As a church, our ayahuasca ceremonies focus on a caring and helpful setting from which participants can surrender to divine love.
For more information on our church and the ceremonies we hold, please visit us online at www.aya.guide.
To interact with our community online, please feel free to join our closed Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/390101401189349/.
We were incorporated as a non-profit church in June of 2015 and hold the majority of our ceremonies at our spiritual center which is located in Tucson, Arizona.
24 Reviews on “Arizona Yagé Assembly”
The first night of my three nights of ceremony was one of the most unpleasant experiences I have ever had.
I was surrounded by facilitators who wanted to spread goodness and helpfulness, other people like me who were hurting but hopeful, and I spent the night approaching the altar five times, feeling darkness, discomfort, and misery rolling around inside my body, thinking, “I don’t belong here. As soon as the day comes, I will leave and not return the next two nights.” I had received so much guidance from facilitators before ceremony, and they all spent the night creating a space of music and peace in the desert, and here I was struggling to get to where I assumed everyone around me must be. Here I was, full of judgment and discomfort, waiting for a release that didn’t come until dawn, when after hours of silently sobbing into my mats, I was able to purge at the side of one of the facilitators.
That’s when everything changed. The first night, the ceremony weekend, the trajectory of that first year, the rest of my life.
Not right away, of course. But feeling all the concentrated miseries of a lifetime and recent tragedies lift made me feel like there was the possibility of more, of better, of healing, of letting go of darkness and judgment and welcoming in a connection with life I had not been in touch with before. I went outside into the sun and ate fruit with another facilitator and cried happy tears of release, and tried to explain the things I had seen and the things I was still looking for — many of which I would end up figuring out much later, and noticing with surprise and delight the connection to that first night and the ones that followed.
I returned eleven more times that year, and could have only had the experiences and transformations I had surrounded by this group of amazing people — their hearts, their music, their sensitivity, their senses of humor, and how supremely grounded they all are. If you are in need, they will come to your aid. If you need to experience a more solitary journey, the space is there for you to do so unbothered.
If you feel called to ayahuasca, I can not imagine a better, safer, more comforting and caring place to be among the finest people who will do everything in their power to help you face yourself, answer your questions, and hold space for you long after you leave the maloka. The work you must do for your particular situation is a process that starts before ceremony and unfolds itself weeks, months, years after the night is over — but the facilitators, karma crew, and other participants at Arizona Yagé Assembly are there to show you that it can be done, that there is joy to discover, that there is light within you, that you can let go, and that there is a place of unconditional love that can surprise and delight even the most negative, judgmental, wounded person out there…..if you open yourself up, even just a tiny sliver, for it. You are out in the stars, in the desert, with the sound of drums and flutes and singing from people who have worked for years bringing knowledge and practices from their friends in the jungle to a place where it can benefit others. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing, or what you’re looking for, the people at Arizona Yagé Assembly will help you put it into words so that you can figure it out and learn what it is to feel connected to and seen by a loving universe that — no matter how messed up, broken, or damaged you might feel — truly delights in your spirit, your life, and your existence.
This group is very special! I feel so safe and at home in these ceremonies. The first time I sat with these sacred medicine was outside the US and none of the shamans/facilitators spoke any English but it sure did motivate me to learn Spanish afterwards. These facilitator’s speak fluent English and some are fluent in other languages as well! Also these facilitators are all so welcoming especially when it’s your first time sitting. Which I feel is so important because diving deep with these ancient medicines for the first time can be nerve wracking. The music is top notch due to the variety of voices and ranges it makes the experience so immersive. I want to travel more to explore other places and ceremonies but this group will always have a special place in my heart and I highly recommend!
I’ve been to to Arizona Yagé Assembly ceremonies on four occasions. Every time has been an amazing experience for me. Scott and the other facilitators are wonderful, caring people who are always there for you when you need them. It’s in a beautiful, desert setting surrounded by nature, and you can really see the night sky, which makes it all the more powerful. This is a peaceful, healing place that feels like home to me.
