Rua (they/them) is a professional counseling associate, outdoor educator, yoga instructor, and adventurer. They are the advisor and a lead instructor for the Yoga Studies and Teacher Training Certificate, Leader in the PAC mind/body program, and Adventure Leadership Institute instructor. Rua seeks to blend outdoor adventure, mental health care, and contemplative practices as a path toward cultivating curiosity, compassion, and wellness.

Rua holds a PhD in botany and plant pathology, a Master's in Counseling with a focus on clinical mental health, a graduate certificate of college and university teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in botany and plant pathology with a minor in chemistry. Rua completed yoga training programs with Love Yoga Studios, Yoga Medicine, Willamette Valley Power Yoga, Jason Crandell, and Mindful Strength. They are a certified mountain bike instructor (level 1) through the Professional Mountain Bike Instructor Association with additional training from Fluidride. They are trained as Wilderness First Aid instructor and a wilderness EMT through Stonehearth Open Learning Opportunities.