Today we’d like to introduce you to Ceiara Cartony.
Hi Ceiara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Namaste in Nature began in 2017, stemming from our love of practicing yoga and meditation in nature. Surrounded by the beauty of Asheville’s hiking trails and the Blue Ridge Mountains, we began imagining how we could bring together the elements of hiking, forest bathing, and mindfulness to create a deeper wellness experience. This vision led us to create our Micro Retreats™.
From the beginning, our mission has been to invite others to slow down, reconnect with themselves, and experience the simple beauty of being present in nature. We wanted to create experiences that felt both accessible and meaningful; an opportunity to step away from the busyness of everyday life and make time for what often gets overlooked: our own well-being.
As Namaste in Nature has grown, so have our offerings. While our roots are deeply connected to the trails, our love for bringing self-care into every setting continues to guide us. From private yoga and mobile massage to sound healing and cacao ceremonies, we create opportunities for guests to pause, breathe, and reconnect — no matter the occasion.
At the heart of it all, we believe wellness is not just about taking care of ourselves, but also about making space for connection. Whether spending time with family and friends, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying a moment of quiet, we hope to inspire people to slow down, nourish their well-being, and experience the beauty of being present—together.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Weather is probably one of our biggest challenges! Living in a temperate rainforest means we have to be prepared for just about anything. Between the elevation changes from Asheville to the mountaintops and foothills, and the quickly shifting weather patterns as systems move across the mountain ridges, conditions can change in an instant.
Over the years, we’ve learned to embrace the unpredictability of nature and appreciate the beauty that each season and weather pattern brings. Our experiences are designed to be enjoyed rain or shine, and we do our best to work with the elements while keeping everyone’s safety and comfort in mind.
Of course, there are times when the weather is simply not in our favor. When extreme conditions such as lightning, flash flooding, or unsafe trail conditions are in the forecast, we will cancel or reschedule an experience. It’s all part of working in nature, and while it can be challenging, it’s also what makes these experiences so special and keeps us connected to the environment we love.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Namaste in Nature is a nature-based wellness company rooted in the belief that time spent in nature can be both restorative and transformative. Since 2017, we’ve been creating opportunities for people to slow down, step away from the pace of everyday life, and reconnect with themselves and the people they’re with.
We’re best known for our Micro Retreats™: 2 and 3 hour experiences that combine accessible hiking, yoga, meditation, forest bathing, and local wisdom throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains and Pisgah National Forest. Rather than feeling like a traditional tour or a formal retreat, our experiences are intentionally small, inviting, and personal. They give guests the chance to explore beautiful places while also creating space to breathe, be present, and simply enjoy where they are.
Our offerings have grown beyond the trails to include private and customized yoga, mobile massage, sound healing, cacao ceremonies and local community yoga experiences. Whether someone is visiting Asheville for a special occasion, gathering with friends and family, celebrating, or simply looking for a different way to experience the area, we help create meaningful wellness experiences that fit the moment.
What sets us apart is the combination of nature, movement, mindfulness, and genuine human connection. We’re not just taking people on a hike or leading a yoga class, we’re creating an experience around the whole person. There’s room to move, explore, laugh, slow down, learn something new, and maybe even see a familiar landscape a little differently.
From a brand perspective, I’m most proud that Namaste in Nature has grown organically from something our team personally loves — practicing wellness and self-care within the outdoors — into something that allows us to share that feeling with others. We’ve stayed true to our roots while continuing to evolve, and we’ve built a brand that feels welcoming rather than intimidating or overly polished. At the end of the day, we want people to leave feeling a little more connected…to themselves, to nature, and to the people they came with.
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is creating space for connection, presence, and well-being. In a world that often asks us to keep moving, I believe there is so much value in slowing down, breathing, and being fully present for the life we’re living.
Yoga has taught me that wellness isn’t just about how we move our bodies, but how we care for ourselves, connect with others, and move through life with greater awareness. I want to continue creating experiences that invite people to pause, reconnect with themselves and nature, and find a little more balance in their everyday lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.namasteinnature.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namaste_in_nature/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namasteinnatureavl
