Thea M. Goepfert, PhD
She is the founder of Sumanas Retreat. As a cell biologist, she studied cell division and the mechanisms of early tumorigenesis for more than ten years at the renowned Texas Medical Center in Houston, TX. As a faculty at Baylor College of Medicine she supervised cancer research in the laboratory, published in peer-reviewed scientific journals, and presented internationally.
With her scientific background, augmented by her experience in movement therapy, art therapy, dietary health, deep relaxation techniques and multifaceted aspects of self-healing, Thea has become acutely aware of the needs of people diagnosed with cancer.
In 2009, she moved to Santa Barbara, California where she has been exploring her artistic potential, working and training as an artist in ceramics, drawing, painting, woodwork and sculpting at Santa Barbara City College. She has since become an accomplished artist, as seen by one of her sculptures being presented at the fall, 2011 Santa Barbara Sculptor Guild art show.
Her esoteric training is with a Himalayan Yogi in meditation and yoga. She is applying ayurvedic principles of wellness and well-being in all parts of her life. Inspired by these traditions, she takes joy in passing on her knowledge and expertise in promotion of health and well-being. Recently, she has been trained in Sound Healing (Peter Hess Institut) as a Sound Practitioner. Her interest in indiginous herbal medicine, and Shamanic Healing led her to Ecuador where she was trained by indigenous healers.
Nina (Florence) Cooley
Recently retired and widowed, lived in Texas and Colorado before moving to California with her husband. Desperate for answers to Life's mysteries following the violent death of her teenaged daughter, she began recording dreams,
studying religion, myth, folklore and symbol, and became a psychotherapist using dreamwork where appropriate. She is a writer and an artist, using a variety of media, and leads a contemplative life, aware of the difficulties and hopeful possibilities for Planet Earth. Her book "Dream Path" Search for Meaning, Search for Truth was recently published.
Pedro Paez Navarro, Sculptor.
He is taking a leading role in instructing the visual arts. He is an accomplished stone carver and award-winning artist. His creations and designs include modern, classical and baroque pieces.
Growing up in Mexico, he was taught by his father; later he collaborated on projects with sculptor Ramon Viallalobos Tijelino in Jalisco, Mexico, restoring the courthouse in Guadalajara and several churches.
In recent years, his sculptures have been exhibited in Paso Robles, San Louis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Carpinteria. He was awarded the first prize at the 2012 SBSG spring exhibition, and the second prize at the fall 2012 show at the Community Art Center in Carpinteria. For many years, he has been a volunteer for different nonprofit organizations. At Sumanas Retreat he is involved in the planning, (green) building, landscaping, and maintaining of the site.
Dani Antman, SEP, Transformational Healing & Counseling
Dani is a master energy healer and counselor, with over 22 years experience. She specializes in recovery from trauma, abuse, illness, and loss. She is a graduate of the 'Barbara Brennan School of Healing', 'The School of Non-Dual Healing and Awakening' and the 'Somatic Experiencing Training Institute', where she is completing advanced certication in trauma healing. Dani is also an ordained Interfaith Minister, and loves officiating at weddings. For more info www.daniantman.com She is the author of the upcoming book "Wired for God" Adventures of a Jewish Yogi.
Nancy Chargualaf Martin
She is an Indigenous artist who has traveled the world to gain experience in and learn about a wide range of healing modalities. Traveling on a path of self-cultivation, using art as a medium to express herself, she works towards joy. With over a decade of experience in end-of-life care, she has achieved a level of mindfulness that has enabled her to serve in community with quiet confidence as an Anamcara Apprentice, a certified Reiki master, a licensed massage therapist, and a dream tender.>
A William T. Colville Foundation grant recipient, her artwork and photographs of urban landscapes have appeared in solo exhibitions in Santa Barbara, California, where she was born and lives, and in San Miguel de Allende, México. Her biological family is from Guåhan, México, and España. She was raised by a Chumash step-father, within a part-Chumash family, and continues the work of her Chamorro ancestors.
“Over a decade ago I made the difficult and courageous decision to leave a successful career in business management to explore my artistic talent and more deeply investigate my spirituality. I have lived happily with less and through this have learned to appreciate more.”
Rudy Lozano
He comes from a family of healers in Mexico. He grew up observing his mother as she treated and healed people.
His training is in advanced pranic healing, and pranic psychotherapy by Master Stephen Co, a direct disciple of Grand Master Choa Kok Sui, the founder of modern pranic healing. Stephen Co is the author of Your Hands can Heal You.
In addition, Rudy is a board-certified naturopathic doctor and a “Professional in Good Standing” of the American Naturopathic Medical Association (ANMA). In his practice he focuses on pranic healing, energy work, nutrition, psychotherapy, personal growth, family wellness and transformation.
David Courtenay
He was first introduced to Yoga while studying theatre at UCSB, where his voice teacher implemented asanas as part of his vocal training to demonstrate conscious relaxation of the body. This experience made him aware of the potential of asanas to empower the voice, calm the mind, and free the body of tension, and David has been practicing ever since.
David's music performance career took him to Chicago in 2008, where he continued to study yoga under Quinn Kearney, Tom Quinn, and Geri Bleier of Yogaview, and completed their 200-hour teacher training program. He went on to teach yoga at fitness centers throughout the Chicago area and began a massage therapy practice as an LMT.
Combining his love of yoga with travel, David has organized and led three yoga retreats to the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. He moved back to Santa Barbara in spring, 2012, and is very happy to be teaching yoga in his beloved hometown.
Eduardo-Ed-Bell
He is an aspiring natural builder and designer.
He embraces sustainable living and growth, and practices “conscious business”, which aims to ensure a healthy quality of life and environment by safeguarding air, water and earth. The integration of sustainable growth and “green building” is reflected in the design and construction of Sumanas Retreat; a healthy and environmentally friendly atmosphere is created by minimizing the use of energy and water.
His esoteric training is in Himalayan meditation and TaiChi. He has a passion for nature, hiking in the foothills and mountains, surfing and music, and loves sharing that interest with everyone.
