Faculty

Dr. Glauber Loures de Assis is a researcher of sacred plants and their traditions. He has 15 years of experience with ayahuasca, hapé, and other sacred plants and has led more than 500 ceremonies and events around the world.

Kamilah Majied, MSW, PhD, is a Buddhist mental health therapist, clinical educator, researcher, and an internationally-engaged consultant on building inclusivity and equity using meditative practices.

Dean Marson is a Senior Esalen® Massage instructor whose approach to bodywork embraces elements of movement, awareness practices and conscious connection.

LaVerne McLeod is a workshop facilitator, author, public speaker, theatrical presenter, educator, and founder of Bridge Building to Equity Workshops and Purple Feather Press.

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Deborah Anne Medow has spent more than fifty years studying, learning, practicing, and teaching various forms of massage, bodywork, yoga, meditation, movement, and awareness practices, drawing from Eastern and Western traditions.

Nikki Mirghafori, PhD, is a Buddhist teacher and AI scientist. She teaches internationally and serves as a stewarding teacher and on the board of directors at Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

With an MD and background in neuroscience and behavior change, Siva Mohan presents a unique East-West Mind-Body version of Ayurveda and guides her audience to individualized wellness lifestyles.

Deva Munay, founder of Sacred Sound & Wonder, has over 20 years of experience in the field of health and wellness, with a passion for sound healing.

Janis Cooke Newman is the author of two award-winning novels and a memoir. She is also the founder of the Lit Camp writers conference, and Creative Caffeine Daily, an online community for writers.

Brita Ostrom is a licensed psychotherapist and a founding member of the Esalen Massage School. She has led massage and somatic workshops at Esalen and internationally for more than 40 years.

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Elizabeth Philipose, PhD, is a facilitator, author, academic, and spiritual guide who focuses on healing relations between masculine and feminine, humans and nature, races, and nations.

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche is one of very few masters of the Tibetan Bön Dzogchen tradition living in the West. He founded Ligmincha International, and is known for his ability to make Tibetan practices accessible to all students.