Holistic Solstice Speakers & Instructors Biographies
Dave Mager
Dave Mager, an internationally recognized motivational speaker renowned for his expertise on the benefits of getting healthy and staying healthy. Mager formulated the mind set of "GAME FACE" that translated into total and unyielding focus on the task at hand. This foundation principal was transcribed into peak performance in mind, body and spirit. The WCA Director of Education is a featured speaker at most CCE chiropractic colleges, the CLA Total Solution programs and Parker Seminars and is a Co‑Founder and President of Paradigm Marketing. In addition to his speaking accolades, Mager is author of the much in demand book, "Health is a Journey." He is a qualified and credentialed continuing education postgraduate instructor and was most recently selected as president of Turning Point Logistic Systems, an independent CE provider. Dave Mager has chosen a journey into service and he carries a servant's heart as he walks the path. He claims the mission of empowering the people of today to impact the world of tomorrow.
Frank Hodnik
Born In Fairbanks, Frank grew up alongside the natural world and the native traditions of the great land. Gaining an intimate understanding of the wilderness and it's inhabitants has benefited many throughout his 13 year career treating chronic pain conditions. Through simple observation, nature has offered many answers to the causes of human pain both physical and mental. As a Master Myotherapist and exercise therapist Frank's understanding of a more "primal" human model sheds light on what we face inside our modern environment and it's traditions. Along his journey he has built an understanding of how the forces of biology and psychology inter-merge to form one voice of emotional expression that effects how we view our every day lives, and the essential energys of human existence. By working with people to bring natural balance and harmony into their lives they are able to shine their brightest and live their liveliest!
Owenuma BlueSky
Born in Montana to the Nez Perce tribe. At six he was given to a Comanche medicine man for training. At twelve he was given to a Northern Cheyenne medicine man and seven years later again to an Arizonan Cheyenne medicine man for another seven years. In all including years of remote isolation training Mr. Bluesky has been in the direct study of earth medicine for 54 years. After the Vietnam war Mr. Bluesky worked with returning Vietnam Veterans from native tribes in an effort to remove their anxiety and restore their pre war harmony. He's been with us in Alaska since deciding to homestead here in 1980 where he has continued his traditions and teachings of earth medicine. Having both a bond with the natural world and an appreciation for the advances of the modern world Mr. Bluesky Perseus a teaching of balance and energetic harmony between the two worlds.
Ellen Vande Visse
As an instructor Ellen has been teaching organic gardening courses tthrough Mat Su College, UAA Anchorage, and her own Good Earth Garden School since 1987. For 12 years Ellen raised organic vegetables for the CSA market. For 6 years she grew vegetables foe the kitchen of the National Outdoor Leadership School's Alaska Branch, and sold Actively Areated Compost Tea to farmers and farmers markets. As a consultant, she provides assistance for composting operations and and ecoagriculture business. Ellen offers various workshops that combine the scientific and the spiritual methods of organic growing. These classes utilize the Findhorn/Perelandra-style of communication and co-creation with nature, are based on her book Ask Mother Nature, a Conscious Gardener's Guide.
Doug Koester
After earning a B.S. in Environmental Health, Doug joined the Peace Corps and spent over two years living and working with the people of
Camille Moritz
Camille Moritz is a long time Alaskan Intuitive, Spiritual Medium, Reader & Healer. Camille has a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology and Graduate Studies in Jungian Archetypal Psychotherapy & Body Centered Therapy’s. She has been a 10-year clinical case manager in traditional centers and has been providing Intuitive Readings for more than 20 years. She is the owner of Something To Believe In, a metaphysical store and center in Homer Alaska. Camille loves to teach and share her spiritual work in classes, workshops and group settings. She also offers, energetic healing, charka balancing, and crystal resonance therapy.
Irene Root
Irene started designing clothes as a young child, using towels to drape and pin. She made doll clothes with her mother’s sewing scraps alongside her at the dining room table. In junior high, Irene designed a dress for a craft fair from “scratch” without a pattern, and while not a piece of art, it was certainly a learning experience! In high school, Irene re-purposed her ill fitting hand-me-downs into fun, one of a kind creations. Irene is mostly self taught, with sewing books, magazines, advice from experienced sewers, and by studying ready-to-wear items. As a young adult, she started sewing for others, specializing in custom formal and wedding gowns. 