I have sat with several Ayahuasca groups. I found this one to be one of my least favorites. The facilitators seem to lack reverence for the medicine. I witnessed some of them using their phones to share photos during ceremony, while asking participants to give up their phones all night. I also witnessed talking and giggling amongst the facilitators during ceremony. Some of the facilitators were going through their own healing unable to hold space for the new participants. It seems their main focus is to have facilitators that contribute music with little focus on the Individuals actually having done the healing work that it takes to hold space in this type of ceremony. They seem to shy away from allowing people to go deep and have a meaningful experience. The group feels to large to manage in an effective way. The group seems more focused on making money, than healing. This medicine is powerful and deserves more respect than what I see here.
Thank you. I’ve found that honesty is essential in all dealings. As much as it may sting me personally to read your review, I consider each person to come through ceremony, like yourself, as an absolute jewel. As for the medicine, even for people who have sat before, I’ve noticed that just because someone has sat in other circles doesn’t mean I can assume how they’ll respond to it. So, until someone coming in for the first time has had one or two doses it’s hard for me to gauge how they’ll sit with it. There’s no need from the get-go to overwhelm people with more medicine than they can navigate. That said, some people take the first dose and it takes them deeply straight through to a gentle landing in the morning. For others it takes two or more. It’s just one of the reasons we leave the alter open for doses straight through the evening. So, I strongly encourage people to come back up to the alter when they feel it’s time for more. But, as you know, the amount of medicine isn’t the final arbiter.
Some nights for some people, regardless of the amount of medicine they drink, they simply arrive at a place of silence and inner peace, simple tranquility. They may not have been bedazzled by visions that night as others around them sink deep into the medicine, but I’ve watched as they’ve taken that tranquility and brought it into their daily lives. I want everyone to get the absolute most out of it. And of course, there’s a whole range of emotional states that can emerge on any given night.
As for cell phone use, there can be occasions when our team needs to quickly check notes or quite naturally call ahead in the morning before the end of ceremony for someone’s ride. We’re not there to dither with cell phones. So, I can assure you it’s not a regular thing, but I will vet it with our team to see what they’re seeing on this, because I don’t like it either.
As for holding space with reverence, I’ve seen occasions where the entire room erupts into sudden laughter, and other occasions where gentle tears pervade the room. And yes, I’ve had to remind our facilitator crew to check their mirth, their utter joy for the moment. I can’t blame them, but still. In the maloca, we’ll have a whole spectrum of personal histories in the room that need to be weighed in balance. That said, even the person with stage-four cancer may erupt into giggles and laughter after profound and lengthy tears. There’s a middle path, and we don’t always hit it. But your words are well received. We’re seeking to hold space with love and compassion, honoring each person’s experience, insights, intuition, and direct observations. It’s certainly true, love heals everything.
Our circles may seem large given your own experience. So, it invites natural comparison to your past ceremonies with other circles. That said, I’ve observed with wonder how the group helps to heal the group, just with each person attending to their own experience, their own heart; and that spills into the space. We have a sizable facilitator group that allows at least one member to journey deeply at any given time as need be. I’m OK with that, they don’t need to be up on their feet at all times. But they can be and are as needed. I’ve found our crew attentive without being invasive of people’s journeys. But if you have observations in the particular on our presence and management within the space, please email me at [email protected]; they’ll be instructive, and I’d be personally appreciative.
Ceremony never really seems to end for me. So, there’s certainly no reason to argue with your experience, that would be absurd, since what you have to write is true. After years of building this church, I’m simply viewing from another angle. After nearly a decade of dedicated work with our community growing our church and coming up on 15 years personally working with La Medicina, I’ve been astonished and genuinely inspired by people’s growth. And that’s why it’s absolutely vital to hear you on this, to really take it in. To see what we can do to acknowledge, to improve, to inspire. I’m listening. You’ve raised my awareness. We’re in constant need of growth and improvement, acknowledgment and cleansing. I hope and trust we can live up to what you’re asking from us here.
