Welcome to the fourth gathering of Yoko Connect! Following the incredible success of our previous three events, we are excited to announce Yoko Connect 4, which promises to be our most innovative and transformative gathering yet.
We are gathering for a profound journey of connection with a select group of individuals just 48 hours before the start of Yoko Connect. This key group will serve as the core team that holds the vision and energy for our collective experience. These magical moments will help peel away your layers and create an unforgettable experience.
For more details, visit: Yoko Village – From Game A to Game B.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, Yoko Connect 4 is designed to push the boundaries of personal and collective growth, combining environmental stewardship, holistic wellness innovation, and creativity.
Save the Date! | January 29 – February 2, 2025
Yoko Village, Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Vision & Venture: Integrating Wellness, Sustainability, and Friendship for a Better Tomorrow.
Yoko Connect 4 is a four-day immersive experience where thought leaders, innovators, wellness practitioners, and community builders come together to explore the future. Our schedule includes dynamic workshops, visionary keynotes, interactive sessions, and unique cultural experiences.
Sunrise Surf & Movement Rituals
Kickstart your mornings with surfing sessions led by local experts, followed by sunrise Qigong and yoga/pilates to energize your body and mind.
Wellness & Sound Healing
Experience deep relaxation and inner healing through sound baths, breathwork, and immersive sound healing workshops. Our wellness sessions include ice baths, massage therapies, and other holistic practices to rejuvenate your spirit.
Visionary Keynotes
Listen to thought leaders discuss the future of humanity, the intersection of AI and consciousness, the role of blockchain in sustainable living, and much more.
Santa Teresa Sound Sessions
Unforgettable musical experience as Santa Teresa’s finest local artists take the stage at our venue. Each evening, enjoy live performances that capture the vibrant and eclectic sounds of the town. Beyond the scheduled acts, expect more than a few musical surprises to keep the energy high and the atmosphere electric. These performances will not only showcase the talent of Santa Teresa but also offer unexpected moments that will make each night genuinely unique.
Nature Excursions
Discover the natural beauty that inspires all who live and visit Santa Teresa. These self-guided outings invite you to explore the stunning landscapes at your own pace. Whether you hike through the vibrant rainforests, uncover hidden waterfalls, or stroll along the pristine beaches, each excursion offers a chance to connect deeply with the environment. The lush jungles, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking views of Santa Teresa are not just backdrops—they are the essence that fuels creativity and life here.
Closing Gala & Celebrations
End the event on a high note with a grand gala dinner, live concerts, roundtable and communal moments.
Why Attend?
Yoko Connect is a movement toward creating a future that harmonizes technology, nature, and human connection. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, wellness enthusiast, tech innovator, or someone seeking inspiration, Yoko Connect offers a unique opportunity to explore new ideas, build meaningful connections, and discover your potential.
Join us at Yoko Connect to experience the future today. Together, we can forge pathways to a world where sustainability, wellness, and innovation are not just concepts but realities.
For more information and to secure your spot, visit Yoko Connect Registration.
Unplug & Recharge at Yoko Connect.
Workshops
Orka:
Orka welcomes you to a unique ceremonial experience, where our voice becomes the medicine, and the circle serves as the container.
We invite you to a transformative setting designed to activate your throat chakra, allowing your voice to open to new realms of expression—vocally, musically, and as a human being. Orka believes that by vocalizing our authentic selves—raw, honest, and vulnerable—we can truly change our lives.
This practice, which Orka calls “Activism,” is a call to awaken our true selves in a world full of outdated rules. It is an invitation to express ourselves in a space so deeply held that we uncover the deepest patterns of our expression, allowing them to unfold and expand.
Our voice is much more than just the sound produced by our vocal system; it carries the essence of who we are. It connects to our sexuality, our childhood experiences, and so much more. Orka invites you to bring your voice into this sacred space, to open it, to release, and to allow it to guide you toward becoming more free, sovereign, creative, and connected to your inner strength and vulnerability.
With the beautiful support of Mama Music, we will dare to sing and sound more freely. But more than that, we will allow ourselves to be truly heard as we are.