Since having children, she researched cloth diapering, baby wearing and other holistic lifestyle choices. She is passionate about baby wearing and loves helping other moms learn to wear their babies. Irene decided to expand her business into making slings, diapers, and recyclables into an expression of art, while still enjoying finer fabrics and formal wear. Irene was raised in Homer and counts it a blessing to watch her children play and grow up in this little Hamlet by the Sea, enjoying the spectacular view, creative community and wholesome atmosphere. Irene lives with her husband, Sean, and has three beautiful, active children that help inspire her art.
Rowan Mulvey
Rowan teaches American Tribal Style belly dancing, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Pilates. She has been teaching here in Homer for 10 years, and prior to that was teaching in the Northeastern US. She teaches at the Bay Club, through community schools, and Homer Senior Citizens Center. Traditional Middle Eastern this style of belly dancing is intended to help the body remember how the body moves in its natural state, and allow self enhancement of blood flow, spinal alignment, and good posture. It is expressive and ecstatic in nature with an emphasis on communication and does not require experience.
Gita Carpenter
An accomplished yoga instructor, massage therapist, and craniosacral therapist, Gita has years of experience teaching and guiding people. She taps her intuitive sense and utilizes these tools to successfully help individuals through serious illnesses with alternative healing. In addition to body work, Gita is an experienced and knowledgeable meditation teacher and a talented international vegetarian cook.
Vesta Elliott
Owner of Organic Hair Design Vesta trained as a professional hair colorist & chemical technician 20 years ago with edgy salons that are world renowned in the field. However, as she apprenticed her hands became chapped & burned from chemical contact. Vesta lost sense of smell & taste from the ammonia she inhaled daily from hair color and perms. In 2000 she graduated from further University studies and spent the following 6 years in the medical field. After realizing how toxic our healthcare system can be, Vesta began investigating the health effects of our daily existence in a modern world. She eventually found her way back to the beauty industry. Thus, she discovered the same adverse and toxic connections in a huge industry that promotes health and well-being. Through two locations Anchorage and Homer Vesta specializes in professional hair services that harmonize health and beauty. She utilizes professional haircare and skincare products that are safe, earth-friendly and cruelty-free.
Hilda Caraballo-Robbin
Hilda is a long time Homer resident, who came from a family of healers, her grandmother was a wise woman who passed a lot of her knowledge to her favorite grand-daughter. Hilda’s mother was also into natural healing, homeopathy, acupuncture, and flower essences as well. Here in Homer, Hilda has the great opportunity to expand her wisdom when she discovered another practice, Jin Shin Jyutsu. In combination with Flower Essences Therapy, she has been practicing since 2001. A Jin Shin Jyutsu session goes from one to two hours, depending on the person needs. Hilda also teaches Self-Help Classes through Homer Community Schools twice a year. During this classes, the participants would receive the essence of the teachings Art condensed into three simple self-help books. Participants also learn about the philosophy and the most practical tools of the Art. The tools can then immediately be used for oneself and family. Jin Shi Jyutsu is for those of us addressing existing stress or health disharmonies, or for those simply wishing to participate actively in maintaining health, harmony and well being. Hilda offers home visits, and she is also available during emergencies.
Hilda has her office in town with easy and handicap access; she can be reach at
(907) 299 0110 or (907) 235 2943. You can lean more about Jin Shin Jyutsu at www.jsjinc.net
Kristen Domela
Kristin has been trained in many modalities of the Kinesiology and Natural Health fields since 1983 and has practiced in chiropractic and health centers as well as teaching at a school of integrative medicine in Anchorage. She incorporates this very specific body feedback analysis system with treatments including acupuncture meridian work, accurate nutritional testing that determines the best foods and herbs for you as well as determining and clearing food sensitivities; also consists of emotional stress release and structural balancing. Remedies from natural sources will be tested and made up for your exact healing needs! This analysis can be done in person or via a saliva sample you provide.You may also choose a balancing session for sports performance or a session on the "far-infrared Bio-Mat" which accelerates healing and detoxification while bringing deep relaxation