At Arkana Spiritual Center, we are privileged to support numerous individuals on their paths to healing, and Gabriel’s story stands out as particularly moving and instructive.

Gabriel, a veteran grappling with the shadows of PTSD, turned to Arkana hoping to find relief and a new path forward. His experience exceeded expectations, as the power of plant medicine not only facilitated his healing but also instilled a renewed sense of purpose in his life.

This August, experience transformation like never before at Arkana Spiritual Center’s exclusive 3-night retreat in the stunning Valle de Bravo. 

Meticulously crafted to guide you through a profound journey of self-discovery, this retreat offers an unmatched blend of natural beauty, ancestral medicine practices, and modern comforts.

Ever wondered what an Ayahuasca retreat is like? Today, we're offering you a sneak peek into Arkana's transformative retreat experience. Witness everything from rejuvenating yoga sessions to impactful plant medicine ceremonies, seen through the lens of someone who's experienced it firsthand.

Once a year, we open our doors to our Mexico retreat. Let’s explore what you can expect and how you can prepare.

What’s special about Yucatan, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southeastern Mexico, is steeped in history and culture. It boasts of mesmerizing beaches, ancient Mayan ruins and you'll feel the heart of Mayan civilization pulsating through every corner. From the whispering trees to the rhythmic songs of the birds, Yucatan provides an environment that is in harmony with introspection and spiritual awakening. This isn't just another location; it's a conscious space chosen for authentic healing.

One of the main reasons that Arkana is special, is our authentic connection to the original lineage of Shipibo healers. Their connection to ayahuasca dates back thousands of years, and we now have the privilege to working with some of the most gifted healers in the world. Every shaman, or ayahuascero, has dedicated years and even decades of their life to working with the power of plant medicine. Their relationship with these plants is based on a profound respect that they are now generously sharing with the world.

Now, let’s dive deeper into their backstories and understand how they came onto this unique path of sharing their wisdom as healers.

In the heart of the jungle, a unique form of healing emerges, harnessing the vibrational power of sacred songs. These songs, known as ícaros, have been sung for generations by shamans, acting as bridges between the spiritual realm and the physical world. Dive deep with us as we explore the transformative and healing potential of the ícaros and the ancient art of shamanism. 

If you're looking for an authentic ayahuasca retreat, you'll be happy to know that our Amazon location has been fully renovated!

What are Niños Santos?

Niños Santos (Holy Children) is what the Mazatec healers call Psilocybe mushrooms.

Archeological evidence shows the use of these mushrooms dating back to around 500-700 BCE.

The mushrooms are an important part of ceremonial healing rites and initiations to help guide members of the society towards fulfilling their lifetime purpose.

They are traditionally collected in solitude, accompanied by song and during a full moon.

What is peyote?

Peyote, which is also known as mescal button, is a hallucinogenic cactus. Its origins trace back to the limestone soil in the Chihuahuan desert in southern Texas and northern Mexico. Now it also gets cultivated globally.

In the wild, the cactus takes an incredible 10 to 30 years before it is mature and flowers. The plant has a bitter taste and the tops of the cacti, or crowns, get dried.

In October 2004, 13 Grandmothers from around the world came together in a historic gathering, fulfilling an ancient prophecy, known by many of the world's indigenous tribes.

Ayahuasca and other plant medicines offer a level of knowledge and power that should be accessed only in the right environment and with the right mental and physical preparation beforehand.

At Arkana, we embrace many other cultures for various ceremonies, like the Wirrarika for our Peyote ceremonies and the Mazatec for our mushroom ceremonies, both in Mexico.

But our ayahuasca ceremonies are authentically led by Shipibo healing traditions.

When delving into the world of ayahuasca retreats and plant medicines, the term ‘dieta’ gets thrown around often.

In this post we’ll be answering:

• What are dietas

• Ayahuasca dieta vs master plant dietas

• How does a master plant diet work

• What are the types of master plants you can diet?

• Outcomes of dietas

• How to become a shaman

• Our long term master plant immersion offers

The remarkable outcomes of a spiritual retreat when working with plant medicines can range from healing of the body, mind, and spirit, all the way down to spiritual transcendence.

The process of Ayahuasca healing doesn’t end with the close of the ceremony. Integration is as much – if not more – important than the ceremonies themselves.

At the end of December 2017, I went to Peru. You may already know why I was there. I’m going to explain it all anyway. It’s a long article, because there’s a lot to say. It’s a journey into my soul – a place I was convinced didn’t even exist. Maybe get yourself a cup of tea or something.