Today we’d like to introduce you to Catrin Atonka Zambella.
Catrin Atonka, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Atonka is the soulful heart behind Nama-Stay, a compass of boundless love who believes that all things should be done with sincerity, devotion, and reverence. Originally from the Swiss Alps, she was drawn to the sacred waters in the valley of Zion, where she now lives with her beloved family, Jonathan and Massimo. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that true living means perfecting one’s soul, one’s spiritual existence in harmony with nature and life: the people, animals, stars, the Earth & Universe. Through her way of being, she inspires others to embrace authenticity as a path to healing, awakening, connection, and authentic living. She shares her light so generously because she deeply believes in the light within you.
In the late 1980s, the original owners designed and built what is now Nama-Stay Retreat House, a quiet home nestled on a remote lot once surrounded by forest and horse pastures. Drawn by the raw, sacred beauty of Zion and Southern Utah, the Zambella’s purchased the property in 2002, sensing it was more than just a house. Though Springdale has grown since then, the land still holds the peace, privacy, and soul of a space slightly off the beaten path, aligned perfectly for shade in summer, sun in winter, and panoramic views year-round.
From the very beginning, we knew Nama-Stay was never meant to be just a vacation rental or retreat space. In meditation, we received the name “Nama,” revealed to us as the original force that gave birth to Mother Earth. That guiding energy became our foundation. Over the years, guests from around the world have brought their own meanings, cultures, and spirit to Nama, helping the place and our purpose evolve beyond anything we could have imagined. We are deeply grateful for all who feel called to be part of this growing story.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Life is a living rhythm. Sometimes currents and rhythms change, but through these changes, we learn to strengthen our own integrity and authenticity. That’s an innate part of living with the seasons and nature’s changes while staying present in the moment. We believe that if we can be reverent toward nature, allowing it to speak first, we’ll be guided through the ever-changing way of life.
We’ve been impressed with Nama-Stay Retreat Village, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
From the very beginning, we knew Nama-Stay was never meant to be just a vacation rental or retreat space. In meditation, we received the name “Nama,” revealed to us as the original force that gave birth to Mother Earth. That guiding energy became our foundation. Over the years, guests from around the world have brought their own meanings, cultures, and spirit to Nama, helping the place and our purpose evolve beyond anything we could have imagined. We are deeply grateful for all who feel called to be part of this growing story.
Feeling a deep sense of Nama in our hearts, we created Nama-Stay not simply as a place to stay but as a space to return to. Return to stillness, to simplicity, to self. Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that meaningful travel is not just about the places you visit, but about how you feel while you’re there. Every detail of the property, from its orientation toward the sun and mountains to the natural textures and calming design, is guided by this intention to support connection: with nature, with others, and with your own inner landscape.
At the core of our ethos is a reverence for nature, a commitment to intentional living, and the invitation to slow down. We value simplicity over excess, presence over distraction, and depth over surface. Nama-Stay exists to hold space for whatever transformation or stillness you seek. A soft landing place for the soul!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Taoist Feng Shui: The Ancient Roots of the Chinese Art of Placement
by Susan Levitt
Foundations of Theory for Ancient Chinese Medicine: Shang Han Lun and Contemporary Medical Texts by Guohui Liu
The First and Last Freedom by J. Krishnamurti
Wabi – Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers by Leonard Koren
The Way of Tea: Remembering the Essence of Life by Christina-Jade Brunel and Laura Wencker
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nama-stay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namastay_zion/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/namastayretreat
