AYAHUASCA IN CANADA
*NOTE - We do not offer ceremonies or retreats in Canada, this page is for informational purposes only.*
Canada has been making great strides in adopting psychedelic therapy into the healthcare system. Canada offers psilocybin for patients with end-of-life depression/anxiety and generally has a progressive approach to the future application of psychedelic therapy. Iboga and ibogaine were unregulated in Canada until 2017, which made it a hot spot for ibogaine treatment centers. Unfortunately, due to some fatalities, ibogaine was eventually scheduled and most of the centers shut down. Despite these setbacks regarding psychedelics in Canada, many residents are searching for Ayahuasca retreats or ceremonies.
Unfortunate, in Canada ayahuasca is illegal making it difficult to find reputable and safe ceremonies. You can find ayahuasca ceremonies in Canada if you know where to look but you need to be careful and be informed about who is running the ceremonies and who you will be drinking with.
Ayahuasca is an extremely powerful medicine and should be approached with great respect. While some ceremonies are led by facilitators who are properly trained, many are hosted by inexperienced enthusiasts hoping to spread the message of the plants. This notion is admirable in principle but irresponsible in practice.
If you find an ayahuasca ceremony in Canada it is important to ask some of the following questions to ensure you have a safe and therapeutic experience with the medicine :
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Who is facilitating the ceremony?
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How much experience do they have?
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Where will the ceremony be held?
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How many people typically attend?
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Are there 'sitters' or 'helpers' beside the ayahauscquero/shaman to assist if someone needs help and if yes, how many are available, and if there is at least 1 female present
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Where does the brew come from and what does it contain?
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Do you need to provide any medical information before participating (you should, as ayahuasca has medical contraindications with other drugs, see our safety page)
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New Life Ayahuasca has been providing ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica since 2015. We understand that it may be difficult to leave Canada to attend an ayahuasca retreat, but getting away from your environment and committing to an immersive retreat experience has unparalleled therapeutic value. There comes a great reward from investing in your healing. If you are interested in attending an ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, please contact us.
Powerful ayahuasca ceremonies expertly led by traditionally trained facilitators.
Stress-free transition to the retreat with Liberia Airport Transfers at designated times.
Beach Trips
Located in one of five famous Blue Zones, we visit Costa Rica's pristine Coastline.
ABOUT US
Matthew and I have been partners in this work since 2014.
Everything in our lives has been shaped by Ayahuasca. Not only did she lift us up in our darkest moments after years of battling addiction, but she gave us the purest gift of love in finding each other.
We've had our share of ups and downs. Things haven't always been easy. It's been a long road and we've had to navigate many personal and professional challenges over the years. But at the end of the day, ayahuasca has helped us cultivate a deep love rooted in mutual respect, support, and admiration.
We've turned to her to help us through trials of marriage and personal doubt. It's because of this work that we've been able to grow stronger as individuals and as partners, lovers, and best friends.
We hear all the time from guests that they don't understand how we can do this work, and while we love to help others, the truth is that it's just a happy by-product of helping ourselves. It's our hope that as we continue to heal we are able to better support you in your own healing.
Working with ayahuasca is truly humbling. It's not a responsibility we take lightly. Our program is designed to give you a curated balance of support and space.
Thank you for letting us share the magic.
QUALITY RETREATS
Since 2015
As the oldest operating ayahuasca retreat in Costa Rica, we have amassed a wealth of knowledge and expertise that has allowed us to carefully create an ayahuasca retreat that encompasses a balance of complimentary healing modalities, time for reflection, and community support. Our retreat encompass a range of healing modalities for the highest therapeutic value without feeling overwhelming or rushing too much into a short amount of time. Our belief in QUALITY over QUANTITY can be seen in many different aspects of our retreats.
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FACILITY - AYAHUASQUERO - BREW - SAFETY
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From offering intimate groups of 14 to serving potent brew with a skilled and qualified ayahuasquero, we have considered every detail. skilled and qualified ayahuasquero, we have considered every detail.
BLUE ZONE
RETREAT
Located in one of the 5 Blue Zones of the world, set against a backdrop of breathtaking tropical dry forest, New Life Ayahuasca Costa Rica’s eco cabinas invite you to indulge in the simplicity and beauty of nature.
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​The ayahuasca Costa Rica retreat facility was designed to blend into the environment that surrounds it. Each of our 10 cabins was built with wood harvested directly from the 9-acre property. Our pool and cool water jacuzzi are nestled amongst local flora and fauna. We receive regular visits from macaws, howler monkeys, coatis, and iguanas.
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The retreat at New Life Ayahuasca Costa Rica is a testament to the harmonious coexistence between comfort and ecological mindfulness, offering an unforgettable experience that honors the earth and rejuvenates the soul.
THE SHAMAN
Matthew and Jeanae have been working with plant medicine since 2014. It was through ceremonial work that they met and where their love was forged.
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Together they have been trained through a powerful lineage of healers in the Peruvian Mestizo traditions going back generations. Matthew and Jeanae are deeply dedicated to their path and continue to grow in their work by traveling to the Amazon every year and completing master plant dietas. These dietas allow them to connect with the great spirits and receive insightful teachings and medicine songs called Icaros. They use these tools and songs in the ceremonies to guide the participants through the ayahuasca experience.
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Matthew possesses a strong intuition and is highly sensitive to energetic subtleties. These skills allow him to adapt the songs of the ceremony to meet the energy needs of the room. Jeanae has a very gentle and nurturing energy. Her singing and flute playing invite softness into the space. Matthew brings a grounded masculine energy while Jeanae brings a motherly feminine energy, creating a perfect balance and play between the two polarities.
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To provide responsible ceremonies, we limit our ayahuasca retreat size to 14 participants so that the energetic space is maintained with respect to each individual's experience. We offer our ayahuasca Costa Rica retreat ceremonies in darkness, promoting an inward journey to heal the soul. Jeanae and Matthew are passionate about this work and lead each ceremony with love, compassion, and a desire to share the beauty of the sacred medicine with all who seek healing.
AYAHUASCA BREW
The brew is the most important aspect of any ayahuasca retreat but it is often over looked. It is assumed that at any retreat you will receive high quality and potent brew, unfortunately this is not always the case. Our medicine is made by Ron Wheelock, the gringo shaman of the amazon, in Iquito Peru. He selects his plant materials at a precise level of maturity to contribute to the potency of the medicine.
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Our brew is made with only b. caapi and chaliponga. No additives or fillers are used in any way. Each plant used contributes to ayahuasca and if any ingredient were missing, the medicine would lack in its effects. We do not use any datura (toe) in our brew to ensure the safety of all participants.
SAFETY
Your physical and emotional safety are our highest priority.
While ayahuasca is safe when used properly, there are a few medical conditions and medications that are contraindicated with ayahuasca. Every participant is asked to complete a medical questionnaire over the phone to ensure the safety of our ayahuasca retreats. In case of emergency, Matt and Jeanae are certified in CPR and have training with the use of our AED (Automated External Defibrillator). We are 25 minutes from a medical center.
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Our small groups enable us to provide quality service and attention to every guest. Each ceremony is supported by 4 team members : Our ayahuasqueros, Matthew and Jeanae, who drink ayahuasca with each group to help guide the experience and 2 additional helpers, who do not drink during the ceremony and are there to assist any participant that may require attention. A male responds to the men and a female responds to the women, ensuring that everyone feels safe and comfortable during such a vulnerable and emotional experience.