The Great Gathering – Expedition

A full-time shaman devoted to his path. Steffen has a background in consulting and digital media before he answered Spirit’s call to hold sacred space for his clients. He is trained as a systemic coach on the ISC Finger in 2011 and shamanic energy medicine withe Alberto Villoldo. Steffen is initiated in the tradition of the Laika, the shamans of the Qero, who have their home in the Peruvian Andes.

Maria Clara has embarked on her shamanic path following 24 years of marriage and raising two children in various different countries and continents. She has completed The Energy Medicine Training which integrates ancient shamanic teachings with leading edge neuroscience. She has also been trained by Marcela Lobos in Los Cuatro Caminos and completed the Master-level curriculum, as well as the Dying Consciously Teacher Training with Alberto Villoldo. Maria Clara has expanded her shamanic training under the mentorship from shamans in the Andes and in the jungle of Peru.
Today she focuses on empowering women, supporting growth, self-care and love.

A former Social Worker and Retired Director of Technology, Larry found the Four Winds in 2014 and dove in to begin to dream his world into being. The idea of moving beyond story was life changing.  Larry has been around the medicine wheel several times and did a year long apprenticeship with healers from other shamanic teachings. Larry now lives in Pennsylvania and practices shamanic healing full time.

Karen Johnson was called to study shamanic energy medicine following a spiritual awakening and ensuing desire to teach others the way beyond death and how to dream their world into being. Karen is a graduate of Georgetown Law Center and holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Public and International Affairs (JD, MPH, MPIA). A retired federal administrative law judge, she practiced criminal and energy law for over 30 years, is a former hospital administrator and Fulbright Scholar in Afghanistan. Today she is a happy nomad who practices shamanic healing along the Way.

A wise and heart-centered shamanic energy medicine practitioner who also practices functional nutrition through detoxification and plant centered healing.  Hyacinth works with Alberto on the Grow A New Body Detox Programs and travels sharing Energy Medicine healing, Adaptogenic Plant Medicine workshops and Cacao Ceremonies. Hyacinth is passionate about guiding others back home, to the heart of self love, optimal health and the profound wisdom teachings of nature.

Trained by Marcela Lobos at Los Cuatro Caminos School of Energy Medicine, Antonella integrated this practice with her work as Life Coach. Her path and inspiration is based on living reciprocity and compassion, thus attending to her call to accompany others to remember their own human nature and life purpose. She believes that by reconnecting with our ancestral roots through ceremonies and rituals we can awake our true power as children of the Earth.

Growing up up in the community of energy medicine practitioners, Alexis embraced The Four Winds' teachings and merged them with her Neuroscience and Psychology studies from Swarthmore College. She harmonizes Western science with the wisdom of the medicine wheel, aiming for global harmony. A passionate teacher and advocate, Alexis envisions a world prioritizing community health, earth's wellbeing, and self-awareness, believing our best destiny lies in understanding and nurturing the universe that sustains us. She believes wholeheartedly that, as Earthkeepers, we will find our highest and best destiny in confronting our true selves, and in caring for the universe that loves and supports us all. 

Born in Quito, Ecuador, Sebastian was drawn to ancestral Earth-honoring practices from a young age, fostering a passion for celebrations centered on the Divine Feminine. He studied Ancestral Sciences in Ecuador and later trained in Gestalt psychotherapy in Argentina, where he became a Priest of the Goddess of the Southern Cross. Specializing in humanistic counseling and transpersonal development, he's been a ceremonialist and workshop leader at various events, including Pagan Pride and The Goddess Conference.

Fernanda, raised in the countryside amidst nature, was deeply influenced by her family's Arabic rituals and mysticism. From a young age, she embraced Metaphysics, Yoga, and Tarot, leading her to study Arts, Psychology, and Dance Pedagogy. Passionate about the body's connection to energy, she became a certified Yoga instructor and Floral Therapist. Today, she practices Energetic and Shamanic Medicine at The Four Winds and runs a holistic therapy clinic in Chile.

