AYAHUASCA RETREAT IN CALIFORNIA
**NOTE - WE DO NOT OFFER RETREATS OR CEREMONIES IN OAKLAND CALIFORNIA. THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY**
AYAHUASCA OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
In June 2019 the city of Oakland in northern California unanimously passed a resolution to decriminalize the possession and use of psychedelic substances such as Ayahuasca ,Mushrooms, Iboga, Peyote, San Pedro, and DMT. We are so happy to see the states moving in a positive direction and starting to recognize and embrace the therapeutic value of psychedelic medicines.
While this law is being implemented citywide, the state of California has not yet legalized these medicines on a grander scale. Oakland law specifies that the substances must be for personal use and can not be sold or commercially distributed. Under the resolution, psychedelic medicines are considered the lowest priority of the law, however, it is still illegal for retreats to operate.
The Oakland resolution cautioned that these plant medicines are not for everyone and warns that they should only be used in a 'safe and therapeutic environment'. Ayahuasca is an extremely powerful teacher spirit and should always be used in a ceremonial setting. If you are considering participating in an ayahuasca ceremony in California there are few important things to ask the facilitators 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 at least 1 female present (if you are a woman)
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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 2014.
We strongly encourage anyone looking to participate in an ayahuasca ceremony in California to find a qualified and reputable center or facilitator to work with. We understand that not everyone can afford to travel and take off work to attend a retreat, but there is immense therapeutic value in getting away from your environment, being in the jungle and giving yourself the time to commit and reflect on your experiences. If you are interested in a longer retreat, 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 2014
Over the years we have worked hard to develop quality ayahuasca retreats that 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. We have had the opportunity to observe what works and what doesn't in our programs and with that knowledge we have developed our retreats with some key factors that make us stand out against the crowd.
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FACILITY - AYAHUASQUERO - BREW - SAFETY
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From offering intimate groups of 16 or less, to serving potent brew with a skilled and qualified ayahausquero, 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 heart of the ayahausca retreat. You build everything around the medicine, hoping to enhance the therapeutic value for the participants. It is often presumed that at any retreat you will receive high quality and potent brew, unfortunately this is not always the case. Not all medicine is created equal.
Our medicine is made in Iquito Peru. The plants are selected at precise level of maturity to contribute to the potency of the medicine.Our brew is made with only b. caapi and chaliponga or chacruna. 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.