About ALT~U Ministries
ALT~Universal Ministries is a spiritual ministry — not a religion — devoted to serving the spirit within and above all. We are a private membership association of wombin and men devoted to ministering — the sacred practice of tending to one another in the work of becoming whole.
Our Story
Adrienne L. Thomas & Michelle K. Benewiat founded this ministry from a shared lifelong dream of bringing people together around the intuitive and spiritual dimensions of being human — where universal law, sacred scripture, somatic awareness, elemental education, plant medicine, holistic healing, and shamanic traditions meet in a grounded, and practical way.
At the heart of this vision is the reawakening of the Divine Feminine — the spiritual principle of intuition, receptivity, embodiment, and relational wisdom that exists within all souls. The ministry seeks to help usher this balanced feminine current forward in the world alongside strength, structure, and personal responsibility.
The Modalities We Weave
Our work weaves together:
- Shadow work — the integration of all that lives in the unseen
- Somatic practice — the body as a temple of remembering
- Shamanic ritual — ancient pathways into healing
- Plant medicine — earth-given allies for awakening
- Spiritual teaching — the wisdom traditions of the soul
- Elemental embodiment — communion with earth, water, fire, air, and spirit
- Holistic healing — care for body, mind, and soul as one
- Natural law — the right relationship between Wombin/Woman, Man, and Creator
- The inherent code — the truth each of us is born carrying
Our Founding Visionary
With a background in education, an interest in sacred scripture, and over two decades as a classically trained ballet instructor and somatic practitioner, Adrienne has spent much of her life observing how people learn, grow, and relate to their bodies and inner world. Through dance, movement, mindset, and spiritual practices, she has worked with both children and adults to cultivate confidence, self-respect, and personal awareness.
Her work as an intuitive mindset coach grew from this foundation, focusing on helping people recognize the internal patterns and beliefs that limit their ability to fully experience their lives. Adrienne is especially inspired by the moment when someone sees themselves differently and steps beyond an old barrier for the first time.
She is also the creator of the SHEroes & SHEnanigans podcast and #OptimizeJoy — a community centered on releasing heaviness through playfulness, reminding people that joy, vulnerability, and authenticity are deeply connected.
Adrienne lives in North Carolina with her husband and four children, continues to teach dance privately, and offers her work both in person and online.
Our Co-Founder
Michelle K. Benewiat grew up in much opposition to Adrienne, more timid, weary, fearful of judgment, striving for perfection, and full of anxiety about it all. Having become fast friends decades ago through other corporate opportunities - Adrienne & Michelle hold a wonderful balance of focus and feeling allowing things to unfold exactly as they are meant.
Our Ministry Stewards
Today, both Michelle & Adrienne are joined alongside the Lineage Keepers of our collective dream that together birthed ALT-Universal Ministries PMA (Private Membership Association) in service to the sistarhood as PMA Founders, Elder Council, Keeper Council, Sacred Stewards, Ministry Mentors and Creative Contributors for the benefit of the ministry members at large. Together, this living circle of leaders mentors individuals who otherwise appear successful yet feel disconnected from their own fulfillment, guiding them toward greater alignment between their inner world and their outer life.
→ Meet the full circle on our Our Stewards page.
Our Philosophy
“Humanity's next evolution comes not from fixing people, but from remembering who they already are — through the balanced expression of intuition, embodiment, and sovereign choice.”
Become a Member
ALT~Universal Ministries is a PMA (private membership association). All of our teachings, gatherings, facilitators, and sacred work are offered only to those who have entered the private domain.
To join, sign the Agreement of Membership — a one-time $11 lifetime donation — and walk alongside us in the work of becoming whole.
Members are bound by the Laws of the Ministry, our covenant of relating, property, exchange, behavior, and care.
→ Become a Member of the Ministry →
ALT~Universal Ministries is a spiritual ministry, not a religion. We are devoted to serving the spirit within and above all. We do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Our offerings are spiritual, educational, and devoted to becoming whole.
