THE FOUNDER
Meet the founder of The Harmonic Circle Academy: Anaconda Papaya
Born in the heart of Florence, my journey has spanned continents, disciplines, and decades of experiential learning.
From youthful explorations in yoga to deep dives into spiritual and therapeutic practices, my driving passion has always been to understand, to grow and help empower others.
“I firmly believe that Conscious Communication can transform relationships, laying the foundation for a global spiritual R-Evolution.”
– Anaconda Papaya –
History of The Harmonic Circle Academy
How it all began …
Chapter one - Early Roots
Hi, I’m Paolo Rivosecchi, also known as Anaconda Papaya. Let me tell you how a lifetime of practice unfolded into the Harmonic Circle Academy.
My spiritual journey began in my teens: Buddhism and the Vedas, Transcendental Meditation; Gurdjieff’s teachings, Theosophy, Psychosynthesis, and Transpersonal Psychology. In my twenties I became a Sivananda Yoga teacher and received Brahminical initiation in the Bhakti-Vaishnava lineage. After a decade as a wandering monk across Europe, India, Canada, and the United States, I founded a Yoga & Meditation Center in Milan (1988).
Chapter two - Apprenticeships in Depth
In the U.S. I trained and certified in Ericksonian Hypnosis & NLP, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Past-Life Regression, and Rebirthing Systems. In Italy I completed Spiritual Healing studies at the University of Damanhur, later joining the faculty for its three-year programs in Hypnosis and Spiritual Healing.
Chapter three - Community as Practice
After joining the Federation of Damanhur Communities (1995), I served in healing, education, management, and community development. For two decades I coordinated an innovative holistic middle-school program, uniting conventional academics with Know-Thy-Self lessons, world travel, Intuitive Pedagogy, and experiential learning. Until 2022 I was Director of International Relations, supporting Damanhur’s global network across several continents.
Chapter four - Returning to a different kind of Service
Stepping back from that role, I resumed private practice – working with individuals and groups, in person and online – on personal growth, spiritual awakening, and healthy communication in couples, families, organizations, and emerging communities.
Chapter five - The Harmonic Circle & the Academy
Since the 1990s I’ve hosted and taught the “Yoga of Communication” known as the Harmonic Circle – a practical path for awakening through presence and relationship. Today this work has grown into the Harmonic Circle Academy (HCA): a living field where I continue to teach and help train new facilitators and coaches. Long-standing companions and fresh voices are joining – co-creating courses, leading circles, and carrying the work into new languages and places. I hold a simple conviction: conscious communication and evolutionary relationships are foundations for the spiritual R-Evolution ahead – best served by a community that learns, practices, and leads together.
THE "WE" IN THE ACADEMY
The people who hold the field
Anaconda Papaya
Born in the heart of Florence, my journey has spanned continents, disciplines, and decades of experiential learning. From youthful explorations in yoga a to deep dives into spiritual and therapeutic practices, my driving passion has always been to understand, to grow and help empower others.
Gazzella Mimosa
I’m Gazzella Mimosa – I support people through listening-based and energy work with an active approach to personal change. I specialize in radiesthesia as a tool for deep energetic rebalancing and transformation, and I developed the REA method (Active Evolutionary Radiesthesia). Today I work in 1:1 sessions and offer radiesthesia training.
Alekos Zappalà
I’m Alekos, raised in Damanhur, with a background rooted in spirituality, ancient traditions, and personal growth. At 26, I left the insurance industry to found the Academy. Today I lead in-person courses in Bologna, develop coaching programs, and collaborate on projects focused on the growth of awareness and personal well-being.
Jessica Brockmann
I’m Jessica Brockmann – holistic life coach, facilitator, and digital architect, based in Northern Germany. I collaborate with the Harmonic Circle Academy by building the foundation and scaffolding of the Academy, shaping learning journeys, supporting community spaces, and strengthening collaboration and co-creation. I also share entrepreneurial know-how to support sustainable growth. IG: @finding.coherence
Appaloosa
The Harmonic Circle has gradually transformed me, shaping me and helping me become a better person. It is an intense, gentle, and authentic journey that naturally and inevitably leads to deep inner growth. Today, I collaborate with the team to support, structure, and expand this reality, contributing to its spread across Italy.
Yasmine Sakr
I’m Yasmine Sakr – graphic and brand designer, founder of The Farm Design and The Submarine coworking space in Beirut, now working from our farm in Carmona, Spain. I collaborate with the Harmonic Circle Academy and the Dandelion Circle through documentation and branding support. My work is about activating spaces that feel like home, where nature, creativity, and community can unfold. IG: @ysuniverse.
Amanda
I’m Amanda Chakra – a yoga practitioner, digital creator, and accountant based in Beirut, Lebanon, living at the meeting point of structure and intuition. Within the Harmonic Circle Academy, I help shape and nurture learning spaces through course and content redesign, facilitation, and gentle training of facilitators. IG: @amandachakra or LinkedIn: Amanda Chakra.
