Hi! I’m Aelea.

I’m so glad you’re here!

I’m drawn to the moments of whimsy that enable me to live life through the lens of awe and wonder. From making tea in the morning and watching the leaves on the big tree in our front yard bloom, grow, then shift colours to fall to the ground, greeting the moon each night, and finding nothing quite as magical as looking up the star-filled night sky, it’s the small moments where I slow down to notice that I find myself appreciating God’s creative handiwork on everything around me.

I am a forever student who loves diving into what piques my curiosity then sharing what I’m learning and experiencing with others. This is what led me to become a yoga teacher and a spiritual director. These two practices were transformational for me and so I desired to share them with others. With a student mindset, I believe we can all learn from each other and together, we can make the world a more compassionate place. When we recognize we are all made in the image of God, we can best honour each other by holding space for both our similarities and differences and allow them to be a point of intentional curiosity and deeper connection.

If I love something, I want to share it with you. Whether that’s a love for movement and meditation, Marvel, baked goods and great recipes, or captivating books, my life is best lived when I can share it with others who also find enjoyment and points of connection to the Divine in the little things. 

In my free time you’ll find me reading books from the library on topics from theology to astronomy and comic books, freestyle staff spinning, baking vegan treats, crafting, spending time with my cat, Bourbon or hanging out with my husband, Jon. I love autumn and winter is my second favourite season and I try to be present but can get caught up in my imagination. The intention ‘I have time’ has allowed me the space to spend time learning who it is that God made me to be and find acceptance of self while becoming available for people to show up with a treat, a meal or just to be present offering a listening ear as people journey through life.

Education

I completed and received my certification from the Self-Actualized Life Coach and Mentor ACC training program at the Rayner Institute in 2017.

In 2018, I completed and received my 200 hour yoga teacher certification from Holy Yoga, followed by a 300 hour training in 2019 leading me to a M-HYI certificate (Master Holy Yoga Instructor).

In 2020, I began the two year program at the School of Sustainable Faith and graduated in 2022 as a Spiritual Director.

Faith Tradition

I’m not one to gravitate towards labels. I am a follower and lover of Jesus and believe in the mystery of the trinity. Mystery, actually, would be a wonderful way to describe what I believe. I believe in the grand mystery of God who is so big and expansive and loving that the entire cosmos was created through, while also caring so deeply and intimately about each and every single person, animal and plant that has been and will ever be created. This Great Mystery is is revealed in the two great books- nature and scripture. I believe God’s fingerprints are everywhere and that God is continually drawing us in deeper towards his love. 

I find myself within the Christian tradition but most comfortable in the expressions of Ignatian Spirituality, the thought-led and connection-woven Mystics, and, most recently, the grounding traditions and affirming practices of the Lutheran tradition. I fully understand that labeling may hinder connection to others and that labels never fully capture a fluid relationship with God that is continually growing, expanding, and getting deeper. I am drawn to continual connection with the Divine and holding space for others to notice and explore their own experience of God, no matter where they find themselves on their faith journey.

Values

I believe all humans are made in the image of God. I stand in solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) and with the 2SLGBTQ+ community.  

I believe we all have equal access to God, no matter where we find ourselves on our faith journey, which facilitates a desire to learn and grow with each other in all dimensions of relationship from personal friendship to community and global connection.