Staff &
Facilitators

Jose is an adventurous entrepreneur at heart and father of five, is the driving force behind Arkana’s operations and growth initiatives. Originally from Mexico, Jose grew up in a conservative middle class home. At 18, his best friend presented him with Carlos Castañeda’s Journey to Ixtlan, the book that profoundly impacted his life, awakening his curiosity. He started questioning everything around him without finding any satisfying answers.

Frustrated, he put his curiosity on hold for years, buying into the conventional story of many: Marry up, have kids, and make a lot of money – what seemed to be the formula of success. For a number of years, it seemed like he was on the right track. He started his family and after graduating with an MBA from Harvard Business School made strides climbing the ladder in the corporate world, first as an Investment Banker in Wall Street and more recently as a Real Estate developer. Under all accounts, he seemed that he was successful however, deep inside, it was a different story; he battled with depression, having a sense that something was missing in his life.

In 2012, after both his personal life and business spiraled out of control, he found his way to the Amazon in need of deep healing and discovered the world of plant medicine. His first encounter with Ayahuasca was healing and profound, providing many of the missing answers and helping him find true meaning and purpose.   With a new perspective, Jose reinvented his existing business into a procurement agency that outfitted multi-million dollar hotels and turned his personal life around. In the following years, he deepened his work with plants, doing several plant dietas along the way and even venturing to the forests of Gabon in Africa to be initiated as a Bwiti practitioner.

Today he lives a happy and simple, fulfilled life in the service of others. He insists that each person is responsible for crafting his/her own story rather than buying into social norms. He has rewritten his success formula to include love, faith, and hope at its core. At the helm of Arkana, he dreams of global expansion, bringing the world of plant medicines and spirituality to those who need it most.

Billy’s journey with Arkana began not as a facilitator, but as a guest—seeking healing and transformation. The profound experience he had during that time inspired him to return, this time in service to others walking their own healing path. From Facilitator to Facilitator Coordinator across the Amazon and Mexico, and now as Arkana’s Dharma Officer, Billy plays a vital role in training facilitators and shaping initiatives that enrich Arkana’s culture and community.

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Originally from India and raised in England, Billy was first drawn to plant medicine as a way to work through his own traumas. What began as personal healing has grown into over a decade of experience working with plant medicines and a wide range of healing modalities and spiritual practices.
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Billy is a certified Himalayan Kriya Yoga teacher and life coach, and a devoted practitioner of yoga and Vipassana meditation. He strongly believes in an integrative approach to healing—blending plant medicine with spiritual practices to create a holistic, grounded, and effective path for true and lasting transformation.
His work and values are deeply aligned with Arkana’s mission to "love all and serve all," and he brings heart, presence, and authenticity to everything he does. Beyond his professional roles, Billy is a passionate traveler, harp player, aspiring author, and a man who treasures family, loyalty, and service. His journey is one of dedication to helping others heal, grow, and awaken to their true nature and is driven by a genuine desire to create positive change in the world.

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Liliana Aguilar is the Head of Operations at Arkana, where her warm and caring nature shines as she interacts with each guest with genuine kindness and attention. Known for her efficiency and dedication, Liliana ensures that every aspect of the guest experience is seamless, helping visitors feel comfortable and supported throughout their journeys.  With a passion for service and a heart for people, she is committed to creating a safe, nurturing environment that allows guests to fully engage in their healing and transformation.  Liliana’s presence at Arkana exemplifies compassion and professionalism, making her an invaluable part of the team.

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Valeria is an integrative wellness coach deeply rooted in movement, yoga, and spiritual exploration.  Starting as a professional dancer and evolving into a dedicated practitioner and teacher of Himalayan Kriya Yoga, Hatha-Vinyasa Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation, and Cold Therapy, Valeria exemplifies a passion for holistic wellness and guiding others on their journey to healing.  

She embodies a profound healing journey through the transformative power of helping others.  Drawing from her own life's challenges, lessons, and personal healing, she has discovered a deep calling to support and uplift others on their paths.  Valeria advocates for a holistic approach to healing and growth, recognizing that every aspect of our lives—physical, emotional, and spiritual—affects our well-being. By embracing this holistic perspective, she empowers individuals to embark on a journey of self-discovery and transformation, guiding them towards greater harmony and fulfilment in all aspects of their lives.

