It is important to understand ayahuasca is not right for everyone, nor is the intensity of the Shipibo approach to space in and out of the ceremony. There are myriad ways both traditional and modern ayahuasca is practiced and it is important to choose a retreat that will provide the level of care you feel you will require.

As we were trained by our teachers, we continue to point each guest back towards themselves for the answers. We encourage guests to sit with their questions in the container of the plants for a time before requesting assistance. The plants are incredible teachers, yet require a sacrifice of having capacity to create quiet space to hear their subtle teachings. We feel there should be a balance between processing internally and aloud to gain the most from your time here. That is why it may be of benefit to have undertaken some degree of personal work prior to drinking ayahuasca so you are able to meet these spaces of silence with openness and curiosity.

With that said both Safa, Felix Patrick, and Scott have years of experience and process tools on hand for that which may arise during your inquiries.

Ayahuasca is a sacred medicine and should be approached with respect and humility. In that spirit, it is important to ask yourself what is calling you to work with the medicine. Physical illness, emotional/mental well-being and/or connection to the world of plants are all excellent reasons for reaching out. We have found that guests simply looking to have an ‘experience’ or ‘try ayahuasca’ will not be the best fit. If the intention is not well reasoned, the medicine will often respond with the same lack of lucidity. Coming with a clear intention as to what you are looking to receive, is like telling a teacher what you are looking to learn. It provides the teacher with a starting point and gives you a point of reference for the metaphors ayahuasca will weave.

The safety of our guests is of paramount at Body of Prana, we therefore require all guests to fill out a thorough questionnaire regarding their physical, psychological and pharmaceutical history. Through this screening we ascertain if ayahuasca is appropriate at this time. In certain cases of more complex trauma we may recommend you begin with other remedies and come to ceremony to receive icaros (healing songs) without drinking or drinking very little to begin with. If more detail is needed to make a final decision, a screening call may be required.

As ayahuasca spreads around the world there are many people offering ceremony from traditional lineages to neo-shamanic styles incorporating other traditions and practices. We work strictly in the Shipibo tradition, honoring the lineage and ceremony practices handed down by our maestros. In the Shipibo tradition the healers are known as onanya, which translates to “one who knows." This tradition requires that those serving medicine have apprenticed for many years and have been given permission by their teacher after careful evaluation their work. For more information about the medicine of the Shipibo people please click here. Ceremonies held at Mana Rao will be run by Felix and those held at Mexa Nete are run by our teacher Soi and his family.

Ayahuasca is a vine that grows throughout the Amazon, yet this word commonly refers to a tea containing the combination of the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the leaves from a bush called chakruna (Psychotria viridis). This mixture has been employed for many centuries throughout the Amazon as a powerful healing tool and vehicle to awaken consciousness. The word ayahuasca is actually a combination of two Quechua words aya and huasca which translates as the death vine or soul vine. In the Shipibo tradition ayahuasca is referred to as oni (oo-nee) which translates as knowledge. This medicine produces powerful psychoactive effects that can address many deeply rooted issues from trauma and addiction to assisting one in life direction and purpose.