Hanya House is a collaboration that brings together highly experienced and sought-after health professionals.
Under the guidance of husband and wife team, Dr. Rav and Ryan James, we have invited an informal collaboration of some of the best healers around. This is thanks, in part, to the unique town of White River – where Hanya House is located – that has attracted a community of forward-thinking wellness experts, each highly trained with years of experience.
Health professionals work independently from Hanya House, each of them sharing a common passion for providing a safe and peaceful space as their patients and clients move towards whole-body healing. The environment allows for unique collaborations among professionals where appropriate.
The thread that connects our healers under the Hanya House roof is the belief that medicine is so much more than just “medicine”. Food, movement, stillness, breath, mindset, sound, nature, community and you. These are the original, ancient medicines that must work alongside “conventional” medicines for the benefit of individuals and communities.
To find out more, or to get in touch with a Hanya House health professional, use our web contact form here.
Meet Our Anchor Healers
Meet the team of health professionals that believes that the healing of the world begins with the healing of its people.
Dr. Rav James
Functional Medicine Specialist & General Practitioner
Dr. Rav James is one of a handful of medical doctors in South Africa with an Advanced Fellowship in Nutritional, Metabolic and Functional Medicine through the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. As a Functional Medicine specialist, Dr. Rav is interested in “root causes” and her most recent research focuses on food as medicine, insulin resistance, time-restricted fasting, metabolic health, integrative oncology, holistic approaches to mental health, peri-menopause and menopause, and long covid.
At Hanya House Dr. Rav has created a new approach to the architecture of functional healing. With a profound belief in the “whole body” she cultivates healing journeys that allow individuals to discover that healing is a force within them that can be cultivated and amplified with awareness, understanding, forgiveness, creativity and love.
Dr. Rav offers GP consultations, Functional Medicine consultations, DNA and Gut Microbiome testing, and various forms of IV Therapy treatments. She also runs a number of online programs, including the Medical Weight Management program and Reset Your Metabolic Health program.
Lindsey Hyson
Clinical Psychologist
Lindsey Hyson has been practising as a clinical psychologist since 2008. During her career she has worked (in the UK and South Africa) in private practice, psychiatric hospitals, an addiction and rehabilitation centre, corporate firms, and schools. Lindsey works with depression and anxiety, trauma, addiction, emotional regulation difficulties, interpersonal difficulties, parenting, grief and personal growth.
I have always had the desire to work with people, to understand why we find ourselves repeatedly caught up in the same patterns. My goal is to provide a safe place to think and a context for healing and change. I believe that by expanding awareness and connection to oneself, and by tuning in to the wisdom of our system, we allow for the process of healing.
My therapy style has been influenced by several schools of psychotherapy and approaches including psychodynamic theory, attachment theory, imago couples therapy, SHIP theory (spontaneous healing in intrapsychic processes) and family systems theory. I use principles of DBT (dialectical behavioural therapy) where I focus on mindfulness and distress tolerance.
“I am passionate about working together with my clients in exploring how past and present experiences contribute to our current state or ‘dis-ease’. I aim to provide a context for honest reflection and connection. In the setting of a trusting relationship, I believe that healing, creativity, and a change toward a more meaningful and authentic life becomes possible.”
Denise Sohandev
Life Coach, Yoga Instructor & Breathwork Specialist
Denise Sohandev is a Personal Growth Mentor, with a passion for guiding women to create a life they love. As a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Yoga Therapist, and NLP Master Coach she views the body as a gateway for healing the mind.
Since her mind/body journey began in 1999 she has been studying and interpreting the sometimes esoteric teachings of ancient yogic philosophies and practices, as a means to support women as they identify and overcome the imprinted beliefs, thoughts and behaviours that limit them from fulfilling their potential. She believes every woman can be empowered to live a joyful, rich and meaningful life as they uncover and embody their own unique purpose.
Denise is a wife, mother and eternal student navigating the flow of life.
Dr. Allison Blair
Aesthetic & Integrative Medicine Doctor
Dr Allison Blair is a general practitioner with a special interest in aesthetic and integrative medicine.
What makes Dr. Alli’s approach different is that treatments are focussed foremost on accentuating your best features, achieving natural results and softening the negative signs of aging. She is absolutely passionate about happy, healthy skin! Dr Alli offers all cosmetic treatments including antiwrinkle injections, dermal fillers, biostimulators, medical micro-needling, platelet rich plasma, chemical peeling and skin boosters to name a few.
During the initial phase of her medical career, Dr. Alli primarily worked in the emergency department. It was during this time that she began to question the underlying reasons behind patients repeatedly seeking emergency care for chronic medical conditions. This ignited Dr. Alli’s profound interest in integrative medicine. Through experience, she discovered that solely prescribing pharmaceuticals for chronic diseases is insufficient for healing. True healing encompasses a comprehensive approach that includes lifestyle changes, community support, mental well-being, nutrition, physical activity, and spiritual nourishment. While medication has its place, it becomes far more effective when accompanied by holistic considerations.
