Sierra Sunrise Wellness Group

My favorite nickname is “Nora the Explorer,” because I have always maintained an indelible curiosity and fascination with discovering the world around me. I am especially fond of exploration into the human psyche, which is as vast as the universe itself.

I received my B.A. in Psychology from UCSB in 2010, with a year of study abroad in Scotland. I completed my M.A. in Counseling and Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2012 at the University of Nevada, Reno. Additionally, I have training as a yoga instructor (CYT-200), a Reiki Master, and a Shaman. 

I offer a collaborative approach customized to meet my clients’ and students' needs, and I believe that achieving wellness is an active process of becoming aware, taking responsibility, and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. I created this space of wellness with the hope and intention of offering to others the opportunity to recognize the breath in their lungs, the beat in their hearts, and this moment of being wherever one is in their journey of life. “In every new day there comes another sunrise of potential for a life well-lived.” 

Matthew, the Shamanic Happiness Coach, is a Shaman & Life Coach of the Sky Spirit Shaman Program and manages the Sierra Sunrise Wellness Center in Midtown Reno.  He offers individual and group/community: coaching, and shamanic reiki energy sessions, as well as workshops online, and in person within Reno/Sparks and surrounding communities.

Matthew’s Vision, Mission, & Purpose is to co-create with the Universe and all relations in supporting all those seeking to discover, explore, and integrate the constructive contributions to this world that lie within, by facilitating 1 to 1 & group experiences that work to empower people with the tools that allow them to lead a life that experiences JOY and the causes of JOY, and to be free from suffering and the causes of suffering. 

He believes WE are here to connect, create, and expand beyond limited ways of existing.  Often, he can be heard saying “Come When Called.” For him, this phrase has a powerful connection to namaste’.  In derivation he explains, “There are a myriad of circumstances where the resistance that keeps us from taking that next step with the new version of our selves is that we overlook how valuable internal permission is to be given and received in order to initiate its embodiment.  When I use those words, I am speaking to honor the Oneness that connects us and is part of every experience.  It’s an altruistic prayer of courage, inspiration, and transformation to all our higher-selves to embody the I AM that resonates with our greatest and highest good for our current manifestation.”  He invites you the next time you are being asked to move, pivot, act, perform, or go beyond be receptive and repeat “Come When Called” to yourself.  Notice… And just feel.

One of his wishes for all his brothers and sisters is to explore how the world influences our behaviors, how our behaviors influence the world, and how to BE the dynamic aware consciousness that is able to walk softly upon Pachamama, Mother Earth, in Ayni (complete balance) with Munay (a state of pure love, support, and acceptance) for all our relations.

One of my favorite activities is kayaking, it is serene for me. Kayaking reminds me so much of life and the choices we make. I can go against the current, the wind, and really fight with mother nature or I can go with the current while recognizing the wind is always changing sometimes it is working with or against me. This really is life as well, some circumstances, situations, and environments happen that work with or against us. Shifting into curiosity and being an observer assists us in making meaning out of it all.

In my work with clients, I take a collaborative approach to our work together. I believe that you have an intrinsic knowing into your own healing and our work together is in uncovering that part of you in partnership. Yes, I have training and modalities to assist in this discovery process and I believe in your autonomy as a human to move towards growth orientation.

I received my B.A. in Behavioral Science from San Jose State in 2010. Then I worked in the tech industry for a short while and realized my desire to connect with people on a deeper level, so I decided to take a leap and move to the south for my M.Ed. and Ph.D. I received my M. Ed. from Northeastern State University and my Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas. I am licensed in Arkansas and Nevada as a professional counselor. I am trained in Brainspotting and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) which are tools I use in session with the foundation of our work being client-centered.