This is an invitation to join us for a sacred vocal ceremony, a journey of transformation through the power of your voice.
Harmonica Workshop with Ash from the L.I.A Trio
Ash from the L.I.A Trio brings the harmonica to life in a workshop that reveals its true spirit—small in size but immense in voice. Through Ash’s guidance, we’ll learn to shape breath into music, turning simple notes into expressions of joy, longing, and everything in between. Ash demystifies the harmonica, showcasing its ability to carry heartfelt tunes that can charm and captivate. We’ll uncover the instrument’s soulful potential and find their own rhythm in its timeless sound.
Michelle Florez
Breathwaves and Beyond: Michelle’s Exclusive Breathwork and Sound Healing Workshop
Michelle Florez is a breathwork guide and transformational coach dedicated to assisting founders and CEOs in exploring their emotional depths and evolving into heart-led leaders. She supports leaders whose missions resonate with her values, particularly those involved in groundbreaking fields.
Embark on a transformational journey with Michelle’s breathwork and sound healing session. Over 60 minutes, you’ll traverse altered states of consciousness, releasing emotional blockages and soothing the pain body. The session’s crescendo is a 30-minute sound healing that will envelop you in tranquility, leaving you deeply connected to your inner self, rejuvenated, and ready for a transformation.
Sukhi & Joshua Jaipaul
Sukhi and Joshua Jaipaul are the visionary duo behind Healing In Colour, a groundbreaking healing center founded in 2020. Known for their transformative retreats and deep connection with BIPOC communities, they’ve created safe spaces where clients feel seen, heard, and empowered.
In 2024, they took a daring leap—selling everything to expand Healing In Colour globally. Alongside their iconic Mongolian Healing Yurt, they’re crafting a new chapter focused on growth, rest, and adventure.
Joshua, a former CEO, and 3x author, leads transformative writing sessions that challenge participants to align their current legacy with the one they aspire to leave. Sukhi and Joshua inspire others to heal, evolve, and thrive together.
The Legacy Workshop
What if you could write your story before it’s written for you?
In this session, Joshua Jaipaul invites participants to confront the questions most of us avoid until it’s too late: What will I be remembered for? What would I remember me for? Through a series of intentional reflections and the writing of a self-addressed eulogy, this workshop offers us an opportunity to step back and measure our lives against the legacy we want to leave.
It’s a chance to take stock, course-correct, and start building a legacy that truly matters—because the clock is still ticking.
Speakers
Marina Díaz Ibarra
Marina Díaz Ibarra is an international powerhouse in e-commerce and digital disruption, known for her magnetic presence as an author and speaker. With an impressive academic background, including an MBA from Wharton and an Executive Program at Harvard Business School, she blends intellectual rigor with entrepreneurial flair.
This impact-driven entrepreneur and angel investor is known for transforming legacy companies into thriving, customer-centric digital brands while fiercely advocating for women’s empowerment. Passionate about meditation and surfing, Marina brings a unique, holistic perspective to the boardroom, tackling complex challenges creatively and gracefully.
Her book, A World Without Bosses, explores radical expression and inner coherence, making waves in the business world. With a proven track record of driving transformative digital programs across diverse industries, Marina is the go-to leader for crafting agile and conscious enterprises that resonate with today’s dynamic marketplace.
Soulful Entrepreneurship: A Playbook for Visionaries
What if your business didn’t just make money but also made your heart skip a beat? Marina Díaz Ibarra invites us to reimagine entrepreneurship—where grit meets grace, and every decision aligns with something more profound. As someone who built and sold her company to Accenture, she knows the thrill of high stakes and the power of staying true to your why.
Marina strips back the layers of corporate gloss to reveal the raw, unfiltered truths about leading with soul in a world driven by numbers. She’ll take us behind the scenes of boardroom deals, personal breakthroughs, and the art of building ventures that matter.
It’s time to throw the old rulebook out the window and play a bigger game, one where purpose and passion lead and profit follow.
