As a child growing up in the Colorado mountains, she spent most of her time talking with the natural world. Raised in the eclectic diversity of the Naropa University, she was trained by Tibetan lamas, artists and indigenous elders in the ways of magical reality, consciousness and meditation. She chose to develop the path of medicine by completing a three year clinical program at the Rocky Mountain Center of Botanical Studies, studying with David Hoffman, Chanchal Cabra, Mindy Green, Michael Moore, and completing her clinical studies with Paul Bergner in 1999.  Since then, she has traveled throughout South and Central America, Mexico, the Caribbean and China studying with shamans, curanderas, master healers, doctors and medicine people.

With the encouragement of her teachers, she has developed a holistic understanding by integrating many healing modalities. She is certified as a massage therapist, radical counselor, Reiki practitioner, energy medicine practitioner and brings nonviolent communication and expressive arts therapy to her work. In 2005, Madeleina designed and planted an experimental asian medicinal plant garden at the Shambhala Mountain Center and lectured on over 40 species of native and asian plants. Currently, she is deep in the midst of a 12 year mystery school in New Mexico with the shaman/scholar Martin Prechtel and leads community grief rituals with the beloved African teacher and shaman, Sobonfu Some. As a cultural ambassador, Madeleina is passionately dedicated to teaching people about the Vitality of plants, healing and transformation and the incredibly diverse ways in which we can mutually benefit each other, while encouraging Life to thrive! Jump up and Live!

Riyana has worked as a counselor, educator, and facilitator for many different environmental and spirituality-focused non-profits in the Bay Area and beyond.  In addition to her studies with Ohlone, she holds an MA in Women’s Spirituality and a BA in Creative Writing.  She teaches courses in herbalism and medicine making at Ohlone, Gathering Thyme, through the Biofuel Oasis, the Institute of Urban Homesteading, and at Earth Activist Training in Cazadero.  She is one of the founding members of the Suitcase Apothecary, a traveling herbal wellness organization that assists activists remain healthy and whole.  Her passion for herbalism comes, in part, from the idea that it is the People’s Medicine, and she is committed to helping it be accessible to all people.

Pam has been working with herbs since 1986. She completed her studies at the California School of Herbal Studies in 1989. She has been teaching classes in medicine making, plant identification, wildcrafting, theory and practice of herbalism since 1991.   Pam began the BACHA (Bay Area Clinical Herbalist Association) organization in 1991.  In 1997 she became one of the first Western Herbalists on staff at Charlotte Maxwell Complimentary Clinic in Oakland.  Charlotte Maxwell clinic provides free access to alternative and complimentary medicine for low income women with cancer. Pam is a fourth generation Bay Area resident and has developed a deep love for native plants.

Kara currently sees clients on an individual basis in the San Francisco Bay Area. In addition to teaching at Ohlone, she leads herb walks, wildcrafting trips, and other short-term classes in nature.   Kara is a member of BACHA: Bay Area Clinical Herbalists Association.  Her website is: www.sfherbalist.com.

Tony manages the pharmacy & dispensary at Ohlone Center where he teaches botanical medicine making.
He is a graduate of the California School of Herbal Studies & apprenticeship programs with Matthew Wood.
He has a private herbal practice in San Francisco and can be reached at (415) 824-6165.

Jim Hall MA CMT comes from a family of spiritual healers and has been intensively involved in various holistic healing modalities since 1979. He holds a master’s degree in Holistic Health Education from John. F. Kennedy University and has studied with healers from a variety of traditions, including Michael Moore, Kashaya Pomo elder Lorin Smith, Karyn Sanders, Chanchal Cabrera, and medical intuitive Laurie Schyriver. Jim currently teaches at  the Ohlone Center for Herbal Studies in  Berkeley CA, and at the California School of Herbal Studies in Forestville CA.  He also has a private herbal and energy healing practice, specializing in alternative treatments for cancer and soul retrieval.  He can be contacted by email at <ecomedicine@yahoo.com>.