INFORMATION ON AYAHUASCA IN TEXAS
AYAHUASCA IN AUSTIN, TEXAS
*NOTE - We do not offer ceremonies or retreats in Austin, this page is for informational purposes only.*
Austin, Texas is arguably one of the most progressive cities in the United States. The fact that it exists within the State of Texas makes Austin a bit of an enigmatic city. Austin is full of curious minds so it's no surprise that the interest in ayahuasca continues to grow. It's a trend we continue to see across all of the United States, from decriminalization initiatives in many major cities to full legalization of therapeutic psychedelic use.
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New Life Ayahuasca is the oldest ayahuasca retreat center in Costa Rica. Over the years, we’ve had the unique opportunity to fine-tune our retreat program to maximize healing. We believe that getting away from your usual environment and fully committing to this life-changing journey is the best way to experience ayahuasca. However, we understand that international travel and taking over a week off work may not be feasible for everyone, leading many to seek options closer to home.
However, in Austin, like many other US cities, ayahuasca and other psychedelics are still fully illegal making it difficult to find reputable and safe ceremonies. You can find ayahuasca ceremonies in Austin 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 Austin 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 ayahuascquero/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 the United States 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.
BUILT ON LOVE
SINCE 2014
Matthew and I have been partners in this work for over a decade. Plant medicine brought us together in 2014 and we've been dedicated to this path ever since. Everything in our lives has been shaped by Ayahuasca. Not only did she lift us from 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 ayahuasca retreat Costa Rica program is designed to give you a curated balance of support and space.
Thank you for letting us share the magic.
Ayahuasca Costa Rica has been a gift to us through the years and we will forever be indebted for all the gifs we have received.
OUR MISSION & VALUES
SINCE 2014
Sharing the magic of this medicine is a great honor and a great responsibility. Ayahuasca has been the catalyst for every great transformation in our lives, and we are committed to guiding others on their journey to healing. We accept people from all walks of life in a non-judgmental environment.
As individuals who have had trauma experiences, we understand the importance of having a safe space that encourages vulnerability for authentic self-reflection and discovery. Healing can be painful, and we are here to support our guests so that they feel seen and held throughout the process.
For more than a decade, we have committed ourselves to this path, and we respect the Peruvian Mestizo traditions that have been handed down from our teacher and his teacher before him. As part of that tradition, we complete master plant dietas that give us the tools necessary to create a protected sacred ceremonial space.
We hope to help you find a renewed sense of peace and joy in your life as you embark on a beautiful journey to uncover your full potential.
THE SHAMAN
Matt 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
At New Life Ayahuasca Costa Rica, all of our medicine is responsibly sourced from Iquitos, Peru where it is prepared by our teacher, Don Ron Wheelock. Ron has been working in the Amazon for nearly 30 years and like indigenous shaman have been doing for centuries, Don Ron prepares his ayahuasca by harvesting the ayahuasca vine and leaves of Chaliponga and then boiling them together for several days while praying and singing Icaros into the medicine. Ron has an impressive knowledge of jungle pharmacology and makes a powerful ayahuasca brew.
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Our ayahuasca is made with only b. caapi and chaliponga. All the ingredients are grown in Iquitos and are selected at a precise time of maturity. Each plant is necessary for its contribution to the effects of the ayahuasca experience.
5 DAY RETREAT​
2 Ceremonies
7 DAY RETREAT​
3 Ceremonies
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.