Our Forest Path Family
Jayaji
James Roland Hillcoat, commonly known by the pseudonym Jaya (meaning universal glory), is a contemporary contemplative, minstrel, and mystic. His work weaves together the wisdom of diverse traditions and has been described as a voice of truth needed in our modern world.
His teaching is non-dogmatic, universally inclusive, and not bound to any single tradition. He is cut from the cloth of the bards and the mystics, the peacekeepers, the keepers of faith, and the wisdom protectors.
Originally from Australia, Jaya’s life has been shaped by deep questions of awakening and enlightenment since childhood, spurred by his mother’s premonition that he would one day become a spiritual teacher.
A prolific writer and musician, Jaya has completed his seventh poetry collection and has compiled several extensive songbooks for The Forest Path, alongside his personal collection of songs and prayers, which now number in the hundreds. His work continues to inspire and shape the community around him.
Through deep listening, presence, and meditation, Jaya guides individuals toward awakening to their true nature. His universal and integrative approach to plant medicines, meditation, sound philosophy, and counselling has profoundly impacted those who study with him, fostering a path of direct experience and transformation.
He currently serves as the spiritual director of The Forest Path, Casa Floresta Temple & Retreat Center, Floresta Atitlán, and the Sound Ceremony Academy in Guatemala, where he has resided for the past twelve years, sharing his teachings both locally and internationally.
If you are looking for Counseling and Spiritual Direction, Jaya offer sessions which are uniquely adapted to meet the individual where they are, offering a grounded and compassionate approach to healing, integration, and spiritual growth.
Hayley Saraswati
Hayley Saraswatī is an inspired visionary, entrepreneur and designer. In 2009 she founded the successful conscious living retreat centre, The Yoga Forest and quickly became a pioneer in the wellness retreat industry.
An embodiment of the creative mother, Hayley is a natural leader balancing loving softness with a graceful stoic strength.
Co-creating Forest Path and Sound Ceremony academy with her beloved husband Jaya, her favourite place to find herself is in sacred ceremony, and singing in community.
One of seven co-founding members of the Kula Collective, an organisation weaving together diverse holistic experiences, practices and educational offerings through combined passions and a collective intention of global awakening.
With a love for creating beautiful wellness spaces, In 2019 the (Kula Collective) conceived a new project on the pristine shores of Lake Atitlán: Kula Maya Boutique Hotel & Spa of which Hayley acted as designer and visionary for the inception of the project.
Her masterpiece to date is the design and development of Casa Floresta the new home for her family and the community of the Forest Path on the shores of Atitlán.
Chetan
Chetan is a devoted sound journey facilitator, musician, and ceremonial assistant who brings a calming, grounded energy to every space he supports. His path has taken him from early philosophical inquiry to global travels through India and South America, where he studied in monasteries, ashrams, and with elders in the Amazon. These experiences deepened his connection to sacred traditions, plant medicines, and the healing power of nature. A pivotal encounter with the grandfather cactus in Costa Rica solidified his spiritual path, anchoring him more deeply in the interconnectedness of life.
Now rooted at Lake Atitlán with his partner and daughter, Chetan integrates music and ceremony as central pillars of his practice. Trained under the guidance of Forest Path mentors, he offers sound healing through sacred chants, mantras, and instruments such as guitar and mrdanga. His style is influenced by spiritual traditions like Santo Daime, Umbanda, and Shipibo. Whether supporting ceremonies or teaching music, Chetan shares his gifts with humility, presence, and deep devotion.
Kadhi Moonflower
Kadhi Moonflower is a singer, songwriter, and ceremonial facilitator with a deep commitment to the medicine path. Her spiritual journey began early in life, leading her through various global communities and eventually to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, where she discovered her calling through devotional kirtan and medicine music. With over a decade of experience and four years as part of the Forest Path family, Kadhi brings heartfelt presence, voice, and song to healing ceremonies, rooted in the teachings of master plants and sacred traditions.
Her music channels the wisdom of nature, blending personal experience, grief, joy, and spiritual insight into hymns that support connection and healing. Kadhi embodies the quality of firmeza—steadfastness and groundedness—in all she offers, especially in her work with Rapéh. She is dedicated to anchoring strength and clarity in ceremonial space, serving alongside her partner Chetan and nurturing their daughter, Oriah. Her service is deeply rooted in music, medicine, and community.
Paula Afonso
Paula is an integration guide, ceremonial assistant, yoga teacher, and certified massage therapist originally from Portugal. After 15 years in the publicity industry, she followed a call to deeper healing and self-discovery that led her around the world and eventually to Lake Atitlán, where she found a sense of belonging and purpose. Her holistic practice draws on years of study in bodywork, sound healing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, creating deeply nurturing and restorative experiences.
With a background in Chi Nei Tsang, intuitive massage, and relational trauma coaching, Paula supports individuals in reconnecting with their bodies and emotions. Her approach blends presence, compassion, and practical tools, all grounded in love and service. She is devoted to helping others feel safe, seen, and empowered on their healing journeys. She is in service to all preparation and integration calls for Forest Path.
For support with Integrating your experience we offer calls with Paula Afonsa as our Integration Guide.
Keenan Kinnear
Keenan Kinnear is a visionary artist, musician, and medicine woman whose work bridges sacred plant medicine, Earth-based spirituality, and sound healing. Originally from Toronto, she began her spiritual journey in her teens, eventually studying yoga and deepening into shamanic traditions through apprenticeships with master plants and elders in the Amazon. Her intuitive voice became a powerful healing tool, allowing her to channel subtle energies through music and prayer.
Living in Guatemala with her partner, Keenan offers sacred ceremonies, sound therapy, and body-based healing as part of the Forest Path community. She has studied with diverse indigenous traditions across the Americas, weaving ancient chants and medicine songs into her offerings. With a deep love for nature and a dream of global harmony, Keenan creates heart-centered spaces where others can explore healing through vulnerability, connection, and sound.
Maria Blasoni
Born in New Zealand, Maria settled at Lake Atitlán 5 years ago after a decade of traveling around the world working in high end hospitality. Redirecting from the traditional sectors of restaurants, wineries, and hotels to super yachts, chalets and private villa staff. During her travels she followed callings to explore permaculture, community living, herbalism, natural building and ceremony.
Finding deeper purpose in being in service in holistic wellness areas she now pulls from all aspects of past experiences to support people in their journeys of expansion, self inquiry and healing through assisting in Forest Path Ceremonies, offering Somatic Trauma Transformation bodywork and supporting and co creating experiences and retreats at Casa Floresta.