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We
are pleased to present a dedicated programme in
the Amazon rainforest, which is focussed on an
inner and deep self-exploration and encounter with
the power of the rainforest. This is an adventure
into the magical world of the rainforest, and a
transformative experience of the ancient mystical
rituals of the plant spirit medicines.
Yoga in the Amazon
Over the last years we have included an ad-hoc yoga component on our
retreats working with different teachers. Since we have been working
closer with Eugene we have decided to integrate this fully into our Retreat
programme. Our experience with yoga retreats has been very positive
and there is definitely a synergy between the practices.
Eugene Bersuker
is a Yoga teacher, trained in India, Shivananda Saraswati School of
Yoga. Traditional Hatha and Yoga for Healing. Yoga
postures and meditations used to relieve tensions,
purify mind/body, and raise vibrations. An instructor
in Chi Gong, and Eugene is also a Licensed Massage
Therapist - Swedish and Shiatsu.
Although we
are based in the UK, participants from France,
South Africa, Sweden, Norway, the USA, Australia,
New Zealand, Germany, Netherlands and Spain, have
joined us on our journeys.
2008 Dates
Retreat Programme 1.
March 8th - 14th incl. - San Pedro, Coca , and the Spiritual Traditions
of the Andes.
March 15th - 29th incl. - Amazon Retreat, Ayahuasca, and Plant Spirit
Medicines.
Retreat
Programme 2.
July 19th - August 2nd incl. - Amazon Retreat, Ayahuasca, and Plant Spirit
Medicines.
August 3rd - 9th incl. - Optional Extension week.
Retreat
Programme 1. Amazon Ayahuasca and Yoga Retreat
March 8th - 14th incl.
As a prologue to the Amazon retreat this optional week expands on our
work with the shamanic tradition of the Andes. Working with San Pedro
Maestro Shaman Juan Navarro,and Coca Leaf Diviner & traditional Healer
Doris Rivera Lenz. This is an opportunity to experience the rich and
powerful spiritual legacy of the Andean civilization which is only now
being properly recognised after 500 years of obscurity
The Venues:
Amazon Ayahuasca and Yoga Retreat March 8th - 14th incl. Santa
Eulalia
Santa Eulalia
is a tranquil valley lying one hour inland from
Lima act around 800 meters. Although surrounded
by very dry hills, irrigation enables lush gardens
to flourish all the year round and there is usually
sun and pleasant temperatures. The valley is
50 Km North of Lima and is regarded as the gateway
to the central Andes. The valley is home to many
species of birds including endemic varieties,
and the area is a highlight for bird-watching
tours.
Our Lodge consists of about a dozen bungalows with cooking facilities
(so we can make our own teas and coffees etc) set in attractive gardens
where we can conduct our meetings and ceremonies. Food is good and largely
vegetarian. There are also excursions to visit local caves, and ruins.
The Maestros we will be working with at our Santa Eulalia Retreat
Doris Rivera
Lenz
Doris has lived
in Cusco for many years conducting ofrendas and
reading coca leaves for dozens of people every
week - both local as well as from far flung places.
She has worked with many of our Eagles Wing groups
on Peru journeys so far.
The coca leaf
has been sacred to Andean people since the dawn
of pre-Colombian civilization. When asked about
the source of the information she divines from
them, she says:
"They give
me such a powerful awareness it is as though
an energy comes into me from just touching them.
I invoke Mother Nature and the spirit of the
coca, and with just seven leaves, the answer
comes, as though through an open doorway."
Healing
diagnosis
An ancient method of diagnosing illness, still common in Peru, is to
rub an egg over the body of the patient. Doris is gifted in this tradition
and will prescribe remedies which include medicinal herbs.
The
ofrenda
After preparation we will take part in a dawn 'ofrenda' which is the
most important ceremony used by Andean Indians to relate with Mother
Earth. There will be talk and discussion about such ideas as Pachacuti
(the Andean concept of time), Andean myths, and healing methods, also
practical healing and divinatory sessions plus the opportunity of private
sessions with Doris.
Juan Navarro
We will work
again with maestro Juan Navarro to meet the spirit
of San Pedro, a gentle and powerful healing medicine,
which was of central importance to early pre-Colombian
civilizations, such as the Chavin, 800BC, and
the Mochica, 500AD. To these primordial people
the cactus itself was considered the God Achuma.
Juan Navarro was born in the highland village of Somate,
department of Piura. He is a descendant of a long lineage of healers
and shamans working with the magical powers of Las Huaringas. These Sacred
Lakes stand at 3,500 meters and have been revered since earliest Peruvian
civilization.
During the all-night sessions Juan works untiringly with his two sons
in an intricate sequence of processes, including invocation, diagnosis,
divination, and healing with natural objects, or artes. The artes are
initially placed on the maestro’s altar or mesa, and are an astonishing
and beautiful array of shells, swords, magnets, quartzes, objects resembling
sexual organs, rocks which spark when struck together, and stones from
animals’ stomachs, which they have swallowed to aid digestion!
Mishana Private Retreat
Centre
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