Furthermore, Dr. Allison Blair has a particular passion for women’s health within the framework of integrative medicine—an often under-appreciated and misunderstood aspect of healthcare. By incorporating lifestyle modifications and natural alternatives to medication, she aims to address the root causes of symptoms on a holistic level.
Sarah Ferrier
Therapeutic Massage Therapist
Sarah Ferrier studied in Stellenbosch at the prestigious Isa Carstens College and spent her early years working at award-winning safari destination, Londolozi Game Reserve, heading up their wellness centre. In 2017 Sarah joined the team @Wellness360 based in Nelspruit where she primarily focused on sport-oriented therapy.
Sarah’s focus and passion has always been human movement: The therapeutic, restorative benefits of massage therapy, specifically myofascial massage. Sarah works with her clients to bring awareness to the way they move so that they may better understand functional movement patterns and the relationship between muscle groups and posture.
Sarah commonly treats the following: Tension head-aches and migraines, TMJ release, sinus congestion, lymphatic drainage, back and neck tension, sport/rehabilitation of injuries, stress induced tension patterns in the body, stress management by calming the autonomic nervous system and restoring balance to the body.
Bettina Klesse
Personal Trainer
Bettina Klesse is a personal trainer who runs F.I.T.T Form, a strength and toning program for ladies. F.I.T.T stands for Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type and the focus of Bettina’s classes is strength training with small weights, body weight, and resistance bands.
Bettina’s passion is helping women to maintain and build core strength and muscle mass. Her classes are small and full of fun and community. There are five classes per week: Tuesday’s and Thursday’s at 05h45 and 07h45 for F.I.T.T Form Strength & Toning. And Tuesday 09h00 for F.I.T.T Stretch & Mobility for mature ladies.
Verena Wagner
Bounti Rebound Fitness Instructor
Parallel to her career in the non-profit sector, Verena is passionate about health, coffee, and good cake. Exercise and movement have been a major part of her life for the last 20 years. She says: “The physical benefits of exercise are a bonus for me. Movement has always been mental and emotional therapy. It’s where I process thoughts and feelings, learn valuable life lessons, and create the most meaningful connections.”
Verena came across rebounding years before she tried it. A bout of shingles led to research about lymphatic support and so she bought her first rebounder.
“From the moment I tried it, something clicked”, she says. Verena had found an exercise modality that ticked a multitude of boxes. It was a cross section of everything, supporting her current exercise regime, she could do it anywhere and anytime, it has endless health benefits and most importantly it was fun. “The question that kept coming up for me was: Why don’t more people know about this? It’s an absolute winner”. At that point she enrolled in a course through Lisa Raleigh and then qualified as a Bounti Rebounding Instructor.
Verena’s intention is to use rebounding to offer the same movement therapy to as many people as possible… to use fun and functional movement as tool for health and happiness!
Cindy Brooks
B.Tech Somatology Skincare & Beauty Therapist
Cindy studied at Tshwane University of Technology and received her B.Tech Degree in Somatology in 2003. If you ask her what she does, she’ll say she works with clients to help them feel more confident and, in pursuit of that goal, she offers a range of customised skincare treatments including: Dermapen4 Micro needling, RégimA facial and peel treatments, and skin analyses to prescribe the perfect homecare routine between treatments.
Cindy is a professionally-trained makeup artist and specialises in photographic and bridal makeup artistry. “I also love teaching people how to apply makeup to their own faces and to make them feel more confident and self-assured. I’m always trying to better myself and stay on-trend with the latest skincare and beauty treatments. I’m currently in the process of choosing another product range to add to my list of skincare treatments as well as courses to improve on my existing skills and expertise.”
As well as specialised skin treatments and professional make-up, Cindy offers manicure and pedicure treatments, waxing treatments, male grooming and gua sha treatment.
Cathy Flores
Speech Therapist
Cathy Flores is a speech-language therapist and audiologist, practising since 2008. She is currently only practicing in speech-language therapy. She has worked in both the private and public sectors in educational and hospital settings. She has a special interest in early communication intervention and complex communication needs, which led her to complete her Masters in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Additionally, her interest in literacy-based challenges inspired pursuing a postgraduate certificate in education focusing on the Foundation Phase of school. Cathy is also currently working part-time for the Centre for AAC at the University of Pretoria, where she is involved in various interesting research studies involving AAC.
As Cathy is both a clinician and a researcher, she ensures evidence-based practice in her therapeutic approach. With her little clients, Cathy incorporates a play-based approach in her therapy. This proves to be appealing to those in her therapeutic care, so you are bound to hear the fun coming from her room.
