Theda Zawaiza and Charlessa Thatcher bring over 50 years of teaching, training and curriculum development to this wellness venture, offering curated practices based in the ancient healing arts of yoga, qigong and meditation. They have decades of study with renowned, qigong masters and have been honored to assist them at retreat centers across the country. Theda and Charlessa have contributed to expanding the knowledge, abilities and skills of people from every walk of life through creating and spearheading local, state and federal empowerment programs and policies. They now apply their expertise in teaching and learning to tutorial videos, classes and trainings that provide tools to develop somatic awareness, self-regulation and self-empowerment through daily, personal practice.

Theda and Charlessa Wellness Essentials is designed for people who want to activate their inner healer, the natural wisdom of the body, to facilitate healing, vitality and inner peace. Their products and services are universally-designed, evidence-based, and sourced in Love.

We initially met in 2019, at a reception in Westchester County New York, hosted by the Board of Directors of the Healer Within Foundation, an education and training organization that advances body/mind/spirit practices. In just a short while, both of us felt we had met a kindred spirit in the other. This intuitive sense was confirmed when we reconnected in Florida the following year and spent hours sharing our mutual dream of helping people heal with Qigong.

We each had embraced Qigong for personal wellness and felt called to carry the practices and tools to communities that could benefit most from awakening the healer within for health, vitality and inner peace.

Charlessa practiced Qigong during her bout with cancer and ever since has had a daily practice to maintain vibrant health. For Theda, Qigong is the key that unlocked relief from chronic pain, anxiety and depression making space for more freedom of movement and joy of living. Theda & Charlessa WELLNESS ESSENTIALS is our gesture of gratitude and an attempt to “ pay forward” the benefits and grace we have received through these practices.

We invite you to join us on a self-healing journey of qi discovery, cultivation and mastery that will empower you to enhance your health and well-being.

BIOS:

Theda Zawaiza, PhD, is a qigong and tai chi teacher, Esalen massage practitioner and Empowered Relief™ instructor certified through the Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi, the Esalen Institute and Stanford University, respectively. She leads community practice groups in qigong online, in person in Washington, DC, and Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader trainings in the US. She is co-founder of Theda & Charlessa Wellness Essentials, curated body/mind tools to empower people to develop and maintain a daily wellness practice to restore, recuperate, recover and/or build resilient, radiant health. Learn more about Theda

CharlessaThatcher’s passion is teaching children and adults to use Qigong as self-care tools in their daily life. Charlessa is a NYS Licensed Master Social Worker, a certified teacher of Kripalu Yoga, Creative Kids Yoga, Holden Qigong, Integral Qigong and IIQTC Tai Chi Easy™ Senior Trainer. She is a Reiki Master, Qigong Healer, and a Core Faculty Teacher for Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, N.Y. teaching group classes for staff and program participants. She has assisted Tai Chi Easy™ Practice Leader Trainings in the United States, Institute of Integral Qigong and Tai Chi Level 1 training and has extensive experience teaching in a variety of settings and with diverse populations. She is currently teaching private and group Qigong, Tai Chi and Yoga classes and is a choreographer and musical director at a local middle school, integrating these practices into the theater experience. Charlessa is co-founder of Theda & Charlessa Wellness Essentials curated body/mind tools to empower people to develop and maintain a daily wellness practice to restore, recuperate, recover and/or build resilient and radiant health. Learn more about Charlessa