Elena
I’m a Media Planner and Buyer currently working in Panama City. I collaborate with the Harmonic Circle Academy in enhancing learning paths and sharing voice recorded material of certain books. I hope to support in the future with launching new circles in Panama.
Polina Jaskot
I’m Polina Jaskot – professional astrologer, tarot practitioner, mom, and researcher of esoteric knowledge. My work explores inner processes and symbolic languages, bringing ancient wisdom into everyday life. With the Harmonic Circle Academy, I support community members, help apply the teachings in practice, and spread the Academy’s work. Next, I’m excited to bring these principles to Russian-speaking communities and beyond. IG: @astro_alchemy_astrology
Collaborators
Terri
I’m Terri Eleutheria Sarganis – holistic intuitive guide, medium, healer, coach, and corporate leadership development leader. For 20+ years I’ve woven leadership strategy with energetic healing, supporting women who are ready to shift from “masculine mode” into a more embodied, trusting way of being. Shaped by motherhood and profound near-death experiences, I serve within the Harmonic Circle and Dandelion Circle as a facilitator and change agent, helping create new circles and support others in self-mastery and inner truth.
Philippe
I’m Philippe – founder of Guita Bed & Bloom, an ecological guesthouse and farm in the Lebanese mountains. I promote regenerative living through agritourism, wellness, and safeguarding local culinary traditions, using land and hospitality as tools for connection and healing. A member of the Harmonic Circle since 2024, I’m devoted to practices that reconnect people with nature, themselves, and one another.
Viviane
I’m Viviane Mansour Tegho – mother of three and a professional translator (Arabic, English, French), running my own translation agency in Lebanon. I collaborate with the Harmonic Circle Academy by reviewing key book translations and sharing its spirit through weekend Silent Hikes. Within the Dandelion Circle, I’ll support further book revisions and help grow a Lebanese Harmonic Circle. IG: @vivianetegho
Ziad
I’m Ziad Hamdan – coach, strategist, and facilitator supporting leaders in aligning inner clarity with purposeful action. With an Engineering degree and an Executive MBA, I bring 10+ years of experience guiding executives and creators through transformational work that blends presence with strategy. Within the Harmonic Circle Academy, I contribute as a facilitator and vision holder, supporting spaces where awareness meets lived experience. Host of The I’mperfect Podcast, IG/YouTube: @theluckcoach
Tao
I’m Myriam Choueiri – mother of two and managing director of our family business. I’m a creative builder with an intuitive, practical gift for product development and project creation, deeply drawn to beauty and the full cycle of bringing ideas into form. With the Harmonic Circle Academy, I co-facilitate and organize resources, supporting both structure and living flow. In the Dandelion Circle, I help teach and activate circles and hold spaces with care and presence. IG: @myriamchoueiri
Marie Christine Naim
I’m Marie Christine Naim (Kikky) from Lebanon – mother of three young adults, and for 30 years a producer, writer, and comedian creating kids’ TV and theatre. I also teach yoga for kids and teens, weaving mindfulness into my productions. I love working with young people, and I’m developing a youth program for the Harmonic Circle’s next generation – my mission is to help the youth to be more conscious, more present.
Pernice
I’m Pernice – certified in the “Touch with the Heart” technique and in the use of Self for healing. I support the coordination of activities in Italy, with a particular focus on editorial work and teaching.
Georgie
I’m Georgie – the Harmonic Circle has been instrumental in shaping the best version of myself. I collaborate with the Harmonic Circle Academy by creating video content, including a film that carries Anaconda’s and HC’s mission and offers newcomers a feel for what this journey is about.
Geco
I’m Geco – over the past year, the Circle has been my training ground for self-awareness: a space beyond time that regenerates and inspires. As an “old uncle,” I share grounded advice on economics and finance, risk management, career, and life planning – since I can’t set bad examples anymore. Languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, some German, a little Portuguese.
Artemia
I’m Artemia – I help spread and grow the Harmonic Circle method in Italy. My work weaves education, personal growth, spirituality, art, and nature-based healing. You can find me on LinkedIn.
Elias
I’m Elias — trained in NLP, spiritual hypnosis, awareness practices, and yoga, integrating mind, body, and presence with a focus on inner balance. The Harmonic Circle reshaped how I live, lead, and serve, and inspires the circles, ceremonies, and retreats I create. I’m writing a book on inner trust and envision a guest house in Damanhur for retreats blending silence, ritual, conscious living, and Lebanese-inspired cuisine. Instagram: @ultimate.growth
PERSPECTIVES FROM WITHIN
Meet the Dandelion Circle
Hear what’s unfolding – from those creating with us
