Bellydance Foundations: Posture, Technique & Presence
Perfect for beginners and the bellydance-curious, this fun and welcoming class introduces the foundational movements of this ancient dance. Learn posture, isolations, undulations, figure eights, and shimmies while exploring its rich cultural roots. Build confidence, improve posture and body awareness, and discover a deeper connection to yourself through joyful movement. No dance experience necessary.
Cardio Bellydance: Shimmy & Sweat
Get your heart pumping while discovering the joy of bellydance! This high-energy class blends easy-to-follow combinations with continuous movement to improve cardiovascular fitness, coordination, and core strength. Explore playful hip circles, shimmies, isolations, and lively footwork while dancing to energetic Middle Eastern rhythms. You’ll leave feeling stronger, energized, and smiling—no dance experience necessary.
Bellydance Fusion
Take a joyful dance journey around the world! This high-energy class features easy-to-follow choreography inspired by bellydance, salsa, samba, hula, jazz, reggaeton, and other global dance traditions. Each song celebrates a different culture and rhythm, creating an uplifting dance experience that builds fitness, confidence, and connection through the universal language of movement. Inspired by years spent traveling to study dance traditions in Egypt, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Argentina, and Hawaiʻi. All levels welcome.
Sacred Bellydance: Move, Breathe & Embody
Experience bellydance as an ancient practice of embodiment, self-expression, and connection. Through gentle movements, breath, and flowing combinations, you’ll discover how this timeless dance can become a moving meditation. Shifting the focus from performance to presence and from perfection to feeling. Leave feeling grounded, empowered, and deeply connected to yourself. No dance experience necessary.
Embodied Sacred Space: A Somatic Journey
Special Workshop – Limited to 20 Participants
Our bodies hold the imprint of everything we’ve lived through. Stress, overwhelm, and the demands of daily life can leave our nervous systems working overtime, often without us realizing it. This workshop is an invitation to slow down, listen inward, and gently reconnect with yourself. Through trauma-informed somatic practices, you’ll learn practical tools for nervous system regulation, greater resilience, and a deeper sense of ease. We conclude with an immersive sound bath to integrate the experience and leave you feeling grounded and renewed.
Private Somatic Healing & Embodiment Coaching sessions are available by appointment.
Samantha Tobey is a singer-songwriter, somatic healing practitioner, and movement educator. Through years of study, teaching, and personal inquiry, she has spent decades exploring the integration of movement, ancient wisdom traditions, and the body’s innate capacity to heal.
She cultivates a space that offers a soft landing, where people can slow down, gently unfold, and reconnect with their own inner wisdom.
Samantha earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, where she studied Religious Studies and Psychology, and later completed a Master of Science at Pepperdine University. Throughout those years, she toured internationally as a singer-songwriter, with original music featured in television and film, and later created the children’s music project, The SqueeGees.
Motherhood became one of Samantha’s greatest teachers, naturally deepening her exploration of nervous system regulation, embodiment, and the healing arts. Her own journey has deepened her capacity for empathy, allowing her to meet others where they are and gently support their own process of growth and self-discovery.
Today, Samantha integrates movement, mindfulness, sound, and trauma-informed somatic practices into a compassionate, body-centered approach that honors each person’s unique path. She is a certified massage therapist, Reiki Master, Pilates instructor, and GYROTONIC® trainer and is currently in her third and final year of Somatic Experiencing® training.
Samantha has a private practice in Southern California, where she works with clients both in person and virtually.
Jonathan Ross
Tracey Lukes, CPCC, PCC, ORSC, 
Peggie Dickens is a licensed counselor and life coach with a master’s degree in psychology and mental health counseling. Drawing on advanced training in somatic-based therapy, attachment-focused approaches, and EMDR, she specializes in helping individuals and couples navigate life transitions, heal from trauma, and move through anxiety and depression with greater ease and resilience.
Ilene Brenner Schaffer fell in love with The Ranch in the 70s as a young girl when her dad was a regular speaker on holistic health. She is thrilled to return to share her expertise in life transitions and positive psychology (the science of wellbeing). Ilene’s greatest joy is helping clients flourish through life’s constant changes. She loves witnessing someone’s confidence grow as they embrace their strengths, deepen relationships, and step into their power zone. In addition to her life coaching practice, she leads a global executive coaching firm dedicated to leadership and well-being. She is also the host of the weekly podcast “What’s Possible.” Ilene is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation, has a Masters of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Masters in Counseling Psychology with a focus in Life Transitions from the University of San Francisco. She is a mom to two young adult daughters and lives in San Diego with her husband where she regularly enjoys a great beach walk with friends, family, and clients.