Eran Sandhaus
Eran Sandhaus is a leader in advanced mobility and technology, with over 20 years of experience driving innovation across global companies like Delphi Automotive, Qualcomm, and Texas Instruments. As Managing Director at Copia Growth Partners, Eran has deployed over $1 billion in capital, shaping the future of autonomous driving and intelligent mobility. He also serves as a Venture Partner at Nextgear Ventures and mentors startups at Plug and Play Technology Center.
At Yoko Connect, Eran Sandhaus will present a compelling speech on Zero Sum Games Vs Win Win Dynamics AI and Consciousness, exploring how advancements in artificial intelligence influence the future of human consciousness and our interconnected world. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from a visionary leader at the forefront of tech innovation.
Dana Almo Krušinova
Dana Almo Krušinova, a former business development strategist turned resilience expert, has transformed her bold one-way journey into an inspiring message of growth and inner strength. Her transformative insights are captured in her talks and her book, *Breaking Cages*, which provides practical tools for those ready to shift their mindset toward more positive, empowering narratives.
With an MBA, extensive business development experience, and the adventurous perspective gained as a flight attendant, Dana offers a unique blend of strategic insight and global wisdom. Her holistic outlook infuses her work with fresh, relatable perspectives that resonate across industries and cultures.
Dana aims to ignite curiosity and foster resilience, empowering individuals and teams to rise above obstacles, dismantle mental barriers, and thrive amid uncertainty.
Breaking Free from the Auto-Pilot Mind: Resilience Lessons From a One-Way Journey
Setbacks are inevitable—missed opportunities, strained relationships, even traffic jams. But what if resilience isn’t just about bouncing back but bouncing forward, more robust and wiser? How do we shift from reacting to mastering our response to adversity?
Dana explores a simple, actionable system for transforming obstacles into opportunities. Through relatable stories and sharp insights, she illustrates how to break negative thought cycles, reframe challenges, and cultivate resilience as one’s greatest asset.
Transcending survival means seeing hardship as the defining essence of our story. Rather than disruptions, life’s challenges become opportunities to shape meaning and depth. Moving beyond autopilot means breaking free from passive existence, viewing resilience not as a reflex but as a practiced art—proof of our ability to turn chaos into purpose, setbacks into the most powerful strokes of our life’s masterpiece.
Kenyon Salo
Kenyon Salo is a dynamic keynote speaker and trainer who ignites audiences with his electrifying presence and adventurous spirit. As a member of the Denver Broncos Thunderstorm Skydive Team, he performs high-speed descents into the stadium during game seasons, embodying the thrill of living life to the fullest. With over 6,000 skydives and extensive global travel, Kenyon’s “Bucket List Life” framework empowers individuals to create extraordinary experiences, share compelling stories, and make a meaningful impact. His engaging presentations have inspired over 300,000 people worldwide, leaving audiences energized and motivated to pursue their dreams. Kenyon’s unique blend of adventure, storytelling, and leadership insights offers a transformative experience for all of us, who’re seeking to live a more fulfilled life.
“The Bucket List Life” – Create More Experiences, Share More Stories, and Live More Fulfilled!
Kenyon Salo, known as the “James Bond of Speaking,” will take us on a journey through his three key concepts of living “The Bucket List Life.” In his engaging presentation, we’ll learn how to craft extraordinary experiences, share our most authentic stories, and create deeper connections with those around us.
Together with Kenyon leading the way, we’ll explore how The Bucket List Life can transform our personal and professional journeys, infusing each moment with fulfillment and joy. It’s time for us to turn our dreams into reality and fully embrace the adventure that life has to offer!
Jaya Kader
Jaya Kader redefines architecture by challenging the boundaries of what buildings can represent. As the founder of KZ Architecture in Miami, she has carved a path where structure meets conscience, embedding each design with a commitment to sustainability and deep respect for natural systems. Growing up in Costa Rica, surrounded by the verdant pulse of rainforests, shaped her ethos: architecture should not just stand on the land but exist as an extension. Her work is a testament to this belief, from Miami’s first LEED-certified home to pioneering efforts that merge modernity with ancestral knowledge.
