ABOUT
Meet us on the Mat
Aloha and welcome to GWC- Graytful Works Collective, a mindful movement and way of life, for different ages and stages of the mind, body and spirit! We are located in the historic town and heart of Hanapepe, on the second floor of Storybook Theatre of Hawaii. Our shared space currently offers the opportunity for an indoor and outdoor experience to meet us and yourself on or off the mat. StoryBook Theatre, Executive director Mark Jeffers (aka Uncle Mark) and the gals at GWC acknowledge the wide range of benefits of incorporating mindful movement into our lives. Whether that be through yoga, art, dance or theatre, we believe in making this movement accessible physically and financially to the local community of Kauai from Keiki to Kūpuna.
The Collective of educators offer diversity by showcasing their divine and dynamic energy through their personal styles of cultivating strength in the body and peace of mind. As a collective our mission is also to cultivate community through collaboration, as we raise awareness on overall health and wellness from a Holistic perspective. I guess you could say that this mindful movement is truly a way of life! Mahalo for stopping by and we hope to meet you on your mat, so come as you are!
With Gratitude,
Mariela Gray
Founder of GWC/THE YOGA SPACE
MEET THE COLLECTIVE
MARIELA GRAY
Mariela Gray,
BS Kinesiology (Exercise Science)
RYT 200 Holistic Vinyasa flow
Yoga medicine- Mindful Trauma informed certified
Stress management specialist
ACE CPT
Functional movement specialist
Mariela's passion for holistic health and wellness is the backbone to her teachings.
Though she started out teaching Holistic Vinyasa flows, life's adversity soon guided her down her path of taking a mindful and trauma informed approach.
What to expect in her classes?
A slow and somatic approach to the practice, that also encourages the student to look with in and take the seat of the observer from a place of non-judgment and non attachment. Her number one priority is to create a safe environment for those ready to meet themselves on the mat. Mariela's mission is to share her love for mindful movement with as many people as possible with hopes that this practice can be a tool for life on or off the mat.
CARLA N.
Carla started attending Yin Yoga classes as a form of physical therapy in 2013. She credits the practice with helping her through knee and back issues as well as increasing her mobility and improving her way of life. Yin Yoga is also a practice that she enjoys sharing with others. Carla completed her teacher training at Kalaheo Yoga in 2019, and is actively continuing her Yoga education online. She says that her goal as a Yin Yoga instructor is to get everyone in class to relax and go to sleep; yet in all seriousness, she focuses on guiding practitioners to safely and mindfully explore what they are capable of, and to show them the benefits of practicing Yoga regularly at any age and at any fitness level.
SOSA
Yoga, to me, is a sacred journey – a blend of transformation and deep healing, both inside and out. In my classes, we don't just flow; we shape-shift with each pose, aligned with breathwork, sharp awareness, and heartfelt intention. And yes, there's always a dope playlist to guide us!
I love infusing my flows with a touch of astrology, honoring the sacred wisdom of our ancestors. As a dedicated Reiki practitioner with a deep family lineage of healers from Central America, I create a nurturing and transformative environment. My approach to teaching combines ancestral healing wisdom with modern practices, ensuring a safe and nurturing space for everyone’s highest good.
My passion? Witnessing the incredible transformation yoga brings to daily life. Whether it's the dynamic energy of Vinyasa, the calming depth of Yin, the restorative power of gentle poses, or the resonating vibrations of sound baths – there's something in my classes for everyone. My expertise in energy healing, amplified by the soothing tones of crystal bowls and my voice, deepens the effects of restorative yoga poses, facilitating a powerful journey of rejuvenation for the body, mind, and spirit.
I can't wait to meet you on the mat!
RACHAEL HENSLEY
Yoga became my lifeboat in a chaotic world, offering a point of much-needed focus, calm, and meaning. In 2008, I took my first yoga training at a small studio in Cleveland, Ohio. The following year, I met my teacher, Psalm Isadora, during a teacher training in the Midwest. Inspired by her profound teachings, I followed her to California to deepen my understanding. Together, we took small groups of seekers to India to study yoga, mantra, and kalaripayattu with her teachers. Over eight years, we journeyed through India with hundreds of students and studied with radically joyful teachers, immersing ourselves in the rich traditions of yoga and holistic practices. Since then, I have pursued numerous trainings in therapeutic yoga, pranayama, and core development. I am certified in Primal Core Yoga and initiated into the Sri Vidya tantric lineage. My practice also includes mantra and the South Indian martial art kalaripayattu. Recently, I have had the good fortune to study with the incredible yogi Mark Whitwell, further enriching my practice and teaching approach. My desire is to share with the community some of the calm and clarity that yoga practice has given me. Through pranayama, mantra, and asana, I aim to create a nurturing and transformative experience for my students, helping them find balance and peace in their own lives.
HOLLY KA'IAKAPU
We are blessed & graytful to have Holly share her talents in the Yoga space for Paint Pa'ina Pop-ups, to keep up with Holly please visit her site @ www.thehkexperience.com or follow her on IG @thehkexperience
"Holly Kaʻiakapu, a west Kauaʻi native, is an interdisciplinary artist who draws upon exploration, observation, and reflection to nourish her creativity. She values the power of community and the endless potential of art, these values led her to obtain a Bachelor's degree in Visual and Public Art from California State University, Monterey Bay.
Growing up with her feet in the same grounds as her ancestors created an unbreakable bond between the artist and ʻāina, this became the strong foundation and source of inspiration for her as she developed her skills. She aims to combine her interest in the natural world with her artistic skills to create a meeting place for cultural + environmental awareness and visual communication. It is her dearest hope that what she creates inspires you, the viewer, but more importantly peaks your interest to the point of learning more, taking positive action, or keeping the conversation going."
KENBERLY GRAY
**OAHU POP-UP COLLAB ONLY**
Kenz,
The Kaivalya Yoga Method®: 200-Hour Teacher Training Certification Program
Born and raised on the Island of Kauai, I left the Islands after finishing College in Hawaii, to explore the world. Traveling all over to experience many different cultures, loving the food, and practicing yoga!
Yoga focus practicing: Ashtanga yoga, Hatha yoga, Restorative yoga, Vinyasa yoga
Lunar Phase Practice and Astrology interpretations
Oracle and Tarot Reading and interpretations.
Offerings coming soon!
CREATIVE ARTIST?
Are you an artist and interested in sharing your talents with the westside of Kauai? While many think meditation is all about stillness, we believe art is a form of mediation and would love to collaborate to bring arts to the local community as a form creative expression and well being for the mind, body & soul!
THIS COULD BE YOU
Are you in the health and wellness field and interested in sharing your wisdom with the westside of Kauai? An opportunity awaits for collaboration!