Laura, a former mathematician, possesses an unending fascination for science and mystical arts. Years ago, she embarked on a profound shamanic journey under the tutelage of Marcela Lobos at Los Cuatro Caminos and Alberto Villoldo through FourWinds Society. These advanced energy medicine practices seamlessly amalgamated with her expertise in mindfulness, breathing, nutrition, and compassionate inquiries into treating trauma. Today, she transforms life lessons into soul-centered workshops, retreats, and experiences, using her wisdom and compassion to guide others towards self-discovery and the pursuit of joy, passion, and purpose. Currently residing between the Amazon jungle and Peruvian Andes, she continues her education by learning from indigenous communities and honing her healing abilities.

D.r Liz Esalen is the founder and CEO of Luminous Healing Center, MDMA Assisted Psychotherapy Clinic, and The Lotus Collaborative, eating disorder recovery centers in Santa Cruz and San Francisco, California.
At Luminous Healing Center, Esalen's work is at the forefront of her field, offering new and progressive evidence-based treatments for psychological trauma, PTSD, and mind-body anxiety. Dr. Liz has dedicated her career to creating quality, heart-centered healing organizations that foster mind-body-soul reconnection and profound transformation.

Trained by Marcela Lobos at Los Cuatro Caminos School of Energy Medicine, Antonella integrated this practice with her work as Life Coach. Her path and inspiration is based on living reciprocity and compassion, thus attending to her call to accompany others to remember their own human nature and life purpose. She believes that by reconnecting with our ancestral roots through ceremonies and rituals we can awake our true power as children of the Earth.

A wise and heart-centered shamanic energy medicine practitioner who also practices functional nutrition through detoxification and plant centered healing.  Hyacinth works with Alberto on the Grow A New Body Detox Programs and travels sharing Energy Medicine healing, Adaptogenic Plant Medicine workshops and Cacao Ceremonies. Hyacinth is passionate about guiding others back home, to the heart of self love, optimal health and the profound wisdom teachings of nature.

Trained in energy medicine by Marcela Lobos at Los Cuatro Caminos School of Energy Medicine, Helaine subsequently integrated this practice into her work as a Life Coach. Her purpose is to accompany others to discover their gifts and remember their inner nature to live with freedom, authenticity and power. Helaine deeply believes that the most sacred thing we can do as human beings is enlighten our shadows, awaken our gifts, and cultivate our life from our inner healer.

Born into a lineage of shamans, Lauren grew up working closely with tools of spirit and assisting others in their healing journey. During her early adult years she explored alternate paths, finding that all roads returned to her roots. Lauren conveys strength of passage to seekers, guiding them on a journey back home to themselves. She calls forth the inner warrior to rise up and expand into the greatest gift: Love.

Patricia Iris, MD, MPH is a western-trained medical doctor whose holistic approach includes Ayurveda, Yoga, Energy Medicine and Functional Medicine. She integrates Eastern tools and practices with Western techniques to optimize health. As a shamanic energy medicine practitioner, Dr. Iris provides a personalized healing experience that assists her clients to achieve mental clarity, physical vitality, emotional equilibrium, and spiritual growth. By holding sacred space, she supports each individual to attain wellness through discovery of the true self.

A former Social Worker and Retired Director of Technology, Larry found the Four Winds in 2014 and dove in to begin to dream his world into being. The idea of moving beyond story was life changing.  Larry has been around the medicine wheel several times and did a year long apprenticeship with healers from other shamanic teachings. Larry now lives in Pennsylvania and practices shamanic healing full time.

A full-time shaman devoted to his path. Steffen has a background in consulting and digital media before he answered Spirit’s call to hold sacred space for his clients. He is trained as a systemic coach on the ISC Finger in 2011 and shamanic energy medicine withe Alberto Villoldo. Steffen is initiated in the tradition of the Laika, the shamans of the Qero, who have their home in the Peruvian Andes.

A passionate shamanic energy medicine practitioner, Barbara Haussener chose the path of dreaming the world into being early on. She offers consultations in German and English and is skilled at supporting others to bring back lightness, color and joy of life. Barbara lives in Switzerland, where she follows her passions in deep union with Mother Earth. She is a teaching assistant with the Four Winds Society.

Deeply rooted and experienced in helping people remember their true voice and personal power, Bridghe McCracken holds an advanced practitioner certificate from the Light Body School. She works with balancing energy systems for adults, children, animals, and the land through Illuminations, Soul Retrieval and Extractions. Bridghe is strongly called to work with the body to attain its highest vibration through a combination of food, lifestyle, and energy work. Her 20 years of experience in organic farming, creating pollinator habitat, restoring native ecosystems, and designing sacred spaces informs and inspires all her work.

