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 in forming real personal connections.
Our team of professional teachers and instructors are dedicated to using their passions and talents to serve
each women 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 judgement.
Our Member Teachers
Andrea Cashman
Yoga & Meditation
Amanda Votto
Mindfullness Expert
Ally Fand
Massage Therapist
Vilma Ortiz-Dillon
Artist
Susan McLaughlin
M.P.A., C.P.S. Spiritual Teacher
Melissa Mitri
Melissa Mitri Nutrition LLC
Ella Calcote
Creator of Tiny Forest, 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, VODArt . She works out of Nest Studio at Tiny Forest where she paints, creates clay and 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.
Susan McLaughlin
Susan McLaughlin, M.P.A., C.P.S., is a trained Womens' Ways Circle Facilitator, and has been serving the Wallingford, CT Circle of Women for 10 years.
She has been a student of Native American spiritual teacher and social activist Oh Shinnah Fast Wolf since the early 1990's, and maintains a healing arts practice in central Connecticut.
A spiritual teacher and ceremonialist, she is known as a "Dagwanee", or "Wisdom Keeper", in the Women's Ways Mystery School. She holds the medicine of the Emerald Tablets teachings and practices for the Moonfire Meetinghouse Community. In the "common world", Susan is a long-standing professional in education, mental health and human services.
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
I see you and the life transitions you are experiencing.
My own transitions have shaped who I am today and my passion for creating a sense of community for others.
Tiny Forest and Nest Studio is where I see miracles when women come together in a safe place where they learn, grow, and connect with other like-minded women.
Ella Calcote
Lynda Mettler
Transformational Life Coach & Reiki Master
As a transformational life coach, I will help you move beyond limiting thoughts and beliefs to the place within you that is naturally confident, creative and compassionate.
My approach combines techniques from the Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory of ‘Parts Work' and traditional coaching methods, with meditation and Reiki energy to provide a calming, healing and powerfully transformative coaching experience. On this soulful journey, you will heal old wounds and discover your 'best self’ – the pure, undamaged, wondrous light that exists within each of us. Once you have access to your true nature, you will be free to enjoy the richness and rewards that come with trusting in yourself and witnessing the goodness in others.
“What I am looking for is not out there, it is within me” – Helen Keller
Interested in joining our teaching team?
Please contact us
“Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be. ”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
