Practitioners
David Recht – Director - David, born in Berkley California grew up in the bay area and moved to Oregon pursuing an Engineering degree and eventually settled in Portland. After spending the bulk of the last 20 years studying metaphysics, alternative healing and free energy, he began his formal training within the Ancient Mystery Schools in the Spring of 2003. Through these years of persistent study, David has mastered many types of esoteric energy work and now finds himself deep into ‘the doing’ of the work. After dreaming of the Crystal Temple for the past 20 years it has grown, evolved and gradually precipitated into the physical. It has taken dedication, sacrifice and persistence to bring forth this wonderful light center into the world and truly feeds his heart to bring support to those who walk through the doors of this space. david@crystaltemple.org
Amanda Jones – Assistant Director - Amanda Jones – Assistant Director - Amanda was born in Portland and holds Bachelor’s degrees in Business, History, Sociology and Anthropology, with a Masters degree in Business. She pursued a career in Business and Finance successfully owning, operating and selling two businesses. After 10 successful years in the corporate structure, she became discontented and unfulfilled knowing there was more ‘out there’. In 2001 she began formal training and apprenticing with a Choctaw Medicine Man and continued that study, learning the Native American arts of communing with Spirit. This quickly became a passion in her life, and as she continued her search for more knowledge and empowerments, including apprenticing with a Wiccan Priestess learning to weave the magickal arts into everyday life. Still feeling like there was a piece that was missing. In the fall of 2004, she began formal Initiatory training with one of the 7 Ancient Mystery Schools, the Rocky Mountain Mystery School. Where she currently serves on the United States Leadership Team and volunteers as the Administrative Coordinator for the Western World Headquarters. amanda@crystaltemple.org
Tim Gagnier – Martial Arts & Chi Instructor - Sifu Tim Gagnier is our ‘in-house’ Martial Arts and Chi expert. He has been studying martial arts for 30 years, teaching 25 of those years. In addition Sifu Tim has studied Indonesian, Filipino, American, and the Internal Arts in China. These programs are a culmination of everything Sifu Tim has learned and feels is important. As a father of 3 boys, the responsibilities of a full time job as an engineer at Intel, and with his ongoing martial arts teaching practice, Sifu Tim utilizes these systems he created to facilitate the balance needed to juggle the many life choices he as made and how to “Go Home” to family and loved ones. Sifu Tim is a very humble instructor and doesn’t claim to know it all and encourages questions among his students and is focused on the journey. He cultivates a learning environment that is not about ego but about truth. Practice in these arts can be a key for many to stay in the flow and hold a joyful and blissful perspective leading to better health and more abundance, creating a strong connection with our higher selves and all the energies within our grasp. newlifeksda@yahoo.com
Dawn Storm – Yoga Instructor - Dawn brings a strong calming and spiritual presence to her classes, moving between a Vinyasa flow and a Hatha style of longer, steady holds, with emphasis on breathing and alignment. Dawn started off practicing martial arts for 3 years, then after a knee injury soon found Yoga. She connected with the energetic and spiritual aspects along with the challenge of the physical. Dawn has a background in martial arts, meditation, energy and alternative healing. She received her 200hr certification at Shambhava School of Yoga at Shoshoni Mountain Retreat in Nederland, CO. Dawn also sculpts, draws, bellydances, enjoys the beach and hiking, and practicing yoga outdoors whenever possible. Practicing Hatha yoga, is like a moving meditation. The postures are designed to tone, strengthen and increase flexibility in addition to stimulating the joints, glandular system, organs, and aligning the skeletal system allowing energy to flow freely. Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world, encompassing the entire body, mind and spirit. It is the union between a person's own consciousness and the universal consciousness. The classical techniques of Yoga date back more than 5,000 years. The word Yoga means "to join or yoke together," and it brings the body and mind together into one harmonious experience. dawnstorm234@yahoo.com
Tim Pfaffel – Teacher - Tim, the official Temple ‘Groundskeeper’ is much more than just that! He is in constant communication working diligently with the Elementals. With an Associate’s degree in Horticulture and 20 plus years in Organic Greenhouse production he will be a tremendous asset in facilitating the growth of herbs and spices on the Temple grounds. Tim constantly offers the Temple an increased level of enthusiasm and energy! With a gregarious and magnetic personality he is a true joy to be around and uses that energy to be of the highest service to his fellow brothers and sisters on this earth. He is very easy to talk to and can relate to everyone in some way or another.