Farrah Cruse
Vinyasa Yoga Instructor
Farrah completed her 200-hr Vinyasa yoga teacher training in 2021. She is enthusiastic about making everyone feel as comfortable as possible in her classes. Farrah believes yoga is for everyBODY and embraces the idea of feeling your best over making the perfect pose. Join Farrah to be guided by breath as you move your way to a renewed mind.
Farrah is currently completing her Heath Coaching Course through IIN, and plans to help each client reach their personal sustainable health goals. Through a holistic approach and understanding that each person is bio-individual as well as a multidimensional being, team up with Farrah to come up with your greatest personalised long term health plan.
Maxine Lambourn
Certified Coach for Children & Teenagers
“They say our children teach us more than we teach them! This rings true for me on a daily basis. I studied marketing and went on to become a magazine journalist. I always thought that journalism was my calling; then my son showed the way to a new path. When Daniel was seven years old, we were told how very unique he was and we knew that it came with challenges. I started researching ways to alleviate some of these obstacles and found a phenomenal coaching programme. Adventures in Wisdom, an American-based initiative, assists children with fundamental life skills including: Confidence; following and working towards their dreams; finding joy through gratitude; and wiring their brains for success.
I am passionate about helping our children cope with everyday obstacles so that they can become the best versions of themselves. The programme assists them in busting through fears, developing soaring self-esteem and creating joyous lives for themselves. It empowers them to take charge of their own lives, to be accountable, and it emphasises self-responsibility.
As a certified Adventures in Wisdom coach for just over five years now, I love spending time with our phenomenal children, and am learning from them each and every single day.
Jenny Pott
HPCSA-Registered Music Therapist
During Jenny Pott’s bachelor and post graduate studies at the South African College of Music, she played in orchestras, bands and chamber groups and experienced the profound ability music has to foster deep relationships and connections. Fueled by a love of music and people she went on to study psychology courses through UNISA before completing a masters degree in Music Therapy at the University of Pretoria. As a Music Therapist who is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, Jenny works in a person-centred way to support self-expression, creativity and self-empowerment.
As humans we use music to celebrate, to mourn, to worship, to soothe, to work, to tell our stories, to express our deepest emotions, to heal. In music therapy we do just this – we use verbal communication alongside varied musical experiences – listening, writing, singing, and playing to address our psychological, emotional, physical, social and cognitive needs and thereby promote healing. Music therapy has many faces and forms and clients do not need to have any previous music experience or education to engage with music therapy. Music therapists recognise that in all humans there exists a “musical person” – a person with an innate responsiveness to the elements of music regardless of any mental or physical disability, illness or injury.
Jenny has experience working with a broad range of clients including the following: children and adults with special needs, aging and elderly people (alzheimer’s, dementia, parkinsons), addiction, burnout, psychiatric care, and corporate wellness and team building.
Melissa Appel (Joubert)
Body Stress Release Practitioner
Freedom from body stress promotes a better quality of life – physically and emotionally. Melissa has been working with the body’s natural desire to be stress free for 19 years and lives by the Body Stress Release ethos of “Unlocking tension – Restoring self-healing”.
Today’s society is a minefield of demanding situations and we all at times find that our bodies struggle to adapt to the inevitable stressful situations that surround us. Accumulated stresses lead to a point of overload and we often find that tension becomes “locked” into our physical structure.
Melissa works with clients of all ages who are experiencing less than 100% wellness. Body Stress Release – or BSR – is a complementary, proudly South African technique. It offers a gentle and effective way to help your body to release stored tension from the muscles thus enhancing the body’s natural ability to heal itself. It is not a diagnosis or treatment of any condition but can assist with: Musculoskeletal complaints; gynaecological disorders; emotional problems; gastrointestinal complaints; and childhood concerns to name but a few.
Melissa is a pilot’s wife, mother and friend with a love for the outdoors and time spent at home. She has a great passion for “walking” clients on their healing journey to ultimately take responsibility for their health.
Lauren Jackson
Physiotherapist
B. Sc. Physio (STELL)
Lauren Jackson completed her BSc honours degree in Physiotherapy at Stellenbosch University in 2010. After her community service year in Barberton, she began working in a dynamic physio practice in Johannesburg which specialised in sports, post operative rehabilitation, and orthopaedic manual therapy. Lauren was fortunate to work alongside experienced neuro & orthopaedic specialists throughout her tenure in JHB.
While working, she also completed her post graduate specialisation in ANMS (the advanced neuromusculoskeletal program). After gaining years of experience, she and her husband Peter decided to settle for a quieter life, and in late 2017 moved to Nelspruit, where they now live. Lauren runs her own practice, as well as regular exercise classes. She is a mother of two, and her days are kept joyfully busy by her two daughters (and a Labrador).
Lauren is passionate about her patients and believes in a holistic approach to managing pain, injury, and illness. Every patient has a story and she believes that healing begins with listening.