Imani was born and raised in New York. She is a daughter and sister to many. Her family moved her as a teen to Florida where it changed the trajectory of her life and what she once knew. A creative at heart, you will find her either drawing, writing, or singing medicine songs.

Her call to be of service began while working in the service industry. Where she learned the qualities of being of service to others with heart yet still found there was a lack of fulfillment. 

She came to Arkana in 2021 as a guest from struggling the majority of her life with mental illness, depression, and anxiety with remnants of PTSD from traumas in her youth. Looking for anything the medicine had to offer her so she could continue on her journey of life without suffering.  After 7 days in the jungle, she had no words for the transformation that took place, which changed her outlook completely on the way she was living. Feeling completely whole with more courage to continue life without the pain that was harboring her for many years.

She is passionate about helping others rediscover their true essence, working with the light and manifestations of the divine feminine energy through her beautiful medicine songs. Her unconditional love, care and attention are present in every space she participates in.

Imani works diligently to unify all paths and medicines, recognizing unconditional love as the path to ultimate happiness and fulfillment. An eternal optimist, she firmly believes we have the power to create a new world for those who follow with self-sustainable communities that know how to coexist in harmony with nature and others.

Theo was born in the USA and at the age of 2 moved to France where he lived most of his life. From an early age he loved to draw and sing and dreamed of becoming an artist. The lack of proper training for these skills at his hometown led him to design and then carpentry. As a teenager he lost his father to cancer and started using large amounts of cannabis and the occasional psychedelic to cope with this tragedy. Eventually this led to heavy drinking and he fell into a downward spiral of street drugs, mainly heroine and cocaine. He dropped out of all schools and ended up homeless living an unpredictable and dangerous life on the streets. During this dark episode he witnessed a lot of violence, almost burned in an abandoned house and was very close to overdosing a few times.

It wasn’t until the winter of 2012 when he caught a break that would forever change his life. When asked by his mother who had been recently in Peru, if he wanted to heal, Theo said yes and was given a one way ticket to Cusco to go drink San Pedro. After a month of intense withdrawal in the heart of the Andes, a decision was made where he decided to stay indefinitely and keep working with the plants.

Plants not only healed him, but they guided him to pursue his true passion and become an artist, sharing with others this gift of healing. Currently, Theo lives a peaceful life in Urubamba with his many pets. He is happy to have found Arkana, a space that values his skills, and also gives him some creative freedom to bring his experience with plant medicine, art and integration to the format of the retreat.

Born in Lima and raised in Miami, Cinzia’s life has been shaped by a mix of instability and resilience. The challenges of abandonment and uncertainty during her formative years have been both a curse and a blessing—fueling a deep compassion for others while teaching her to navigate profound personal suffering.

Her creative pursuits include silversmithing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), both of which reflect her journey of self-discipline, trust, and surpassing limits. Through BJJ, she embraces camaraderie and breathwork as tools for growth, embodying the philosophy that the only way out is through—a perspective that closely mirrors the transformative nature of plant medicine. Cinzia’s calling to serve others was unexpected. For a long time, she felt too broken or unspiritual to contribute meaningfully. Over time, she realized that everyone is on a personal journey of healing, and her story—marked by its own struggles and triumphs—could provide hope and inspiration to others. Her journey with plant medicine began through volunteer work and translation, where she discovered the profound impact these sacred tools could have on her emotional and spiritual growth. They taught her to feel deeply, reconnecting her with herself and her emotions after years of avoidance.

At Arkana, Cinzia's role as a facilitator revolves around translation and working with Huachuma ceremonies. She finds fulfillment in conveying messages of healing while sharing in the learning process alongside guests. Witnessing their transformations reminds her of the interconnectedness of all human experiences. Cinzia feels a profound connection to Arkana’s mission of transformation. For her, Arkana represents a shared journey toward wholeness, and she cherishes the opportunity to connect deeply with guests. Hearing their stories and recognizing the universality of their struggles affirms her belief that none of us are as alone as we often feel.

For Cinzia, Arkana is a place of profound connection, where the shared experiences of healing and transformation create a sense of belonging and mutual growth for all who come through its doors.  

