Who We Are & What We're About
At the Center for Living Mindfully, we envision a world where individuals live with awareness, compassion, and purpose. Our mission is to provide the guidance and resources for people to embark on a transformative journey towards holistic well-being.
​
We believe in creating a nurturing environment that fosters self-discovery, personal growth, and resilience. Through our diverse programs and offerings, we aim to inspire and support individuals in living mindfully and authentically.
Our Core Values
Your Safety and Success Come First
Come exactly as you are—physically, mentally, spiritually—and be met with deep, nourishing support. Each offering is created with the sincerest intention of making you feel secure.
Empowerment
We are committed to empowering individuals to take charge of their well-being and make conscious choices that lead to a balanced and fulfilling life.
Community
We believe in the strength of community and the power of connection. We strive to create a supportive community where individuals feel heard, valued, and inspired.
Augusta Kantra, MS, LPC, YACEP, E-RYT 500, CMMT
Dr. David Kantra, PsyD,
E-RYT 500, CMMT
Co-founders & Co-owners, Center for Living Mindfully
Hi, we are Augusta and David Kantra. We have been married for over 40 years and have two wonderful daughters with whom we are lucky enough to share our practice. We each have a private psychotherapy practice, and together we provide a variety of groups & workshops in yoga, mindfulness, personal growth, and life improvement. Also, both of us are advanced Yoga Teacher Trainers (E-RYT 500) and Certified Professional Mindfulness Teachers (CPMT).
​
Here's a bit about each of us…
David: I’m a graduate of the University of Denver & University of Notre Dame. I work as a private-practice Clinical Psychologist, Business Consultant, & Life Transition Mentor. In my almost 40 years of clinical experience, I have remained an avid student of life, always striving to understand the nature of being, the process of finding purpose & meaning in our lives, and teaching others simple, applicable ways to go about making their lives more calm, satisfying, and meaningful. In this vein, much of my effort is focused on developing and facilitating our year-long courses and our retreats, where participants gain insight into what they feel is missing from their lives, decide how they want to write the next chapter of their lives, and learn how to go about doing so.
Augusta: I do individual wellness and self-discovery work and I lead several on-going self-discovery and mindfulness groups. My passion for the journey of awakening infuses everything I do - my psychotherapy practice, my groups, my training and mentoring of yoga students, and my yoga classes. I attribute my successful battle with colon cancer to my dedication to live life to its fullest and to help others do the same. A great joy of mine was writing the book, Wisdom Seeds: Inspiration to sow, grow, and reap through the seasons. In 2019, poet laureate, Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, and I began co-facilitating an online focused writers’ group called Soul Writers Circle. It’s a fun way to explore and discover.
And…
We love teaching and learning together. Both of us were trained by Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Rolf Gates, Martin Seligman, Phillip Moffitt, and Pema Chodron. In our work, we bring together teachings from psychology, mindfulness, business, and Eastern philosophy to illuminate and instruct others in ways to open the heart and connect the mind, body, and spirit. It is our joy to conduct workshops, retreats and trainings in yoga, mindfulness, and self-discovery.
Dr. Lacy Kantra, PhD
Therapist
I am a licensed clinical/counseling psychologist with extensive experience helping individuals, couples, and families build healthier connections, embrace vulnerability, and live more fulfilling and congruent lives.
​
Using a therapeutic style that is both collaborative and compassionate, my goal is to help explore the root causes of your struggles and develop strategies for moving towards a more whole and genuine version of yourself. To do so, I utilize evidence-based techniques like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, trauma-focused therapy, and meaning-making.
I have presented at national and regional conferences as well as to general audiences on topics such as crisis management, vicarious trauma and burnout, stress management, suicide prevention, healthy masculinity, trauma-informed care, mental health training for law enforcement officers, and the utilization of psychological assessment. I am also a registered yoga teacher at the 200-hour certification level (RYT 200).
​
I have a diverse background working in a variety of settings, including adult and juvenile correctional/treatment facilities (for sex offenders and general offenders), university clinics, private practice, and more. This allows me to tailor my approach to your unique needs.
​
Together, we can wade through the difficult and messy parts of life and find a clear path forward that feels manageable and empowering. My ultimate goal is for you to leave feeling a little lighter, centered, and hopeful.
McKenzie K. Sutton, Counselor, M.Ed., Ed.S., LPC
Therapist
My name is McKenzie Kantra Sutton, and my passion for helping others has always been my primary motivation — both personally and professionally. I work with my clients to discover their own strengths, identify areas in need of improvement and ultimately help them feel whole, safe and valued.
​
I believe that fostering self-acceptance, mindfulness and an awareness of our own thought patterns are the main components to living a fulfilled and healthy life. Although at times things may feel overwhelming, the beauty of therapy is that, over time and with some work, things will no longer feel so insurmountable. Whatever your goals are (or if you have no idea where to begin!) we will work together to set achievable goals and map out the routes to accomplish them.
​
I have had the opportunity to work with children, adolescents and young adults as well as their families in both the school setting and in private practice. My experience includes:
-
Anxiety
-
Depression
-
Self-esteem problems
-
Adjustment disorders
-
Mood disorders
-
ADHD
-
Learning disorders
-
Family conflict
-
PTSD
-
Etc.
Providing a safe, genuine and accepting environment is first and foremost in my book. No problem is too small to work on together!
​
I am a wife, an avid baker and a graduate of both Auburn University and Clemson University (War Eagle and Go Tigers!)
Stacy Reckeweg, BSN, RN, RYT-500
Assistant Yoga Teacher
From my first yoga class I felt a connection to something new in my body. It did not take long before I felt something stir in my soul, too. As an RN I was well aware of the wholistic importance of a healthy body, mind, and spirit. This journey that I began in 2012 has introduced me to wonderful teachers, friends, and a practice that sustains me through whatever life brings my way. In 2014 I signed up for a 200 hr Teacher Training with Augusta and David Kantra and Rolf Gates – not really knowing what to expect. What I found was that the yoga postures, philosophy, and meditation helped me to open my heart bigger than I ever thought possible. Following training I started teaching community yoga classes which I still continue and dearly love. In 2016, I completed advanced teacher training and became a Yoga Alliance certified 500 hr teacher. My yoga journey has continued expanding and I have been fortunate to be a part of Augusta and David’s team for their ongoing 200 hr and Advanced Trainings since 2017.
​
My passion is to “pay forward” the teachings, wisdom, and body-mind connection that my yoga practice has afforded me. I look forward to meeting you!
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer
Poet
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer co-hosts Emerging Form (a podcast on creative process with Christie Aschwanden) and Stubborn Praise (an online poetry reading series with James Crews). Her poetry has appeared in O Magazine, on A Prairie Home Companion, PBS NewsHour, her daily poetry blog, A Hundred Falling Veils, and scrawled on river rocks. Her most recent collection, Hush, won the Halcyon Prize. Naked for Tea was a finalist for the Able Muse Book Award. She teaches poetry for parents, scientists, mindfulness retreats. One-word mantra: adjust. www.wordwoman.com
