T H E   T E A M

Our Founder and Board

Lindsay Heller

Erika Mathis

Lindsay's Story
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​I began practicing meditation in 2013 as a mindfulness practice to deal with recurring anxiety and depression.  Until I began this practice I felt as though I was always carrying thw weight of the world.  I wasn't able to embrace my own capacity for joy when I was overwhlemed by the suffering of other.  And I was plagued by the effect of childhood trauma.  

Mindfulness meditation, compassionate based therapy and ultimately my training in yoga and meditation took depression completely off my radar.  Since then, I have experienced only one very short hormonally induced episode of depression.  

Becasue of this I am extremely passionate about getting the techniques of mindfulness practice to our youth.

Additionally, in our community, I have had many soul crushing experiences working with some of the most elite visitors to our area, dealing with narcissistic relationships.  I refer to this now as the 'poverty of the soul' crisis.  

I would like to both help our community to deal with these types of people and to attract less of that and Cultivate Kindness!  

I have also been witness to the poverty and drug abuse issues as well harrowing stories of neglected children because of these and mental illness.  

Mindfulness can be part of the picture of lifting these children out of the cycles of poverty, drug abuse, neglect and abuse, by offering them a source of internal resilience, an empowering source of healing, as well as access to the self compassion they need to reach out for further support and resources.  

I have also seen examples of adults, including teachers, use shaming as a form of discipline.  This is deeply saddening to me as the mother of a beautiful and talented young boy.  I believe that all children are innocent and have the capacity for extraordinary talents and gifts if they are allowed to flourish.  

My hope is that by bringing mindfulness to our area's teachers and to our children we can lay the foundation for a culture of kindness, happiness and success here in Cashiers.  

Erika's story
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​A few years ago Erika found herself experiencing the normal cumulative stresses of our society, being overwhelmed with work, life, and relationships balance.  She knew she needed something to help her focus and find calm and productivity.  

She approached Lindsay about doing some personal coaching and meditation sessions.  In them she found stillness in the mind which allowed her to be more present with what is and quell the cyclical, ruminating thoughts which allowed her to gain a more realistic perspective on the importance of what she manages.  

Erika felt immediately inspired to introduce these practices to her spouse and children through and seeing the personal growth in her family she wants to bring these benefits to the community at large.  

She is hopeful that these practices will allow those in the Cashiers community to also return to a place of living from the heart, a place of acting consciously in alignment with their values.