My Story
Raia’s Beautywalk
Raia brings over two decades of practice in the healing arts and wise women traditions
My Story
I actively share my knowledge of tribal living having directly learned from Indigenous women in my homeland of Greece and throughout my travels in Asia and Central and South America. I facilitate the alchemy and artistry of working with healing plants, herbalism, Superfoods, and practice and ritual rooted in ancestral traditions. Additionally, I lead a variety of seasonal workshops and courses, collective rituals, retreats, and trips while creating altars of healing and transformation with the Elements of Life and the Melodies of the Dreamtime.
My academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts and Art History, complemented by Master’s level coursework in Anthropology and Museum Studies.
My professional journey has encompassed diverse roles, including Master Chef®, Recipe Developer for food and natural medicines, including skin care, and currently a culinary and cultural tour guide.
My spirit-self carries the titles of Ceremonialist, Creative Director, and Entrepreneur, and most importantly, the fulfilling role of Mother.
Growing up in a vibrant suburb of Athens, Greece, with a captivating sea view, I cherish fond memories of a multi-generational household. Sharing my formative years with my great-grandmother and continuing a close bond with my grandmother until my mid-forties, my upbringing in a two-family home alongside grandparents and their siblings instilled in me a deep appreciation for community and strong familial roots- and the significance of our heritage. This foundation fostered a sense of being connected and open to diverse perspectives.
Family members served as role models, imparting knowledge through food, literature, travel, and captivating stories that broadened my horizons beyond my immediate surroundings. Attending an American school in Greece provided a unique experience, navigating between two distinct social spheres – one more exclusive and the other more broadly accessible. This exposure to contrasting environments and experiences proved invaluable, providing a robust foundation as I navigated various life experiences, careers, communities, and international projects.
From an early age, I cultivated a keen interest in my ancestral heritage. I was taught to respect elders and recognized the profound importance of both living and deceased family members in shaping my understanding of my place within society.
At eighteen, I embarked on a fifteen-year period of study and work in the United States. I achieved success as an Art Director, honing my creative and communication skills for a global audience. Recognizing that a conventional career and lifestyle were not my true calling, I embraced a decade of extensive travel through Asia and Central and Sounth America, immersing myself in diverse cultures and experiences that resonated with my evolving spiritual path and its secrets. Early in my travels, I met my husband, and together we continued this journey before establishing a permanent home.
Throughout our travels in Asia and Central and South America, I actively sought connections with the wisdom of the Earth, plant medicines, community, and tribal ways of life. Learning from my ancestors and global Indigenous communities has led me to my current work, which focuses on bridging diverse worlds to create collective experiences grounded in both ancient and contemporary traditions. This work manifests through food, herbalism, art, altars, rituals, and the wisdom of women’s herbal medicine.
“
My ancestors and guides, thank you
for showing me the way upwards.
My ancestors, and guides, thank you
for showing me the way upwards.
“
