I introduce myself, I'm Maria Elena, and Jagadamba is my spiritual name, given to me by a group of Swamis in the Himalayas, on the day of my spiritual initiation into the Sivananda tradition. Let's take a step back with a brief recap of my journey...
In 2016, I left for New Zealandin search of my inner warrior, I said so to those who asked me why I had decided to leave for that distant destination.
Backpack on my shoulder I left leaving behind the job that had made me trot up and down Italy for the past 4 years, from one theater to another working as Set and Costume Designer for the Opera.
Little by little the journey has become a research that has led me to explore the roots of the cultures in which I have immersed myself.
Today I continue my journey forming my intuition. I learn from tradition and its masters, I keep up to date with new scientific research, and I experience first-hand places, perfumes and people who remain forever in your heart.
Diary of a Woman's Search
All possibilities of your human destiny are sleeping in your soul. Awaken your intuition. Start your search, but know that you can never go back.
2016
After a few years of work traveling up and down the Italian theatres, from the Fenice to the Rome Opera, in the guise of Costume and Set Designer for Opera, I decided to start a new journey in search of my "inner warrior".
The journey started in New Zealand, and after six months I had arrived in North India, at the source of the Ganges where I received my initiation and my spiritual name,_cc781905-5cde-3194- bb3b-136bad5cf58d_JAGADAMBA.
*Yoga Śiromani
certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Forest Academy Himalayas Organization.
Recognized by Yoga Alliance for the 200 hrs Registered Yoga School Standards
Rudraprayag, Himalayas, India
2018
I spent the winter in Thailand to further my studies in anatomy and therapeutic massage, becomingThai MassageAdvanced Therapistand accredited teacher at the school where I studied, ITM - International Thai Massage School in Chiang Mai.
Returning from Thailand, I returned to yacht work sailing the Mediterranean as a chef and holistic therapist. Autumn presented me with the opportunity to sail the Caribbean Sea, aboard oneSwans from Panama to Sint Maarten.
*Nuad Boran Advance Therapist and Teacher
accredited and recognized by ITM - International Thai Massage School in Chiang Mai - 390 hrs certified
*Thai herbal hot compress (15 hrs)
*Thai foot reflexology massage (60 hrs)
*Pregnancy massage (15 hours)
*Elbow and knee power thai massage (12 hrs)
*Lanna thai advance stretching massage (15 hrs)
*Basic human anatomy observation course
certificate from Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand
*Chi Nei Tsang - Thai Abdominal Massage
30 hrs certificate from Ong's Thai Massage School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
*Lymphatic Drainage Massage
18 hours certificate from Ong's Thai Massage School, Chiang Mai, Thailand
*Therapeutic Thai Massage Training
under the guidance of AJARN SINCHIAI SUKPARSERT, Chiang Mai, Thailand
2017
I live on Paradise Island, at the Sivananda ashram and yoga retreat, continuing my training as a holistic therapist and yoga teacher. This experience has helped me to improve my teaching skills and vegan cooking techniques, but above all to deepen my spiritual practice, mysadhana.This spiritual journey lasted a year overall, lived between India, the Bahamas, and Israel. Upon my return, I trained as an aerial yoga teacher, a technique that allows me to realign my body and practice inversions that I otherwise could not do due to my spinal problems.
In the summer of 2017, my great love for the sea was combined with a unique opportunity, and thus began my life as a chef and holistic therapist on board private yachts.
65 hrs - Advance TTC
under the guidance of Tanya Popovic
certificate from Swaha Yoga Center, Athens
Move beyond flips, tricks, and gimmicks — The Unnata Method offers authentic yoga, and works with gravity to relax and realign the body, center the mind, uplift the spirit.
under the guidance of Swami Sitaramananda, Swami Brahmananda and Catherine O'Neil (Durga Leela)
100 hrs certificate from the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center organization
Yoga of Recovery (YoR) integrate the wisdom of Yoga and Ayurveda with the modern recovery ideas and the tools of 12-Step Recovery.
*The Power of Positive Thinking
under the guidance of Swami Brahmananda and Pranava Chaitanya
Sivananda Yoga Retreat, Paradise Island, The Bahamas
*Assisted Yoga using Thai Massage Techniques
under the guidance of Kam Thye Chow
Sivananda Yoga Retreat, Paradise Island, The Bahamas
2019-20
After two years spent sailing between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Sea, transatlantic crossing included. I decided to go back to books to broaden my knowledge and satisfy my insatiable curiosity!
During the first lockdown, withCecilia Ten, PhD in biotechnology and nutritionist, we have started a new project dedicated to women's well-being, called Anamkara.LAB. At the end of the first lockdown, the project to support the staff and healthcare workers of theValparma Hospital, offering groups and private sessions to relieve the stress caused by the pandemic trauma.
Yin Yoga TTC and sound healing
under the guidance of Tanya Popovic
certificate from Shri Gaia Institute
*Curso de Alimentación Holística y Salud Plena
Theoretical-practical course based on twin sciences 'Ayurveda and Yoga' and on the teachings of the Instituto de la Nutrición Integrativa de NY (IIN)
under the guidance of Satyadev y Satyabhama
certificate from Satyarupa Yoga Retreat, Mexico
2021
During the second lockdown, thanks to the holistic Anamkara.LAB project, I dedicated more time to collaborating with other professionals, including psychologists and sexologists. In parallel, I continued cooperation withValparma Hospital, developing therapeutic sessions to support staff and healthcare professionals to relieve the stress caused by the pandemic trauma. I then spent the summer season working as a private chef and holistic therapist aboard super yachts.
*Yoga Therapy Diploma 850 hours (ongoing)
The first Yoga Therapy training program in Europe accredited by The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT)
Program director: Montserrat G Mukherjee.
certificate from The Yoga Therapy Institute
*Yoga Psychology:Philosophy & Practice for Anxiety and Depression(35hrs)
The Yoga Therapy Institute
*Relax and Renew® Level 1
Restorative yoga teacher training
with Judith Hanson Lasater and Lizzie Lasater.
*Experiential Anatomy
with Judith Hanson Lasater, Lizzie Lasater and Mary Richards.
2023
...the Future is bright.
This 2023 began by practicing yoga between Marrakech, the Agafay desert, and the beaches of Oualidia which directly overlook the Atlantic Ocean. From Morocco I then flew directly to Spain, in a small village in the citrus groves to reconnect with my vibration, immersing myself in shamanic rituals and therapeutic sounds with Michele Averard, Charlie and Nestor Kornblum. During this experience I trained as a Sound Healer, integrating traditional techniques with the most recent applications for sound therapy. I was already using various therapeutic tools, such as tuning forks and Himalayan bells, but this new path has significantly changed my approach to sound therapy.
2022
Master's exams completed al The Yoga Therapy Institute. I'm working on the final thesis that will allow me to obtain certification as a Yoga Therapist and be accredited in the American register The International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).
Education
Master in Set and Costume Design for Opera theatre
issued by Verona Opera Academy
ISIA - Florence and Academy of Fine Arts of Verona
SpeakerPier Luigi Pizzi
Bachelor Degree in Construction Techniques
Architectural Sciences and Engineering Building
started at University of Rome “La Sapienza”
finished at the University of Parma
languages
Italian – mother tongue
English-fluent
Spanish – upper intermediate
French – in learning
Life is a work in progress.
Never stop exploring.
Never stop learning.
Sometimes you stop breathing.
Desire wholeness. Also if you're already a whole. Everyone is!
Live your life fully.
Eventually, you could expand your mind and your horizons.
जै मा
Jai Ma
Jagadamba