Meet Vanessa

Vanessa Michele - woman sitting on wicker box clasping hands

Hi, I’m Vanessa!

I’m a Christian meditation teacher and wellness guide who creates gentle, faith-based practices to help you slow down, regulate your nervous system, and find rest with God at the center of it all.

My work is rooted in a simple rhythm of movement, meditation, and rest. I believe that for many of us, especially in seasons of stress, burnout, or overwhelm, stillness doesn’t come easily. We often need to begin by reconnecting with the body, softening the breath, and creating a sense of safety before we can truly be still with God. Through slow, reflective movement, Christian meditation, and calming reset practices, I guide people out of their heads and back into their bodies so rest becomes accessible and prayer feels grounded rather than forced.

With over 500 hours of formal training and more than 1,000 hours of teaching experience, my approach blends contemplative Christian spirituality with nervous system awareness in a way that is calm, approachable, and rooted in everyday life. My practices are intentionally gentle and supportive, especially for those who feel anxious, overstimulated, burned out, or simply weary from carrying too much.

I’m the creator of Gather Wellness, a faith-based wellness companion designed to support slower, more intentional rhythms through Christian meditation, gentle movement, and rest-centered practices. I’m also the author of the Breath & Prayer Journal, created to help you integrate breath prayer, scripture, and reflection into your daily life in a simple, embodied way.

At the heart of everything I offer is this belief: rest is not something you earn. It is an invitation. My hope is that through these practices, you find permission to pause, space to breathe, and a deeper trust that God meets you not after you’ve calmed down, but right where you are.

EDUCATION

Academic Background:

B.S. Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University

M.S. Pharmacy, University of Florida

Yoga Training:

200 Hour Certification, Blue Nectar Yoga

30 Hour Yin Yoga Certification, Yoga With Kassandra

30 Hour Meditation Certification, Yoga for You with Kelly Smith

Yoga Medicine with Tiffany Cruikshank

Certifications:

  • Yoga Anatomy (20 hrs)

  • Mental Health and Wellness (55 hrs)

  • Nervous System and Restorative Yoga (55hrs)

  • Shoulder: Anatomy, Dysfunction, and Application (55hr)

  • Yin Yoga and Meditation (55hr)

  • Spine: Anatomy, Dysfunction, and Application (55hr)


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