If you’re interested in reading more about how we spend our additional time and resources, visit our website to read more about our rainforest conservation project, our support work with combat veterans, and our proactive civil-rights work in Federal court.
My name is Scott Stanley. Let me tell you, it can be challenging to stand up with your full name, reputation, family, and life’s work in the balance . . . particularly in Federal court as we are now in securing all of our community’s right to freely practice by suing the Federal government to do it. We seek to maintain the calm and confident safety of each participant, each member of our church, at every level, including enforcing a protective legal umbrella. And since we haven’t had a Robert Smith come through ceremony, let me encourage you to use your actual name in your review. Quite seriously. It will allow us to continue a constructive dialog on a personal basis. But I could see how you might be reticent to use your own name. No worries. Feel free to reach out to me in the above email. You have my ear.
AYA is truly the epitome of healing. Unlike the vast majority of medicine-based churches that focus on profit and business, AYA stands out as a firm exception to this rule. Despite living over 400 miles away from AYA, I happily and frequently make the drive just to be a part of this transformative experience once again.
Having experienced various groups, I can confidently state that AYA holds itself to a higher standard of healing. At AYA, you are the center of attention, and you feel completely safe and nurtured throughout the journey. As an adult male, I’ve always felt a stigma about crying in front of others, but at AYA, there is absolutely no judgment, which has been consistent over the past 3 years I’ve attended.
I can’t emphasize enough how there is no distance too far to drive specifically to AYA. While other centers are great, AYA has managed to elevate itself beyond comparison, in ways that can only be truly understood by joining them for an evening. If you have an opportunity to experience this truly remarkable Non-human experience at AYA, seize it. I’m taking time out of my day to write this review just to encourage others of AYA accolades. That’s how passionate this group makes you feel. seriously. seriously. i haven’t found any other place like this.
AYA is as good as it gets here in the United States. I have personally sat with Scott for 20 ceremonies and participated numerous times on the Karma Crew. What I like most about the group is the music. Yes the medicine is strong and they have numerous other tools available to assist in healing. I have sat in ceremony with 4 groups all within the USA and this is by far my favorite for an authentic experience. It’s incredible to connect with the Madre under the stars in Tucson. There’s something very magical about the desert night and the medicine reminds us of our connection to nature and the love we share for all beings. I’m so grateful for finding this group. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!
Please do your research before sitting in ceremony with this group. While they appear to be an experienced organization, they do not have an experienced shaman that regularly attends their ceremonies to properly control the energies that come from opening spiritual portals. Nor do they have appropriate integration support or protocols after ceremonies. They just tell you to e-mail or call them if you have any questions or want support. I unfortunately had a very traumatizing experience the last time I sat with this group and I felt very unsafe in the space that they could not contain. They have facilitators, not shamans. They may have guest shamans that appear several times per year but that is very inappropriate considering they have ceremonies every 2 weeks without a shaman present for the majority of them. And with the large number of people who regularly attend these ceremonies – that is detrimental to the wellbeing of those who attend. I unfortunately was spiritually attacked by a dark entity during and after my last ceremony with this group. And when I reached out to the lead facilitator, my intuition was telling me that he didn’t believe what I was telling him. And he certainly didn’t have the time for me when I asked multiple times for a follow up call from him. I felt like I was being shrugged off when I really needed guidance and support – guidance and support that they were not equipped to provide. I ended up seeking out help from a shamanic practitioner and from a shaman who hosts ayahuasca ceremonies with a different organization. This is not the first time someone left an ayahuasca ceremony from Arizona Yage Assembly who was spiritually hurt or attacked that healers in the spiritual community at large have had to step in and help because AYA could not or would not. I have also since spoken to other members of the ayahuasca community at large and gotten additional insight from facilitators in other organizations. I have been told numerous times that we must be careful who we participate in these ceremonies with. There absolutely must be at least one shaman present who is experienced enough and able to control the energies in the space at all times. Furthermore, a more structured protocol with structured integration support and follow up calls should be required to ensure that people are supported afterwards. And certainly not abandoning or ignoring your participant when they specifically ask the lead facilitator for a follow up, who then chooses to ignore the participant. I do not recommend this group.
