Our Team
Jessica Van Antwerp
Owner, Retreat Leader, LMT, CSP
That anxiety was compounded by weight and body-image issues and low self-esteem, which led her to addiction.
She’s done a lot of work to conquer these issues. She changed her diet and developed an exercise routine that helps her maintain a healthy body weight without it having to be a part-time job. She devoted herself to a daily practice of qigong and meditation that helps ease the worries in her heart and mind. She uses these practices on a daily basis to quell her anxiety. And based on the above perception of her, they must work!
Jessica absolutely loves sharing the knowledge and wisdom she’s developed through her ordeals. Becoming a member of the Integral Travel team has given her the opportunity to take people out of their daily routines to expose them to new ways of being and seeing things, affecting personal growth and empowerment in their own wellbeing. And there is nothing more fulfilling to her than that.
From teaching stretches that address pain patterns, meditation techniques to find peace in one’s heart, to sharing delicious, nutritious recipes, she loves being healthy – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Because when we are healthy, we feel good. And when we feel good, we become beacons of light, inspiring everyone we come into contact with, making the world a better place. And we all know the world needs more of us.
Brad Kahland
Retreat Leader, Qigong Instructor
Brad Kahland has worked as a National Park Ranger, a Sea Kayak Guide, an Adventure Guide and a naturalist all over the world. He’s explored vast areas of Colorado working in wilderness-therapy programs for youth and their families, serving as a Field Instructor and Family Counselor.
Brad has a passion for sharing the outdoors and a connection to Nature with other people. Between guiding trips, Brad is usually hiking, kayaking, paddle-boarding, practicing Tai Chi, watching a mountain sunset with good friends, or planning his next winter trip to Mexico.
Dave Goetz
Retreat Leader, Qigong Instructor
Dave Goetz, CMT is the owner of The Wellness Lifestyle LLC, Co-Director of HeartMind Bodywork in Boulder, Colorado and currently teaches qigong and maintains a personal and professional development coaching and bodywork practice. In 1990, Dave began studying shiatsu at Ohashiatsu® Chicago under the directorship of Matthew Swiegart, COI. He discovered a life-long passion for Eastern thought when he read the Autobiography of a Yogi, by Paramahansa Yogananda at the age of 19. Dave attended Indiana University where he studied Eastern Philosophy, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Environmental Studies, graduating in 1980 with a B.A. in Economics. He has been a daily practitioner of meditation using the techniques of Self-Knowledge as taught by Prem Rawat since 1979.
Kendall Beene
Yoga & Meditation Instructor, Trip Leader
Kendall Beene is a beloved yoga teacher, lead teacher trainer, and the owner of New Yoga Now in Savannah, GA. She has been studying yoga for nearly 30 years and teaching for almost 20. A scientist at heart, Kendall’s years studying and teaching geology are a major influence in her practice and teaching, which focus strongly on curiosity, process, and digging deep to visualize what is happening beneath the surface! Kendall is one of the low country’s most sought-after private yoga teachers and considers working with individuals over the past 15 years to be the greatest honor and education she has received as a teacher. This work has gifted her with an ability to truly see and listen to her students. Kendall’s intuitive, soulful teaching style embodies a balance of compassion, strength, and grace.
Kendall teaches Vinyasa and Yin yoga and is also certified to teach prenatal. She is grateful for her most influential teachers: Ulla Lundgren, Asha Wolf, Ranjani Cobo, David Swenson, Stephanie Keach, and Jason Crandell. Currently, she is deepening her education in Yoga Anatomy in the 300-hour program with Tiffany Cruickshank of Yoga Medicine.
Kendall is most inspired by being in nature, getting back to traveling the world, discovering the many places where the scientific and mystical worlds collide and watching her two teenage daughters grow into their most authentic selves.
Emily Polonus
Yoga & Meditation Instructor, Trip Leader
Emily is a compassionate teacher steeped in knowledge of the healing arts and sciences. A professional Geographer turned healing artist she weaves a unique blend of intuition and logic into her work as a yoga teacher, bodyworker, transformational coach, essential oils specialist, and business mentor with doTERRA Essential Oils.
A gifted educator, she has been helping heart-centered humans use essential oils to positively impact health, mindset, and energy since 2015, teaching yoga since 2012, and practicing massage since 2006.
She is an alum of Integral Travel’s 10-week Thai Massage Certification that took place in Thailand and Bali in 2014. She is thrilled to return to the Thai jungle for another immersion into one of the most magical places on earth.
With a unique set of tools, understanding of the mind/body/spirit connection, and an adventurous and loving spirit, you will be in competent and loving hands on this trip of a lifetime with her as one of your guides.
She resides in Savannah GA but knows home is in an internal space within that she carries with her wherever she goes.
emilypolonus.com
IG: @emilyannpolonus
