Our Dharma Tribe
Teachers
Anargyros (Ali Mahatma)
Anargyros is a Greek ethnologist, martial artist, musician, sound healer and researcher of ancient spiritual paths. He has explored over 57 countries in his quest to learn first-hand the ancient traditinal arts and culture.
His interest in sound healing began at a young age when he was introduced to Ancient Greek mysticism by elders in the sacred sites of Olympus, Pangaion Oros, Crete Island, and Samothraki. He first delved into the Orphic and Kavirian mysteries that connect nature’s healing sounds with the human body and mind.
He traveled to Central and South America to continue his research in shamanic and natural ways of healing as practiced by the indigenous tribes where he spent over 5 years in Mexico, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
On his return to Greece, he gained interest in Tibetan culture. He was initiated in Tibetan Tantric Buddhism with Vajrayana Dzogchen practices in the path of Ningma-pa, the Sangha (community) of the ancients. He is a close student and confidante of Lama Kunzang Trinley Dorje Tsal, personal student of Penor Rinpoche and Dudjom Rinpoche. Anargyros studied and lived with him in Greece and in various Himalayan plateaus for more than 10 years. There he spent time in the Dalai Lama Temple Complex in Dharamsala where he learned about the depths of sound healing through mantra chanting, Tibetan singing bowls, and other mystic instruments.
This path led him to the sacred Altai Mountain to study Mongolian shamanic throat music and healing resonance. He later immersed in Sufism in Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, and India. He then traveled to Prah Kru Bah in the jungles of Chiang Rai, Thailand and stayed at the White Horse Monastery learning the healing Theravada chanting and Muay Boran, the ancient Siamese martial arts.
As a youth, Anargyros started martial arts training at the age of 5 with Greek Pankration and gained a passion for Chinese and Eastern martial arts. In his teens, he spent the majority of his time training in Shaolin Kung Fu under Sifu Chen the lineage holder of Head Master Shixingbo of Henan Shaolin Monastery. He studied Eagle Claw under the direct lineage of Grand Master Leung Shum, and Wing Chun under Sifu Papantonakis and Grand Master William Cheung.
This passion drew him to India, Burma, and Cambodia to learn the traditional ancient martial arts of Kalaripayattu, Lethwei, and Bokator respectively. After competitions and Iron Fist Body training with external styles, he began to seek the mysteries of inner martial arts like Qigong, Bagua, Xingyi, and Taoist Wudang exercises. In the Philippines he lived and studied Qigong and Bagua with Grand Master Dr. Luo Mei Cheng. This deepened his understanding of the dynamics between the body’s energy and breath. He sought master trainers/ tribal warriors of traditional Filipino martial arts such as Kali, Eskrima, Arnis, and Silat, developing these skills for over 18 years.
As an ethnologist, he is continuously visiting tribes around the world to support the indigenous culture specifically the music, dances, martial arts, shamanism, and healing traditions. As his spirituality deepened, the love for the faith of his ancestors grew strong and prominent. He started a long journey of devotion and pilgrimage to the path of Eastern Orthodoxy where his spirit rests. Inspired by the teachings of Holy elders, hermits, and ascetics he was drawn into the ancient arts of various monastic communities where he learned the sacred aromatherapy methods of making Holy incense, the alchemy of myrrh, and production of traditional beeswax candles. These very tools connect the mind, body, and spirit to the higher realms.
Sophia Virya
Sophia is a crystal sound alchemist, somatic breathwork facilitator, Daoyin and Hatha instructor, and flower medicine herbalist with over 15 years of experience.
She began her asana practice in 2008. While drawn by its physicality, a tangible experience of subtle energy and heightened awareness of self and of space piqued her interest in its metaphysical aspects. She completed her teacher training in 2016 and for four years honed her skills as the lead instructor and Director of the Wellness Center at the Manor Hotel luxury forest retreat in the Cordilleras. ​
In pursuit of enhancing her perception of life force energy, particularly its healing expressions, she delved into studies of Southeast Asian and South American shamanism, Taoism, Dzogchen, Shivaism, Sufism, and finally finding home in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
In her youth, Sophia learned divination, crystal energy work, and herbalism from her elders as a natural facet of daily life. She deepens her practice with a strong affinity for flower medicine and aromatherapy in formulating teas/tisanes, tinctures, clean skincare products, sacred incense and myrrh, pure beeswax candles, hydrosols, aetherial mists, essential oil-based fragrances, and healing oil infusions. These are amplified with crystals, healing sound vibrations, and sanctified prayers.
As a mother, she relies on flowers, plants, crystals, sound vibrations, nutrition, mindfulness, and prayer to bring healing and harmony to her family. Her reminder to students is that conventional medicine can provide only symptomatic relief and that ultimately it is the body that does the actual healing, in alignment with mind and spirit.
She founded 4 Elements Healing with Anargyros as a vessel of continuous exploration, discovery and sharing in the awareness and attunement to Primordial Wisdom.​ Together they have hosted healing retreats, sound healing sessions, cacao/tea and breathwork circles, drum circles, sacred tours and pilgrimages, music events, various workshops, and facilitator training courses in mystic locations around the world.