Tasha Brönneke, a Nevada Native, began her yoga journey in 2012 when she was struggling with mental health issues. A dear friend invited her to a Bikram class, where she fell in love and acknowledged the benefits of a healthy yoga practice. In 2014, she attended Pure Satya 200 hour teacher training in Reno. Then in 2019, she attended Yoga and Wellness retreat in Montezuma, Costa Rica with Dagmar Spremberg. She has been serving the community a variety of yoga classes. She teachers vinyasa, gentle flow, restorative, chair yoga and beginners classes. She encourages all yogis, new or experienced, to be authentic and present on and off the mat. Namasté

My favorite question to ask people is “What are you passionate about?” So let me tell you a little about my passions. I am passionate about embodied movement practices because I believe that when we re-connect with our bodies, through breath and movement, we learn to calm our nervous system so that we can access our natural ability to heal. And when we start to heal ourselves, our healing ripples out to our relationships and into the communities we live in and it is my belief that when we no longer look outside ourselves to fill the void we feel, we become better stewards of the earth. This is important to me, because I want to live on a planet with clean water, happy animals, and a healthy eco-system that is more accepting and is filled with more love and kindness.  I love spending time in nature, dancing, learning, exploring and spending time in soulful conversation.

Yoga has been a catalyst in my own healing and am grateful for these practices that have helped me learn how to soften, how to surrender to a will greater than my own and how to use my breath to stay present in the life that I am living. I completed my first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training in Pismo Beach, CA in 2019. Towards the end of my yoga training, I was introduced to Qoya (a women’s movement practice that is based on the idea that through movement we remember that our essence is wise, wild and free) and was called to become a Qoya instructor. I finished my training in 2020. Then I moved back to Reno and because I love learning, craved community and wanted to embody the knowledge of yoga more, I took my second 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training.

In my classes, I seek to combine embodied movement with an inspirational message that will help you reconnect with your body, help you remember your wholeness, and foster your own healing.   

I believe that when we experience challenges in our lives, it is often a sign that something is out of balance.  While this imbalance may be uncomfortable, even deeply painful at times, it can be a strong motivator for change.  Positive change occurs when we are willing to bring our full awareness to all areas of our lives, including the difficult and painful parts.  This requires trust in the process of change and a safe, supportive environment.  My goal is to create just such an environment with my clients where we can explore together how to bring areas of concern back into alignment.  My approach is client-centered with an emphasis on holistic well-being and a focus on existential/transpersonal work.  My educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine, where I interned with a child abuse investigation facility and worked in research with teens with Autism and their families.  I am currently a practicum trainee in the process of completing my M.A. degree in Integral Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies.  I am supervised by Dr. Megan Little, LCPC and Ellie Holbrook, LCPC whose combined expertise guides me in my work with each and every client.

I’m Gia! I’m a Nevada native who fell in love with yoga back in 2014 while pursuing my degree in Community Health Science at the University of Nevada Reno. I was first drawn to yoga because I loved the athletic and challenging aspect of it. In 2016, I went on to further my knowledge by studying Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga in Thailand and received my 200hr YTT. During my yoga course, I quickly learned yoga is so much more than just the physical practice and I love to incorporate the mind and body connection throughout my classes. My classes offer a strong emphasis on the breath while flowing through poses, as well as my background in anatomy shines through during alignments and adjustments.

Rhonda discovered Yoga and meditation as a way to bring some peace into her life after many years of working in high stress jobs that were causing her to experience chronic sleep and anxiety issues.  She knew she needed some balance, and while practicing at her first yoga studio here in Reno, more than 10 years ago, she discovered her passion for Yin and Restorative Yoga.  About three years ago she began taking Yoga Nidra classes regularly and is passionate about sharing this practice with others as it has helped her tremendously.

Rhonda recently completed her RYT 200-hr Teachers Certification through Yoga Pod-Reno.  She has also completed additional continuing education courses in both Yin Yoga, and Yoga Nidra.

Rhonda enjoys teaching students stress reduction techniques including meditation and breathwork in order for each student to become present in their practice, and in their daily lives.

When not teaching Yoga, Rhonda loves spending time outdoors and enjoys road biking, hiking, walking, and strength training-anything to keep moving!