Jaya’s journey is as dynamic as her creations. With a master’s degree from Harvard and recognition from international organizations like the World Bank and UN-Habitat, she bridges the gap between design and activism. Her most recent endeavor, the Regen Design Lab, harnesses the collective intelligence of global experts and indigenous voices to shape spaces that do more than house people. They restore ecosystems and culture. When Jaya speaks, she doesn’t just talk about blueprints; she invites you to question what it means to live symbiotically in a world that urgently needs renewal.
What if our homes were our first teachers?
Jaya Kader’s vision transcends traditional architecture. Can the spaces we create teach us to live more harmoniously with our environment? Drawing on decades of pioneering work, from eco-awarded designs to projects inspired by Indigenous communities’ wisdom, Jaya explores architecture’s power to instill regeneration, resilience, and connection values.
She guides audiences through an imaginative journey where buildings are not mere shelters but active participants in the ecosystem, nurturing the balance between human needs and the planet’s vitality. Expect an insightful blend of design innovation, cultural reverence, and stories that compel us to reconsider our role as occupants and stewards of the environments we build.
Marc Gordon
Meet Marc Gordon, the ultimate alchemist of customer experience. With a career spanning over 25 years, Marc has honed the art of turning everyday interactions into unforgettable moments. Known as “Canada’s customer experience superstar,” Marc has captivated audiences from New York to Tehran with razor-sharp insights and charismatic flair. You might catch him sharing savvy marketing tips on his top-rated YouTube channel when he’s not electrifying brands like Chanel and Microsoft on stage. Marc’s journey from a basement startup to an international thought leader is as inspiring as his powerful strategies, proof that excellent customer experience is unforgettable magic.
Selling Happiness: Crafting Customer Experiences That Last
In a world where products and services can be duplicated, Marc Gordon dives into the one thing that can’t: an experience that enchants customers. “Selling Happiness” unveils Marc’s refreshing approach to customer loyalty: not by trying to wow with every interaction, but by making each one count. Attendees will gain actionable insights, learn what truly drives customer trust, and discover why meeting expectations, not exceeding them, could be the secret sauce to their success. Expect real-world stories, surprising strategies, and a few laughs as Marc shows you how to win hearts and sales with authenticity and finesse.
Blair Kaplan
Blair Kaplan Venables is a resilience strategist and founder of The Global Resilience Project, transforming personal tragedy into global empowerment. Recognized by USA Today as a top conscious leader and IAOTP’s Grief and Resilience Expert of 2024, Blair merges personal experience with neuroscience-backed methods to help others build resilience. Her journey, featured on TEDx, Forbes, and ‘MyStory’ on Amazon Prime Video, proves resilience isn’t a reaction but a cultivated skill. Through her Radical Resilience podcast and best-selling books, including ‘RESILIENT A.F.’, Blair inspires audiences to face adversity with strength and purpose, turning life’s hardest moments into a springboard for growth.
The science of provocative resilience
In this transformative talk, Blair Kaplan Venables peels back the layers of resilience to reveal it as an intentional practice, not a last-minute reaction. Drawing on neuroscience and her own journey through profound loss, including the death of both parents within a year, a life-threatening moment involving her husband, and a miscarriage—Blair outlines five powerful ways to train your “resilience muscle” before life tests you. These aren’t just theories; they’re the strategies that empowered her to build a global movement while navigating relentless personal trials.
Blair challenges conventional thinking with a powerful question: Are we actively preparing for life’s challenges or merely hoping they won’t come? Using a compelling mix of insight, evidence-based strategies, and personal experience, Blair reframes resilience as a deliberate choice, a learned skill, and an invaluable asset. Participants won’t just feel inspired; they’ll gain practical tools to transform their most difficult moments into powerful drivers of growth and purpose.
