Santiago Ayala and Ximena Morales are certified Curanderos (healers) from Ecuador and Peru. They have lived in the sacred San Pedro Valley, Vilcabamba with their family for over 20 years. Their family rituals weave the rich traditions of North Native American and South American lineages to awaken our spiritual connection and expand consciousness. Together they have over 20 years of experience cultivating sacred space for physical, emotional and spiritual healing with shamanic medicine ceremonies.
Santiago is a highly respected Shaman and a gifted healer. He has learned sacred teachings from many ancestral traditions. Santiago carries the blessings of his tribal chiefs, family and many indigenous elders. He is a Sun dancer, carrier of the sacred Chanupa (sacred pipe), and holds space for Vision Quests.
Santiago devoted his life to the shamanic path at age 26 after overcoming a serious illness. He is the guardian of one of the last San Pedro and Willka trees forests in southern Ecuador, preparing it in the traditional way to be used for healing purposes. His medicine songs, prayers and blessings carry a powerful intention to heal the heart with the sacred spirit of San Pedro.
)Ximena is a mother, vision seeker, and co-founder of Casa del Sol. Her childhood was spent during the bloody internal conflict that occurred in Peru during the 80’s and 90’s, which profoundly marked her spiritual search from early on. She has lived in nature since the age of 21, next to rivers and mountains which feel like family for her in the Sacred Valley of the Longevity, Vilcabamba. Here she welcomed her children into the warmth of her home. Becoming a mother of four was her most sacred spiritual INITIATION, both challenging and sublime.
Ximena is initiated as a Pampamisayoc (Andean Priest) within the Andean Q’ero cosmovision and in the Turpo lineage -guardians of the relation with the Apu Ausangate- in the high Peruvian Andes. She also walk the red path of the North Native traditions such as Sun Dancer and Vision Quester.
Since a child Mateo has been close to the ancestral shamanic practices of the Americas as the son of Santiago and Ximena.
He is a great enthusiast of the spiritual contemplative traditions of the East, particularly the Buddhist tradition, where he feels at home. This led him to be currently studying Buddhist philosophy and Tibetan language at the Kanying Shedrup Ling monastery in Kathmandu.
His fields of interest are the exploration of genuine well-being and its causes as well as contemplative tools for the cultivation of mental health.
Yana Bartova, known as Tatzimoi (“the bird that accompanies families with its song”), is a healer and teacher rooted in ancient traditions. Originally from the Czech Republic, she spent 10 years in Mexico studying medicine, temazcales, moon dances, and sacred singing. After a transformative experience with Ayahuasca, she moved to South America to deepen her connection with the plant, working alongside her husband, Mira Jempe, to guide healing and ceremonies worldwide.
In the Vilcabamba Valley, Yana founded the Agua Women’s Collective, a space for women to explore ancestral medicines, art, and singing. She lives with her family in the mountains, nurturing a sanctuary dedicated to the sacred mother, and is deeply grateful for the life and wisdom she shares.
Mira Jempe, born in the Czech Republic, faced debilitating body pain from a young age, ultimately diagnosed with “incurable” rheumatoid arthritis. Determined to find healing, Mira journeyed to Spain, where he discovered the power of movement and meditation with his teacher, John, a Chen-style Tai Chi master. These practices, combined with his creative expression through painting, helped him release physical and emotional blockages.
Mira’s path then led him to the Amazon, where he studied under Shuar healer Miguel Shiriap and other jungle healers, learning the transformative power of Sacred Master Plants. Over three years, Mira fully healed his body, overcoming the pain that had plagued him for years. Since 2010, Mira has been leading healing ceremonies worldwide, alongside his wife, Yana.
The name Jempe, meaning “Hummingbird,” was given to him by his teacher, symbolizing infinite energy, creativity, and a joyful spirit.
Ryan left the corporate finance world after being disillusioned by the disconnect of Western society, he found his path with the People of the Sun.
Guided by the medicine path, he continues to build a deep connection with plants, animals, and Mother Earth. As a Chaski (Incan messenger), his purpose is to bridge worlds and share this sacred relationship.
Ryan is the Guardian of the Fire at Casa del Sol, a Vision Quester and has completed various initiations with the Turpo and Q’ero lineages in the Peruvian Andes. He is a passionate musician, he plays native instruments and the guitar, offering songs and prayers to activate resonance.
Nena Iri, also known as Woman of the Forest, is a devoted guide for those on a path of love and fulfillment. Through her own challenges, Nena Iri discovered that the spirit within us is one of benevolence.
She creates environments that inspire communities to nourish themselves through food, fitness, and faith. Her work empowers individuals to live with intention, reconnecting with their inner strength and vitality. With deep wisdom and a heart open to nature’s teachings, Nena Iri leads others toward healing, growth, and authentic living.
Nena Iri has honed her path through deep, sacred ceremonies with the Noke Kui, the Huni Kuin, and the Yawanawa tribes, gaining profound spiritual insights and wisdom. She continuously nurtures the temple of the body, practicing both inner and outer balance, and is known for her exceptional drumming skills, particularly in ceremony, where her rhythm guides and anchors the transformative experience for all involved.
Eric Balance, is a transformational leader, and conscious strategist who bridges ancient wisdom with modern business. After overcoming significant personal adversity, he dedicated his life to empowering himself and others to align purpose with action. With deep energetic mastery and grounded strategic thinking, Eric helps heart-centered visionaries expand purposeful businesses that foster growth.
Eric’s calling to return to Casa Del Sol and partner with Ximena and Santiago is driven by a deep sense of sacred reciprocity. Just as they once held space for his healing and self-discovery, Eric is committed to continuing that legacy by co-creating sanctuaries where others can continue to embark on their journeys of transformation. His unwavering devotion to inner growth fosters an environment where individuals can reconnect with their true selves, lead with purpose, discover their soul, and remain anchored in spiritual depth.
Juan is a business developer, musician, and traveler devoted to building bridges between the ancestral and the modern. Born in Peru and initiated in the Turpo lineage of Apu Ausangate, he walks a path rooted in Andean wisdom and guided by service.
At Casa del Sol, Juan supports the vision by bringing structure to the sacred. He helps design systems and marketing strategies that allow the message of the temple to flow into the world with clarity and purpose.
Whether through music, design, or thoughtful planning, Juan weaves together the invisible threads that hold space for growth, connection, and transformation.
Pedro Carrillo, Director of Yoga Detox School, is an internationally respected yoga educator with over a decade of experience leading 200- and 300-hour teacher trainings. His programs, ranked among the top 20 globally, are known for their depth and transformational impact.
Pedro integrates traditional yogic wisdom with holistic healing practices, focusing on deep internal detoxification of the body, mind, energy, and subconscious. His trainings specialize in pranayama, Yoga Nidra, chakra work, and the koshas, guiding students toward clarity and presence.
Certified in various healing modalities, including Thai Massage, Reiki, and Ayurvedic practices, Pedro blends these with detox protocols and daily practice, offering a comprehensive path for personal evolution and alignment with one’s true nature.
Lalitā began her yoga journey at 16 and deepened her practice through 2.5 years of travel in Asia, studying yoga in Bali and India, and immersing herself in Buddhist monasteries in Thailand and Myanmar.
With five yoga certifications and a two-year Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach, Lalitā has been teaching since 2017 in various teacher trainings, retreats, and immersions.
Co-creator of The Inner Path yoga philosophy card deck, she is passionate about Non-dual Shaiva Tantra, Indian mythology, and guiding others to awaken their inner resonance through voice work.