Maria Clara has embarked on her shamanic path following 24 years of marriage and raising two children in various different countries and continents. She has completed The Energy Medicine Training which integrates ancient shamanic teachings with leading edge neuroscience. She has also been trained by Marcela Lobos in Los Cuatro Caminos and completed the Master-level curriculum, as well as the Dying Consciously Teacher Training with Alberto Villoldo. Maria Clara has expanded her shamanic training under the mentorship from shamans in the Andes and in the jungle of Peru.
Today she focuses on empowering women, supporting growth, self-care and love.

Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D., is a psychologist and medical anthropologist who has studied the shamanic healing practices of the Amazon and Andes for over 30 years. At San Francisco State University, he directed the Biological Self-Regulation Laboratory to study how the mind creates psychosomatic health and disease. He is also the founder of the Four Winds Society, an organization dedicated to bridging ancient shamanic traditions with modern medicine and psychology.

Lynn Berryhill is an acclaimed artist whose paintings are featured in collections throughout the U.S. and Europe. Lynn has taught creativity classes, is an active energy medicine practitioner, and loves to teach. Her creative spirit lets her easily take students into the realms of the soul to learn to work with destiny.

Emma believes in the importance of bridging the spiritual world with our internal compass. Through the radiant alchemy of balancing body, mind, and spirit, in order to connect with the aliveness of life. Throughout her childhood, she was exposed to spiritual practices and ideologies and even at a young age, she was aware that these tools would someday be useful. After University, Emma began exploring different philosophies in search of healing from deep anxiety, OCD, and a racing mind that she has experienced throughout her life. This is how she came into contact with shamanistic and Buddhist practices.

Marcel Heyder explored many spiritual traditions and healing techniques before finding his life purpose in shamanism. For over a decade he has worked with groups and individuals in Germany, finding deep satisfaction in supporting others as they grow, discover true freedom and reclaim their sacred energy. He has enriched his personal experience with frequent travel to Asia and the Amazon and feels a deep connection to nature and the wisdom, light, and energy of the sacred medicine of the Amazon.

Dean Taraborelli has traveled to sacred sites in over 30 countries to study and experience the wisdom of ancient cultures. His interaction with people from many nations has given him insight into world religions, beliefs, mythology, rites of passage, rituals and spiritual healing. Dean is the founder of the Sanctuary – A Life Transformation Center in Sedona, AZ., where he is actively and daily engaged as an energy medicine practitioner.

Karen Johnson was called to study shamanic energy medicine following a spiritual awakening and ensuing desire to teach others the way beyond death and how to dream their world into being. Karen is a graduate of Georgetown Law Center and holds master’s degrees in Public Health and Public and International Affairs (JD, MPH, MPIA). A retired federal administrative law judge, she practiced criminal and energy law for over 30 years, is a former hospital administrator and Fulbright Scholar in Afghanistan. Today she is a happy nomad who practices shamanic healing along the Way.

Elise Kost has devoted two decades to guiding individuals and groups to claim courage and fully personify their beauty and joyful vitality of body, heart-mind, and spirit. She is a passionate poet, life coach, energy medicine practitioner, master certified Four Winds graduate, and lead faculty of The Four Winds Society. Greatly influenced by Nature and devoted to the Mystery, Elise helps others discover the Sacred, deepen their sense of trust, self-compassion, empowerment, and love for the transformational journey of creating a conscious life of wisdom, peace, and inspiration.

Marcela Lobos has been initiated in the healing and spiritual traditions of the Amazon and Andes. She is author of Awakening Your Inner Shaman: A Woman's Journey of Self-Discovery through the Medicine Wheel. 

Born and raised in Chile, Marcela graduated from a prestigious journalism program. Later she pursued studies in yoga and wellness and graduated from The Energy Medicine Training of the Four Winds Society in 2005. Soon she became a senior teacher of the same school and since 2009 she directs its Spanish division. 

Ruby Parker’s career in the healing arts spans over 20 years and includes work as a massage therapist, Reiki master, personal counselor, and Energy Medicine practitioner focused on the connection of mind, body and soul. Ruby is Assistant Director of Alternative and Complementary Health at The Sanctuary at Sedona. A graduate of the Four Winds with master certification in Energy Medicine, she is also part of the faculty of The Four Winds Society.