We got a question recently about why our retreats had so many ceremonies – 2 Ayahuasca and 1 San Pedro. Why not just 1 ceremony, some yoga, and a chance to relax and detox?

Our response was, it is actually 5 or more ceremonies – since Sweat Lodge (or Temazcal) is also considered a ceremony, and we always do at least two if not more of these powerful purification processes.

In fact, we believe that there is actually very little that can happen from ONE ceremony. Everyone has many layers that need unravelling for true transformation and commitment to integrating what you experienced back in your life to be possible. So a process involving a series of ceremonies is much more effective, and during a 1-week retreat, much can be healed and realized.

As we talk about in this blog about Sweat Lodge, we always begin a retreat with this strong purification process which allows you to begin grounding your energy. It is also continuation of the detoxification which you hopefully began before arrival via your diet.

During a retreat, and starting in the sweat lodge, you are receiving a complete detoxification from:

• certain foods that are not supporting your health (no sugar, salt, spices, caffeine, alcohol),
• what you are seeing (the sweat lodge involves praying and singing in the dark, and Ayahuasca ceremonies involves the focal point of the fire),
• the speed that you usually move in (all ceremonies are long and slow processes that also need long and slow unstructured time in between for integration),
• and from the things you are normally speaking about (we encourage participants to pause from normal conversation topics, and to take time to integrate before fully sharing about their visions/learnings. We lead circles to give you a chance to share what feels necessary and helpful).

After the first Sweat Lodge on Day 1 of the retreat, we have the 1st Ayahuasca ceremony on Day 2. This is when you will begin to ground and work the outer layers that you brought with you. This is just the beginning. We are like flowers, that little by little begin to open as we dedicate to this transformational process of detoxification and grounding.

Then, we have a rest day, and another Ayahuasca Ceremony on Day 4. This is when you will not only be working to understand and peel back your outer layers, but also beginning to ground your energy back to yourself, where it’s meant to be.

Ayahuasca especially works on the roots of your being and your family tree. With two ceremonies working with Ayahuasca, you will be opening space so you can gain a deeper understanding of your roots, clear the roots that are not supporting you, and begin to connect back to your heart.

And then from that grounded point, and having done some healing with your Ayahuasca journey, we go into a San Pedro Ceremony on Day 6. It is with this Grandfather spirit Awakolla, San Pedro, that you will begin to work with the upper branches of your tree. After grounding with Ayahuasca, you will now be ready to work more deeply on the heart.

During our retreats, you have the rare chance to spend the entire week in a focused, calm, and supported space so you can truly clear out what you no longer need and connect deeply to your purpose. The ceremonies are just one piece of the journey, and can assist you to see and clarify your path. However, the real ceremony begins when you leave the retreat – the ceremony of life. All of our participants so far have expressed their readiness and excitement in applying all they experienced back to their life and with their friends and family. AND you may even find that you would like to continue to do even more ceremonies, and can likely find a place to join a Sweat Lodge or singing circle!