Meet Luke Schmidt, a Cincinnati native whose childhood was a vibrant tapestry of global adventures. When he was just four, his family uprooted from the United States and embarked on an exciting journey, which took them to cultural hubs like Caracas, Venezuela, Kobe, Japan, and Toronto, Canada.

Over 13 years, Luke had the chance to extensively explore South America, Southeast Asia, and Indonesia. Despite soaking in such rich culture and diversity at a young age, Luke often battled with fitting in. From a young age, he grappled with profound depression and anxiety, which led him to therapy when he was just eight years old. Ultimately, his struggle with addiction guided him towards plant medicine, specifically drinking Ayahuasca at Arkana, a path that would change his life.

Luke’s home base is Denver, Colorado, which he chose because of his love of the outdoors. He moved there in 2014 after graduating from high school in Orlando, Florida. Skiing, golfing, and fishing are his passions. His most cherished memories are family ski trips to Whistler and summer fishing and golfing stints with his grandparents in Florida and Indianapolis.

Arkana has been instrumental in Luke's healing journey. He learned to let go of the burdens of past traumas and experiences, realizing that they didn't define him. As he began to unravel these layers, he discovered the world's beauty in ways he'd never imagined, reflecting his own transformation.

He chose to join Arkana because he believed in its mission and desired to make a positive impact. He is amazed by the strength of those who journey to Arkana seeking healing, and witnessing their transformation from arrival to their final day is a magical experience for him.

Luke is passionate about Arkana’s mission to make a significant contribution to global healing. He appreciates the respect, compassion, empathy, and unconditional love extended to everyone who chooses to journey with Arkana.

John grew up in the picturesque Lake District of England, surrounded by nature's beauty. As a sensitive child, he often felt disconnected from the world around him. Struggling to fit into a school system that didn't resonate with him, he learned to suppress his emotions, leading to low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. By his early twenties, John felt lost and isolated, consumed by despair.

This challenging period became the start of his spiritual journey—a path of healing and self-discovery. He reconnected with the inner voice of reassurance from his childhood, reminding him, "You’ll always be okay because you have the inner light." Immersing himself in spirituality, John explored healing modalities like Reiki, Quantum Healing Hypnosis, yoga, and Buddhism. His commitment deepened through living in temples and practicing Vipassana meditation for extended periods.

Returning to the UK, John worked in care and education for individuals with special needs, finding purpose in service. He also trained to teach Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Psychedelics, especially Ayahuasca, played a key role in his healing, leading him to the Amazon in 2017. Since then, he has lived in Peru's Sacred Valley, learning from indigenous wisdom keepers.

As a facilitator at Arkana, John supports others on their paths of healing and transformation. A musician and songwriter, he shares his music during ceremonies, blending creativity with his dedication to healing.

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Born on June 4, 2002, in the native community of Libertad, Raimundo brings a unique blend of discipline and heart to his work at Arkana. His journey began at 19 when he joined the Peruvian Army, developing a strong sense of discipline and a commitment to giving his all to what he loves.

Raimundo's introduction to plant medicine was inspired by his interactions with people from diverse backgrounds. As he improved his English, he also deepened his understanding of the transformative power of plant medicine, witnessing the profound healing it brought to others. Experiencing his own healing ignited a passion to support others in their journeys of transformation.

At Arkana, Raimundo has undergone significant personal growth. A life-changing ceremony forced him to confront his inner darkness, a challenging experience that ultimately led to greater clarity and strength. With guidance from José, Arkana's owner, he learned to approach life’s challenges with simplicity and focus, shaping his approach to his work and relationships.

As a facilitator, Raimundo provides grounding and support to guests during their plant medicine journeys. To him, Arkana is more than a workplace—it's a home filled with love, connection, and a shared mission of healing and growth.

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Vint was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and has lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He enjoys playing soccer, cooking meals, exploring music, connecting with plants and animals as well as spending time with family and friends. he is a son, a brother, and a friend. Vint enjoys the experience of life.

He came to Arkana as a guest in 2020 while battling depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. He came to Arkana searching for meaning in life and self-love. After 2 weeks at Arkana words fall short to describe the transformation. He found self-love, peace in the present moment, and the joy of celebrating life.

