Our Vision
To walk in right-relationship with all our relations, empowering human beings whose inner work restores balance to the world they touch.
Our Mission
Grounded in Andean wisdom teachings and guided by Indigenous knowledge keepers, we cultivate Self-Mastery through lived experience of connection and presence. Through impeccability, reciprocity, and right-relationship, we remember that the path is made by walking, and we walk it in service to the whole.
How We Do It
For over twenty years, we have cultivated a vibrant, supportive community dedicated to integrating wisdom teachings and embodied practices into daily life. We offer curated programs, retreats, and personalized mentorship for those who are committed to themselves, their growth, and their path.
Our Story
Children of the Seven Rays was founded in 2006 by Jhaimy Alvarez-Acosta and Starr Muranko, following a sacred ceremony held high in the Andes of Peru. In that ceremony, the first spark of this work was born, a clear call to share the wisdom of the Andes and support others in walking a path of remembrance and reverence.
Our work is rooted in sharing Indigenous wisdom teachings while honouring the traditions and living lineages from which they come. Guided by the Andean principle of Sumaq Kausay, Living Life in a Good Way with All of Existence, we support a way of life grounded in integrity and right relationship with all that surrounds us.
In the Quechua language, Children of the Seven Rays translates to Inti Churincuna Canchis Illa. This name reflects a way of living not in the black or the white, but within the full spectrum of the rainbow, a space of balance, transformation, and transmutation. It is deeply rooted in Mother Earth, the Sacred Temples of the Andes, and the living lineage of Jhaimy’s Elders and Masters.
We are based in North Vancouver, Canada, with strong ties to our global community and to the Andes of Peru. Jhaimy returns throughout the year to Peru to maintain his connection to his Elders and lineage, and to share the magic of his sacred homeland with those called to journey there.
Our Leadership Team
At the heart of Children of the Seven Rays is a team of leaders devoted to guiding the vision, teachings, and lineage with integrity and care. They hold space for growth, connection, and transformation, ensuring the work is deeply embodied and that every member feels supported, welcomed, and connected to the living wisdom of the community.
Jhaimy Alvarez Acosta
Co-Founder | Andean Wisdomkeeper, Teacher & Guide
Jhaimy Alvarez-Acosta is a Traditional Curandero, born and raised in the Andes, who has walked the path of a Wisdomkeeper for over 35 years. Trained by his Elders and Masters, he carries deep reverence for the teachings of his Ancestors and a lifelong commitment to sharing this sacred knowledge with integrity.
He provides the grounding and connection to the lineage that holds the vision and mission of Children of the Seven Rays, ensuring that the teachings remain alive, authentic, and accessible across generations. Through his guidance, the community experiences a steady connection to the ancestral wisdom that shapes every aspect of the organization.
Jhaimy has been invited to share his work at conferences, universities, workshops, and specialized tours throughout South America, Europe, and North America. He holds a degree in tourism from La Universidad Andina del Cusco and has served as a keynote speaker at institutions including Trent University and McGill University.
As the host of the Heart of the Condor Podcast, he shares Andean wisdom to inspire, uplift, and empower others on their path. He is recognized for speaking on the importance of walking in integrity when sharing Indigenous knowledge and working with Plant Masters.
Through Children of the Seven Rays, Jhaimy teaches, facilitates, and guides individuals globally, offering one-to-one mentorship, spiritual guidance, and private journeys to Peru, creating spaces for transformation, reflection, and deep connection to the Andean path.
Starr Muranko
Co-Founder | Vision Keeper & Community Weaver
Starr has guided the vision, structure, and heart of Children of the Seven Rays for over two decades alongside Jhaimy, helping shape the community with commitment, integrity, and care.
She provides strategic leadership and organizational guidance, ensuring the long-term sustainability, ethical foundation, and aligned growth of the work.
As a passionate workshop facilitator and holder of space she provides a guiding presence within Yachay Wasi tending to the relational threads that keep the community strong and connected.
An accomplished dancer and choreographer recognized internationally for her contributions to contemporary Indigenous dance and leadership she weaves her spiritual practice into her creative work, honoring her Omushkegowuk Cree (Moose Cree First Nation), French, and German ancestry.
Rooted in a deep love of nature, global journeys, and time spent in circle with children and Elders, Starr embodies the spirit of community weaving, bringing grace, strength, and heart to all she touches.
Martine Kleissen
Operations Lead & Community Steward
Martine is a devoted steward and long-standing collaborator with Children of the Seven Rays, supporting the organization’s operations, educational offerings, and community initiatives for over 15 years. She holds and stewards the practical, relational, and energetic foundations that sustain and evolve this work.
Her orientation to harmonizing mind, body, and soul weaves the wisdom of spirit and soma, the sacred and the human, and the extraordinary within the everyday. As a Holistic Healing Arts Practitioner and Embodiment & Energetic Leadership Specialist, she brings over two decades of experience grounded in the wisdom of the Earth, the intelligence of the elements, and the transformative alchemy of the heart, expressed through an intentional relationship with life.
Through her presence and leadership, she cultivates connection, depth, and continuity across the community.
Payton Nyquvest
Community Leader & Bridge Builder
Payton Nyquvest is a Vancouver based entrepreneur and thought leader devoted to bridging Indigenous wisdom with the needs of the modern world. Over the past decade, he has played a significant role in the resurgence of psychedelic therapy in North America as the founder of Numinus Wellness, helping lead therapist training programs, clinical research, and large scale healing initiatives.
His work and insights have been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, Bloomberg, CTV, and Forbes.
Payton has worked closely with Jhaimy over several years and is deeply passionate about supporting the vision and mission of Children of the Seven Rays. His personal healing journey ignited a lifelong commitment to transformation, resilience, and ethical stewardship. He collaborates with Indigenous leaders, coaches, and healers to ensure that knowledge is shared with authenticity, cultural sensitivity, and respect.
He is devoted to empowering individuals to live and lead in alignment with both ancient wisdom and modern responsibility, and is passionate about supporting the Yachay Wasi community through fostering regular engagement, connection, and ongoing commitment among its members.
Stephanie Chan
Client Care & Executive Assistant
Stephanie Chan brings a caring and attentive presence to Children of the Seven Rays, guiding individuals as they step into one-to-one mentorship with Jhaimy and supporting them throughout their journey.
As an integral part of the team, she manages scheduling, logistics, and coordination, while playing a key role in supporting events and creating seamless, welcoming experiences for the community. Her presence allows individuals to step into deeper work feeling supported, organized, and fully held within the circle.
Our Ayllu
Spiritual Family & Community
Over the past twenty years, a strong, caring, and committed community has grown around this work. Together, members hold a grounded space for learning, reflection, and practice, a place where the teachings are not only shared but lived and woven into daily life.
Many Ayllu members have walked alongside us for decades, deepening their personal practice while supporting the community through hosting, facilitating, mentoring, and welcoming new members into the circle.
It is through this collective care and dedication that the teachings remain alive, relational, and fully embodied.