Before sitting with any ayahuasca group – do your research, talk to members of the ayahuasca community at large, seek out the wisdom of shamans and spiritual healers of the community to hear about their experiences, specifically people who have had trouble during or after an ayahuasca ceremony and how it was handled (or mishandled). You will find your answers there.
I have sat with Aya for over 2 years and always have had an amazing experience. Words can’t express the amazing beautiful experiences each time.
I always feel safe and so much love from the facilitators and karma crew. I also feel so much love from the lead facilitator Scott who pours the medicine. When I go to the alter for more medicine he always checks in with me and gives me the best advice to help me with whatever it is I’m going through in my journey. He is so full of love!!
The music is phenomenal!! This is my medicine family and my church. I don’t know where my life would be if it wasn’t for this beautiful loving church. I highly recommend sitting with Aya. I’m so grateful for Scott and the rest of the crew.
This church is my home away from home! The facilators are family and I’ve never felt more supported in my healing in any other place than here! It is a very large circle which has its challenges but I say this teaches you soooo much in itself about managing boundaries and energies outside of yourself. There are lessons in every aspect of life and healing if you lean into to learn. The music is incredible and the property is rustic and isolated. Every time I show up to ceremony it’s like a weekend of camping with dear friends!
When I separated from the military 2014, I returned home with a lot of trauma from my military service. As years passed I learned about psychedelics in combating trauma and addiction which interested me because conventional therapy was not working. While researching a trip to Peru to sit with Ayahuasca in 2016, I found that Arizona was allowing use of Ayahuasca as a religious sacrament and soon found the Arizona Yagé Assembly.
Leading up to my first ceremony, I spoke with a facilitator on multiple occasions regarding my medical history (to identify contraindications with the medicine), what type of diet I should practice in preparation, and finally setting my intention for my first ceremony. I first sat with this group in 2017. The ceremony was eye opening and difficult for me to understand the complex emotions I felt throughout the night. I spoke with the facilitating shaman/ lead facilitator about what I experienced and he listened and offered advice. I then sat in a circle with folks that wanted to “unpack” their experiences and I felt welcomed and accepted. Given my financial situation (hence Peru is unrealistic for many people), I could not attend a second night and I expressed this to the facilitating shaman/ lead facilitator. He listened and invited me to return and not worry about the donation. I could not sit that second night, but I returned the following weekend for a weekend of ceremony and I am glad I did.
Today, I have sat with this group on multiple occasions and each ceremony I leave with tremendous insights that allow me to grow in life. There is a strong Veteran support network that branches from this church that advocates for mental health treatment after ceremony using VA resources as well. From my experience, Ayahuasca has become a tourist industry in regards to romanticizing trips abroad which again is unrealistic for the average person living in the US. I feel that the Arizona Yagé Assembly has created a safe space where Ayahuasca is accessible to the average person. It’s almost as if Ayahuasca is wanting to expand out from the Amazon and heal the world! Thank you for listening!
I have sat with the medicine with this group off and on since 2015, have no interest in sitting with any other group. I have also facilitated and served on what is their support crew. In all my roles I have had nothing but what I intended: excellent journeys, deep and focused healing, and a bliss that comes from carrying nothing unneeded. I highly recommend researching as much as you can, doing 3 nights in a row (not 2, not 1), taking the dieta seriously for 2 weeks in advance and 1 week after, and perhaps even sitting with one of the master plants before your ceremony weekend. For newbies, perhaps drop sitting with the master plan before your first weekend. You’ll get much more out of a master plant sit after having some experience with Mama ayahuasca. You are blessed, beyond measure; the medicina will help you transform into a lover of all, a blessing to all you love.
I want to state that I have had several sittings with this church since December of 2022.
