Welcome.

Namaste. I’m grateful you are here.

I am Zach Barney (my given name comes from the original black power ranger) and I also go by Samaveda Giri (my spiritual name given by my guru in Colombia).

If you are a sincere seeker of truth on the path of self-healing, emotional alchemy, and spiritual liberation then you are in the RIGHT place.

My work bridges ancient healing traditions and modern embodiment practices, offering grounded, transformational guidance to those ready to evolve their health and consciousness.

I am here to walk with you on the path of embodying a more holistic lifestyle rooted in peace, presence, and devotion through the practices of Yoga, Somatic Healing, and Embodied Storywork.

Thank you for BEing here with me in this sacred moment in time.

I invite you to slow down, take a breath, and explore this page with an open heart and curious mind. It’s time to rise together!

Om Shanti

My Self-Healing Journey: From Surviving to Thriving

For much of my early life, I lived in a body that felt like a battlefield—chronic asthma, anxiety, and depression clouded my breath and dimmed my spirit.

Though I followed conventional paths to wellness, something in me always questioned whether true healing could be found in a pill.

At 15, I made a courageous choice: to take my health into my own hands. I turned to food, movement, breath, and nature as medicine.

That choice became a path—a path that would lead me to South America and into the heart of ancient healing traditions.

Key Milestones:

2009 – Reclaiming Health
 I stopped all medications and began listening deeply to my body and intuition.

2012 – Avoiding the Emotional Roots
Beneath physical symptoms, I unearthed emotional numbness and started to become aware of my own negative tendencies.

2015 – The Call to Transform
 A quiet inner voice led me to Brazil. What began as a study abroad program became a spiritual awakening.

2016–2022 – Immersion in Holistic Living
I traveled through South America, studying plant medicine, yoga, breathwork, and ancestral wisdom. I supported retreats, offered integration coaching, and began sharing what I had received through workshops and writing.

2022–2025 – Integration and Embodiment
Rooting in the Andes of Colombia with my life partner, I deepened my studies—embracing Vedic scriptures, sadhana, and conscious lifestyle practices. Through the Enlifted Storywork method and spiritual initiation into the Giri lineage of Shiva Yoga, I stepped into service with greater clarity and purpose. In this sacred process, I received my spiritual name: Samaveda Giri.

Present
Now, over 15 years since that first pivotal decision, I continue to walk the path—not as someone who has arrived, but as one who is devoted to the process.

I share this journey not as a prescription, but as an invitation.

Now, I offer what I’ve lived—supporting others to reclaim their connection to their body, mind, and soul through the holistic practice of Yoga.

This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about remembering:
You are the medicine.

Are you ready to walk together?

I invite you to take your first step in the process by scheduling a call with me on Zoom.

This gives us a chance to slow down and explore which options align best with where you are at in your journey to wellness and inner peace...

Schedule Your First Session Free

May we cultivate peace on Earth. One breath at a time.
Om Shanti.
Zach

More of my journey

  • Received sannyasin initiation in the Giri Lineage of Shiva Yoga (an intensive rite of passage ritual that required a full 12 months of preparation)
  • Guided 100+ men from their head to their heart through weekend immersion retreats and 1:1 embodiment coaching focused on harnessing the power of breath and storywork.
  • Lived in 4 countries and 8 cities, connecting with hundreds of global travelers, digital nomads, healers, shamans, and earth stewards.
  • Supported 50+ healing immersions & retreats in the U.S. and Colombia.
  • Supported in facilitation in 100+ Ayahuasca ceremonies across Brazil, Peru, Colombia, and the U.S.
  • Became fluent in Portuguese and Spanish.
  • Taught English to 100+ international students, created my own fluency coaching system, and wrote for a global education platform with over 1 million followers.
  • Explored indigenous healing traditions including the Shipibo, Yawanawa, Siona, Musica, and Kogui tribes.
  • Worked with traditional Amazonian medicines: Ayahuasca, Cacao, Tobacco/Ambil, Mushrooms, Kambo, and other medicinal plants while living in South America.
  • Immersed myself in a variety of holistic practices like yoga, qigong, fasting, cranial sacral therapy, sound healing, cold therapy, breathwork, and mindset training.

Certifications & Training

  • 2023 – Level 1 of the Enlifted Mindset Coaching Program 
  • 2025 –  Level 1 Therapeutic Yoga Teacher Training Certification
  • Present – Currently completing Permaculture Design Certification in the Design School for Regenerating Earth and practicing natural farming at Amaranth Acres in Maryland
  • Present – Lead Yoga Instructor at the Belmont Country Club Fitness Center in Ashburn, VA

Get Resourced

Connect with me on IG

Follow my writing on Substack

Paid Offerings

For Private Group or 1:1 Yoga, Breathwork, and Meditation Classes Inquiry Here

The Embodied Man 1:1 Coaching Program

Note: This homepage serves as a hub for my life’s work up until this point. Stay tuned for updates over the next few months as I reactivate and make changes to the site.