Teachers

• Ashley Dahl
  

  Ashley Dahl

  A champion of compassionate self-awareness, Ashley possesses a keen ability to infuse mindfulness into inner and outer life. She brings humor and a presence of calm thoughtfulness as she blends the teachings of wisdom traditions and contemplative practices with the wisdom and beauty of the natural world.

  Ashley teaches mindfulness classes, series, workshops, trainings and retreats in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings, for both private and public sectors. Areas of specialty: nature-based contemplation, alleviating compassion fatigue, compassionate communication, healing-centered (trauma-informed) care, and beginning mindfulness meditation. She also offers mindfulness-based coaching for leaders, businesses and individuals.

  Ashley earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Washington. She has been practicing meditation in the vipassana (insight) tradition for over 20 years. Ashley is also an accredited Mindfulness Teacher through the Mindfulness Training Institute and certified through International Mindfulness Teachers Association. When she’s not working, you’ll still find her meandering in the woods, being mesmerized by dunes and waves along the Oregon coast, and being quiet in the desert. Learn more about Ashley at openspacemindfulness.com.

• Melanie Pensak
  

  Melanie Pensak

  Melanie Pensak, an Earth Protector, offers nature-based meditation experiences designed to honor Mother Earth, cultivate interconnection with the land and assist people in developing their daily mindfulness practice. She is known for her 4 -year Airbnb Experience Meditate @ the Beach in Los Angeles.

  Melanie presently leads nature-based meditation classes and half day retreats on Shoshone-Bannock land in Boise, Idaho. During this time of safe distancing, Melanie also offers online meditation courses via Zoom as well as one-on-one mentoring in the areas of mindfulness and nature practice. She is certified as a Mindfulness Teacher through the Mindfulness Training Institute accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA). Melanie is a Teacher of Mindfulness in Nature through Mark Coleman’s program Awake in the Wild.

  She is particularly interested in the concept of reciprocity creating outdoor mindfulness workshops which integrate giving back to the land through responsible restoration and regenerative practices. Melanie feels passionate about helping people incorporate mindfulness and nature into their modern, busy lives after living in cities herself for 15 years.

  She is also a Certified Speech-Language Pathologist who enjoys helping children and families communicate. Melanie provides therapy online and offers one-on-one guided play with children outside in nature.

  During the pandemic, Melanie lived and worked in community on an organic farm and engaged in land stewardship on a ranch. In her free time, she enjoys learning how to be a part of the shift towards regenerative living for all beings. She supports organizations such as Extinction Rebellion Los Angeles, Farmers Footprint and Non-Toxic Neighborhoods.

  You can also find her online as a hostess and community leader for Sangha Live. She is presently diving deeper into the Indigenous Knowledge of her own Ukrainian and Polish ancestry. When it is time to play, Melanie can be found exploring in nature, salsa dancing and refining the art of doing nothing.