We’d like you to meet the people who will hold space and be alongside you for your journey, because choosing to work with plant medicines isn’t just about the medicines themselves, it’s also about the humans who steward your experience.
We are a small but mighty team, each carrying our own unique roles in providing care and attention to your journey with us. Our paths have led us here through our own processes of healing, growth, and surrender to the call of service.
After 18 years in corporate leadership, Kimberly experienced profound burnout that led to a transformative healing journey in the jungles of Peru with Ayahuasca and the Shipibo-Konibo Tribe. This life-changing experience inspired her to leave her corporate career and dedicate herself to plant medicine service.
Kimberly is a somatic trauma-informed medicine guide, certified sound healing therapist, Professional Certified Coach, and advocate for safe, inclusive plant medicine practices. On her path she has received mentorship from Atira Tan, Kat Courtney, Daniela Riojas, and Erika Buenaflor. As a survivor herself, she brings deep compassion and understanding to supporting others on their healing journeys.
Jason is a retired Firefighter/Paramedic who experienced profound burnout from the emotional toll of frontline service during the pandemic. After losing their home to Hurricane Ian, a pivotal conversation with Kimberly led to his transformative move to Costa Rica, a place that feels like home and reignited his sense of purpose.
Now dedicated to supporting fellow first responders, veterans, and healthcare workers, Jason understands the unique challenges of serving others. His journey to reclaim joy and meaning in Costa Rica reflects his commitment to helping others find healing and wholeness at Ananda Lodge.
Irie is Ananda Lodge’s beloved emotional support dog and honorary co-founder. With her gentle presence, intuitive cuddles, and unconditional love, she holds space for guests in the most tender way. Whether greeting you with a wagging tail or resting quietly nearby during integration, Irie reminds us to stay present, soften, and lead with the heart. She is, without question, the soul of the lodge.
Chase Moore, a Tennessee native, is an experienced Huachumero trained in the indigenous San Pedro medicine tradition by his longtime teacher, Bernhard Karshagen. He has dedicated over 8 years to working exclusively with the master plant of San Pedro. As a humble medicine carrier of the sacred cactus, Chase embodies the essence of kindness, humor, and therapeutic presence.
Chase holds a prayer that each individual that comes to this work is empowered to step into the most authentic version of themself, using the wisdom of the plant, along with his gentle guidance. “I simply aim to offer the same opportunities for growth that have been afforded to me.”
Nikki grew up just outside Toronto, Canada and currently lives nestled amongst the Andes in the Sacred Valley of Peru. As a teacher dedicated to working with people with special needs and at-risk youth, she has devoted her life to being a support to others. Coming from a background of addiction and depression, she was called to Peru in 2018 to start working with her teachers Bernard Kashagen and Chase Moore for a deep dive into her healing.
Wanting others to experience the grace of the medicine as she has, she offers a safe space of presence and love, weaving in various mind, body, and energetic practices. She is a balance of grit and softness, embodying permission for each guest to explore their unique experience with the medicine.
Orfelinda is a gentle and loving maestra who began drinking ayahuasca at age 20. Orfelinda chose the path of a healer as that was the path of her grandfather. As a young child she watched him cure many sick people in their village and became very drawn to the plants and to the medicine. At the age of 10 she told her grandfather she wanted to be a master healer. He told her the path was not easy and that in order to follow this path she would need to do many years of plant medicine dietas.
Orfelinda has completed many year-long dietas to become a master healer. She is known for her deep medicine songs, her compassionate and loving spirit, and for her reverence to the plants and ayahuasca medicine.
Maestra Olinda started the path of a curandera with the Shipibo tribe over 20 years ago as a single mother to five children. She has spent many years dieting master plants including Bobinsana, Chiric Sanango, Renaquilla and Noya Rao.
Maestra Olinda is now a master healer and great grandmother. She lives at her family-owned Ayahuasca center in Paohyan, Peru. In ceremonies, she shares the wisdom of the plants and helps people find the strength to complete difficult journeys.
Sami is an Indigenous healer and trauma-informed movement specialist known for her intuitive ability to attune to the body’s needs. Her work bridges the physical and spiritual, drawing from ancestral wisdom, somatic movement, and channeling.
Sami has supported a wide range of clients—from professional dancers and NFL/MLB athletes to celebrities—guiding them through deep healing and integration. Sami weaves together indigenous and academic healing traditions to create a holistic, embodied path toward restoration and remembrance.
Rachael is a trauma-informed somatic plant medicine guide, an energy practitioner, a creator of sacred containers, and a holder of safe spaces. In 2017, she began her personal journey with plant medicine and a therapist to start healing herself.
Rachael is passionate about guiding sacred circles where participants experience healing and growth with the sacred medicines of cacao and psilocybin. She supports Ananda’s Mindful Microdose program and is currently on a journey of discovery with the 13 Moon Mystery School’s Enter the Mystery program.
Co-founder of Imago Community, passionate student of the mystery and ancestral technologies of healing. With foundation in ceremonial path of work with plant sacraments, Sanken is walking a new ancestral way with the guidance of his teachers. Through their mentorship he is preserving and honoring the law of origin while complementing it with the new means of integration demanded by the present time.
Carrying two degrees in psychology and fascinated by decolonization and reprogramming of human consciousness, he adds a subtle academic approach to support the growth and sustainable transformation. Initiated into the path through Santo Daime tradition, he dove into deep shamanic study with the Colombian Taitas. His diets with Peruvian Maestros and Brazilian Pajés, as well as initiations within path of Andean Cosmovision, brought the unique dance of the symbol, song, word and dance that sustain the core of the ceremonies and rituals he holds.
With many years of personal exploration with psychedelics, Mary holds a deep passion for the role they can play in expanding consciousness, deepening self-awareness, and reconnecting us to our innate sense of wonder. At Ananda, she supports on-site operations and behind the scenes with administration and marketing, bringing a calm, intuitive presence to all she does.
A devoted student of life and lover of the senses, Jonathan weaves nourishment, ceremony, and soul into every offering. He brings over 15 years of ceremonial psychedelic experience to his work. His path is one of alchemy – food becomes prayer, service becomes medicine, and each encounter a portal to deeper intimacy with life.
Yasmina brings light and joy to Ananda Lodge with her ever-present smile and uplifting energy. As part of our housekeeping team, she helps maintain the cleanliness and comfort of our shared spaces with care and attention. Her cheerful presence and loving touch are felt in every corner of the lodge, helping guests feel at home and at ease.
Yaxin is a steady and trusted presence at Ananda Lodge, supporting the space with care and quiet dedication. As our nighttime security, groundskeeper, and maintenance support, he helps ensure the land and lodge remain safe, clean, and well-tended. His consistent presence behind the scenes creates a sense of groundedness that supports every guest’s experience.
Choosing to work with plant medicines takes courage. Trusting others with your healing process takes even more. We want you to know that every person on our team considers it a profound honor to witness and support your journey.
Your healing matters. Your story matters. You matter.
And, you don’t have to do this alone.
During your free discovery call, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with a member of our team, ask questions, and feel into whether Ananda Lodge feels like the right container for your journey.
