MEET OUR
facilitators
Our facilitators are your guides to harnessing the power of your ritual.
Experts in their fields, each works to inspire you, support your well-being, and cultivate your growth and development.
THE FOUNDER & FACILITATOR
JAMIE ARMSTRONG
The visionary founder of Ritual Urban Retreat, a premier holistic wellness center located in Vancouver, BC. A dedicated athlete with a passion for personal growth and well-being, Jamie has created a space where individuals can explore and deepen their connection to mind, body, and spirit. Ritual Urban Retreat offers a wide range of healing practices, including yoga, pilates, breathwork, sound healing, and hot and cold therapy, all carefully curated by Jamie to provide a transformative experience.
Jamie’s journey into the world of wellness was inspired by his athletic background and a desire to build a community where self-care is not just a practice but a way of life. His approach is centered on the belief that true well-being arises from consistent, mindful rituals that elevate daily living. Under his leadership, Ritual Urban Retreat has become a trusted sanctuary for those seeking to enhance their lives through holistic practices, making Jamie a respected leader in the wellness community.
dave gu |
BREATHWORK
Dave studied with Wim Hof out of necessity as he chronically struggled with the debilitating pain and exhaustion that comes with Ankylosing Spondylitis. Through consistent cold exposure and breathwork practice, Dave has defied the odds of his disease. He has since become a Wim Hof Instructor and is deeply passionate about educating and guiding people through the cold and their breath. He values keeping things simple and digestible while fostering a safe and fun environment.
Damian Kai Norman |
BREATHWORK
Damian is a certified counsellor specializing in trauma and somatic therapy, a two-time certified breathwork facilitator, a psychedelic integration counsellor, a certified ICF accredited coach, and a holistic movement practitioner with a professional dance background. He values community, freedom, and physical-emotional embodiment. Damian loves facilitating group work, creating safe containers for authentic vulnerable conversations, befriending our nervous system, and cultivating our capacity to feel fearlessly.
Patricia Straffon |
Movement
As a former dancer and choreographer Paty believes in the unique power of dance and movement to make us feel connected and alive. As a long time student of mindfulness practices, and as a certified wellness coach and personal trainer, she blends the knowledge from these fields to create a workout that is designed to optimize your whole well-being.
She will lead you through a fitness experience that will strengthen your body from the inside out, ground you in the present moment, and help you shift your energy to feel connected, empowered and alive.
Hillary keegan |
Movement
Hillary is an accomplished instructor practicing and teaching many forms of yoga from Hatha, Flow, Power, Yin, Pilates, Core and a special passion from the beginning for Hot. When you come to one of her classes you can expect clear instruction, accurate alignment cues, sincere caring and passion and to share her positive and uplifting energy. She will blend wonderfully reflective stories and a positive attitude that will uplift and carry you through the rest of your day. Her signature mantra is “patience, strength, determination”.
ASHLEY LEVII |
MOVEMENT
Ashely is committed to empowering individuals to tap into their inner current through transformative experiences by creating a space of possibility. She guides her students to explore their practice and find peace exactly where they are. Her classes are a space to learn, grow, and expand your universal view—a space that’s steeped in encouragement, with consistent sequencing to create a framework for possibility and growth.
Delyar Rhamdel |
sound
Delyar (Dely) is an Iranian multi-instrumentalist. She graduated from Tehran’s conservatory of music in Flute and Piano. She then continued her studies in Cambridge, UK and Vancouver, Canada in Classical music. Since moving to Canada, she has found new inspiration for music by learning about the healing aspects of sound and vibration. She now enjoys playing music that uplifts the soul and takes the listener on an inner journey.
Kelly Robinson |
sound
Kelly Robinson is a Chicago-native and autodidactic designer who built a career designing workplaces and homes throughout the world. On a parallel track, she was drawn to study ancient practices of all kinds namely yogic philosophy, Vipassana meditation, birthwork, feng shui, permaculture, women’s wisdom, and most recently sound as a modality for healing.
NAVIN SAHJPAUL |
SOUND
One of Navin's primary offerings are Sound Meditation and Healing experiences, utilizing an acoustic guitar, flute, crystal singing bowls, and a midi keyboard. Navin creates ambient soundscapes as a container within which one can find stillness and peace. All of the music is created live and is a restorative experience, providing an opportunity for the body to release anxiety, tension, and stress that has been stored and accumulated within one’s nervous system over time. During the experience, folks are invited to find a comfortable space for meditation, journaling, gentle movement, and yoga.
stephanie zepedeo |
Movement
Stephanie is a registered holistic nutritionist, personal trainer, and kinesiology graduate, dedicated to guiding clients towards holistic well-being for over 6 years. Her passion for health goes beyond conventional fitness approaches as she strives to empower clients to cultivate a balanced lifestyle that nourishes their body, mind, and spirit. Harnessing the transformative power of movement and nutrition, Stephanie is committed to supporting you on your wellness journey.
Rebecca lee henderson |
sound & yoga
Rebecca is certified and teaches in a wide range of styles including Hatha, Power, Flow, Hot and Yin. Over the years, she has focused her teaching on Yin Yoga with the incorporation of crystal bowls and other instruments of sacred sound to help create an environment where students can experience deep rest and relaxation. She teaches all levels of students, from all walks of life, and loves bringing the practice of yoga to people for its potential to truly transform lives.
Samaneh Asgharzadeh | MOVEMENT
Samaneh began practice 20 years ago when a shoulder injury propelled her towards discovering that her calling was power yoga. She works to activate your entire body, aligning breath with movement and building strength and flexibility. Through power yoga, Samaneh guides you to better understand your body and mind, and to hear the silence more deeply.
Katharina Bleinis |
MOVEMENT
Katharina is a 500-hour E-RYT yoga teacher, movement facilitator, and former competitive dancer. Yoga and intuitive movement have been integral parts of her healing journey. They are more than just practices—they have become a home, a ritual, and a pathway to self-discovery that offers a channel for self-expression and emotional release. Kat’a teachings offer a language to convey this message in hopes of leading others on their inward journey and towards healing. This sometimes means inviting in discomfort and areas of resistance to experience a breakthrough in one's internal process. This mission is at the heart of Kat’s work as a teacher.
jackie mcgregor |
counselling
Jackie McGregor, a partner at Ritual Urban Retreat, has 15 years of experience in health and wellness. With a background in holistic health, she designs transformative programs that promote deep healing and align with your true desires. Jackie holds a Human Kinetics degree from UBC, is certified in holistic nutrition, personal training, life coaching, and intuitive coaching, and is currently completing her practicum as a registered clinical counselor. Her grounded, supportive approach integrates the most relevant treatment interventions, meeting clients where they are to foster healing, growth, and connection with the deepest parts of themselves.