Here are a few words from Tim: “In the mystery school, we must go to the teacher program to learn to do DNA activations. Going to Teachers was the most amazing experience of my life! Imagine being surrounded by over 100 people who are non-judgmental, noncritical, and loving. The energy in the room was totally wonderful! For the first time in my life, I felt true humility. Every night on the way home, I had tears of joy in my eyes. The best teachers in the RMMS were there to ensure we all could be equally competent at properly activating the DNA, with honor and reverence. Receiving my activation wand felt like a gift from God and I am honored that I may serve my fellow beings with this 3,000 year old gift. I believe this is the most holy gift I can give another human being and I feel grateful when I activate another’s DNA.” nrgtim@crystaltemple.org
Karl Starkweather – Teacher/Ritual Master - We kindly refer to Karl as the James Bond of Light workers. Karl has been a student of hidden truths since childhood, including such topics as Kabbalah, Tantra, Astrology, Numerology, Tarot, and Law of Attraction. With over ten years of experience in an esoteric school of the ‘Fourth Way,’ he is versed in deep inner teachings of self knowledge and occult symbolism, and always works to bring this knowledge to practical application in the world. He has also trained over 15 years in the martial art of Ki-Aikido and the discipline of Mind-Body Unification taught by world renowned Ki Master Koichi Tohei. Karl currently teaches Aikido at Reed College and works in construction administration. karl@crystaltemple.org
Emily Dobra - Massage Therapist.
Emily is a Healing Artist and a Licensed Massage Therapist and
excited to open up a private massage practice!
Emily says, The last few weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of creating
a beautiful, healing massage space and
I am eagerly anticipating your first and subsequent visits for
massages. Let me tell you a little about my background and what I offer.
After graduating from Lane Community College’s Massage Therapy
program, I have over 750 hours of training in Swedish, Deep Tissue,
Myofascial Release, Trigger Point, Acupressure, Sports Injury,
Pregnancy, Hydrotherapy and other massage techniques. To add to my
Healing Artist tool belt I learned Hot Stone massage, certified as a
Reiki Master and have volunteered as a Doula.
While training is important, the most important aspect to consider, in
choosing a Massage Therapist is their philosophy behind the work they
do. I have come to understand from personal experience and from
witnessing other people that the natural state of humans is to heal, or
rather, to return to homeostasis. My role, as your Massage Therapist, is
to facilitate your process of returning your body to its natural,
healthy rhythms. I work intuitively, balancing the flow of chi
throughout the body, nurturing, encouraging deep breathing and offering
warm hands and comforting touch.
I have come to see Massage Therapy as basic maintenance in order to
allow my body and spirit to flourish. Most prevalent diseases in our
culture are stress and fatigue related.
Massage releases endorphins, stimulates blood and lymphatic
circulation, encourages healthy digestion, eases the body out of a
sympathetic/fight or flight response into a parasympathetic/healing and
relaxation state, balances hormones and feels wonderful! I couldn’t say
enough positive things about it. I have so much joy in doing the work I
do, helping people create gentle yet profound change within their body
and spirit. I look forward to meeting you when you schedule a massage.
Please contact Crystal Temple for the next available appointment
time. Namaste.
-Emily
Kathy Coles – Teacher/Ritual Master - Kathy, the Elder representative of the Temple, has a family raised and several careers under her belt including nursing. She is now finding her joy and passion in teaching a variety of metaphysical and esoteric classes as well as doing energy healing work. Continuous training and apprenticeship programs keep her on the cutting edge for service to the young and young-at-heart. Kathy believes that every day is a new adventure! With the blending and distilling of many days and many adventures comes the opportunity for continuing personal evolution leading to wisdom and contentment. “You are never too young or old to embrace the adventure” is her motto! kathy@crystaltemple.org
Altar Raye - Altar has taken a brief leave of absence from the Temple to bring light to a new area of Oregon and ‘open it up’. He works with many Masters of Light and Angels and is an incredible channel capable of communicating with your guides about important messages and advice that will be useful to you at this time. Always positive, inspiring and supportive the time spent with Altar is uplifting and he is always willing to serve and help you remember who you really are bringing you messages and/or energies of pure unconditional love and support. Altar says, “My Intention is to be of service to the Divine Plan and the Highest Good and BRING ABUNDANCE TO ALL!”