About us
What we believe
We believe
In the value in forming real personal connections,
in person and beyond what
social media can offer.
We believe in the power of smiling,
laughing, and
having a lot of fun.
Above all else, we believe
Every woman has something worth sharing
and is worthy of being
heard without judgement.
About us
We believe
More than ever, we believe in the value of forming
personal connections through our shared experiences and stories.
Our team of professional teachers and instructors is dedicated to using their passions and talents to serve
each woman, her family, and our community!
We believe in the power of
smiling, laughing, and
having a lot of fun.
Above all else, we believe
Every woman has something
worth sharing and is worthy of
being heard without judgment.
Our Member Teachers
Andrea Cashman
Yoga & Meditation
Susan McLaughlin
M.P.A., C.P.S. Spiritual Teacher
Amanda Votto
Mindfulness Expert
Ally Fand
Massage Therapist
Vilma Ortiz
Artist
Melissa Mitri
Melissa Mitri Nutrition LLC
Lynda Mettler
Transformational Life Coach & Reiki Master
Traci Weber
Walk About Yoga, LLC
Vilma Ortiz-Dillon
Vilma Ortiz received her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. Spent several years in NY as a Book Cover Illustrator and Designer. She relocated to CT to work as a staff Illustrator at Weekly Reader Corporation.
Throughout the years she has always created jewelry as a hobby and side business, BEADHAPPY . She works out of Nest Studio at Tiny Forest where she paints, creates clay, stone, bead embroidered jewelry, and teaches.
Ally Fand
Ally is an experienced and knowledgeable therapist who is committed to her chosen profession and continues to learn and expand her massage modalities to enhance her ability to promote healing.
She offers massage on site for your Self Care day; 60 relaxing minutes $90.00
Ally’s Earth Treasures is her product line in which items are personally hand-made and designed to promote healing and relaxation by using only all-natural ingredients.
Many of Ally’s products are available at Tiny Forest for purchase. You can also purchase her lovely products at Ally’s Earth Treasures online shop here.
Melissa Mitri
I have been a Registered Dietitian for over 13 years and could not see myself doing anything else.
I became an RD because I always found the relationship between diet and health fascinating. I have an undergraduate degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Connecticut and completed my Dietetic Internship at Yale-New Haven Hospital. I earned an MS in Nutrition and Wellness from the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford (completed just in time a month before my first born arrived!)
I am an early bird and total science nerd. In the early morning hours before my kiddos wake up you can expect to see me reading and keeping up with the latest nutrition research. This is very important to me because the research is constantly changing and I have to keep up. This knowledge base is tapped during your sessions so I can guide you in your journey using the latest evidence-based information.
Amanda Votto
Amanda is dedicated to teaching mindfulness and helping others learn how to tap into the power of the present moment, unlock their unlimited potential and open their boundless heart. When one person heals, we all heal. She takes a holistic approach when working with individuals to help restore emotional, physical, psychological, and spiritual health. Now, more than ever, our world is suffering and needs each of us to wake up, share our gifts and spread love.
Amanda is a passionate person who believes in the wholeness of each of us despite our past or current conditions. She has formal training in both medicine and mindfulness, but it is through her own inner journey that she is most adept to guide others.
Andrea Cashman
Andrea Cashman, 500hr Kripalu Certified Yoga Teacher is passionate about helping her students discover the physical, emotional and spiritual balance
of Yoga and Meditation while maintaining
a light-hearted and safe environment.
She began teaching Yoga in her early 20’s at LaCosta Spa in southern California (now the home of The Chopra Center).
She then spent 25 years traveling, raising a family,
and working in both corporate and education careers.
Andrea returned to Yoga for support as she cared for her aging parents - that healing experience inspired her to come back to her roots. She enjoys learning and sharing that knowledge with her students.
Her classes offer a full range of Yoga, from Core Strength Vinyasa to Gentle Yoga; and a variety of Meditation techniques to appeal to the different learning styles of her students. Andrea works at Studios, Schools, Senior Centers, Corporations...she also offers
private classes, retreats and workshops.
Specialty Programs:
Let Your Yoga Dance!® in high energy & gentle format: A fusion of user-friendly dance steps with yoga to the beat of world music.
Certifications - 500 Hr. Kripalu Yoga - 2017
Yoga Spirit®: Hatha Yoga 200 hr
Let Your Yoga Dance® -Energetic
Let Your Yoga Dance for Special Populations®
Mark Morris Dance Group: Dance for PD®
Himalayan Institute: Ayuredic Yoga Specialist
Y12SR - Yoga for 12 Step Recovery
Ella Calcote
Lynda Mettler
Lynda is a transformational life coach, meditation instructor & Reiki master. She creates a healing space where clients release limiting beliefs and discover their confidence, creativity and courage.
Combining coaching techniques with the healing power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) "parts work," clients don't just gain a new perspective, they experience a lasting shift in how they feel inside and relate to others. They are free to be their best selves and able to create the life they desire, filled with love and joy.
"Get out of your head, and into your life!"
Traci Weber
My journey to yoga began in 1974 when I luckily came across Richard Hittleman's book Yoga 28 Day Exercise Plan. It changed, no, it saved my life.
Wanting to deepen my understanding about yoga, I took my Yoga Teacher Training in 2013 at Soul Space in Southington, CT. I was also fortunate enough to train with Rolf Gates and certified in Y12SR with Nikki Myers. I graduated with a certification in Yoga for Trauma with Lisa Danylchuk and studied with Karen Wells for a certification in meditation and most recently completed Yin Yoga Training with The Yoga and Ayurveda Center.
Being an avid outdoor enthusiast, I created WalkAboutYoga in 2015. WAY is an active, fun, and social way to have a cardio-based yoga experience while exploring the great hiking trails all around Connecticut. Our WalkAbouts combine the cardio benefits of well-paced hiking with the strengthening moves of yoga for an intimate group workout that is accessible to yoga practitioners of all levels.
Both my Beach Yoga and Walkabouts classes are heartfelt and intuitive, gently challenging and deeply nourishing. Through creating a safe space and an emphasis on synchronizing the breath with movement, I help you flow with more ease and grace while deepening your physical and spiritual practice. I use the teachings of Hatha Yoga, Y12SR training, Yoga4Trauma and meditation to promote a healthy, conscious lifestyle.
If you have a skill, an interest, a talent or a profession that you'd like to share with other women, please contact us.
“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be. ”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
