Our Story
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I was born on planet Earth within man-made borders known as Iran, just two years after the Islamic revolution and one year into the Iran-Iraq war!
I grew up in Mehr Shahr, a small town 40 km from Tehran, which felt relatively safer during the war. After the 1979 revolution, I was raised in a conservative society under the pressure of an extremely Islamic regime, yet within a loving and open-minded family, where I stood out as the black sheep of the family.
School was not easy for me, especially compared to my high-achieving siblings. Still, I eventually entered a Computer Science program at university. After two years, I realized it was not my path and decided to drop out in order to explore other interests. I tried various jobs until, around the age of twenty-six, I discovered my passion for cooking and serving others.
A year later, I started my own catering and event planning business from my home kitchen. Through dedication and hard work, it grew quickly and became successful. Within five years, I was living what I once imagined as “the dream,” and I proved to myself and my family that success does not depend on a university degree alone, but on following one’s heart and passion.
As my business grew, I began to feel a sense of emptiness. Despite the success and a life filled with work, parties, and socializing, I lacked time for self-reflection and felt lost. This inner calling led me to sell my business and step into a period of deep soul-searching. I took to the road, traveling the world on my small folding bicycle and volunteering in eco-farms and spiritual centers along the way.
After several years, this journey brought me to Montenegro, where I met my soulmate, Zoe. She had left Switzerland to explore life beyond mainstream Western society. We quickly discovered that we shared the same values, dreams, and vision for life. Together, we imagined creating a small community, growing our own food, and making a positive impact by hosting conscious activities and bringing people of different cultures together in a spirit of peace and harmony.
Today, we are here. Zoe and Pasha, a Swiss-Iranian couple, together with our son Jiji, living in a small village in Montenegro. We have fulfilled our dream by transforming century-old stone ruins into a warm and welcoming farm retreat. This journey would not have been possible without the support of our lovely families and the many beautiful volunteers who walked part of the path with us.
We look forward to sharing a piece of our peaceful life with you.
Zoe, Pasha & Jiji
Pachamama Family
Zoe
Zoe is a loving mom, talented masseuse, dedicated AcroYogi and dance enthusiast. Her journey into AcroYoga and massage started in 2018 during her travels, and it has been a big part of her life ever since! She’s certified in Thai and Ayurvedic massage, but she also loves offering a mix of treatments, including hair care and full-body massage.
Zoe’s energy really shines when she’s practicing AcroYoga or dancing, always inspiring others to join in the fun. Her passion for it even led her to organize AcroYoga retreats every season! And when she’s not on the mat, you’ll probably find her jamming on the guitar, singing, or dancing her heart out at a workshop.
Zoe is also a professional tailor. She creates beautiful handmade clothes and provides sewing services, sharing her creativity in everything she does.
Natalia
Natalia is a hatha yoga teacher, a pranic healer, a sound healer, a certified Gong Master, a MEM Gong Yoga kriya design scientist and a transformational coach.
She studied sound healing at the Peter Hess Academy and learned the art of Gongs from Grand Gong Master Don Conreaux.
Born in Poland and grew up in France, she settled in 2010 at the Adriatic Sea in beautiful Montenegro.
Shahriar
Shahriar's journey back to nature began during a moment of reflection on his joyful childhood memories—digging in the soil, playing in the garden, and exploring the wonders of nature. These formative experiences shaped his outlook on life and inspired him to make a bold decision: to leave behind his life as a documentary maker and his time in the coffee business to live closer to the land and pursue the life of a farmer. He is now in charge of our garden, where his deep connection to the earth, water, and the beauty of nature shines through in everything he does.
Shabnam
Shabnam is the nurturing mother of our community, feeding our bodies with her fusion dishes and warming our souls with her smile and sweet presentation before each meal. Her use of oriental spices, combined with a touch of Italian culinary artistry, leads our guests to rave more about the food in their reviews than anything else.
Pauliina
Pauliina Diallo:
Dance artist, Yoga teacher, Pranic healer, Arhatic Yogi (preparation level), Touch for Health healer, Intuitive energy therapist, Neural pathway masseuse, African drummer.
I've always been passionate about movement. My journey as a dance artist, teacher, and choreographer, along with my role as a yoga teacher, has taught me about the human body, compassion, and love.
Dance and yoga are active meditation, mind control. When we move consciously, we connect with our Higher self. I help people find this connection to their body and spirit through my work.
To make our world a better place, we need more love, compassion, unity, and joy. Let's move our bodies and care for ourselves and each other ♥️
And…
Special thanks to the Pachamama Magicians, Greg & Viktor, without whom Pachamama wouldn't be the extraordinary place it is today.
Throughout our journey, we have not only worked together but also lived together and enjoyed wonderful moments as a close-knit team. The beauty you see in our construction is a testament to their unwavering attention to detail and exceptional skills as perfectionists.
From the depths of our hearts, we extend our heartfelt wishes for peace to Greg and Viktor, their families, their homeland, and all those who are enduring the hardships of wars.
We want to express how much we cherish and appreciate you both. Your dedication and contributions have shaped Pachamama into something truly remarkable.
With love and gratitude,
Pachamama Family
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