CURRENT TRAVEL TO PERU IS SAFE AND OPEN! CLICK HERE TO READ MORE

Online COurses

From Plant to Spirit - A Shipibo Wisdom Course

Overview

Learn Shipibo Wisdom directly from Don Miguel, who draws upon his ancestral linage of healers, or “curanderos.” During this live online course, your Shipibo teacher introduces you to the art of ancestral spiritual tradition and Shipibo cosmology.

The Shipibo people are deeply respected for their knowledge of the sacred plant medicines, ceremonies, and spiritual connection to the rainforest environment. They remain a resilient tribe, and despite numerous attacks on their culture and traditions, have retained their traditional knowledge and customs.

Under Don Miguel’s guidance, you will explore how we can utilize sacred medicines like Ayahuasca, Noya Rao, Bobinsana, Chullachaqui, Aya Huma, and more – within a spiritual context. You will learn who are the true Onanya, the Shipibo’s Shaman, what it takes to undergo a traditional Dieta, how to use the pipe and connect with Mapacho, and how to sing Icaros.

This unique opportunity enables you to acquire the essential foundation to work with sacred medicines under the Shipibo lineage from a Maestro with a high level of transparency and years of experience.

DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED

Schedule

With 6 Sessions spread over 3 days, this course offers students the opportunity to uncover hidden knowledge of the Shipibo tribes ancient wisdom.

2 Sessions 70 minute sessions per day, with a 20 minute break between, and space for Q&A afterward. 3 Days in duration. 

Fully translated in real time from Spanish to English. All courses will be recorded and students will receive lifetime access, including recorded Q&A (9 hours of recordings).

Live Online Course Structure

After an introduction of the course and the teacher Don Miguel, you will learn about the true Shipibo Shamans – Onanya, who were the mystical Murraya, and who are the Brujos (Sorcerers). 

 Learn the legend behind ayahuasca, and how to navigate the experience in ceremony. Don Miguel will share what it takes to lead a ceremony with ayahuasca, what is needed to bring healing, and how to protect the ceremonial space from energetical attacks. 

Learn the essential component of dieting plants and teacher trees. Don Miguel will teach the traditional way of connecting with the master plants’ spirit and new ways. Don Miguel will explain the restrictions during and after a Master Plant Dieta and why fasting is essential. 

Learn the legends of the most known master plants as well as their proprieties and how to use them in practice. Don miguel will educate you on incredible plants each with very unique healing applications.

This will introduce how to work with mapacho and the Spirit Tobacco with a pipe. How to use the pipe to connect with the Master Plant Spirit and learn to follow a dieta with the pipe.

It may be the best time to ask Don Miguel to craft a pipe for you with your favorite Teacher Tree. 

Don Miguel will also teach the group about the significance of the Noya Rao Icaro that you can use throughout a Master Plant Dieta. This knowledge will be vital in helping you to access your highest potential and realize deep healing and transformation.

