YOur Team
James Bala yancey, Steward,
Forest Therapy guide
A Georgia native, Bala considers the forest his home. Whether teaching school abroad, starting non-profits, dreaming up meaningful ventures or learning from plants, he longs to spend time reconnecting in Just Love Forest. As a meditation teacher, he observed that a key way to address the challenge of changes we’re experiencing in our climate and society broadly, must be to experience and relearn connection to nature and who we really are. He felt that bringing the experiences of Nature and Forest Therapy to the Southeast was a meaningful thing to offer and Just Love Forest the perfect home. Forest Therapy was the perfect way to blend his experiences of guiding, exploring and meditation as something everyone of all ages and skill levels can appreciate.
Brandon Sutton, Steward,
Forest therapy guide
Brandon is a longtime lover of the forest and a natural fit to guide others in the woods. His experiences with hiking and wilderness backpacking date back to the early 1990s when his desire to share forest experiences with others people began to blossom. He has backpacked throughout the continental US and Alaska, and as far afield as Sweden and Tasmania. Environmental protection and climate change have been central concerns for Brandon for 15+ years. His recent certification as a Forest Therapy Guide is the culmination of a lifetime of passion for the outdoors, and he sees Just Love Forest as the perfect place to open the doors for others to develop a meaningful connection with the ‘more-than-human-world.’
Cody Maria, Steward,
Spiritual and yoga guide
Cody has always felt a deep connection to nature. Growing up in the North Georgia foothills he spent much of his childhood outdoors and in many ways being a Steward of JustLove feels like a homecoming. He’s the owner of a metaphysical store and healing center in Rome Georgia called Stonehaven. “We are ecstatic to be collaborating and partnering with Just Love to extend our community outreach and co-create intimate events that uplift and inspire participants to live their most joyful life. I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to share the practices of Yoga, Permaculture, Meditation, Thai bodywork and various other wisdom traditions that have had a profound positive impact on my life. Just Love is a place that beckons us to express ourselves creatively so that we may align with our true nature and co-create a more harmonious connection with all of our relations.”
Narinder Bazen, Steward,
Death and Dying transition guide
Narinder Bazen (she/they) teaches us how to liven up our imaginal cells through play. She heard from others that she was teaching this. She gratefully accepted the position. She finds that exploring outdoors with no purpose and getting to enjoy nature's whimsy, are a delight. Inspirational playtime can be a prosperous wellspring. She is an advocate for those who are dying, as well as an advocate for after-death care spaces. She is a death educator who brings warmth and reassurance to people who are dying as well as their caregivers. She has served as a steward of a green burial cemetery and is currently a Home Funeral Educator. Narinder offers an 8 month death midwifery apprenticeship called Nine Keys.
linda warren, Steward,
elder wisdom guide
Linda Warren (Mama Love) comes to Just Love Forest as an elder. She’s also a steward and guardian of its foundation and ideals. Linda has 30 plus years as a healer, shaman, and spiritual teacher. She takes pride in fact that the land of Just Love Forest has historic roots with her family lineage going back 5 generations. Linda is a descendent of the Eastern Cherokee nation and brings her gifts to Just Love Forest to better the planet by sharing her gifts with all those coming to visit.
jeremy sanders, Steward,
permaculture guide
Jeremy lives for playing in the dirt, tracing and chasing the water and making incredible sandwiches. He has a passion-based business making Jun Kombucha and encourages building earth-aware community with education experiences at Just Love Forest like the annual Steward’s Carnival. He designs and implements garden and permaculture projects and is an intuitive mastermind with heavy equipment when needed. Ask him about the J Sandy special sandwich. Who knew avocado had a sweet side?!
Tyler Thompson, Steward,
the glue of just Love forest
Tyler is the sticky pine sap holding everything together at Just Love. He’s a returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Corporate America runaway, cross-continental cyclist (Alaska to Key West) and passionate environmentalist. Love of the outdoors and a commitment to its protection motivates his work as a steward of Just Love Forest, especially as a cultivator of positive outdoor experiences for those seeking a closer relationship with nature.