits of a holistic wellness practice.  This midwestern girl loves to belt out a good tune, snuggle with her fur baby, experience the beauty of nature and feed people with her culinary creations.

Alyssabeth is a writer, educator, and lover of travel. She was lucky enough to be introduced to yoga in middle school, through a family friend who opened a yoga studio; she began practicing restorative yoga and became fascinated with the way breathwork, particularly ujjayi pranayama, could have such an immense impact on reducing stress and anxiety. While living in Southern California, she developed a love for hot yoga, particularly hot vinyasa and yin. She earned her RYT-200 certification at Hot House Yoga in Richmond Virginia. She is currently furthering her yoga education, pursuing her 300 Hour Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training through Guiding Wellness. When she’s not practicing yoga or teaching writing, she’s likely camping, hiking, and enjoying nature with her husband and puppy, any chance she gets!

Guanina Palermo-Pinckney is a Holistic Life, Executive and Career Coach with a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Master’s in Counseling Studies and has completed “All But Dissertation” for her PhD in Community Counseling. A disabled Air Force Veteran and an entrepreneur of a health and wellness business that promotes guided awareness (TeamPPLLC), a Warriors At Ease Level 1 Trained Teacher with certification and experience in Personal Training and Sports Nutrition. Married with three children, a champion for health, wellbeing and supporting her military community, Guanina is determined “Not to Lose ” when it comes to creating a consciousness alignment between one’s mind, body, and soul. 

Adames Shifu has a very strong background in traditional martial arts and traditional training. He has studied external and internal Chinese Martial Arts for most of his life. He specializes in traditional methods and forms that hail directly from the Shaolin traditions. He has trained in a wide variety of weapons and open hand styles. He has spent over 25 years studying and practicing a variant of Northern Shaolin Mantis combined with Tam Tui (a family style originating in northern China) and is currently studying Tang Quan and application of T’ai Chi for Health as a therapeutic practice.

Adames Shifu serves as 老師(Lao Shi – Senior Instructor) of the Rou Long Ma School of Chinese Martial Arts Kung Fu program. He continues studying and developing his skills while maintaining the traditions of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts.

Adames Shifu has spent considerable time studying the internal art of Taijiquan(Tai Chi) as well. He continues to study it and its health benefits as well as its martial applications. He currently teaches the 8 posture, the simplified 24 posture, Cheng Man-Ch’ing 37 posture, Sun Style 73 Posture, and  Tai Chi Weapon Forms. He also teaches Ba duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), 18 Lo Han and Swimming Dragon Qigong as well as standing and seated meditation techniques. He continues training in the 88 posture Yang family application form and is now certified through the Tai Chi for health Institute.

Adames Shifu combines his extensive knowledge with a patient and reflexive teaching style that motivates children through seniors to do their best and improve their health and fitness.

Amanda is a DOD Mental Health Clinician with over thirteen years experience serving Active Duty Military as well as Military Dependents at Ft. Bragg. She earned her RYT-200 in early 2022 with specialized training in therapeutic yoga through Guiding Wellness Institute to be able to offer another modality of treatment for the community she serves. She discovered through the process the innumerous benefits of having a daily yoga practice for her own personal wellness. She is excited to share the practice with others.

Since graduating from Yoga Teacher Training, she has continued working on her personal yoga journey through readings, meditation, and journaling. She has taken the Warriors at Ease teacher training to further her knowledge of providing trauma sensitive yoga classes to the military. She has been implementing mindfulness practice at the beginning every therapy session in her work environment as well as prompting yoga as part of Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality.

Adrien is a personal trainer and yoga teacher with expertise in building strength and mobility through movement and breath. She currently enjoys competitive powerlifting along with yoga and some endurance training. Dancing in her kitchen is probably her favorite way to move! She loves hiking and being outdoors and any day spent at the beach!

Her yoga practice began in high school, which ultimately led her to her passion for health and wellness. She has experienced bodybuilding and powerlifting as well as coaching and training individuals from a variety of backgrounds with many different goals. 