Draw Upon Ancient Shipibo Wisdom

Meet the team

Don Miguel

Elio Geusa

Gratitude

Words of Gratitude

This trip was a dream. It far exceeded my expectations. I felt so welcomed and comfortable, but it also challenged me in ways I didn’t even know could happen. 
Jessica Farrelli
ITALY
I could describe this experience as life changing but that would not do it justice. It was a powerful, challenging, loving, and supportive spiritual experience. Every need was attended to in a beautiful environment.
Robert Cropper
USA
The whole team is incredible. They are so supportive, understanding, and passionate. I have never felt so nurtured in my life. When you're in the experience they are always there, with love and open arms. I cannot recommend them enough.
Tatiana
USA
Elio is an amazing leader! On point organisation and structure. He is well connected in the indigenous community and has a great understanding of the spiritual journeys and the psychology of us humans. Elio is highly likeable and someone you will trust from the beginning of your journey.
MIKAEL SODERLINDH
CEO AND FOUNDER, HAPPY SOCKS
I feel lucky and honoured to have met Elio, who organized probably the best jungle-trip I have ever had. Elio introduced us to the oldest shamanic family of Peru. Elio appeared not only as a reliable and very empathetic facilitator, but also as a close friend and loving ceremony contributor who openly shares his deep knowledge of the medicinal plants and the shamanic way of life. I look forward to meeting him again for many more magical adventures in the future. Thank you very much!
HENRI VOGEL
GERMANY
After many years on ‘the road less travelled’ and the chance meetings with remarkable wonderful souls, I had the good fortune to come into the presence of Maneesh de Moor and Elio Geusa. As we all look back into our lives, we remember those quintessential special moments of bliss, joy, enlightenment to the opening of your heart space, our kinship to all. This encounter with Maneesh and Elio was one of those times. Their love and support is boundless. Their music transcends the spirit to the indescribable. Very rarely do I recommend 2 people to work with, but feel honoured and bound to say to everyone who reads this. They are the gifts for you, to spend time with them in something so special, for YOUR LIFE — Namaste. Bodhi Madito.
Tony Clark
UNITED KINGDOM
Ayahuasca opened a door to a new world that I was scared to enter before. Ayahuasca is a teacher and a tool, once you have the knowledge it’s up to you to create your life and to put the teachings in action. This work is a wonderful ongoing process. Elio is very loving; a happy and balanced person. He radiates a very strong, positive energy that makes you feel completely comfortable. Helping others is his priority in life.
Mark S.
GERMANY
Photo of Woman from Ayahuasca Retreat

Level Up With Us

Interested in flexible pricing options? Speak to our program coordinator today

From Plant to Spirit, Introduction to Shipibo Wisdom

Learn Shipibo Knowledge with Don Miguel
$ 295
  • 9 Hours of Lectures (Recorded Videos with Lifetime Access)
  • Full Translation from Spanish to English
  • Q&A Sessions
  • Includes FREE Icaros Class

Ready for Deep Healing?

BOOK YOUR RETREAT NOW

Don Miguel

Shipibo Curandero

AKA Senen Yoi - 'Speaking the Truth'

Don Miguel was born into a Shipibo community called Roaboya on the River Ucayali. When Don Miguel was a child, Angel Sanchez Vargas, his grandfather was the community’s curandero. Vargas was an expert in sacred plant medicines and was frequently called upon to heal and share his spiritual wisdom with members of Roaboya. The school built some years later was named after Vargas and Roaboya went on to be recognised as the first indigenous community 114 years ago. Don Miguel grew up surrounded by the Shipibo wisdom and possess intimate knowledge of the sacred plant medicines. At a very young age he began his apprenticeship as a curandero through plant dietas under the supportive guidance of his grandfather. Miguel is also a trained literature professor and thoroughly enjoys teaching the Shipibo language and culture. Since 2012, Don Miguel has spent the bulk of his time leading lectures, workshops, initiation courses and retreats. Don Miguel will lead our Ayahuasca ceremonies, circle discussions and be available for personal consultations whilst on retreat.

Elio Geusa

Founder - Lead Facilitator

Elio Guesa

Elio Geusa is the founder of AYA Healing Retreats and is a qualified Social Worker with over thirteen years of experience working both on national and international humanitarian projects, supporting adults experiencing mental health and intellectual disabilities, and refugee populations throughout Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Elio believes that loving and inspired action can create meaningful change in the world.

Elio has been devoted to the path of plant medicine and Ayahuasca since 2009 and began an apprenticeship under the guidance of Maestro, Vegetalista Manaco Manai. In his long time in Peru, he has continued to deepen his knowledge, experience, and understanding of the workings of the sacred plant medicines, studying the Shipibo traditions under the revered Mahua family and has undertaken numerous Master Plant Dietas with well-respected curanderos in the Peruvian Amazon.