Kenton Zerbin
In an era where sustainable living is paramount, Kenton Zerbin is a leading figure in permaculture education and advocacy. Transitioning from a traditional educator to a trailblazer in permaculture design, Kenton has traveled the globe, inspiring individuals to create efficient homes, thriving ecosystems, and robust communities. His innovative initiatives include the design of edible landscapes, founding a permaculture school in Barbados, and committing to sustainable living through his self-built, off-grid tiny home. From his base in Kelowna, BC, Kenton is poised to launch a new permaculture school and community, further extending his impact.
Redefining “Home”: A Simple Guide to Life on Earth
Kenton explores the potential and possibilities of sustainable living. He shares valuable insights and practical solutions for cultivating landscapes that enhance beauty, functionality, and wealth biologically and financially. He will challenge the prevailing narrative that human activity is detrimental to the planet by presenting actionable, on-the-ground solutions that foster pride in land and lifestyle.
Smadar Noga Lioz
Smadar Noga Lioz is an inspiring mentor, coach, and devotional singer dedicated to guiding soul-led entrepreneurs, artists, and healers toward the fulfillment of their highest aspirations through authentic expression and the embodiment of creative power. As a transformative life coach and certified Trauma and Tension Release Exercises (TRE) provider, Smadar combines deep compassion with professional expertise to empower individuals to navigate their emotional landscapes and reclaim their well-being. Her unique approach focuses on helping clients understand and work with their nervous systems, uncovering the roots of stress and tension to unlock true resilience and balance.
Ancient Water, Modern Miracles: The Hydrogen Revolution
Imagine unlocking a powerful, hidden key to human vitality that has been overlooked for generations. Smadar Noga Lioz delves into molecular hydrogen’s profound science and consciousness, a critical component of cellular hydration that has been absent from our water for far too long. This absence, unnoticed by most, has kept humanity from realizing the extraordinary health benefits and potential encoded within our DNA.
With cutting-edge technology capable of restoring hydrogen to its pure, potent state, we can reconnect with the “ancient water” that once nourished our ancestors. Smadar invites us to explore this fusion of innovation and profound wisdom, revealing how the integration of hydrogen can trigger elevated genetic codes and awaken an ultimate state of human experience.
This is an exploration into the future of well-being, where water becomes more than a life-sustaining resource—it becomes a conduit for transformation. Through this lens, Smadar illuminates how stepping into this new paradigm can redefine wellness, resilience, and the profound potential within us all.
Morvan Le Borgne
Morvan Le Borgne is a seasoned executive coach and speaker with over 25 years of experience guiding leaders, executives, and change-makers toward conscious leadership and inner alignment. With a unique blend of executive coaching, mindfulness, positive psychology, and sustainable development, Morvan empowers his clients to step into their authentic power and make a meaningful impact in their lives and organizations.
An adventurer at heart, Morvan’s own journey has been shaped by diverse roles—from advising CEOs to serving as a director and now, as a transformational coach. His path has taken him through moments of deep introspection and change, fostering a profound understanding of the challenges faced by those who seek to lead with purpose and resilience. Through his coaching and teachings, he inspires leaders to harness both their strengths and vulnerabilities, bringing harmony between their inner and outer worlds.
The Only Way Out is In: Awakening Your Inner Leader
Morvan will guide us through an eye-opening journey that taps into our deepest potential and unearths the inner power that’s been waiting to surface. Drawing from his transformative life experiences, global travels, and encounters rich in wisdom, Morvan is challenging us to rethink what it means to live with purpose and integrity.
The centerpiece of this session is a guided meditation, an invitation to meet our inner authority—the wise and powerful knight of consciousness that’s always been there, just beneath the surface. Morvan’s meditation goes beyond simple calm; it’s an invitation to reconnect with our authentic self, sparking a newfound sense of clarity, strength, and unwavering purpose.
What’s in it for us? A profound understanding of our innate strengths, a revitalized connection to our inner wisdom, and straightforward, actionable techniques to integrate this awareness seamlessly into your everyday life.
Liz Elam and Lisa Skye
Lisa Skye, the visionary behind Primary, New York City’s leading wellness-focused workspace, has masterfully combined business expertise with a deep commitment to holistic well-being. Her spaces go beyond traditional offices, creating havens where productivity meets self-care, offering amenities such as meditation sessions and fitness classes to nurture mind and body.
