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Dawn (Aruna) Rothwell  is the President and founder of Reiki Rays Institute.  She holds a BA, Magna Cum Laude, in English Literature, and has completed graduate and post graduate studies in Holistic Health, Divinity, and Metaphysics.  Dawn is trained in several Traditional and Western Reiki traditions, and  holds certification in Yoga, Parapsychology, Hypnotherapy, and over two dozen holistic modalities, many of which she teaches on this site and in workshops in her area.  She is an ordained minister and a Licensed Spiritual Health Coach.  Locally, she serves as a Prayer Chaplain for Unity Church in Lawrence, KS. A renowned Tarot consultant, she is recognized by the Tarot Certification Board of America as a Certified Tarot Master Instructor, an honor bestowed to only a handful of individuals worldwide. She is also the author of the highly acclaimed book,  Insight Tarot. Dawn is a founding member of The Aruna Center for Spiritual Transformation  which is a network of holistic and metaphysical practitioners offering their services locally as well as online.   Dawn practices Kriya Yoga and is initiated as a second generation disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda. She was given the name Aruna by  Swami Kriyananda soon after her ceremony.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking meat/ dairy free recipes, meditation, yoga, reading inspirational literature, being in nature, and quiet time at home with her ten cats. Cherie Nath Cherie Nath graduated with a degree in Biotechnology and worked 3.5 years doing various kinds of research (Liver, Breast Cancer, COPD).  Despite the lofty goals of these projects she found the work to be unfulfilling.  Her contribution was too small of a brick on too large of a wall.  As a result, Cherie wanted to be more involved in people’s health but not within the confines of the traditional medical establishment. Her journey lead her to enroll at Reiki Rays.  Upon completion of her holistic wellness programs, Cherie was  invited to join  RRI as our Spiritual Director, focusing on assisting our students  in blending their personal and spiritual lives. She specializes in Ayurvedic and Hindu studies, and conducts local and private workshops on behalf of Reiki Rays in Reiki, Yoga, Chakra Balancing, and Nutritional Consulting. Alfred Willowhawk (Al Willowhawk consulting with our staff member, Cherie) Alfred Willowhawk is a practitioner of Celtic and Native Shamanic, and Eastern traditions. He is currently offering two distance courses with Reiki Rays- Shamanic Soul and Celtic Transformational Healing. In addition, Willowhawk offers intuitive consultations and spiritual coaching  by appointment. Al has been on his spiritual journey for over 25 years, and has initiated into several spiritual practices. He was given the name Vajrasattva Savitur as a result of his meditation efforts, and  in Celtic circles he is known as Saille Seabhac. He is also a Reiki Master and poet. His first book of poetry is currently available. He has most recently become a Licensed Spritual Health Coach. Kerielle Wharton, CHHP has seventeen years practice and expertise in Metaphysics and Holistic Practice. She started her own school, Pixie Hollow Holistic Institute in 2000 after her son was born with the idea that a quality education CAN be affordable. In addition to the above, Keri has a PhD in Metaphysics, Certified Holistic Health Practitioner, Certified Massage Therapist, and holds a degree as an Associate Herbologist. She is certified in over 14 different holistic modalities  that are practiced on a  regular basis. Keri also teaches local workshops in PA. She is very active in promoting natural health in her community and is an active representative of Young Living Essential Oils.  Diane Swick, CHHP Diane Swick is the founder of Equine Endurance Training Systems located in Worden, Illinois.  She is the renowned originator of the Muscle Freedom and Fitness Technique, which she has developed and tested over the last fifteen years on her own horses. Her remarkable research and experience with horses lead her on her own inner journey. As an ordained minister and Doctor of Divinity, she provides holistic services for horses as well as their owners, relying on  her Christian beliefs. Reflexology, Reiki/laying on of hands,  prayer, and Biblical study round out her practice. Diane credits all healing results to God alone and is passionate in sharing with others the Religious foundation of holistic modalities. Mellissa Dormoy, PhD Mellisa Dormoy holds a BA in Psychology from Regents College NY and continued on to higher education in holistic wellness. She is a certified Indian Head Massage Therapist, Doula, Baby Massage Instructor, and has studied various forms of Reiki and many other holistic modalities. Mellisa is the director of The International Academy of Holistic Therapies and enjoys working with students from all over the world. Jo-Ann Escott, CHHP Jo-ann Escott is a holistic practitioner specializing in animal communication.  As a child, animals were always attracted to her energy.   Always a deep lover of animals, her journey with animal communication began when she her feline companions exhibited behavioral issues that her veterinarian determined were not due to a  possible physical/medical issue. She placed a call to an animal communicator who in turn spoke with her feline children.  The root of the behavioral issue was brought forth and through dialogue between the communicator and her “kids”, a resolution was found and the behavior ceased. That day marked the beginning of Jo-ann’s profound new journey.  After much research, classes, and practice, Jo-ann started her animal communication practice six years ago. Through her communication with animals, she is able to tap into their energy and can identify areas of discomfort, pain, and illness they share with her,  and provide guidance to their owners in how to assist in bringing their energies into balance.   In addition to being an accomplished animal communicator, Jo-ann is also a Reiki Master and Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner.  Nicole Lanning Nicole Lanning is a holistic practitioner specializing in new energy forms, angel work and children's development of their natural born abilities. As a child, Nicole knew she was different then others and could hear her guardian angels. She had her first experience with Reiki when she was in her teenage years, as well as worked on developing her clairaudient abilities. After speaking with a dear friend, who is also a Reiki Master and Shaman, Nicole worked on focusing more of her intent with Reiki and other modular healings as well as her intuitive readings. This marked the beginning of her new spiritual journey. She finally understood the differences and what she was here to do - help others, share and spread knowledge to as many as that wanted to learn.  After Nicole's two children were born, she started working more with children and their energies to help develop them more and bring more awareness to a new generation. In addition to being an accomplished Reiki Practitioner and Ordained Minister, Nicole also offers intuitive readings using various tools, Chakra Balancing, Aura Cleansing and Repair, as well as many other customized healings. She is the instructor of the Angelic Expressions ™ course and plans to offer additional courses with Reiki Rays in the near future. Robin Nelson Robin started her journey in holistic health in 1996 when she became very interested in herbal health and alternative health practices.  Robin established a healing practice in the Washington state area where she was born and raised.  Robin has acquired her Bachelors Degree in Holistic Health through the Midwest Institute of Holistic Health and is pursuing her Master’s Degree at this time. In addition, she is studying other methods of natural healing with other educators.  She is a Reiki Master Teacher and Karuna Ki Reiki Master Teacher.  Robin currently holds certification in Ayurvedic Medicine, Chakra Therapy, Gemology, Herbalism, Aromatherapy, and is an Ordained Healing Minister through the Enlightened Path Holistic Ministry.   In 2007 she founded Spirit Holistics, an Institute of holistic education and earned full accreditation and certification with the American Council of Holistic Healers.  In 2008, she was invited to join the staff of Reiki Rays Institute as an adjunct faculty member, specializing in Herbal Wellness and Energy Healing.