Meet Our Dedicated Team Members
Noel Bhavani Cianci, Founder and Facilitator
Noel Bhavani Cianci — or simply “Bhavani” — is an American–Italian kundalini yoga and meditation teacher, equine guide, and founder of Los Sagrados Sanctuary, a hermitage where horses, donkeys, and humans come together to find presence and healing. With more than 20 years of experience, Bhavani facilitates equine therapy and equine-assisted learning (EAL), and is also a certified life coach, reiki master, and kundalini yoga practitioner. She has shared her teachings internationally, including at the renowned Yandara Yoga Teacher Training Center in Baja, Mexico. Her path has been deeply shaped by study in the Four Agreements tradition with her teacher Don Miguel Ruiz, and by her spiritual roots with Bawa Muhaiyaddeen, a Sufi master from Sri Lanka who founded a fellowship in Philadelphia. Before dedicating herself fully to the healing arts, Bhavani lived another life as a Hollywood celebrity stylist. She chose to leave that fast-paced world behind for a slower, nature-based lifestyle rooted in spiritual practice, service, and healing. Today, Bhavani is devoted to helping people reconnect with their authentic true selves through deep presence, attunement with horses, and somatic healing practices. When she is not with her beloved herd, she enjoys photography, ocean swims, and cooking traditional Italian recipes that honor her heritage.
Juan Carlos Hernandez, Ranch Manager and Vet Tech
John Lamour, Education Lesson Director
When John Lamour bought his first horse as a complete novice, he could never have imagined how profoundly it would shape the course of his life. Over the past fifty years, John has devoted himself to riding, teaching, and living in partnership with horses — an enduring passion that has taken him across disciplines and landscapes. While in Big Sur, John owned his own ranch and worked at Esalen for 14 years where he managed the faculty.
He has ridden and taught in both English and Western styles, competed in three-day eventing, endurance riding, foxhunting, and steeplechase, and even tested his speed in barrel racing. His love of adventure led him to ride in parades, perform at rodeos, and fulfill his dream of long packing trips deep into the wilderness. John also
Today, John focuses on training young horses and riders of all ages. His teaching emphasizes safety, communication, and mutual respect — ensuring that no horse and no rider are left behind. With decades of experience and a deep love for the journey, John consciously continues to share the timeless wisdom and joy of horsemanship with all our guests at the ranch.
Our loyal right hand, Juan Carlos Hernandez has been working with our horses at Los Sagrados Ranch for 3 years. He has felt the impact horses had on his own life, as well as how they can impact and transform other people’s lives. This has led Juan Carlos to learn more about the science and nature of horses in such a way that he’s been contemplating becoming a vet tech. In addition, he would like to deepen his connection and contribution to the community by studying equine assisted therapy including children with disabilities.
Juan Carlos has been a caring, kind, compassionate and openhearted to all who have visited our ranch.
And last, but not the least, he’s been the Herd’s hero - caring for the horses with so much love and dedication during these hot summer days!
We are so grateful for him and to have him being a part of the family!