BeJay Watson
Sound Healer, Gong Master, Yoga Therapist Enneagram Practitioner & Life Coach
BeJay is an internationally qualified sound therapist, Gong Master, yoga practitioner, intuitive healer, enneagram practitioner, and Life Coach. After living in the African bush for over 20 years BeJay has been inspired by the greatest teacher of all: the wilderness… its frequencies, its rhythms, its waterways, its movements, and its stillness.
This connection to nature is the foundation of BeJay’s practice and today she is renowned for her one-of-a-kind blend of ancient healing modalities, for example drawing on yoga, the conch shell, breath-work, and meditation in a single session to open people up to their true frequencies, rhythms, waterways, movements, and, most importantly, their stillness.
BeJay’s yoga practice is based on 15 years of experience and she draws on the basic foundation teachings of Sivananda Hatha yoga, the strength and integrity of Advanced Ana Forrest, as well as the subtle energetic flow of Kundalini Yoga. This dynamic blend of yoga has allowed BeJay and Dr. Rav to work together successfully to merge medicine and yoga in order to improve movement, flexibility and pain in people of all ages and abilities.
Intuitive energy healing with BeJay is somewhere between seeing a life-coach, a guru and a dear friend.
Kelly van Rooyen
Parenting & Family Coach
Kelly is a mother to twin boys, and an internationally qualified Hand in Hand Parenting instructor. Her background is in Montessori education, where the focus was on positive discipline and nurturing of the individual child. She taught in the three to six environment and ran a preschool before becoming a mother. Kelly is currently completing her life coaching certification with the aim to provide parents with deeper personal support.
Kelly is passionate about bringing a sense of joy and connection into families and providing parents with the tools to raise their children in a conscious and confident way. No two families are alike, and she aims to support parents in bringing this connection into their home in a way that aligns with the unique values and priorities of each family.
Julie Mostert
Kinesiologist
A down-to-earth holistic health practitioner, Julie makes use of muscle testing to access the subconscious mind, obtaining precise information about what the body needs to attain harmony and balance before any underlying issues turn to illness or disease.
Julie uses kinesiology to treat the whole body emotionally, physically, mentally, and energetically. “This non-invasive, hands-on, personalised holistic treatment is used to treat the whole body”, Julie explains. “Using the art of muscle testing, I am able to correct the underlying cause of a problem rather than simply treating the symptoms. I have access to a wide range of gentle yet effective corrections, which activate someone’s own natural self-healing, thereby restoring harmony and well-being. You’ll feel lighter, calmer and clearer, and you will experience an overwhelming, complete sense of balance.” Julie goes on to explain what a wonderful tool this is for clearing unconscious patterns and limiting beliefs, bringing about positive change. Kinesiology is safe for all ages.
Andrea Parker
Biokineticist
Andrea Parker qualified as a Biokineticist in 2001 with a BSc (Honours) in Biokinetics from the University of Zululand. She is also a qualified BASI pilates instructor and is currently completing her Sports Management certificate through HFPA Fitness academy. She has been working for herself since 2007 and has always worked within multi-discipline centres. She has been based in Johannesburg, Grahamstown, and currently in Nelspruit.
Being a Biokineticist, Andrea believes that movement is an essential part of everyday life. Movement affects development, learning, communicating, working, health, and overall quality of life. At the most basic level, movement allows people to navigate and to stay oriented within their environment. Movement may become diminished or lost because of heredity, aging, injury, or disease. Such loss may occur gradually, over the course of a lifetime, or traumatically after an accident. The importance of the person moving correctly can be of more benefit than just trying to get the muscles flexible and strong.
Biokinetics is the profession concerned with health promotion, the maintenance of physical abilities and final phase rehabilitation, by means of scientifically-based physical activity programme prescription.
“I am hard working, self-motivated and am open to new opportunities. I am a mum of two young boys, who keep me motivated to always do my best and to show them that hard work and determination pays off. I am a very competitive person and enjoy being on the winning team, however, I appreciate that losing also allows us a teaching moment of how to improve and change to be better the next time.”
Meet the Hanya House Back-Up Ensemble
In the background is a team of people who are genuinely passionate about creating the best possible space, operationally and creatively, for healing to happen.
Ryan James
Hanya House Managing Director
As well as being the Managing Director of Hanya House, Ryan James is a certified Master Life Coach trained under the team of world-renowned sociologist, author, and Life Coach, Martha Beck, who, for over 20 years, has helped people to come into integrity of being and “find their North Star.”
As well as guiding the overall vision, strategy, and culture of Hanya House, Ryan is responsible for the day-to-day operations, program development, and communications.
Ryan is a word-shaker, a meaning-maker, a Life Coach, a husband, a father, a son and person who believes deeply in rich, life-changing and purposeful experiences (and flamingos ).