Vint joined Arkana as a facilitator and translator. He decided to join the Arkana team from a calling to be of service, a love for the medicine, and a dedication to doing anything he can to support a safe container for people who are looking to embark or continue their healing process.

Vint’s favorite part about being at Arkana is spending time with the spiritual family that is created here, and enjoying the music the shamans play with their guitars, charangos, and flutes.

Bob was born on the central Oregon coast in the small town of North Bend, Oregon, in 1955. Surrounded by the natural beauty of beaches and forests, he found early solace in nature, cultivating lifelong passions such as fishing and camping. However, his childhood was far from idyllic. At the age of 10, Bob entered the foster care system, moving through various homes before joining the United States Army at 17.

During his military service, Bob served as a recovery specialist and truck driver, including a deployment to South Korea. These years were marked by significant trauma, leaving him directionless when he returned to civilian life. Settling in Portland, Oregon, Bob struggled for many years, grappling with addiction and the aftermath of unresolved pain. By his late 30s, he was battling heroin addiction, weighed over 500 pounds, and had developed serious health issues, including thyroid cancer.

Determined to reclaim his life, Bob entered a treatment center and began his journey toward recovery. With the support of the 12-step program, he found purpose in serving others and stayed clean and sober for 25 years. He rebuilt his life, achieving what many would consider success—owning a home, driving new cars, and enjoying financial stability. Yet, despite these achievements, Bob realized he was deeply unhappy and unfulfilled.

Seeking help for PTSD, he turned to the VA Medical Center, where he was introduced to the idea of plant medicine. Though skeptical, Bob booked a retreat at Arkana Amazon in the Peruvian jungle. From the moment he arrived, he was struck by the warmth of the community, who welcomed him with open arms, calling him part of the family—a concept he hadn’t fully experienced before.

His first week at Arkana left him confused but profoundly changed. Recognizing the potential for deeper healing, Bob returned multiple times, each visit peeling back layers of pain and conditioning. Working closely with the shamans and the Arkana team, he confronted his trauma and rediscovered his true self. For the first time, Bob understood the difference between being a “human being” and a “human doing.”

Eventually, Bob was invited to join the Arkana team as a facilitator. Though unfamiliar with the role, he embraced the opportunity with the same leap of faith that brought him to plant medicine. As a facilitator, Bob’s approach is deeply rooted in creating a safe, supportive space for others to explore their healing. He draws on his own experiences of transformation to offer love, encouragement, and authenticity.

For Bob, Arkana is more than a workplace—it’s a family. From the staff and shamans to the courageous guests who arrive seeking healing, each person contributes to a unique and supportive environment. Bob is honored to witness guests shed their darkness, rediscover their light, and leave transformed.

Through his journey with plant medicine, Bob has found purpose in sharing his strength, hope, and the profound lessons he’s learned. To him, facilitating at Arkana is not just a role; it’s a calling to help others as he was once helped, and a chance to give back to the medicine and community that changed his life so profoundly.

Nadine was born and raised in a small city called Bochum Germany, where she lived a more or less ordinary life. As a firstborn daughter to a geriatric nurse and to a paramedic, she knew her destiny was to be of service to other people in some way, shape or form.   Back home, her nickname is "Ate," a Filipino word used to address an older sister respectfully. She is an older sister to many, not only to her little brother. Taking care of other people is her superpower, but at times, it can also be her weakness.

From an early age on she witnessed a lot of separation and loss in her family, which led to a very nihilistic way of thinking. It deprived her from that lust for life, which resulted in suicidal ideation, severe depression and self-harm in early childhood.   In a stroke of luck, she found out about Arkana, a sanctuary that, she didn't know at the time, would play a significant role in her journey of healing. Twice a guest, she fell in love with this place and made the life-altering decision to begin a new chapter, honoring the years of previous hardship that ultimately gave her the opportunity to work at Arkana.

For her, facilitating at Arkana is so much more than just a job. Arkana gifted her with a new lease on life. It sparked her innate fire and curiosity about life's vastness and beauty again, and most importantly, it gave her hope and trust in that universal intelligence that supports you no matter what.  To her the most inspiring thing about Arkana is that everyone who makes the decision to come here gets treated equally, gets treated as family. It doesn't matter where you come from, or what you did in your previous life. People get to experience a sense of belonging, which is so needed in a world, where a lot of us feel so alienated.

