Our mission at the MahaBhakti Foundation is about creating a nurturing environment where differences are transcended and every individual has the opportunity to share their true being, ensuring access for all.

We aim to nurture deep, authentic connections within the community where everyone, regardless of their background, circumstances, or differences, feels supported and has equitable access to our healing modalities and support services. It’s about dissolving superficial divisions to promote trust, respect, and mutual support, thereby facilitating healing, growth, and empowerment for all involved.

Our mission is focused on inclusivity and equity as the foundation for a diverse community united by the shared experience of our humanity.

 

We help individuals, families, and children to feel more connection, meaning, and empowerment in their lives

by sharing a deeply spiritual lifestyle that is intuitive and easily integrated into their daily routine.

~Jozee & Cricket

Jozee, Co-Founder

Jozee is a certified advanced Yoga instructor with over 30 years of experience specializing in mantra, sound healing, pranayama, children’s and restorative yoga.  Jozee is also a state certified Wellness Coach I, and holds an A.S. in Human Services. She is currently in the Community Studies B.A. program at UCSC.

Jozee was appointed in 2020-2024 to the SUDC (Substance Use Disorder Commission) for Santa Cruz County.  Jozee is a member of the Behavioral Health Equity Collaborative (BHEC). BHEC is dedicated to increasing Behavioral Health equity for our community by bringing together community representatives to identify, address, and reduce behavioral health disparities for cultural groups represented in Santa Cruz County. 

 

~Jozee and Cricket

Cricket, Co-Founder

Cricket is an artist, writer, lyricist, and musician at heart. With a background in graphic design, herbal product manufacturing, and music production, Cricket has also been the drum circle facilitator for the Naturally Mystic Experience retreats.

Cricket is a state certified Wellness Coach I, and holds an A.S. in Human Services. He is currently in the Community Studies B.A. program at UCSC.

As a survivor of chronic childhood trauma, addressing Complex PTSD has been a lifelong journey to build confidence and self-esteem. Cricket began hand drumming at seventeen years old. Through self-expression, he discovered that the practice of hand drumming addresses three levels of consciousness: mind, body, and spirit.

 

The drum circle is like a village, a place of belonging, which is essential for developing human connections. Drumming allows us access to ourselves and our feelings. It’s a safe space for self-expression, non-verbal communication, and for listening to and bonding with others. Whether following instructed patterns and rhythms or whether engaged in a spontaneous group orchestration, changes in dynamics, tempo, rhythm, and intensity allow for a wide range of emotional release, 

 

 

 

which sometimes can mean to express aggression, or to release stress and anxiety. This is a safe place to feel these emotions, let go, and to move past them. Drumming also allows us to lose ourselves in meditation and enjoy the calm mindfulness it brings. The act of drumming can create an altered state of consciousness – a Naturally Mystic Experience. To let go and connect with your spiritual side is quite healing. Most of all, it’s fun. This is freedom.

~Cricket

 

 

 

 

 

The Roberto Team

MahaBhakti, translating to “great devotion,” embodies the ethos of the Roberto family’s commitment to service. At the heart of this dedication are Jozee and Cricket’s young adult children, actively participating in our programs. They not only provide and prepare delicious organic vegan meals for our retreats but also offer invaluable support across all aspects of our initiatives. Their involvement underscores our collective mission to serve others with compassion and dedication. Our family finds great joy and peace in serving others in this way, enriching both their lives and ours through meaningful connections and shared experiences.

Meet Jozee and Cricket’s daughter, Jasra, the inspiration for our  Substance Use Disorder programs, she’s an absolute success story. Not only is she now a registered drug and alcohol counselor in Santa Cruz County,  she’s also a clinical counselor for a local SUD service provider and received the High Achievers Scholarship for Career Technical Education in 2023. We celebrate her success and attribute her life today to her self-determination and her love for her two children, and to all the amazing service providers who assisted her recovery in Santa Cruz County.

Board Members

John Leopold, with 12 years of dedicated service as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor, offers invaluable insight into the county’s community dynamics and needs. His extensive experience is instrumental in guiding the MahaBhakti through local government relations and maximizing the benefits of community programs for our initiatives.

 

Beyond his professional expertise, John’s personal mentorship to our Co-Founders,  Jozee and Cricket, adds a deeply supportive layer, ensuring that MahaBhakti’s activities are seamlessly integrated within the community. His profound and genuine passion for helping his community significantly inspires and directs our efforts to align with the unique needs of Santa Cruz County.

 

 

 

 

Brenda Armstrong, with over 40 years of government agency experience, passionately advocates for youth well-being and community health. She focuses on promoting prevention services to tackle public health challenges and build resilient communities. Brenda leads environmental strategies that shape social norms, regulations, and substance access to enhance community wellness. Her leadership has driven successful collaborative projects at state and local levels, including Santa Cruz County Prevention Collaboratives and the Friday Night Live Program. She empowers youth and community members to address issues directly impacting them. Brenda provides training and coaching on navigating systems and crafting policies prioritizing health, equity, and sustainability. Her work, including projects like Project CURB and The Seven Challenges Reduction of Suspension Project, has earned national recognition. Highlighted in influential books, Brenda’s BA in Business Administration equips her to drive impactful change at the nexus of public health, community development, and youth empowerment.

 

 

Zaynrico Roberto serves on the board of MahaBhakti Foundation, where he supports the governance of the organization and helps ensure that resources are used in a way that aligns with MahaBhakti’s mission and long-term sustainability. He works on developing systems and processes that allow the organization to grow in a grounded and responsible way.

Zaynrico works closely with the team to support program planning, funding decisions, and overall organizational development. He also supports fundraising efforts and helps guide how resources are allocated across programs and initiatives.

With a steady and thoughtful approach, Zaynrico helps keep MahaBhakti’s operations both mission-driven and financially sound.

Advisory Board

As a rhythm ambassador Arthur Hull travels the world inspiring community-building through the metaphor of music. His pioneering Rhythm Facilitation work has touched the lives of thousands of people world-wide instigating the new and growing profession of the community Drum Circle Facilitator.

Arthur is known throughout the world as an inspirational presenter, a skilled group facilitator and a motivational trainer. Bringing Village Music Circles experiences to communities and organizations worldwide, Arthur has inspired a grass-roots movement of people from diverse cultures and backgrounds who have learned to use the impact of rhythm as a means to improve human interaction.

With a mission to make the joy and the impact of rhythm accessible to everyone, Arthur brings his fun and inspirational rhythm experiences to communities from corporate executives to kids at risk. A gifted percussionist and charismatic facilitator, Arthur leads diverse groups through a joyful and inspiring experience using music and rhythm. From small groups to groups of thousands, English speaking to Mandarin, youngsters to elders, Arthur’s wit and humor motivate people beyond cultural and personal barriers inspiring full, enthusiastic participation and community-building.

In 1980 Arthur Hull founded Village Music Circles; instructing over 7000 students at the University of California, Santa Cruz, while bringing experiential team-building and leadership events to organizations internationally. Currently he taught over 10,000 students in 34 countries around the world. Organizations from Asia to Europe are tapping into the pulse of team and community-building experiences that Arthur’s motivational music-making inspires.

 

 

Sponsors