Our Instructors

Theresa Ainsworth - Fiber Arts

Theresa Ainsworth has been crocheting for 40 years and knitting for 15 years. She had been teaching both arts for 15 years at both a local yarn shop as well as a service-learning project while studying abroad at the University of Ghana to complete her Bachelor’s of Science degree in Women’s Studies with Sacramento State University.  After being diagnosed with a life-altering disease in 2017, she shifted her teaching to focus from classes in yarn shops to more meaningful and impactful venues.  She states, "I have long believed in the therapeutic power of knitting and crochet and have studied much of the research around this subject. I have seen the power and meditative benefits first hand in the classes I conduct."

Theresa is adept at teaching many forms of fiber arts to all experience levels of participants. Beginners, intermediate and skilled participants are all welcomed in her classes and she encourages everyone to work on projects that bring them happiness and joy.

“The act of knitting is a meditation, for the work of the hands compels the mind to rest and gives free rein to movements of the soul”—Author Unknown

Shankari Arcot - Nutrition

Shankari Arcot was born and raised in India. She has fond memories of her mother making all of their food from scratch and when Shankari moved to the states, she continued to have a deep love for her moms cooking and became passionate about learning how to make the dishes she grew up eating so she could share them with friends and family. Shankari’s proudest moment was winning the Iron Chef competition at the California State Fair. For the past fifteen years, Shankari has been teaching classes at Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, as well as giving guest lectures to the culinary students at The American River College, teaching global cooking to homeschooling families, private in person lessons and team building classes for corporations like HP, Health net, Global NTT, United Fire Group and more. You can learn more about her on her website sacramentospice.com

John Brewer - Qigong

John has been studying and practicing qigong for ten years and teaching for the past five. He is a lifelong educator, versed in making learning effective and fun. He creates a safe, engaging environment through his practice of compassionate communication and empathy. John emphasizes safety and accessibility, teaching modifications based on what is workable for class participants. Almost everything he teaches can be done sitting as well as standing.

John is a lover of music and poetry. He enjoys spreading the Qi (“Chi”) through verse and he begins each class with a positive-themed song, which is used to begin movement and sharing. 

John has been trained in, and will draw from, two systems: Wisdom Healing Qigong with Master Mingtong Gu, and Integral Qigong with Roger Jahnke. Should you wish to explore these two very compatible paths you are invited to examine the following websites:  www.chicenter.com or www.instituteofintegralqigongandtaichi.org  He is honored to offer qigong instruction at Wellness Within and looks forward to serving those who are interested in giving qigong a try.

Kristin Kozlowski MA, LMFT - Coping with A Cancer Diagnosis

Kristin Kozlowski is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice and is a 13 year cancer survivor/thriver. Diagnosed in 2009 with breast cancer, her passion has been in helping those diagnosed with cancer create and navigate their own healing journey. She believes even though we may experience the same or similar diagnosis as someone else, our journeys are unique. She finds joy in spending time with her family, friends and travelling.

Iram Khan - Yoga & irest®

Iram is an iRest® instructor and a registered yoga teacher.

Iram loves to teach iRest classes to people who are suffering from insomnia, anxiety and stress. Living a busy life herself, she once wondered how, in today’s hectic world, does one find and achieve deep relaxation when it is needed most? The answer came to her when she personally experienced and benefited from iRest/yoga Nidra. That led her to explore and study this meditative practice of conscious sleep. She has come to the conclusion that if we can unwind our mind, we can heal our body.

Iram loves to spend time with her family and friends. She loves animals, nature, camping and hiking. She listens to world music and likes to travel, explore and appreciate diverse cultures. Her favorite words are “breathe, relax, smile and enjoy….”

Annie Mascorro, RN, AMFT - Survivorship, Support Circles, Poetry, Forest Therapy

Annie Mascorro received her M.F.A. in poetry from The University of Montana, her B.S. in nursing from Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, as well as her M.S. at Sacramento State University and is now an Associate Therapist. She has also studied poetry therapy through the International Federation for Biblio/Poetry Therapy and attended the Squaw Valley Community of Writers Poetry workshop. Her poems have been widely published. She worked as a psychiatric nurse for the 11 years, incorporating poetry into her work with patients and facilitating poetry workshops in hospitals and clinics. A former psych nurse turned therapist and certified Forest Therapy Guide, her background helps create a supportive, nurturing, and energetic atmosphere in the variety of classes that she offers at Wellness Within.

Jan Webb - Meditation

Jan has worked the past 20 years in the health and wellness field. She holds a certification from U.C. Berkeley in the Power of Awareness taught by Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, two leading authorities in the subject of meditation. She enjoys continuing her education in meditation and mindfulness and as a result she holds certifications from the National Institute of Whole Health (NIWH), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and UCLA Mindfulness Education Mindful Awareness Research Center. Jan is certified as a Chair Yoga instructor, as well a Level 1 iRest teacher, certified by the Institute of Integrative Restoration in San Rafael. 

Jan has experienced the fear that a cancer diagnosis causes, not just with herself and her family, but also with her clientele. She has personally experienced the benefits of meditation and self-exploration. as well as teaching meditation and chair yoga in Roseville, CA. Jan believes the practice of meditation plays a crucial role in understanding ourselves, which enables us to live healthier and happier lives.

Susan Cirillo, MFT, AT - Art Therapy, Caregiving Coping Circles

Sue Cirillo is a Art Therapist, Marriage and Family Therapist, and Educator that loves to help others heal through expressive arts. She received her M.F.A. from Notre Dame de Namur University and teaching credential at University of California, Davis. Sue is also trained in DBT, TF-CBT, EMDR, and Mindfulness techniques. She has years of experience facilitating and leading a variety of community and support groups with her trauma informed lens of care and empathy. Sue creates a warm, supportive and engaging environment for her classes and workshops.

 Nandi Szabo, M.A. BCDMT - Expressive Therapy Group

 Nandi Szabo, M.A., is a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist (BCDMT) and a master's level clinician in Expressive Art Therapies. With over two decades of experience, Nandi has been facilitating groups with Sutter Health since 1997. Her expertise in expressive therapies makes her an invaluable guide for those looking to explore creative healing methods. Nandi is also the Co-Founder of Full Circle of Living and Dying and has taught a variety of classes at Sacramento City College, such as "The Psychology of Creativity." She practices the creative art of living, centering her approach on empathy, unconditional support, and fostering a deep connection between body, mind, and spirit.