Mindful Adventures
In 2015 Cassie started Mindful Movement with the goal of offering various forms of movement including yoga, athletics and games to veterans and kids in the Louisville area. During this time Cassie became deeply involved with the veteran outdoor community, and pursued outdoor leadership and wilderness training. Her passion for the outdoors, and love for teaching lead to a natural evolution of her company from Mindful Movement to Mindful Adventures. Her company and its amazing group of leaders and guides now lead trips around the world.
Cassie
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I grew up in Kentucky with the childhood freedom to explore the woods. I have always been adventurous and curious about the world so I joined the Army right after high school. As a young soldier of 21 years I found myself in the middle of a war during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and through this experience I was awakened to painful realities that forever changed my view of the world. I realized that my personal moral struggles from participating in a war I didn't agree with was cause to seek a new path in life. Like many soldiers and veterans I wanted to raise a family in a loving home that understood that war is never the answer for peace. I left my successful military career behind and moved to Puerto Rico and attended the Inter American University earning a marketing degree. While living in Puerto Rico I played in their professional FIBA basketball league (La Liga Superior de baloncesto feminino) and had the opportunity to truly experience island life while learning the Spanish language.
After 10 years away I returned to Kentucky to pursue an MBA at Bellarmine University. I enrolled my daughter Emily in the Waldorf School of Louisville and quickly developed a personal interest in Waldorf education. I received Waldorf Movement Training in Aurora, New York with Jeff Tunkey in the Movement for Childhood program. I started working as a specialty teacher and helped develop the Waldorf School of Louisville's Athletic Department. In addition to my role as the Athletic Director I have also coached multiple sports and taught athletics and games classes. As my role at the school continued to evolve I eventually started co-leading the 8th Grade Capstone Trips and expeditions with the woodworking teacher. As a veteran who has personally experienced the benefits, I support organizations that offer yoga, and outdoor healing opportunities to veterans. I am a VEToga trained yoga instructor; a program specifically created to certify veterans as yoga teachers so they can offer classes to others in their own community. I offer weekly classes to veterans at the Louisville Vet Center. Other organizations that have had an impact on my life are Sierra Club Military Outdoors, and Outward Bound. These organizations have programs specifically dedicated to providing veterans with access to outdoor opportunities. Through my involvement with SCMO I received Outdoor Leadership Training and SOLO Wilderness First Aid Certification. While on these trips and trainings I have found an outdoor community of veterans that enjoy sharing their knowledge and passion for the planet with others. I have developed friendships and met other like minded veterans that I have gone on to lead trips with. I love the outdoors and I have a deep appreciation for yoga and meditation. I feel that finding my peace in the wilderness has provided me a path to a meaningful life. My experiences have led me to the pursuit of a simple life sharing the magic of the world with others. I enjoy working with veterans and children, creating opportunities for them to be active, healthy, and happy. I currently spend time planning and leading adventure trips, hanging out with my teenage daughter, and studying Shakespeare war text with fellow veterans in the Kentucky Shakespeare with Veterans program. |