Wellness Architects

At the core of Chrysalis Retreats is a unique group of health professionals. Each highly trained in his/her own specialty, we come together to provide a multi-facetted wellness experience that leaves you feeling detoxified, light, and empowered.
Our mutual goal is your wellbeing!

			Damian Chaparro Trainer / Owner Growing up in Santa Fe, NM, Damian consumed a steady diet of alternative thinking. At 19 he began practicing yoga, and eleven years later, after working at The Ashram in Calabasas, he has found his passion in the realm of Health & Wellness. Damian has completed a Yoga Works teacher training under Annie Carpenter & James Brown, and is Mat certified in Stott Pilates. He is also trained in the TRX Suspension system and is Professional CPR Certified. Damian completed his formal education at the University of Arizona earning a bachelor's degree in Business Management and Computer Science.
			Waska Lamb Trainer / Owner Raised in remote Southern Colorado, with a garden in the front yard and the endless white capped peaks of The Rocky Mountains in the back yard. Waska’s experience brings a love and intimate understanding of the magic of the mountain. In his late teens a challenging illness focused his energies on health and wellness. Diet, exercise and positive affirmation returned him to great health and awoke him from the dream that health can be taken for granted. Since this time, Waska has studied and taught the path of happiness though diet, exercise, and mental stillness. Currently Waska lives in Topanga Canyon California with his wife and son. Training: Boulder College of Massage Therapy. Neuromuscular Therapy (NMT Judith Walker Delaney). Yoga Works Teacher Training (Anne Carpenter). Wilderness Emergency Medicine Technician (NOLS)
			Suzie Bohannon Raw Foodist Suzie is responsible for designing and orchestrating the amazing vegan diet that propels our clients to optimal health. While enlivening the senses, the diet is designed to detox and nourish the body with mineral rich superfoods. Suzie has been a chef for collaborative raw food retreats for the last 12 years, working with holistic power players such as Renée Loux, Jeremy Safron, David Wolfe, Annie Jubb, and Roe Galloe. After her humble beginnings at the "Raw Experience" in Paia, Hawaii, Suzie has gone on to work as a special guest chef for "Quintessence" in NYC, and as a menu consultant for "The Ashram" in Calabasas. Currently earning her degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, Suzie lives and works in Beverly Hills catering private parties and teaching recipe workshops.
			Russ Pfeiffer Rolfing/Massage/Yoga A professional bodyworker since 1996, Russ has studied extensively at various institutions including the Rolf Institute, the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego and the Esalen Institute in Big Sur. He is a certified rolfer and rolf movement practitioner. His yoga studies, mostly through the Iyengar system, have nonetheless been comprehensive and diverse within a variety of styles. Russ has studied with numerous teachers including Richard Freeman, Dona Holleman, Shandor Remete, Rodney Yee, Manouso Manos and Lisa Walford. A yoga instructor since 1997, Russ has taught at studios in the Los Angeles area, including Yoga Works and Santa Monica Yoga. His method of teaching yoga is grounded in sound anatomical understanding of the body and integrates other movement modalities such as Tai Chi, Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique and Continuum Movement. www.russpfeiffer.com
			Ryan Patterson Massage/Yoga With a passion for the outdoors, adventure is his way of life. Always searching for a way inward and the avenue to get there, Ryan feels he has finally found the route; through Peru. He has been involved with energy and body work for many years and has recently began teaching yoga! His love for people and general excitement for life will prove contagious. www.awayinward.com
			Samantha Mehra Yoga Samantha is of East and West Indian descent, born and raised in London now living in Los Angeles. She continues a long-standing family tradition by practicing and teaching the art of Yoga. Trained by some of the most respected teachers in the world she has received several teacher's certificates. Samantha has lead classes, workshops and retreats in the U.S, India and Europe. She has been invited to teach at various events including the Cannes Film Festival, AT&T for corporate retreats, and a program developed by the Executive Education Dept. at UCLA. Samantha also played a critical role in the opening and launching of AirYoga in Zurich, Switzerland and is currently working on her own DVD. She has been blessed with an extraordinary response from students, who respond to her exuberance and commitment with appreciation and gratitude, she feels immensely rewarded through service, enriching the lives of others. www.samanthamehra.com
			Annmarie Solo Yoga Annmarie teaches Vinyasa Flow Yoga. Her teaching stems from the Krishnamacharya lineage including Iyengar, Ashtanga and Anusara yoga. Her classes are deep and rich. She guides you with intention, prayer and song to explore your boundaries while holding a safe space for you to feel deeply nurtured and grounded. Her classes combine strength, alignment, fluidity and kindness in motion. The gift of music has always been in Annmarie's life. She started studying music at the age of 10. In class she plays harmonium and offers songs. She is currently finishing her album, due to be released in November 2007. Annmarie Solo currently teaches at Yoga Works in Santa Monica as well as Yoga Desa in Topanga Canyon. www.annmariesolo.com
			Joey Lugassy Kirtan/Meditation Moroccan American, Joey Lugassy, started his musical career at age seven spending most of his childhood Fridays chanting in a Sephardic temple. At 15 he was offered a scholarship for Brandeis University to become a Cantor. Among his musical highlights are; a song he wrote and performed called “Today (A Song for Amnesty)” which became an official song and video for Amnesty International (currently in eight countries); became the singing voice for the starring character in the popular cult series, Port Charles (ABC); was nominated two times for Emmy Awards in the category of Outstanding Original Song in a Drama Series. A multi-instrumentalist and lyricist, Joey is usually on vocals and harmonium of late, both as a solo performer and with Shaman's Dream, bridging the gap between prayer and performance. Joey has studied and taught metaphysics for 30 years, and has lead workshops on the non-sectarian approach to Hinduism at Esalen Institute and served on a panel at USC as a lay philosopher. Joey has completed teacher training at Yoga Works with Annie Carpenter and James Brown and has lead the bhakti portion of the Yoga Works teacher training program. He's an ongoing feature at Shiva Rea, Micheline Berry and Saul David Raye retreats. www.joeylugassy.com
			Luther Cowden Meridian Flexibility Luther Cowden is a certified Meridian Flexibility trainer who travels internationally to offer Resistance Stretching classes. He was introduced to the Meridian Flexibility System by Chris Maher and originally trained by the founder, Bob Cooley. His past clientele includes musicians, singers, actors, performers, artists, dancers, Olympic / Professional athletes, best selling authors, network executives, severely injured individuals, as well as people just looking to get in shape. Luther worked with Kate Wodash and Jay Lyons to create the first Meridian Flexibility Center in the Southwestern United States based in Austin, TX. Luther also travels internationally and has taught Resistance Flexibility & Strength Training (RFST) throughout North and Central America. www.flexiblestrength.org