Crystal’s path with plant medicines began around eight years ago as she sought healing from depression and anxiety, unaware that this journey would reshape her entire life. A traumatic experience later led to severe PTSD, and she spent the next four years mostly in solitude, immersed in nature, forging a deep connection with the plants and the spirit of the Earth.

Traditional therapy didn’t feel right, but the plants continued calling her. When the time was right, she surrendered fully, using plant medicines alongside somatic healing, yoga, breathwork, meditation, and sound therapy to heal not only her PTSD but also the wounds she carried since childhood. She is now a trauma-informed plant medicine facilitator, a certified yoga teacher, and trained in sound healing, bringing a deeply intuitive and compassionate presence to her work.

What began as a personal healing journey naturally evolved into a path of service, guiding others in their own transformation. For the past three years, Crystal has assisted in various ceremonial settings, holding safe, transformational spaces and offering her support with reverence, integrity, and love.

In late 2024, she found Arkana—a place that felt like a homecoming. Here, she is honored to be part of a team, a family that shares her values of integrity, compassion, and harmony with nature, while also sharing part of the same mission  "To heal one heart at a time."  witnessing the profound healing that unfolds through the powerful work of the shamans. She feels deeply honoured and grateful to serve every heart that walks through Arkanas doors.

Beyond her work, Crystal finds joy in bushcraft, survival skills, gardening, archery, creating natural medicines, products and crafts from the land, learning new instruments, and dancing—always seeking ways to stay in rhythm with the Earth and its sacred wisdom.

Born and raised in New York, Sean's healing journey began in July 2022, when he first visited Arkana as a guest. After facing challenges stemming from loss and feelings of isolation, he sought out plant medicine to improve his outlook on life, be more present, and find a deeper connection with nature and all beings. 

Sean is a brother, son, and friend. He enjoys spending time with family, creative writing, music, film, art, and ecstatic dance. Through the practice of ecstatic dance, Sean embraces somatic healing through movement, honoring the breath, and fostering an awareness of the connection between the body, spirit, and psyche. The practice of dance has been an instrumental part of Sean's journey of self-discovery and healing. It has empowered him to seek out a community of like-hearted beings on the path of spiritual growth. 

After his first stay at Arkana, Sean experienced the healing power of the medicine and began the process of learning how to love through service. Arkana illuminated a path that allowed him to let go of self-limiting beliefs and destructive patterns that were preventing him from moving forward in life. His transformational experience at Arkana provided him with an inner stillness and a sense of connection to all living beings. 

The mission of Arkana resonates deeply with him and he felt called to be of service to the medicine and all those who seek healing. He is passionate about creating a container of trust, safety, and love where true transformation and connection can happen. 

Ryan's path to becoming an ayahuasca facilitator has been one of profound struggle, transformation, and purpose. Born in Milwaukee and raised in Atlanta, he grew up in an environment marked by trauma—an absent father, abusive father figures, and a household filled with substance abuse, violence, and emotional turmoil. As a child, he took on the role of protector for his mother and siblings, forcing him to mature quickly. These early experiences left him with deep fears of rejection, abandonment, and unworthiness, leading to years of emotional walls, conditioning, and self-destructive patterns.

Struggling with social anxiety and feeling like an outcast, Ryan eventually turned to alcohol and drugs, resulting in multiple DUIs and a life that felt increasingly lost. Seeking discipline and direction, he joined the military, but his service in Iraq and Afghanistan only compounded his PTSD. The weight of both his childhood and military experiences left him searching for something deeper—a way to reclaim himself.

In 2022, Ryan reached a breaking point. He left a toxic relationship, quit a draining job, and walked away from the government 9-to-5 system. Desiring radical change, he embarked on a six-month journey hiking the Appalachian Trail with his dog. This experience reconnected him with nature, himself, and the possibility of true healing. It also led him to plant medicine, a key part of his recovery that helped him understand and heal his deepest wounds.

With intention, Ryan sought knowledge, wisdom, and tools to support his own healing and to help others. He earned a 500-hour yoga certification, trained in breathwork with The Breath Act, studied ancient kriya technology in India, completed Vipassana meditation, and explored sound healing, voice activation, and music as tools for transformation. Massage therapy also became part of his expanding skill set.

