MEET THE FAMILY
Aleyda Cárdenas
Co-Founder
Aleyda is a medicine woman born in Cusco, Peru, the spiritual center of the Andean world. Her cultural heritage and lineage led her to be a guardian of the Andean / Amazonian wisdom and cosmovision based on the universal laws of Munay (universal love), Llankay (work and creation) and Yachay (wisdom and learning).
Since the age of 19, she has been learning and connecting with the master plants and is currently holding sacred spaces for post-ceremony integration and offering personal accompaniments in the awakening of the Divine Feminine.
She is a natural and intuitive empath, a loving and patient listener who deeply believes that every human being is a channel for divinity to manifest. Her soul purpose is to support women and men in the discovery of their inner light, as well as in shadow work through processes of observation, expression and transmutation based on unconditional self-love, gratitude and radical forgiveness.
In her intimate sphere, she is a lover of music, alchemy, sacred geometry, poetry, plants and the arts, always at the service of the great mission of awakening the consciousness of unity in all humanity and the return to our ancestral wisdom.
Gaia Selina
Co-Founder
Irish-born Gaia is our very own Celtic mystic, medicine woman and mother of two beautiful children. She has lived in the region of the Sacred Valley in Peru for over six years, holding transformational healing retreats.
With her vast wealth of knowledge and experience of integrating shamanic practices into her daily life; she lovingly shares this wisdom with others, so they can feel empowered to reconnect with their true divine essence.
Gaia has traveled extensively throughout the globe her whole life, gaining wisdom of different cultures and healing modalities, which she integrates into her sharing of Yin Yoga, stillness meditation, emotional release techniques, ceremonial bodywork and sharing of sacred rituals. At her core she teaches the Universal Truth of Oneness and Divine Creation.
As a channel for the Divine mother, she embraces this role with great depth in order to be a vessel of unconditional love, to help others awaken to their true potential and to ultimately be of service for our Great Mother Gaia and for the creation of our New Earth.
Michael Tierno
Co-Founder
American born, Michael has been working with expanded states since late 2016. He is the father of two wonderful teenage boys and currently resides full time in the San Francisco, Bay area.
Michael primarily works one-on-one with clients in expanded states to support them to break out of automatic reaction patterns and create a meaningful life, while also acknowledging the pain and suffering that is part of the human condition. Michael also supports those who have done expanded states work in other settings to integrate the knowledge gained in those experiences into their regular lives.
In the United States, Michael leads powerful Men of Integrity four-day retreats, for men who are looking to connect with their Sacred Masculine. He specializes in supporting men to create healthy and fulfilling relationships with the women in their lives.
He is currently studying at the Center for Consciousness Medicine, and is a co-founder of Spirit Bridge Psychedelic Support Collaborative, based out of San Francisco, CA.
You can find out more about Michael and the work he offers here:
Ayahuasca Shaman
Ignacio (Nacho) Rodriguez and team
Nacho Rodriguez and his team of experienced, male and female facilitators share the healing of the sacred medicinal plant Ayahuasca with integrity, love and divine connection.
His intention is to create a bridge between the plant and the person's spirit, in order to delve deeply into the river of self-knowing, and in so doing, allowing that person to leave behind what prevents them from being happy and acknowledging themselves as the beings of light that they are - without masks, without fears and without insecurities.
In this way, he acts as a portal to open this channel to true divine connection with oneself, creating internal and external peace within and therefore the ability to live life with joy and inspiration.
The exceptional quality of his musical abilities make Nacho’s ceremonies some of the most ethereal and beautiful you are likely to experience. He is a multiinstrumentalist of extraordinary ability.
His vast experience with the sacred medicine and his commitment to this very disciplined path, make him an exceptional Ayahuasquero. Together with his wife and two children, Nacho embodies a life of sovereignty, joy and service.
Wuachuma (San Pedro) Shamans
Marcela Pantigozo and David Hedy Aedo
Marcela and David are a loving medicine couple from Cusco who will guide our wachuma ceremony.
With years of experience in the path of healing, inspired by the Andean Cosmovision, they offer ancestral ceremonies in service of Mother Earth, Father Fire, Mother Water and Father Wind- such as cacao ceremonies, coca leaf readings, temazcal ceremonies, shamanic drum making, ceremonies with sacred plants such as wachuma, tobacco, rapé and coca leaves.
In addition to working profoundly with master plants, their work focuses on the creation of sacred spaces, such as circles of women and men for the unification of the Divine Feminine and Sacred Masculine energies. This is exemplified in the holistic Andean marriages they perform.
Their main objective is to provide training and instruction on ancestral knowledge through workshops, ceremonies, rituals and holistic activities for self-knowledge and reconnection with the inner teacher and the recognition of the importance of inner power for a full existence.
Sasaba Zazopoulos
Aayahuasca Faclitator & Musician
Sasaba Zazopoulos is a greek-chilean clinical psychologist, yoga teacher, writer, and musician. Between 2000 and 2010 she lived in Paris, where she studied psychology at Sorbonne University and completed a thesis on Human Behavior. She worked in adult psychiatry at Maison Blanche hospital in Paris. Between 2010 and 2017 she settled in Greece where she worked in refugee camps in the Greek Islands as a Greek-French interpreter in the UN psychology department. She had her own Yoga Center in Athens and performed therapies with patients in private practice. In parallel she held group therapies with immigrant victims of torture in a well-known therapeutic center in Athens. In 2017, after the death of her father, she found herself in the jungle for the first time to do mourning work with the help of Ayahuasca and other master plants, which led her to explore different centers in Tarapoto, Yurimaguas and Puerto Maldonado. She has made different diets among which are: Bobinzana, Ajo Sacha, Uchu Sanango, Coca, Camalonga, Ojé, Mucura, Chuchuwasi, Chiric Sanango, Ushpawasha Sanango, Toé, Bolaquiro, Rosas, Remo Capi, Tamamuri, Tabaco. In 2019 she worked as a volunteer at the Takiwasi center where she did research work on all the plants used in the center and worked as a psychologist and yoga teacher for the patients and workers of the center. In 2021 and 2023 she carried out her first and second vision quest in Yoricostio México. Since 2020 she lives at La Pacha community, Sacred Valley Tribe in Pisac where she currently assists in Ayahuasca ceremonies and supports as an interpreter. In 2021 she published her first book in Spanish, La Voz del Anzuelo, (The voice of the hook) which is a story of personal healing process with the help of sacred plants. She speaks four languages: Spanish, French, English and Greek.