I have always felt like I was in a “Mother’s womb” when I have been at their facilities for a weekend of ceremonies.
Their leader (Scott) and all their facilitators and Karma crew are “angels that have had their wings clipped so that they can spend time on this earth helping us heal from our trauma”.
The set and setting of this healing medicine is really great. The music, instrumentals, and songs (icaros) give us nourishment on our journey of healing. You feel the earth underneath you supporting you thru the canvas mats on the floor. That are swept of sand and replaced when someone purges their trauma on them instead of hitting a bucket
The wonderful facilitators approach participants introducing themselves before ceremonies begin and answering questions as well as supporting us on our journeys with the medicine.
The karma crew that keep things running smoothly thru the entire weekend including preparing the space, providing fruit in the morning to nurish us, and replacing our purge buckets with clean ones and return our (purge) trauma back to mother earth.
These facilitators bring with them tools they have learned on their journeys to Peru to help and guide us on our journeys. They bless the space and us with burning sage before the ceremony and throughout the night to keep it safe for everyone here and welcome the spirts and guides that will help us on our personal journeys.
It truly is a spiritual place of healing and something I have endless appreciation for what they are doing for us as I move forward on my healing journey.
First timer? Read this!!!
I remember that as a beginner this was the most beautiful and transformative experience …. Thanks to the AYA church. I found the church on Google and didn’t know anyone when I was first going there. Today I smile at my initial nervousness of going to an unknown place and trusting the universe that everything’s going to be Okay!
The natural surroundings of this place are stunning and this is the perfect setting for inner exploration for someone like me who has always lived in a big city. I recommend you come while there is still day light to get familiar with the area, facilitators, and participants.
The facilitators at the church are incredible. You will find the best that humanity has to offer. They provide a safe and supportive space, and their compassion and understanding were invaluable as I navigated some of the experiences that came with the medicine. They also provide detailed guidance for pre and post ceremony integration… which is crucial to bring back insights and new perspectives to daily life.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to have embarked on this journey. The fact I could sit with the medicine within US was very compelling to me on multiple levels. I highly recommend this church to anyone who is healing and seeking a deeper understanding of themselves and the universe.
Remember: don’t hesitate to seek help from the facilitators. They have a lot of experience and are compassionate listeners. The more you communicate the more comfortable you will become. Don’t feel Shy …. simply walk up and say Hi!
I have gone to this location 3 times now starting in February 2021 and most recently in March 2023. I went there not knowing anybody. The ceremony and overall experience was very positive, enlightening and life changing. I made a friend with another participant and we went back together my second time and we are good friends today. I also became friends with one of the facilitators and know all the others by name. If I didnt live in the midwest I would invite them to my home. In March my 74 year old mom came with me. She had a fulfilling experience and wants to go back. I love the songs they sing and the ceremony overall. Before attending the first one I was a little apprehensive because it is out in the middle of the desert and I knew nobody. The very first person who greeted upon my arrival, one of the facilitators, is who I am friends with today. I love being out there in the desert under the amazing stars and sounds of nature. This place is out in the middle of the desert. There isn’t running water or flushing toilets, this place is beautifully rustic and allows me to feel completely free from civilization so I can focus on myself. I highly recommend this location.
This was my very first time attending a ceremony. AYA has a phenomenal facilitator Scott. The space felt sacred and safe. The people in this community are very genuine and are attentive whilst still giving the space to have an individual experience. I felt very comfortable and welcomed into this space. I look forward to attending future ceremonies with AYA. The music is also incredible!
I am grateful for the group and the commitment to the ceremony. they are attentive to the participants and try to meet any needs. I have sat with a Curandero who back flipped and swung from vines the entire ceremony, even though Scott doesn’t back flip he still holds a much needed space for those who are present, ( an occasional head stand or kick worm would be nice) the facilitators are very caring and put love and sincerity into their actions. I have a neighbor who is eager to attend but he is financially unstable but still feels called to walk this path. Overall I am glad to have connected with this church and look forward to the future with them.
