The Story of Sky Farm Center

     Joan Tonyan met Mary Hudak in a parking lot at UCLA in Berkeley California after both had decided independently to leave their respective religious communities. They shared a desire to devote their lives to studying alternative modalities that would support the healing of the mind, body, and soul. While Joan pursued radionics, Mary studied the Feldenkrais Awareness Through Movement method. Both became certified practitioners in their respective fields. In the process, they decided to offer their expertise to others through the formation of Sky Farm Center.  in September of 1983. Already a Gestalt therapist, Joan added the psychological dimension to the healing modalities they offered to clients. It wasn't long before their reputations spread and the client base grew.

     The time came when Joan and Mary realized that more was being asked of Sky Farm Center. Specifically, the growing client base wanted a retreat center. After much prayer and private deliberations, the decision was made to find a location that would be best suited to the needs and interests of the client base. The selected location was a ten acre tract in Husum, Washington. So, Joan and Mary informed their clientele, packed up all of their equipment, and moved "lock, stock, and barrel" to their new home up north. Not surprisingly, most of their clientele remained with them as clients. In fact, thirty years later, some are still with Joan.

     Sky Farm Center was based in Husum for ten years. Over the course of that time, Joan and Mary established their retreat center. Many new and old clients came for rest and recuperation. Food grown from the organic garden coupled with all of Sky Farm's healing modalities were offered to young and old.  In addition, and as a complement to their joint offerings, Joan and Mary became very successful distributors for Nikken, an holistic Japanese health products company. It was their success as Nikken distributors that eventually brought them to Sedona, Arizona. 

     It was love at first sight when Joan and Mary first visited Sedona, Arizona back in 2000. They were attending a company conference as distributors of Nikken products. The attraction was so strong that they decided to sell their ten acre property in Husum, Washington and move to Sedona. 

     Inspired by her father’s architectural skills and career as a contractor, Joan imagined a home built from rammed earth—the red rock clay of Sedona. So, they found the plot of land for Joan's dream home, hired the architect and builder, and a year later moved into their new, truly unique and beautiful home.  

     All the while, Sky Farm Center continued to expand and thrive with new clients and new healing modalities like essential oils and Chinese herbs. In fact, that combination of offerings continues to present day with the exception of Feldenkrais sessions, which ceased upon the passing of Mary in 2022. Joan and the staff are all still feeling the effects of that profound loss. In fact, not a day goes by when we do not think of her, thank God for her, and wish that she was still with us. Mary will always be a part of Sky Farm Center.  Rest in peace, Mary as you bless Sky Farm Center's continuing success now with its newest member, Teri Bays.      

     Joan first met Teri in 2002 and they continued to move in and out of each other’s lives until recently reconnecting in September of 2023—both describing this meeting as being full of divine energy.  Shortly thereafter, Teri began apprenticing with Joan and has recently taken on more of the client responsibilities with Joan now assuming more of a consulting role. Teri's joining Sky Farm ensures a bright and exciting future for the company. 

       Come be a part of it!