What happens when you bring your whole self to a conversation? Michele Roden has spent over two decades discovering the answer—guiding thousands of leaders, physicians, and teams through the kind of transformative dialogue that changes not just how we work, but how we show up in the world.
Dr. Randy Kamen is a psychologist, life coach, educator and author of her bestselling books, Behind the Therapy Door: Simple Strategies to Transform Your Life and The Gratitude Effect Positivity Journal: 90 Days to Rewire Your Brain. She pioneered new territory in mind-body medicine at Boston University’s School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Kamen leads global online programs, workshops and retreats for families, corporations, hospitals and academic institutions. She weaves together researched based skills and strategies for mind management, self-regulation, healthy relationships, personal leadership, and living your vision in her unique systematic and transformational approach.
In the late 90’s, Monica found water aerobics and followed periodicals from Craig Stuart of HydroFit, who would later become her mentor. Continuing her education, she sought certifications from AEA, AFAA, the Arthritis Foundation, and Enhance Fitness.
Josh Berman is a long-tenured TV and new media creator and content producer with his own production company, Osprey Productions. In the past few years, Osprey Prods has set up multiple TV projects at all four major broadcast networks as well as six streaming services. Josh is also a leader in developing content for start-ups, having created and produced Murder House Flip for Roku platform. Josh created the hit series, Drop Dead Diva, which has been streamed over a half billion times worldwide. The Drop-Dead Diva format is now being adapted in multiple countries and territories, including: Russia, China, Egypt, South Korea, and Mexico.
Pianist Natalie Dalschaert has performed on television, coached actors and has been a production musician for the shows Star Trek: The Next Generation, Perfect Strangers, JAG, Wings, and Song of the Lark. Ms. Dalschaert has performed on many concert series with her husband, flutist Brice Martin. Performances include the Sundays at Four radio broadcasts at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Redlands Bowl, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal Tech and for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Committee concerts. A lover of musical theater, Natalie has been musical director and pianist for numerous shows with the Los Angeles Youth Theater. Additional concerto performances include appearances with the Chautauqua Festival Orchestra and the Toulouse Orchestra in France. Natalie is a sought-after pianist and accompanist for recitals, competitions, master classes and social events. Natalie has an active teaching studio and is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California. A number of her students have won concerto competitions and MTAC festivals. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from the Juilliard School in New York and her Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California, where she received the Koldofsky Memorial Scholarship.
Brice Martin’s formal training includes degrees from The Julliard School and the University of Southern California. He is an active studio musician and plays for film, TV and commercial soundtracks. He has played for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Grammy Awards Orchestra, Star Trek: Voyager, and the Wonderful World of Disney. Brice is also a composer and has written music for film and television. He specializes in woodwinds and has a large collection of exotic woodwinds from around the world.
Bass Player Magazine has stated, “Steve Bailey is to the 6 string fretless bass, what Vespucci is to the Americas”. He has toured and recorded with Grammy winners, including Dizzy Gillespie, Willie Nelson, Joe Walsh, Jethro Tull, Paquito D’rivera, Larry Carlton, and the Rippingtons… and all points in between.
Dr. Daniel Levitin is a neuroscientist, bestselling author, and musician whose work explores the connections between music, the brain, and health. He is James McGill Professor Emeritus at McGill University, Founding Dean of Minerva University, and Adjunct Professor of Neurosciences at UCLA Geffen School of Medicine. He has published over 300 scientific articles and writes for The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal. His six books, including This Is Your Brain on Music, The Organized Mind, Successful Aging, and his latest, I Heard There Was A Secret Chord: Music As Medicine, have sold more than 3 million copies in 30 languages.
Monique Mead is a violinist, educator, and innovator whose work bridges music performance, neuroscience, and human well-being. Drawing on more than three decades of international performing experience, her current work centers on interdisciplinary projects exploring the impact of immersive sound and music on emotional and cognitive health. Her projects include large-scale participatory performances, sound-based wellness initiatives, and innovative concert experiences designed to foster connection and resilience.
Gregg Ward MCEC BCC is the Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Respectful Leadership and the Respect for All Foundation. A highly sought-after speaker, thought leader, and workshop facilitator, Gregg is also an award-winning, bestselling author, famous for his delightfully engaging business fable, “The Respectful Leader.” Gregg started as a specialist trainer using theater techniques to train New York City Police officers. He also spent six years as a journalist in Western Europe for BBC Radio and other UK media and has delivered over 2,500 keynotes, seminars, and talks all over the world for global companies, non-profits, and government.
