Carol Wade has been a practicing professional herbalist and nutritional counselor for more than 30 years and is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild. She is the founder and Director of the Ojai School of Herbal Studies, a 22-month herbal studies program located in Ojai, California. Her garden, the Earth Island Medicinal Herb Garden in Ojai, California, serves as a hub for several medicinal herb-oriented ventures that bring the idea of using medicinal herbs in daily living as a viable and logical choice to the community at large.
Enrique Villaseñor is a multi-ethnic Healer, naturalist, retired educator, cyclist and author with Indigenous ancestry. He was a public school educator for 35 years, teaching in elementary, middle and adult schools. Enrique learned traditional healing from his mother, a Healer, and Professor Emeritus James Adams. As part of this process, Enrique has researched and taught traditional healing, participated in field studies, co-authored several research papers, and is a co-author of the fourth edition of Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West.
Anjali Deva is a Certified Ayurvedic Practitioner and Yoga teacher in Los Angeles. She was introduced to Ayurveda and Yoga at a young age by her father, Arun Deva. She went on to train with Kerala Ayurveda Academy, Loyola Marymount’s Yoga and the Healing Sciences Program, and many influential teachers both here in the United States and in India over the last decade. Her passion began in the kitchen with a desire to understand how the food we eat influences our bodies and minds.That passion has grown to include helping people find their inner wisdom, clarity, and health through the wisdom of Ayurveda in her clinical practice, Rooted Rasa. Anjali is the founder of Mādhya Way School for Ayurveda.
Michelle Wong is a licensed acupuncturist and practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine as well as Functional Medicine. She graduated from UCLA with Bachelor of Science, and from Dongguk University, Los Angeles with her Masters of Science in Oriental Medicine, and has studied in both Beijing and Seoul. Michelle believes in giving her patients to help discover and treat the root of the problem, so that the various symptoms resolve naturally. This includes aspects of emotional and spiritual health, which Chinese medicine has a long recognized and treats in symphony with the physical.
Elena Rios is an ANFT Certified Nature & Forest Therapy Guide, Nature Connection Mentor, Interdisciplinary Artist, and Cultural Practitioner. She draws inspiration from the stories of her late grandmother, a "curandera" and a "huesera,” who practiced these traditional healing ways. Elena’s journey toward deepening relationship with the healing power of trees, plants, herbs, and flowers has continued throughout her life. It has taken shape within the context of their use in Indigenous ceremony, dance, and song, including Danza Azteca Mexica. Elena continues to participate in these circles of learning and ways of being. She currently guides Nature Immersion events at Taft Gardens and Nature Preserve, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and travels to destination locations upon special request.
Lanny Kaufer, Ojai herbalist and native plant educator, is enjoying his 47th year of leading “Herb Walks” and nature hikes in Ojai, Santa Barbara, and the surrounding area. A retired public high school teacher with a Biology degree from the University of California, Lanny specializes in making learning about edible and medicinal plants accessible and fun for people of all ages. Lanny acquired much of his plant knowledge in field study with well-known herbalists and ethnobotanists, including the late William LeSassier and the late Chumash teacher Juanita Centeno.
David Crow, L.Ac., is a renowned plant medicine pioneer, acupuncturist, Ayurvedic practitioner, and aromatherapy expert. He has been a clinician, consultant, researcher and educator for over 30 years and has taught extensively for over two decades in the US and Canada and online internationally. He is the author of four books, including Plants That Heal, In Search of the Medicine Buddha, and Sacred Smoke. Along with his wife Sara Crow he is the founder and owner of Floracopeia, Inc.
Ron Teeguarden is a widely recognized Master Herbalist who has been a practicing herbalist since 1971. He has studied with some of the world’s leading herbal practitioners and scholars and has been teaching about herbs since 1974. As an herbal practitioner, Ron has worked with thousands of clients. His experience as a practicing herbalist has made him a highly sought-after consultant by elite athletes, spiritual seekers and entertainers, among others. Ron is the proprietor and Master Herbalist of Dragon Herbs, a very highly regarded supplier of tonic herbs and superfoods.
Dr. Jake F. Felice, N.D., L.M.P. is a charismatic public speaker and social media expert on the topic of medical cannabis. He provides scientific, medical, public relations, and compliance based advice for companies in emerging and existing cannabis markets. Clinically, Dr. Felice specializes in the treatment of chronic pain and the improvement of human performance. Dr. Felice’s comprehensive approach to pain blends traditional healing practices with the best of modern science. Therapies include manual medicine, cranial-sacral therapy, visceral manipulation, and medical cannabis evaluations.