This immersion in the sacred plant medicines of the indigenous peoples of Peru enabled Elio to experience deep and profound healing. He has overcome crippling anxiety and anger as a result of traumatic childhood experiences and healing that trauma imprints that were not possible through the Western medical paradigm. His renewed sense of self-worth, love, compassion, and empathy for himself enables him to extend those same qualities to others.

Elio founded AYA Healing Retreats because he is convinced of the healing potentialities of sacred plant medicines. Not only does he hope to share the indigenous wisdom of the ancient traditions of the Indigenous people of the Amazon, but he also hopes to make a bigger difference by investing profits from AYA Healing Retreats into humanitarian projects that create a more compassionate world.

LET'S START

Application

Our comprehensive screening questionnaire has been developed in partnership with the International Centre for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS). Please take your time to answer it as honestly and with as much detail as possible. This information will remain strictly confidential and will only be used to assess your suitability for a place on retreat with AYA Healing Retreats and keep you safe

Please remember that the purpose of this screening questionnaire is to determine whether plant medicine healing is suitable for you…not whether you are suitable for plant medicine healing. Plant medicines are tools, like any other healing modality and like other tools for healing experiencing them entails certain risks. We need to make sure that our plant medicines will not compromise your wellbeing or harm you in any way before we allow you to begin your healing journey with us. In short, we care about your safety and we need to do what we can to ensure that during your time with us you are not at risk of harm. Plant medicines can be dangerous if the plants are not the right fit for the individual. Your answers to this questionnaire will help us to determine whether the plants we intend to use are going to help, rather than harm you

Improvements, Pricing Changes, and What’s On The Horizon For AYA Healing Retreats

While living mindfully in the present, we are always excited for the future and we have much in store for the coming year. Among other upgrades to better serve our guests, we will be:

  • adding new staff at the center that offer even better cleaning and laundry services
  • increasing the breadth and depth of training undertaken by our facilitators
  • offering more in-depth one-on-one preparation sessions to all of our guests, in addition to integration sessions
  • implementing a new water filtration for healthy, alkaline, antioxidant drinking water rich in minerals and purged of impurities.
  • purchasing additional medical equipment and continued medical training of staff for the safety of all, both here and in our community

Part of our improvement plans include raising our prices starting in 2024 to support our continuing efforts in improving everything that we do. With that said, we will always do our best to keep our prices attainable and within reach for as many people as possible, and we will also offer the possibility of discounts in a few different ways:

  • Earlybird discounts when you book your retreat in advance
  • Deep discounts for return attendees
  • Deep discounts for residents of Central and South America

We will continue to provide payment plans for all of our retreats, please contact us at info@ayahealingretreats.com to discuss options.

We are committed to prioritizing the quality of our retreats, giving you the most personalized and authentic experience possible, and caring for the health, safety, comfort and well-being of everyone who comes to AYA Healing Retreats.

WAITING LIST

OUR fREE GIFT TO YOU

Critical Considerations When Choosing An Ayahuasca Retreat

No matter where you end up for your ayahuasca retreat, we want only the best for you. So here’s a little something to help you decide: Check these four necessary boxes before you make your final decision to ensure the best journey possible.

Absolutely free, no strings attached, and not published anywhere else.

Application

Our comprehensive screening questionnaire has been developed in partnership with the International Centre for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS). Please take your time to answer it as honestly and with as much detail as possible. This information will remain strictly confidential and will only be used to assess your suitability for a place on retreat with AYA Healing Retreats and keep you safe

Please remember that the purpose of this screening questionnaire is to determine whether plant medicine healing is suitable for you…not whether you are suitable for plant medicine healing. Plant medicines are tools, like any other healing modality and like other tools for healing experiencing them entails certain risks. We need to make sure that our plant medicines will not compromise your wellbeing or harm you in any way before we allow you to begin your healing journey with us. In short, we care about your safety and we need to do what we can to ensure that during your time with us you are not at risk of harm. Plant medicines can be dangerous if the plants are not the right fit for the individual. Your answers to this questionnaire will help us to determine whether the plants we intend to use are going to help, rather than harm you