This beautiful ceremony location
is out in the Arizona desert. The location has a maloca / yurt that is decorated with art from the Amazon and has a beautiful alter with crystals where the tea is served. During the winter there is a stove heater that keeps the room warm and during the hotter months they open up the doors that allows the heat to dissipate.
The head facilitator who pours the drinks is very helpful and insightful and is able to provide perspectives that assist me during the variety of emotions and experiences that arise during a ceremony.
Each ceremony has multiple facilitators that are available at all times to assist the group and whatever may come up.
They even provide on going support after the ceremony that each participant is welcome to reach out for.
When the participants arrive on time they are greeted by friendly staff who show them where to park and where to go. The paths are lit at night by solar lights and tea lights and when entering the maloca / yurt there are greeters to welcome and help each participant find their spot.
For bathrooms there are two porta potties available. They are some of the cleanest I’ve used. Well stocked in paper, baby wipes, feminine products, hand sanitizers, and tea lights.
For new comers there is a new comer talk the explains the frame work of the experience and there is usually a blend of new and seasoned practitioners.
During the ceremony there is beautiful live music with singing, guitars, drums, flutes, and more. They play and sing music and icaros learned from Amazon and more.
Overall, I absolutely love this experience, this location, and this group. It has profoundly positively impacted my life and the facilitators have provided valuable support for me on my journey
I highly recommend this group to those interested in starting or continuing exploring this type of ceremony.
I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to participate in two ayahuasca ceremonies led by Scott, Iyan, Huy, and their incredible team in Ukiah, CA during the winter and summer of 2019. Having anticipated this experience for over eight years, I was eager to finally partake in a ceremony that I had initially planned to experience in Peru. However, through a stroke of synchronicity, I discovered that it was possible to embark on this journey right here in the United States.
The importance of set and setting cannot be overstated, and the team went above and beyond to create a safe, nurturing, and profoundly spiritual environment. Throughout both ceremonies, I felt a deep sense of security, allowing me to fully surrender to the awe-inspiring and indescribable feelings of connecting with something sacred and holy.
As a professional medical researcher with a keen interest in exploring the boundaries of consciousness, I was genuinely overwhelmed by the magnitude of my experiences. The ceremonies were unlike anything I could have imagined, and it is impossible to fully articulate or verbalize their impact. I gained invaluable insights, which I am still working on integrating into my life, and I feel immensely satisfied knowing that I received everything I sought from these experiences and more.
It became evident to me during the ceremonies that access to these transformative experiences must be both sacred and hidden. Ayahuasca is not for everyone, and it is crucial that only those who genuinely seek it and are willing to put forth significant effort should partake in the journey. Each individual’s experience varies not only from person to person but also across different occasions, influenced by various factors including set and setting.
In conclusion, I cannot thank Scott, Iyan, Huy, and their team enough for providing me with the life-changing experiences I encountered during the ayahuasca ceremonies. Their unwavering dedication to creating a safe and spiritually enriching environment allowed me to dive deeply into my own consciousness, forever altering my understanding of the world and my place within it.
Both my wife and I sat with this group.
Environment: the ceremonies took place at the maloca located in the desert. 360 degrees of views with beautiful sunsets and sunrises.
Facilitators: a team of bright people full of love and support, each is a unique gem. We actually learned a lot about different plant medicines from them and incorporated that into our daily lives.
Music: They play live music and sing Icaros that they brought from Peru. It felt so profound under the medicine!
Medicine: My wife is more sensitive and she journeyed right after the first cup but I had to drink more to get deep.
Post-ceremony: Once the ceremony was finished they served a light breakfast (fruits, nuts, etc). Some of the participants participated in the Kambo ceremony – some of the facilitators are certified Kambo practitioners.
Overall: The most life-changing experience in my life. I carried a huge trauma from my early childhood of which I was not even aware. The ceremonies with AYA helped me to discover it and taught me how to release it. I’m deeply grateful to Ayahuasca and Arizona Yage Assembly.