Laura Liswood, JD/MBA is a passionate advocate for leadership, diversity and inclusion and is a sought-after speaker, author, and global thought leader on these topics. She particularly enjoys highly interactive sessions with her audiences and uses humor and research to convey her message. She created a PBS documentary and book on her interviews with women presidents and prime ministers and was appointed Managing Director for Global Leadership and Diversity at Goldman Sachs. After 9/11 Laura decided to become a first responder, and became a police officer in the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department, retiring as a sergeant. She is the author of four books, including The Loudest Duck: Moving Beyond Diversity, and The Elephant and the Mouse: Moving Beyond the Illusion of Inclusion.
Nicholas McGegan, British born conductor and performer, is now in his sixth decade on the podium. For 34 years he was Music Director of Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra in the Bay Area, as well as Principal Guest Conductor of the Pasadena Symphony, Artistic Director of the Göttingen International Handel Festival (1991-2011), Music Director of the Irish Chamber Orchestra, and in the 1990’s, Principal Guest conductor of Scottish Opera and the Drottningholm Court Theatre in Sweden. He has recorded over a hundred CDs specializing in music of the Baroque and Classical periods. He has directed orchestras all over the world and at such opera houses as Covent Garden. In addition to performing, he lectures regularly at the Juilliard School of Music and Yale. He has been a visiting scholar at Harvard. In 2010 he was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) for ‘services to music abroad’.
Lev Polyakin was appointed co-concertmaster of the Moscow Chamber Orchestra at age 21. In that position he was regularly featured as soloist. In the U.S. he served as assistant concertmaster of the Cleveland Orchestra, as well as concertmaster of the American Academy of Conducting in Aspen Music Festival. Lev has won several prizes in international violin competitions, including the Beethoven Prize in Carl Flesch in London, and Gold Medal and Special Prize in Brescia, Italy. In addition to solo performances with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, he has appeared as soloist with the London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic, and Cleveland Orchestra. Recording credits include Melodia, BBC, National Public Radio, and Decca. He is prominently featured on an album entitled Cafe Music comprising chamber music by Paul Schoenfield, which was nominated for a Grammy. Lev has a special interest in jazz and has recorded three CDs, entitled Russian Blue, The Other Side of the Road, and Christmas Kaleidoscope. He is also featured in the recent release by Azica Records entitled Last Silence, with flutist Martha Aarons and pianist Frances Renzi.
Martha Aarons’ professional career began with her appointment as principal flute of the North Carolina Symphony. Subsequently she played with the Cleveland Orchestra for 25 years. After becoming a freelancer, she performed often with the Philadelphia Orchestra. During this time, she appeared as guest principal flute with the Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Mostly Mozart Festival. Ms. Aarons served as Artist Faculty with the Aspen Music Festival for 19 years. Her teaching credits include the Cleveland Institute of Music, Duke University, University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, Oberlin College, Skidmore College, Shanghai Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. She has been soloist with the Cleveland Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and with the Aspen Festival Chamber and Festival orchestras. Her first solo CD, The History of the Tango, is recorded on the Azica label and additionally features pianist Frances Renzi and Grammy-winning guitarist Jason Vieaux. Her newest release is the CD Last Silence with violinist Lev Polyakin and pianist Frances Renzi. Martha is also an avid runner and has qualified for her sixth consecutive Boston Marathon in April 2026.
Amos Nachoum, a professional wildlife photographer and explorer, has left an indelible mark on photography and wildlife conservation. Renowned for his close-up underwater photography of large marine animals such as whales, sharks, leopard seals, crocodiles, anacondas, and polar bears, Amos has received numerous awards and global recognition for his work. Beyond his photography, Amos is a passionate environmental activist, tirelessly raising awareness about the importance of conserving the world’s natural habitats and wildlife. His camera and expeditions are not just about capturing stunning images; they are a powerful tool to support science and conservation and to inspire awareness about endangered wildlife. Amos Nachoum, a man of unique experiences and achievements, arrived from Israel in the USA in 1977. Since 1978, he has embarked on daring explorations, venturing into every significant body of water from the North Pole to Antarctica. His photographs are not just about capturing wildlife; they strive to challenge misconceptions about “dangerous” wildlife and show the harmonious interactions between man and animal. He also leads wildlife photography expeditions with his company, Big Animals Global Expeditions. Amos’s recognitions include 1st place for animals in their environment, Sienna Award 2018 and 2022, 2021 Nature Photographer of the World, 2019 Sea Keepers Award, Person of the Year, two-time award winner of BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year for animal behavior. Amos has recently published “BIG,” a book of his photography of big animals worldwide. In November 2023, Amos was nominated for the NOGI award in the art—the highest award in the international diving industry. Amos has also been the subject of the documentary “The Picture of His Life,” which chronicles his epic quest to photograph polar bears underwater in their natural habitat. Notably, twelve people have landed on the moon, but only five have dived with polar bears.