          “My experience with Guiding Wellness started in a Saturday morning warm flow. I immediately felt welcomed and at home and was super excited to discover that the studio also offers Yoga Teacher Training, which is something I have always wanted to pursue. Now I can’t believe that I have completed the 200 HR YTT and the experience has been nothing short of life changing, with so much deep personal growth and the knowledge and ability to help others along their own healing journey, through movement and breath.  YTT at Guiding Wellness Institute has given me the tools to offer a more holistic approach to the health and wellness of myself, my family, friends and clients.”

Traci’s yoga journey started in 2018. She has been in the fitness industry for close to fifteen years and was convinced yoga was not for her.  After sitting in some chair yoga classes, and taking advantage of some other senior classes, she made the move and tried a mat yoga class. She became curious in bringing yoga to her personal training courses, became friends with the instructor, started attending classes, and wanted to try more. From there, she became a fan of hot and warm yoga and was hooked! During the pandemic she stayed connected to her practice at home. She was introduced to local instructors and studios that were offering yoga online. At home, she became very consistent in her practice and couldn’t wait to get back into the studio. Traci’s interest and love for yoga has grown significantly during her 200 Hour Teacher Training and it has helped her see the importance of yoga in all aspects of life.

          “[Yoga Teacher Training] has been an amazing exeperience. It has changed me from the inside out. I have become more calm, and see the importance of taking care of me, before I can take care of others. TI have grown so much not just mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally, but I have also grown in my confidence and the way I provide fitness and wellness to others. I am so excited to share what I have learned with everyone that I meet.” 

Traci is currently teaching yogalates, chair yoga, kids yoga and Gentle Yoga. She is more than excited to be a part of this incredible team, that gives her many opportunities to continue to grow. 

Blandina joined the U.S. Army right out of High School. Boot camp was at the Women’s Army Corp, Ft. McClellan, AL. Her entire cadre and leadership were all women except two male Drill Sergeants. She graduated thinking the rest of the Army looked like that.  She had a surprise in store for her! She worked in Human Resources and held multiple leadership positions (Drill Sergeant, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, and Sergeant Major), including being a Paratrooper and Training Instructor. Before military retirement, she earned certifications in Group Exercise Instructor specialties (Aerobics, Yoga, Aqua Aerobics, Kickboxing, Group Cycling [Spinning]) and taught those classes at several fitness facilities (military and non-military) for about five years.  Post retirement, she entered the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Federal Civilian career field and achieved a dual Master’s degree in Human Resources and Leadership/Management.  She recently graduated from the Guiding Wellness Institute’s 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training and began their advanced 300 hour Yoga Teacher Training Program. She intends to teach Yoga and share it with the world through teaching and art. Life, for her, would not be complete without spending lots of time enjoying her family (9 children and 16 grandchildren) and friends.

Lorna found yoga before 2005 and her personal practice led her to pursue professional training to guide others. She received her designation as an RYT200 in October of 2017 after graduating from a comprehensive program at Guiding Wellness Institute. Lorna’s training included 320 hours of Yoga Theory and Instruction in the areas of Hatha, Ashtanga, Adaptive Yoga for Military and Special Populations, Mindfulness, Meditation, and Pranayama. Her program included specialized training from Warriors at Ease for Trauma Sensitive and Adaptive yoga which supports her ability to provide adequate instruction to a diverse group of students in a variety of environments. With mindfulness as a core value, Lorna enjoys supporting the return to balance with a teaching style full of grace, intention and the power of the breath. She is certified in Stand up Paddleboard Yoga and level one iREST meditation.  When she is not working, teaching or practicing, Lorna enjoys being with her family and community, which are her heart’s greatest joys.

Yajaira “J” Santiago is a certified  National Academy of Sports Medicine Physical Fitness Trainer and as of early April, a 200 RYT through Guiding Wellness Institute.  She is in the process of retiring from the Army with 20 years of service and several combat tours.