Liz Elam, the pioneering founder of the Global Coworking Unconference Conference (GCUC), has redefined the coworking industry with her innovative vision and relentless drive. A champion of best practices and forward-thinking strategies, Liz has cemented her reputation as a leader in creating meaningful and impactful workspace brands.
Lisa and Liz are reshaping the future of work—where wellness, community, and innovation thrive. Their highly anticipated return to Yoko Connect promises an unforgettable experience filled with actionable insights and a bold vision for the evolving world of work.
Couch Confidential: “The Untold Secrets of Navigating Stress, Cultivating Perseverance, and Overcoming Entrepreneurial Challenges”
Entrepreneurship is a thrilling yet challenging journey. Join Liz Elam and Lisa Skye as they share personal stories and practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and overcoming obstacles.
Learn how they tackled setbacks, scaled businesses, and balanced professional and personal demands while maintaining mental well-being. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned pro, this session will inspire and equip you with the tools to thrive in the face of challenges.
Prepare for an empowering conversation that will leave you motivated and ready to conquer the entrepreneurial rollercoaster.
Michael Sun-Fidelman
As a mentor, micro-dosing coach, and realtor based in Southern Portugal (the Algarve), Michael has spent over 20 years guiding individuals toward embodied awakening, enhanced well-being, and greater joy. With a foundation in diverse spiritual traditions, Michael bridges timeless wisdom with practical, everyday life, helping people break through limitations and find fulfillment in their personal, relational, and professional lives. His work centers on non-dual practices that promote deep healing, self-acceptance, and transformative growth.
Guided Soundscapes
Together, Michael and Smadar create an experience that transcends the ordinary. Smadar’s devotion as a singer and her talent for composing melodies that resonate deeply with the heart complement Michael’s expert mentorship. Their combined presence invites participants to release emotional blocks, rediscover self-love, and step into a space of profound inner peace.
Guided Meditation & Live Healing Music
A guided inner journey that will land us deep within, amplify our unique presence, and activate restful vitality. Michael’s intuitive guidance, along with Smadar’s original healing melodies, weave together an energetic tapestry that invokes inner expansiveness, an embodiment of beauty and authentic power.
Paola Castro
Paola Castro is a lifelong student of metaphysics, human psychology, and spirituality. For over 12 years, she has been immersed in personal and spiritual development, guiding thousands of souls on their journey from head to heart. She is a Life and HeartMath Coach, author, and spiritual practitioner—a true lover of mysticism and life itself. Paola’s mission is to support the awakening of humanity through messages of hope, inspiration, and transformation.
Desired Outcome for Yoko Connect
My desired outcome is to connect with like-minded individuals who may become collaborators in the future. I am passionate about teaching, public speaking, and spreading uplifting messages, so I would be delighted to partner with others who share these interests. If their projects could benefit from this type of collaboration, I would be honored to contribute.
The Journey from Head to Heart
The journey from head to heart requires surrendering the human mind to a greater intelligence, which I call the Universal Mind. This transformation unfolds through a method I’ve developed called the Three Pillars of the Journey. The first pillar is Universal Principles, the second is Spiritual Mind Treatments, and the third is Stillness. In this talk, I guide the audience through these pillars, leaving them with the powerful message that there is a way to navigate the human experience with greater grace—by remembering our true essence and nature, which is infinite and eternal.
Spiritual Self Defense
A Musical Reunion at Yoko Connect
Hold onto your hats, music lovers! After captivating our hearts and minds with unforgettable tunes, Ash and Izumi from the magnificent Berlin-based trio LIA are back! They’re set to reunite with Lora Ute.
But wait, there’s more! The enigmatic Orka is also returning, ready to stir the pot of creativity and connection. With melodies that resonate profoundly and stories that weave together the fabric of love and community, this reunion promises to be nothing short of magical.
