Kelley & Donald Burry

Namaste Nova Integrated Wellness Retreat is owned and operated by the Burry family. Kelley and Donald Burry have an undeniable passion for all they do. Professionally, Kelley was an educator for 18 years, through which she saw the need for development programs that foster development of the whole person; mind, body and spirit. Kelley’s passions are horses and healing. She is an accomplished horsewoman, with over 40 years of riding and handling experience and is the Executive Director of BodyTalk Nova Scotia.

Dr. Donald Burry has extensive education and training in physical education and fine arts, and has served on the Board of Directors for Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Campaign for Kids Foundation (King’s County, NS) and the Midloch Foundation in Ontario.

Both Donald and Kelley are Senior BodyTalk PaRama Practitioners, well versed in facilitating treatments and courses for individuals, families, animals and businesses. They offer personal development coaching and wellness programs that help people take charge of their health and their lives.

The Property

Namaste Nova is a 100 yr. old renovated rustic farm house in the quaint county of Newport, N.S. High up on the ridge of the property at the end of a gently sloping gravel roadway and overlooking the main house is a newly constructed barn that houses the Burry’s four horses with a round pen and a foundation ready for the development of a future indoor riding arena.

The topography is comprised of complex sloping hills, dense forest and deep veins of fresh running spring water that run throughout the property. Towering trees of American Beech, Elm, Linden, Red Oak, Pine, Spruce, Sugar Maple, White Ash and White Pine are home to the populations of Beaver, Striped Skunk, American Mink, Raccoon, Red Fox, Eastern Coyote, Black Bears, White Tailed Deer, Porcupine, Brown and Hoary bats to name but a few.

The Burry’s have taken a holistic approach to the property development; a Geothermal system heats and cools each building providing a natural source of climate control with future plans to install a solar paneling system to further reduce the property’s footprint. Utmost care has been taken to manage the development of their property in a manner which is conscious and shows consideration for future agricultural development and sustainability. The Burry’s mandate is to preserve and continue to enhance the unique agricultural characteristics of the property and surrounding area for generations to come.

The Animals

One cannot talk about Namaste Nova without mentioning the animals that share the property. The three dogs, four cats and four horses are all skilled and highly intuitive energy workers. The animals offer up their unique personalities and healing capabilities to everyone who visits the retreat and they are happy and willing participants when called upon to join a treatment, class or session. Each one has their own special brand of healing gifts and each a strong ability to sense the needs of the clients.

The animals play very important roles in the dynamics of the Burry family and their community and the furry inhabitants are always happy and willing to share their extraordinary brand of love and wisdom to assist, whether in session or if you just need a comforting friend at the end of the day.

Please note: We encourage you to spend time with the animals on the property; the horses are working horses so please enquire about our riding clinics coming spring / summer of 2012

Favorit: is an 18 yr old German bred, Grand Prix School Master Dressage horse. Favorit most resembles an English gentleman; proper, reserved, distinguished, reliable, stoic and ever so talented.

Granby: Granby most resembles the gypsy in the crowd; her unknown lineage lends mystery to her character. Approx. 12 yrs., fiery, confident, versatile, head-strong yet ever so patient. The Burry’s adopted Granby after their daughter Emma, fell in love.

Rosa: is a 29 yrs. old. Dutch Warmblood. She is Grand Prix Dressage trained and is the elder of the group. She is patient and a wise old soul who doesn’t ever sweat the small stuff. She is our constant reminder to not take life too seriously.

Lewis: Lewis and Rugby are 4 yr. old brother Beagles. Lewis is a home-body; he’s serious and reserved but from time to time bursts out of his reservation and displays his goofy side. Lewis’ favourite past times are sleeping-in, cuddling and popcorn.

Rugby: Brother to Lewis, Rugby is the dare devil. He’s mischievous, rambunctious, eager, willing and typically on high alert. Rugby’s favourite past times are assisting with sessions, chasing his brother and bacon!

Ella: Brand new to the family is beautiful Ella. A playful, black lab pup full of all the spirit and inquisitiveness that one would expect from a puppy that’s just joined a family of fun-loving, intuitive characters.

The Felines: Cookie, Oreo, Zeus & Shadow prevail over the household. Deeply intuitive, sensitive, social and loving the cats add their own unique perspectives and personalities to farm life.