Dr. Kathleen (Dr. Kat) Van Kirk

Kathleen has a Doctorate from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality where she is an Assistant Professor, in addition to instructing at various other colleges. Her professional affiliations include the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists, the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, and the American Board of Sexologists. Kathleen received a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology and completed a postgraduate degree in Marriage, Family and Addictions Recovery Therapy in 1997. She is a candidate for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in the state of Hawaii.

She holds additional certifications in Sex Education and Erotology and runs a private practice and retreat/seminar business (Institute for Sexual Enrichment). She has served as Vice President of Content for several large internet sites and writes for several others. She is a Tantric practitioner and has spent over ten years studying Eastern Philosophy. Kathleen is also a certified Anahata yoga instructor and is additionally certified in Yoga Therapy and Partner Yoga. She runs Anahata Yoga Kaua'i (Anahata Yoga Kauai) providing group and private lessons as well as yoga oriented retreats.

Kathleen is the original owner/builder of the all bamboo eco-structure of Bamboo Valley Farm and Retreat (BBVF). She is active in the sustainability community of Kaua'i and she propagates bamboo and several varieties of fruits and vegetables on her property. BBVF will soon be participating in the organic cacao co-op forming on Kaua'i. Personal retreats including eco-adventure and vacation rental is also available at the farm: Bamboo Valley Farm.

"It is my honor to apply my expertise in sexuality, counseling and yoga to those embarking on the path to fertility. While this time is challenging for all couples, immense personal growth and growth within the couple is possible. Kaua'i is the perfect place for this healing and exploration. I look forward to being apart of your journey."

Nellie (Nell) Foster

Nellie is the Director of Clinical Operations and Adjunct Faculty Member at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ. She has spent her entire adult life working in the medical field – managing and accredidating laboratories, coordinating IVF and Donor Egg Programs, educating and assisting patients and, most recently, working with Naturopathic Medical students. She worked for over 5 years as an approved Contact Hour provider for REI Nursing and has conducted numerous training seminars for Nurses and patients in the field of Reproductive Medicine. “For so many years I have seen the need for such retreats but wasn’t in a position to do anything. The creation of KaNeCa Fertility Institute L.L.P. gives life to my dream to help couples experiencing fertility issues”. 

As Nellie points out “There are millions going through the incredible confusion and frustration that comes from infertility. The vulnerability of these couples is painfully obvious. It is my hope that by helping them become effective advocates for their care will not only make the process less painful but will also give them the best chance for success”.

"While we can only reach a handful we will do everything we can to help you through this. I give you my word”

“Our (Fertility) program was designed to analyze variation in patient responses to medication so that we could individualize our protocols to fit the patient rather than have patients fit into rigid unproductive ones. Nellie was not only capable of understanding these variations, but her communication skills made it easy for patients to grasp the importance of what needed to be done…Nellie traveled throughout the Western United States working for an IVF supplier company giving her the ability to learn how various IVF programs are run and function. Her knowledge, insight, intuitive, and compassion are wonderful assets that allow her to discuss and counsel patients about infertility and treatment.”

-- Dr. Robert H. Tamis - Established the first IVF Program in Arizona

Dr. Cass (Cass) Foster

Cass, who holds a Doctor of Divinity, is certified with The Polarity Health Institute. His work has taken him throughout Canada and the US as a Polarity Therapist, Master Herbalist and Reflexologist. When not working in the field of Holistic Health he keeps busy as an author and theatre professor.

Cass will provide you with recommendations for simple and inexpensive herbal remedies to strengthen the pro-creative organs. He describes Polarity as ”A simple and non-threatening means to help release and free energy blocks – putting the body in an optimum position to start correcting whatever is in need of correction. There are numerous emotional issues going on in the lives of our clients. They can include anger, anxiety, depression, guilt, jealousy, loneliness, relationship issues, low self-esteem and excessive worry. Each emotion we hold on to results in a restriction of energy - which leads to dis-ease.

“Polarity is one more means to help achieve physical, emotional and spiritual well being. The type of Polarity I work with feels like a combination of massage and chiropractics. And what better place to work on ourselves than this most incredible Garden Isle of Kaua'i."

WEDDING CEREMONIES

For those who wish to tie the knot before you cut the cord - check with Drs Foster and Van Kirk to arrange for a jointly officiated wedding ceremony. Your wedding can take place during your retreat stay or at a time fully dedicated to celebrating your marriage. They will work with you to create a highly personalized ceremony that reflects your values, love and unique partnership.

>>> SPECIAL FACILITATING GUESTS SOMETIMES INCLUDES

MaryAnn Ahart

MaryAnn is an organization consultant, aligning people around their visions and beliefs and building effective teams, regardless of size. She is a mediator and facilitator, working most often with teams that need to make tough decisions together and improve their internal communication. Her first 20 years of work were as a college instructor in communication and theatre. She is continually looking for - and refining - new ways to approach deeper communication and alignment among people.

She has had the good fortune to work with - and therefore learn from - organizations in the public and private sectors, including: Hewlett Packard, Rank Xerox (England), ADR, Bermuda Employers’ Association, Ben and Jerry’s, Inc., Seventh Generation, Gardener’s Supply, and LA Master Chorale. She has worked with state and county organizations on the East coast and in Los Angeles County, including Los Angeles County DCFS. Her clients include banks, medical practices and hospitals, and more than forty colleges and school systems over much of New England. She worked on the faculty of the UCLA School Management Program for eight years, consulting to leadership in high risk schools.

She has been a presenter at national conferences, including the Systems Thinking in Action. She uses dialogue and appreciative skills to bring groups together in creating their futures.

Currently, MaryAnn lives happily with her husband, John, in South Pasadena, CA, where they have finished writing a book on Nurturing Partnerships and she is going back to the arts to feed her soul in her semi-retirement.

John Ahart

John is a humanist who spent forty-one years teaching theatre on college campuses, most of that at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. For twenty years he had his own theatre company devoted to creating original works drawn from the American experience - from the famous and from the unknown. That award-winning theatre became the Official State Theatre of Illinois and was called by the press "a national treasure". Director, playwright and administrator, he has devoted the last ten years to writing including The Gift of Two: Creating Nurturing Partnerships. That work, authored in conjunction with his wife, MaryAnn Ahart, grew out of his belief that "…for each of us - at most any time - there are relationships out there for the developing: some new, some old, some casual, some practical, some fun-filled, a few life-saving, and for most a few intimate. We need the best of all of these. Our very growth as human beings depends on it."

Author of The Director’s Eye, , one of the leading textbooks for directing students, he is currently at work on A Different Direction: 7 Possibilities for Saving the (Barely) Living Theatre. His work as a teacher/director placed high premium on building trusting, creative ensembles that brought to life stories of universal experiences. That commitment to nurturing understanding of ourselves and each other served him well as an artist and is being offered as part of our explorations for partners on one of life’s most fundamental quests.