Manitou Class Instructors

Experienced, compassionate instructors, creating safe learning environments for all

Gloria Alatorre

Gloria is an ever-evolving energy healer, passionate existentialist and “out-of-the-box” visionary. She is an Usui Holy Fire Reiki practitioner, a scholar pursuing her masters degree in Counseling Education at Winona State University and works full-time as a Spanish Interpreter at Winona School District. She is passionate in helping others and giving back to her community by participating in socio-political and spiritual wellness projects and events. She currently serves as a board member for the Winona Sheltering Network and is a co-founder of Winona Community Drumming Circle. During her leisure time, Gloria loves spending time with her child, enjoying his curiosity for life as well as having fun together. She also delights in painting, practicing Nia, kickboxing, yoga, dance and trying new foods. Gloria strongly believes that life is about playing with the same curiosity as a child, enjoying the company of loved ones and staying present with a compassionate heart, open mind and kind soul.

Gretchen Cohenour, MFA, RSME

is evolving with a 35-year career as a teacher, movement artist and choreographer.  Gretchen is a Somatic Movement Educator (SME), and is certified in ‘Embodied Anatomy and Yoga’ and ‘Embodied Developmental Movement and Yoga’ from the School of Body Mind Centering©.  This practice infuses both her classes and “SomaNest” private lessons that provide education and support for individuals desiring enhanced ease and integration in moving through life.  Her offerings and practices are also informed through Insight Meditation, Iyengar Yoga, Qigong, Alexander Technique, Ideokinesis, singing, gardening, kombucha alchemy and parenting.  She currently directs the Winona State University dance program where she integrates somatic practices, art making, interdisciplinary collaboration, performance, and embodied movement research as a ground for living, teaching and learning.
 

 

Trish Baishin Johnson, Teacher, Co-Founder

Trish’s life passion and commitment is in supporting others on their journey in self exploration, discovery, care and authenticity. She has worked as an educator, both overseas and throughout the Midwest since the mid 1990s. She has 15 years of experience developing and implementing holistic mind-body curriculum with children and adults in various settings, individually and in diverse group settings.  Trish is a mindfulness meditation teacher, a Zen priest and Dharma Holder, a certified yoga instructor (trauma informed) and is one of the co- founders of Dharma River. She will graduate with her Master’s in Social Work in April 2022.  Trish has 2 beautiful children and a life partner.  She is grateful to her family, friends and all of her teachers over the years.

Monta May, M.F.A.

Monta is an academically-trained artist and designer. Comfortable with analog and digital tools, she builds/makes all sorts of things. Here at Manitou, she helps out with the website, print design, email marketing, and other odd jobs. She’s a dedicated organizer… of projects, people, bookcases, closets, garages, basements, cats… umm, well not so much for cats.
 
She works for a local university on their web team and has a fledgling website company that she is building with a friend. She leads art and design workshops in her studio and in the greater Winona area, and is planning a few at Manitou for the upcoming year. Her favorite things to teach are graphic and web design, photography, mosaic, sculpture, and bookbinding. You can see her work at montamay.art, and press.team.

 

Jacque Paulsen, MS

Jacque is a certified Nia Black Belt and 5 Stages Nia Instructor.  Her Nia story began by taking a class on a whim – needing to ‘get some exercise’.  “I had always imagined that I was a healthy and fit person, but as the business of my life marched forward I was getting farther and farther away from the person I believed myself to be.  Through Nia I have learned how to truly appreciate living in my body, and to let go of the self judgement that was preventing me from finding joy in my everyday life.  I am so happy I followed that whim. Nia has taught me to dance through the good and the bad, and to always invite curiosity, laughter, play, and happiness as much as possible.  It feels great – and there is plenty to go around. I hope you will join me in dance soon!”

 

Alanna Jane Pelowski, Yoga 200-RYT,  M. Ed.

Alanna began practicing yoga at the Winona Yoga Center (now Dharma River) in 2004 with Master Senior teacher Francie Ricks and continues to study the Iyengar style of yoga today with an online teacher, Amanda Griggs. Alanna completed her Registered Yoga Teacher Training Certification (RYT-200) through YogaFit Incorporated in March 2018 and has been guiding others in yoga practice for the past fifteen years including on paddle boards on Lake Winona. Yoga helps her to balance a busy schedule, and she appreciates the strict alignment cues and mind-steadying she learns in the Iyengar method of yoga.

Alanna grew up in a northwest suburb of Chicago and stayed active with Irish dancing, gymnastics and being an all-around pool rat with her three younger brothers. Alanna came to Winona to attend Winona State University and then furthered her education with a Master of Education and then a Reading Certificate from St. Mary’s University. She currently lives in Winona with her husband, son and two dogs.

Paul Kisho Stern, MA, Teacher, Co-Founder

Paul Kisho Stern sees his work at Dharma River and in life in general as being focused on developing dynamic, holistic learning contexts that allow for a deeper engagement with and understanding of our human condition. Through developing compassionate and wise insights into our own humanity, we are enabled to more fully engage in life practices that allow deeper connection and compassion with ourselves, our communities, and our world.

Visiting Instructors

Tom Roberts

Tom is a retired Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist. He has over 40 years of experience in clinical psychotherapy and has been a practicing Zen Buddhist for nearly 50 years. In 1992 he received lay Buddhist vows from Thich Nhat Hanh.  He has gained widespread recognition in the field of health and healing as an educator, author and speaker who shares practical strategies for enjoying a healthier, happier, more fulfilling everyday life

As a regular teacher at regional and national retreat centers, Thomas routinely receives high praise and positive responses from those who attend for his sincere, informative and practical methods of teaching and relating with participants.  His retreats and classes reflect his authentic commitment to helping individuals achieve a deep and lasting resolve to their spiritual, emotional and physical health and healing. He is well known for offering and guiding retreats that are easily integrated into each person’s personal journey.

 

Nicolle NEILL Jensen

Nicolle is a teacher, musician, facilitator, and interdisciplinary artist born in Winona and residing in Santa Fe NM since 2003. She began studying yoga in college in 2004, and meditation after she graduated with a degree in interdisciplinary art in 2007. She is a senior teacher in the Prajna Yoga school, and a student in the somatic meditation lineage of Reggie Ray and Dharma Ocean. NEILL travels the world sharing a love of yoga, meditation, music, and creative expression through retreats, workshops, concerts, and classes.

 

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Our newsletters and updates will keep you informed of local and regional classes, workshops, and retreats as well as online study opportunities, blogs, information, and inspiration to continue nurturing, healing, and caring for yourself and the world. (We do not share your information with anyone else.) See you soon!

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686 W. 5th St., Winona, Minnesota

(507) 961-5665    |    info@dharmariver.org

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