COLLETTE REEVES

Studio Owner & Yoga Teacher, RYT 200, Vieques Wellness & Yoga

Namaste! My name is Collette and I welcome you to Vieques Wellness & Yoga. 

Where I was – Back in 2020, I found myself feeling lonely, depressed, anxious, drinking too much and not getting enough sleep. I had conditioned myself to numb my emotional pain as a result of many life experiences. I was suffering in physical pain from psoriasis, an autoimmune disease fueled by chronic inflammation. My nervous system was stuck in “fight or flight” mode. I constantly felt stressed, worried or tired. I did not like myself or the person I had become. On a regular day of self-loathing, I finally realized, I had to accept myself exactly where I was and be brutally honest about what was holding me back. I had to get to the root of the problem. 

I never learned how to feel my emotions and work through them. So, like most humans, I simply stored them away or blocked them out indefinitely not wanting to feel the bad stuff. Now, I have learned that when years of emotional experiences remain locked within us, the pain eventually comes out in our physical body. For years, I suffered acute pain in my sciatic nerve and chronic pain in my lower back and it was yoga that changed the way I feel. 

Time for change – I started on my path to feeling better with morning walks or “self-reflection sessions” in nature with my dog, Linda. It gave me time for myself to think and process my thoughts without distraction. It gave me a reason to get up early and get out of bed, to put my feet in the sand and take a moment to breathe.

Commitment – I started watching yoga classes on YouTube to build up my confidence to attend an in-person class. I got my butt up and started practicing at least three times per week. I grew up figure skating competitively so I already understood the results of commitment and frequency. I knew I had to develop a routine. I started reading about the concept of change and creating new habits. I started committing to MYSELF. I was determined to feel better.

Frequency – I not only started to feel better but somewhere along the line, I started to feel good too! I slowly changed my diet by removing foods that create and cause inflammation. I learned how to cook new foods that were favorable for my body to digest instead of fried, sugary or processed foods that left me feeling bloated and tired. I kept my commitment to walking and yoga. 

Results – Each week I began to feel more content with myself, stronger physically and emotionally. I began to release more of what I was holding inside. I began to notice, observe and feel the emotional release that can be brought on through yoga practice. I started to feel more balanced mentally, physically, emotionally and the balance extended to all areas of my life. 

Mental Wellness – I met with a mental health professional to further uncover my traumatic experiences safely (do not try to face or uncover traumas on your own) through which I learned about and utilized EMDR Therapy and IFS Therapy. I learned the magic of healing through journaling. I started reading self-help books instead of watching television. I started listening to podcasts instead of scrolling through social media.

Purpose – I knew right away that I wanted to become a certified yoga teacher so that I could share the knowledge of yoga with every single person I met. After endless years of searching, I had finally found my passion and my purpose, teaching others how to feel good in mind and body. 

Training – In 2021, I studied hatha yoga with my teacher Mary Byerly at Panacea de la Montaña near Tamarindo, Costa Rica where I learned the connection between mind, body and breath. Mary taught me anatomy and yoga philosophy but more importantly she taught me how to see myself exactly as I am, without judgement. I received a 200 hour certification and returned to Costa Rica in 2022 to teach alongside Mary as an assistant at her yoga teacher training. In 2023, I received a 100 hour certification specific to sound, breath and stillness from Aligned Flow Yoga School in Tulum, Mexico. My teachers, Dee Ortalan and Isabella Rivera taught me the art of sound bath facilitation and guided me in a deep dive of learning about yoga nidra, yin yoga, restorative yoga and pranayama (breathwork).  

Join us – I vulnerably share my story as I truly believe that wherever you are right now is exactly where you should be on your own path to wellness. I invite beginners and practiced yogis alike to join a class and take time to check in with yourself. All are welcome. “Yoga is for everybody and EVERY BODY… You don’t have to embody anything other than your truest and most honest self in order to practice yoga.” Quote by author, Jessamyn Stanley

JODIE WOLLITZ

Trainer. Survivor. Inspiration, Vieques Wellness & Yoga 

I am Jodie Wollitz, a certified personal trainer, former teacher and coach, and a proud breast cancer survivor. With over 30 years of experience helping people—from young athletes to seniors—transform their bodies and minds, I’ve made it my mission to inspire strength, confidence, and lasting wellness in others.

Fitness has always been a part of my life, but my real transformation came when I faced one of the greatest challenges imaginable. After moving to the beautiful island of Vieques, to live a dream life with my partner, Dafney, I was diagnosed with breast cancer—just 10 months after our arrival.

I was healthy. I was strong. And yet, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: “You have cancer.”

It hit me like a brick wall. I cried. I broke. But I didn’t stay there.

Through affirmations, mindset work, and grace—grace to feel, to rest, to be human—I chose to rise. I told myself: This will not win. Cancer would not define me. Breasts do not define me. I am ME. And I am stronger than ever.

In just six months, I was back home, standing barefoot in the sand with the ocean at my feet and a fire in my soul.

Today, I use that fire to light the way for others.

My coaching is more than physical—it’s about empowering people to overcome their struggles, build resilience, and become the strongest version of themselves. Whether you’re starting from scratch, facing your own battle, or simply ready to feel amazing in your skin again, I’m here to help you rise.

My affirmation?
“To always be a better version of myself.”
My goal is to help you do the same.

Life is too short not to love yourself, to feel strong, and to live fully. Let’s spark your strength, ignite your potential, and move forward—together.

SAMANTHA SCHWARZ

Yoga Teacher RYT, 200, Vieques Wellness & Yoga

Hi, my name is Sami Schwarz and I am so grateful that you are here. A few years ago, before I began practicing yoga, I felt like I’d lost my sense of self. I was suffering mentally and abusing substances to escape reality and avoid facing myself.

When I first went to yoga classes, I would find myself tearing up during savasana and crying when I got to my car. I had been living in a state of fight or flight, I was pushing down my emotions so much that when my nervous system finally felt safe, everything came boiling to the surface.

I began journaling about how I felt and why I felt certain ways – getting to the bottom of my self destructive behaviors. I read self help books and started researching yoga philosophy.

I realized that yoga is so much more than what we do on the mat. The asanas, or poses, help us to focus on the present moment, so that we can become aware. We become aware of our breath, of our bodies, our movements, our thoughts, our beliefs, our actions…

In October 2024, I attended a 200hr Yoga Teacher Training with Moksha Yoga Amazónica in Moyobamba, Peru. We talked about the ideas behind yoga, we implemented routines and healthy habits into our lives. We practiced meditation, pranayama (breath work) and helped the community by cleaning up trash by the river as well as hosting a Yoga Para Niños (yoga for kids) event in the town.

I learned that yoga is a way of life.

To practice yoga is to practice kindness and compassion, to do good things without expecting anything in return.

To meet yourself wherever you are, without judgement, and work towards being the best version of yourself.

It is my goal to create a safe space during my classes, a space where we show up to do good for ourselves. A space of zero judgement. A space of connection. Connection with each other, with our breath, our bodies, our minds and with Mother Nature.