This is a place to come heal. The facilitators are attentive and create a safe space to journey and do your internal work. I’ve sat with this group more than 20x over the last 3-4 years and I’ve never had anything but amazing experiences. I’m be forever grateful for Arizona Yage Assembly and the roll they played in my healing journey.
Scott’s pure heart and leadership are easy to spot and his kindness is propagated through the rest of facilitators. He has put and incredible amount of effort and energy into our healing. I couldn’t recommend this church more highly if you’re being called to sit with the medicine.
I have journeyed with this group since 2015., I honestly have nothing but good things to say about them.
They have just gotten better and better over the years. The main facilitator is awesome and takes the time to make sure everyone is comfortable and has their questions answered before ceremony begins.
I always feel safe in the space. The music is exceptional and by far the best I’ve experienced in any ceremony. The facilitators are so kind and take the time to speak with every participant individually, especially first timers, before ceremony begins.
And I have had some of the most expansive, mind blowing journeys I’ve ever had with a plant medicine with this group.
This group is pure magic!
I had a very traumatizing experience attending a ceremony with this group. I haven’t even been able to talk about it until now. I’m experienced with various plant medicines and that was not the trauma outside of feeling trapped and not being able to leave the space and get away from these people once we all were in the medicine. And as another reviewer mentioned, everyone is in the medicine including the facilitators. Who then is to help in case of emergency? The group was very entitled and largely catered to their “clique” of facilitators and company. I’ve never felt less of a warm welcome coming into a space I’d expect to be the complete opposite. There was no welcome actually. I had to search and find anyone who was a point of contact as people just looked at me as I walked around asking whom I should speak to and for the person I’d been corresponding with. It was very strange and if I hadn’t traveled so far, paid a large non refundable amount of money and was there without a personal vehicle, I would have left immediately on instinct alone. Painful but very valuable lesson learned.
There were so many red flags, but I’ll try and be brief. They had one bathroom for a very large amount of people 30+? Someone defecated in the plugged up shower and it was left there for some time until brought up. There weren’t any areas for anyone to go and be alone and have space. During ceremony, the facilitators who were also in the medicine became nearly like a high school group of bullies commenting to each other about participants in the room fairly loudly. It was shocking, disturbing, I could hear and I’m sure I wasn’t the only one. In ceremony after taking the medicine, people were dancing, singing, screaming (!), there was running at one point and walking around a lot which is very distracting and something I wish had been explained beforehand, especially not having a place to go to get away from this. I understand everyone will purge and will react differently, but this was distracting from the experience and very overstimulating. I felt watched by the facilitators from the moment I got there and during ceremony was no different. I told myself it was likely to be sure everyone was safe while in the medicine, but I wasn’t doing anything besides sitting or laying down and silently and journaling, and it didn’t feel like warm, friendly or concerned attention. It was uncomfortable. I was grateful for a couple of kind participants I connected with the day after ceremony before leaving. The facilitator’s behavior was abhorrent and I would never recommend this place to anyone.
I have sat with groups 4-5 times and have had only great experiences with them. I have also recommended friends and spouses a few people to sit with this group.
This was my first experience with Ayahuasca 5 years ago. Since then I’ve been to the Peruvian Amazon and worked with the Shipibo tribe which has taught me a lot about authenticity and what kind of people should be serving this sacred plant medicine.
With this group, the lack of integrity, humility & responsibility for the participants bordered on neglect. It was obvious the facilitators and person serving the medicine were not properly trained & inexperienced.
What stood out the most as a red flag was when I went up to get a second cup. The american gentleman serving the medicine was completely intoxicated. He could not comprehend that I was there and in need of assistance. I never did get that second cup.
There were other instances but this one in particular really bothered me.
This was 5 years ago so hopefully this person has been replaced with an authentic shaman. Someone who respects the medicine as well as the participants and has had years of indigenous training.
Overall, I would definitely not recommend.
As always, do your own homework and listen to your intuition.