A Journey of Transformation
Welcome!
I'm Cristina — holistic guide, mentor, and the founder of Samdea.
This is the story of how I chose to create a life rooted in purpose, growth, and authentic connection.
Kata is the name my teachers gave me when I completed the Odaka Yoga Zen Warrior training. It's short for katatsumuri, the Japanese word for snail — a symbol of perseverance, patience, and slow, steady victory. It’s a reminder that every step matters, no matter how small.
For many years, I followed a traditional path. I had a loving marriage, a home, and a successful career as a sales manager for Fortune 500 companies.
But in 2009, life shook me to the core. Piece by piece, everything I had built fell apart. Choosing to rebuild myself was not easy — but it was the most important decision of my life. Yoga and meditation became my anchors, helping me find healing, clarity, and strength when everything else felt uncertain.
A few years later, I made a bold choice: I left my secure job, earned a second master’s degree, found love again, and moved from Italy to California, ready to start a new chapter.
What did I learn? Happiness cannot depend on what happens outside of us. True transformation occurs when we shift our perspective, connect with our True Self, heal our inner world, and embrace the courage to start over — no matter how many times it’s needed.
I began my academic journey with a Master’s in Law, seeking to impact the world through justice. But I quickly realized that legal work meant living within a system I couldn’t change. I pivoted, and spent nearly two decades leading large sales teams, using coaching as a leadership tool. Even in the corporate world, my heart stayed connected to something deeper: since adolescence, yoga and meditation have been my sacred tools to stay grounded and true to myself.
In 2018, I became a certified yoga teacher and began teaching in my free time, continuing to deepen my studies.
Then 2020 arrived. The world shifted. So did I. I saw how many people were struggling and realized my passion for personal growth could become a way to help others heal and transform. I left the corporate world and dedicated myself fully to Holistic Coaching, weaving together my professional experience with powerful inner work techniques.
But my journey wasn’t finished. With a deep love for the human mind and spirit, I pursued a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology in Italy. After five years of study, an internship in Germany focused on psychedelic therapies, and a thesis on new approaches to treating depression, I graduated in 2023.
Today, my path is clear: I help people reconnect with themselves, find meaning in change, and transform their lives from the inside out.
The Foundation of My Work
A blend of academic excellence and 20 years of human-centered experience.
To ensure our journey together is safe, grounded, and effective, I bring a unique combination of credentials to my practice:
➡️ Academic Excellence
Clinical Psychology: Master’s Degree (2023).
Law: Master’s Degree (2001).
Marketing & Communication: 12-month Postgraduate Master’s (2001-2002).
➡️ Consciousness & Psychedelic Studies
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Coaching: Advanced 9-month specialized training (2025-2026) with MIND Foundation (Berlin) and Third Wave (California).
Somatic & Depth Wisdom: Trained in Hypnosis and Active Imagination (Jungian Mystery School)
Holotropic Breathwork: Grof Transpersonal Training – currently in a 3-year training program
➡️ Yoga & Somatics
Yoga Certified Teacher (750+ RYT): Odaka Yoga & Zen Warrior.
Trauma-Informed Practice: Advanced training in Somatic Integration, Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY-USA), and Yoga for Eating Disorders.
➡️ Leadership & Coaching
Business Expertise: 20 years of experience in Sales and People Management (50+ team members) within for Fortune 500 and global industry leaders.
Leadership Training: 3-year intensive coaching and leadership program (2016).
Sexuality: Certified Consultant (2015).
✨ If you're seeking clarity, healing, or a new perspective, I would be honored to walk this path with you. Let's start this beautiful journey together. ✨