Serge
Aayahuasca Faclitator, Musician & Kambo Practitioner
In 2019, Serge embarked on a transformative journey in the Peruvian Amazon, delving into the realm of traditional healing practices. Amidst the lush forests and ancient wisdom of the region, he had the unique opportunity to learn about the traditional use of Kambo directly from the Matsés tribe. This experience was not only an educational venture into the world of traditional medicine but also a defining moment in his life, guiding him onto a path of sharing this sacred knowledge.
Since that enlightening year, Serge has dedicated himself to sharing the healing powers of Kambo across the globe, reaching communities in Mexico, Israel, and Peru. His personal journey with Kambo has been remarkable, offering him significant relief from various physical and psychological challenges. These personal triumphs have deepened Serge's appreciation for Kambo, instilling in him a profound sense of gratitude and humility. He considers it a privilege to share this extraordinary natural healer with others in need.
In addition to his work with Kambo, Serge plays an integral role in Ayahuasca ceremonies. Working in close collaboration with Nacho and a committed team, he helps create a safe and nurturing environment for these ceremonies. Here, participants embark on their own journeys of healing and self-discovery, guided by the supportive and empathetic atmosphere Serge helps cultivate. His involvement in these ceremonies is more than a responsibility; it reflects his heartfelt commitment to assisting others in experiencing the transformative benefits of these ancient healing practices.
Yurguen
Aayahuasca Faclitator & Musician
For many years, Yurguen has dedicated himself to the profound study of the wisdom inherent in plants, immersing himself in various Master Plant Dietas rooted in different Amazonian traditions. His journey has taken him through the rich practices of Colombian Yagé, the intricate knowledge of the Peruvian Shipibo, and the revered paths of the Sacred Valley Tribe.
Yurguen's guiding principle in life is a deep-seated devotion to the unwavering force of love, particularly within the family. He embodies generosity and is committed to acts of service that foster healing and harmony among all individuals. His heartfelt prayer is to serve as a bridge between the plant and human worlds, facilitating a process of healing that allows us to tread lightly through life, imbued with light and love.
In his role, Yurguen also assists in Ayahuasca ceremonies alongside Nacho and the team. His presence in these ceremonies is not just participatory; it is an extension of his deep commitment to service and healing. Through his guidance, participants are offered a nurturing and transformative space, allowing them to connect deeply with themselves and the profound teachings of the plant world.
Marc Bresnahan
Retreat Facilitator and Breathwork Practitioner
Marc's journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. Having endured challenging times early in his life, Marc made a pivotal decision to dedicate his life to serving Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. This commitment has imbued him with a profound sense of grace, which he generously extends to people from all walks of life.
On his heart-led journey, Marc is deeply committed to continuous self-exploration and following his divine purpose. He possesses an intuitive gift for helping others connect with their hearts, guiding them to discover their own paths and purposes. Marc integrates this ability with his belief in the holistic mantra of “healthy body, healthy mind, healthy spirit”, focusing on the complete well-being of individuals in their growth and healing.
Since 2013, Marc has been deeply involved with master plant teachers and has been facilitating one-on-one sacred journeys since 2017. He brings his deep reverence for these incredible teachers to Heart Sanctuary, where his experiences and insights add immense value. Additionally, Marc leads Somatic Breathwork ceremonies, a practice that facilitates deep emotional release and works synergistically with plant medicine integration.
Marc's multifaceted approach to healing combines his personal experiences, recovery mentoring skills, Somatic Breathwork practitioner training, and his boundless love. He is dedicated to guiding others on a journey back to the heart. His own healing path has led him to reside in the Sacred Valley, Peru, where he connects daily with the divine medicine of the land. Living in the moment, with joy and in service, Marc embodies a lifestyle that is a constant pursuit of healing and joy.
Avalon
Retreat Facilitator, Singer & Aayahuasca Faclitator
Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Avalon found her life's calling when she arrived in the Sacred Valley in 2015, a move that dramatically altered her life's trajectory. Since then, she has been deeply immersed in the world of plant medicine, embracing its teachings and integrating them into her life.
Avalon, a lifelong singer, is blessed with a tremendous and powerful voice. She brings not only her musical talent but also her compassionate heart and infectious laughter to Heart Sanctuary and every ceremony she is a part of. Her involvement in these ceremonies is marked by a deep commitment and a joyful presence that resonates with all who are around her.
Her journey with plant medicine includes dieting a variety of plants, and she is currently undertaking the unique challenge of dieting sacred trees from each continent. This endeavor reflects her dedication to understanding and honoring the diverse healing powers of nature. Alongside this, Avalon is actively walking the path to serving Ayahuasca, having supported more retreats than she can count, working alongside a variety of Ayahuasca practitioners.
In addition to her spiritual and healing work, Avalon is currently channeling her artistic talent into creating an album. This album is a unique fusion of medicine music with American soul, showcasing her ability to blend different musical traditions into a harmonious and healing experience. Her music, much like her work with plant medicine, is a testament to her diverse talents and her commitment to integrating healing and art.