AfriShanti Wellness Founder

Rev. Ryan Edmonds

(Ordained Inter-Faith Minister, Healer, Teacher & Diviner)

My work has been featured on several media platforms, including:

Let me share a bit of my story...

My brief bio - A life devoted to service through healing & education

I was raised in a home that prioritised healing practices, meditation, connection with nature, and open honest communication.  From a young age I was passionate about finding ways to help people who were feeling lost or in pain (even before Grade 11 I had set up an HIV/AIDS community fund-raising support group). 

In 2006 I began to formally train in several complimentary healing approaches, while also pursuing my psychology studies at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). 

Between 2007-2011 I interned for the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG), beginning at a telephonic suicide counsellor, and then working my way up to School Projects Manager. In this capacity I spent five years travelling South Africa setting up support groups, doing talks on Mental Health, and being a guest speaker/journalist on over 20 media channels, including Men's Health, Al Jazeera, Expresso, BBC, Radio Islam, 5FM, Jacaranda FM, Psychologies, African Journal of Psychiatry, Waiting Room, Good Morning Africa, CTV, and many more. 

In my early 20's I certified as an ISHTA Yoga Teacher (YTF, IYF), and later in 2015 as a Kundalini Yoga Teacher (IKYTA).  In 2016 I was conferred the honour of Yoga Teacher Master Trainer (Afrishanti School of Yoga), and have trained over 100 yoga teachers from many parts of the world.

I have also studied (non-medical) Hypnosis and Parts Therapy through the SAIH, qualified as a Hospice Bereavement Counsellor, completed Life Line training, and am now an established professional in the field of mental health and spiritual healing. 

In 2024 I was ordained as an interfaith minister, and am licensed to perform legal marriages (civil unions) in South Africa. Being a life-long student of religion, history, anthropology and philosophy, I was very honoured to have lived with (and trained under) a clan of indigenous traditional healers in Mpumalanga - a training which began in 2015 and is still ongoing. This has given me a rare glimpse into the cultural healing traditions of my fellow South Africans, and a deep appreciation for the mysteries of our African landscape.

I run a busy full-time consulting practice from home (seeing clients both in-person and online), host an annual Yoga Teacher Training course at both the 200 and 300 (advanced) levels, and facilitate many workshops, talks and retreats all around the world. 

QUALIFICATIONS

• Usui Reiki Master (1999-2001)

• Life Line Counsellor (2006)

• Studied Hypnosis & Parts Therapy (SAIH, Non-medical, 2008)

• ISHTA Yoga Teacher (RYT 500, 2011)

• Graduate in Psychology (University of Johannesburg, 2011)

• Hospice Bereavement Counsellor (2015)

• ISHTA Yoga Teacher Trainer & Certifier (RYS 200, RYS 300, 2016)

• Kundalini Yoga Teacher (RYT 200, 2016)

• Certified Life Coach (American Union NLP, 2017)

• Akara Numerology (Pritam Hari Kaur Khalsa, 2019)

• African Traditional Medicine Healer (Mpumalanga, 2018-2025)

• Registered Religious Marriage Officer & Minister (RMO, SAPC) - (Dept Home Affairs, 2024)

WORK

• SADAG Senior Suicide & Mental Health Counsellor (South African Depression & Anxiety Group, 2008-2012)

• SADAG School Projects Manager (Dept. Social Development, Dept. of Education, 2009-2012)

• Freelance Journalist (Mental Health Advisor & Media Consultant, 2010-2015)

• Corporate Wellness Consultant, (2009-present)

• Wellness Retreats, (2009-present)

• Holistic Wellness Counsellor, (ASCHP, 2012-present)

• Life Coach

• Non-Medical Hypnosis Practitioner

• Principal, ISHTA Yoga School

• AfriShanti Wellness Retreats

• Licensed Marriage Officer (2024)

SPEAKER & TRAINER

• Ernst & Young / EY (NextGen NPO Wellness Retreats, Corporate Wellness 2016-2023)

• UCT Medical Dept - Discovery Health Suicide Prevention Programme

• Wits Medical Student Department

• Board of Healthcare Funders Annual Conference

• African Congress of Psychiatry

• Telkom Corporate Wellness

• Eskom Employee Wellness

• Cell C Women In the Workplace

• Clicks Employee Health Programme 

• SAPS Social Worker Training

• Department of Social Development

• Department of Education