Our StoryÂ
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Welcome to Sanctuary by the Sea: A Haven for Healing, Transformation, and Community Connection
I’m Jeanette Sealy, and my life’s work is devoted to serving people in the spaces between - those liminal, sacred thresholds where life begins, ends, and transforms. As the founder of Sanctuary by the Sea, my vision is to create a place where healing is honored as a journey, where community holds you through life’s transitions, and where ancient wisdom meets modern innovation in the care of the body, mind, and soul.
From my time in the U.S. Air Force to my 27 years in holistic wellness, I have always been drawn to service. In my nearly two decades working in long-term and sub-acute care, I specialized in creating experiences that brought dignity, peace, and meaning to those in the final chapters of life. My role wasn’t just to manage activities; it was to help people find peace - to feel whole, held, and at ease as they neared the end of their journeys.
My work in end-of-life care didn’t begin with my mother’s passing, though that experience deepened my commitment. It was a calling I answered every day in nursing homes and hospice care, helping individuals and their families navigate the beauty and grief of transition. That experience shaped my approach to healing - seeing death not as an ending, but as a deeply sacred threshold, much like birth.
At the other end of life’s spectrum, I serve as an Ayurvedic postpartum doula, helping mothers and families in the tender, transformative days after birth. Whether guiding a newborn into the world or holding space for someone leaving it, I’ve spent my career tending to the spaces in between - where life, loss, and transformation meet.
My passion for holistic healing has taken me beyond one-on-one work into education, advocacy, and research. I’m an internationally certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), and educator, integrating ancient and modern healing arts like Ayurveda, Thai Massage, Aromapoint Therapy, and the Safe and Sound Protocol into my work. I’ve spent years training the next generation of healers, creating a 300-hour Yoga Therapy Training for Health Professionals and leading continuing education programs for massage therapists, yoga teachers, and healthcare professionals.
As a thought leader in the intersection of trauma, nervous system health, and somatic healing, I’ve been honored to speak at the National Recreation Therapists’ Conference on the Power of Breath for Nervous System Regulation and co-present at the CSM APTA Conference on the Potential Adverse Effects of Mindfulness. My work continues to challenge conventional models of care by integrating trauma-informed, body-centered healing into mainstream wellness and healthcare practices.
Sanctuary by the Sea: A Vision for Community Healing
Sanctuary by the Sea was born from my deep belief that healing is not meant to be done alone. In 2013, after my mother’s passing, I experienced firsthand what it meant to be held by a community. That profound experience shaped my vision: to create a sanctuary where others could find the same support, connection, and sacred care during life’s most vulnerable transitions.
Located in the heart of Point Pleasant, Sanctuary by the Sea is more than a wellness center—it’s a place of refuge, transformation, and belonging. Here, we integrate the wisdom of Yoga Therapy, Ayurveda, and somatic healing with community-driven support. Whether you are stepping into parenthood, navigating grief, healing trauma, or simply seeking a space to breathe, we are here to hold you.
How We Serve the Community
- Holistic End-of-Life Care & Death Doula Support – Providing compassionate, trauma-informed care for those transitioning and their families.
- Postpartum & Birth Support – Honoring the sacred window of early motherhood through Ayurvedic postpartum care.
- Trauma-Informed Yoga & Somatic Healing – Guiding individuals through the body’s natural capacity to heal.
- Education & Professional Development – Training healthcare providers, therapists, and yoga teachers to integrate holistic healing into their practice.
- Retreats & Community Gatherings – Creating spaces for rest, renewal, and deep connection.
At Sanctuary by the Sea, you don’t have to walk your journey alone. This space exists for you—to be held, to heal, and to transform. I invite you to step inside and experience the kind of care that honors who you are, where you’ve been, and where you’re going.
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With warmth,
Jeanette Sealy
Founder, Sanctuary by the Sea