Now, as a facilitator at Arkana Spiritual Center, Ryan brings not only these healing modalities but also the lived experience of someone who has walked through darkness and emerged with purpose. He understands what it feels like to be broken, to seek healing, and to find it through the sacred wisdom of plant medicine. Ryan's mission is to hold space for others—veterans, trauma survivors, and anyone seeking to break free from their past—offering them the same opportunity to heal, transform, and reclaim their true selves.

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Joyce was born in the Netherlands and, like many others, found herself on a journey of self-discovery and healing. A few years ago, she sought help from Arkana, a place that provided the support and transformative experiences she had been looking for. The powerful impact of her time there inspired Joyce to return, not only as a participant but as a facilitator. Now, she serves others with the same compassion and guidance that once helped her.

In addition to her work as a facilitator, Joyce is a dedicated yoga and breathwork instructor. Her practice emphasizes mindfulness, deep connection to the body, and using breath as a tool for emotional and spiritual healing. Through her work, Joyce has cultivated a space for others to explore their own transformations, offering support, guidance, and a deep commitment to service. She feels honored to walk alongside others on their own paths of healing, sharing the tools and practices that empowered her journey.

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Lizbeth, a Facilitator Trainee, hails from the charming fishing village of Libertad. A disciplined and dedicated young woman, Lizbeth possesses an innate charisma and a genuine desire to serve others. Her commitment to personal growth inspired her to apply for Arkana's Facilitator Trainee pilot program—a role that demands resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering passion for healing. Among many applicants, Lizbeth was chosen to join the team, a testament to her exceptional qualities.

Humble and loving, Lizbeth approaches her journey with Arkana with an open heart and a willingness to learn. She is actively working on her personal development, including mastering English as a second language, while refining her facilitation skills. Her dedication and enthusiasm shine through in every aspect of her work, and she serves as a powerful example to others in her community, showing what is possible with perseverance and determination.

Lizbeth’s presence brings warmth and inspiration to the ceremonial spaces at Arkana. Her ability to connect with others and her attention to details make her an integral part of the team. As she continues to grow and evolve, Lizbeth embodies the values of compassion, service, and self-improvement, leaving a lasting impact on everyone she encounters.

Jose Antonio, affectionately known as Pepino, is a true Medicine Man from the Sonoran Desert, born in Navojoa. A noble soul who radiates kindness and humility, Pepino dedicates his life to selfless service, passionately helping others on their journeys of healing and transformation.

Pepino’s deep connection to the land and its ancestral traditions has guided him to a path of profound spiritual learning. He has been embraced by the Comcaac (Seri) tribe as one of their own, a rare and significant honor that speaks to his authenticity and devotion.  Under the guidance of Chapo Barnett, a highly respected elder of the Comcaac community, Pepino continues to immerse himself in the ancient Shamanic Way of Life. Through years of dedication, he has earned the trust of his teachers and community, embodying the sacred traditions of the desert.

Whether guiding others through ceremonies or simply offering a listening ear, Pepino brings a heart full of compassion and wisdom to every interaction. His presence is gentle yet powerful, creating a space where deep healing can unfold. Pepino’s journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving ancient traditions and serving humanity with love, humility, and grace.

Ariel is a gifted musician originally from Nicaragua. For the past 20 years, he has called Tulum his home, radiating love, joy, and positivity.   Despite the hardships life has presented, Ariel has maintained a light heart, living with an abundance of happiness and compassion that inspires everyone around him.

A master harp maker and musical virtuoso, Ariel’s talents span a myriad of percussion, wind and string instruments, which he uses to create transformative musical experiences. His deep connection to music is a channel for healing, grounding, and spiritual exploration.

Ariel’s journey is also deeply rooted in indigenous traditions. As an apprentice of the esteemed Marakamé Juan, he has walked the sacred path of Peyote alongside the Wirrarika people, integrating their wisdom into his practices. At Arkana Mexico, Ariel brings his gifts to life by guiding the Temazcal Sweat Lodge, offering sound healing sessions, and providing live music during our medicine ceremonies.

Through his unique blend of musical mastery, spiritual depth, and radiant energy, Ariel creates spaces of profound connection and transformation, offering participants an unforgettable journey into healing and self-discovery.