(Re) Discover L.I.A: A Sonic Journey
Meet L.I.A, a captivating trio featuring Lora Ute, Arash Khodayari, and Izumi Yamamoto. This innovative group blends classical, jazz, folk, and electronic elements, crafting a unique sound that transports listeners to uncharted musical landscapes. However, they are a new ensemble, L.I.A has already made waves at prestigious festivals such as Garbicz and Bucht der Träumer, enchanting audiences with their extraordinary performances.
Their dynamic synergy is enriched by shamanistic overtone singing and an eclectic mix of instruments, merging organic sounds with electronic textures. L.IA. invites you to explore a rich tapestry of sound that taps into ancient wisdom and opens doors to new dimensions of musical experience.
For a glimpse into the magic of L.I.A, check out their performances here
(Re) Introducing Orka: A Musical Visionary
Meet Orka, a visionary artist whose soulful melodies create a spiritual tapestry that resonates with the heart and mind. Drawing inspiration from her transformative experiences in Singing Circles and the ‘Medicine Women’s Choir,’ she weaves a unique sound that transcends the ordinary.
Her enchanting blend of fantasy folk and shamanic music invites listeners on a journey of emotional discovery, evoking both the sacred and the serene. Orka’s captivating performances have mesmerized audiences from Israel to the global stage, leaving a lasting impression wherever she goes.
Experience the magic of Orka’s music on Spotify and YouTube.
Santos
Born in Buenos Aires and based in Costa Rica since 1998, Santos is a versatile musician and composer whose sound blends Indian Classical music, Jazz, Rock, and Gamelan influences. A multi-instrumentalist, he plays sitar, guitar, charango, mandolin, cittern, bouzouki, lap steel guitar, and keyboards.
Over the past twenty years, Santos has produced three albums with his project Amounsulu, toured internationally through France, Belgium, Mexico, and Panama, and collaborated with Putumayo World Music for their Yoga compilation. In 2003, he formed Santos & Zurdo, touring over 30 international destinations, including Burning Man, Envision Festival, and throughout Central America.
A frequent collaborator with artists like David Satori (Beats Antique) and Desert Dwellers, Santos has also worked with Costa Rican bands such as Cocofunka and Evolución. Currently, he’s producing Santos & Zurdo’s sixth album and touring South America. In addition to his recording career, Santos has been offering live music for yoga and sound journeys in Nosara since 2009, where he has lived since 2017.
GILARDÉN
DJ, Producer, and Founder of Love Cartel DJ Collective
Meet GILARDÉN, the musical maestro and founder of the Love Cartel DJ collective in San Francisco. His unique sounds are a fusion of North African and Middle Eastern House tunes blended with Afro-Tribal House, complemented by subtle touches of Indie techno. GILARDÉN’s sets traverse multiple genres and countries, maintaining a spiritual and transformational vibe within the 100-125 bpm range. He has directly supported and collaborated with renowned artists such as Polo and Pan, Bonobo, Blondish, WhoMadeWho, Yuksek, and Mita Gami.
You can listen to Gilarden live set from San Franciso here
We have an exciting lineup of additional artists and speakers joining us—stay connected for more surprises!
YokoConnect Culinary Corner
Chef and visionary entrepreneur Dori Rebi-Chia returns to Yoko Connect, ready to delight our palates with his unparalleled creations and the infectious energy he and his team bring to every event. From the beginning, Dori has been the heart and soul of our gatherings, nourishing us and ensuring every detail is perfect—because, as Napoleon once said, “An army marches on its stomach,” and so does Yoko Connect.
With Dori, each meal is a journey. From the beginning, he led us on a global tasting adventure where familiar dishes are reimagined and infused with innovation. His culinary artistry sets the stage for a dining experience that turns every bite into a story, making our gatherings unforgettable.
Discover more of Dori’s world:
- Costa Rica: dorismetropolitan.com
- New Orleans: dorismetropolitan.com/new-orleans
- Houston: dorismetropolitan.com/houston
Follow our events on our Facebook and Instagram pages to stay updated on what we do in the community. As always, reach out to us if you have any questions or want to schedule a call with us. Stay tuned for more exciting developments happening at Yoko Village!