**NOTE - WE DO NOT OFFER RETREATS OR CEREMONIES IN NEW YORK. THIS PAGE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY**
Looking for Ayahuasca in New York?
The popularity of ayahuasca is growing all over the world and especially in New York.
After Oakland, California successfully passed a resolution in June 2019 to decriminalize the possession and use of psychedelic substances such as Ayahuasca, Mushrooms, Iboga, Peyote, San Pedro, and DMT, many people have been looking to for authentic ayahuasca retreats in the United States.
For now, it is still illegal to provide ayahuasca retreats or ceremonies in New York but there are sometimes 'underground' events available. These are often offered over the weekend and can include upwards of 20 people. While some of these ceremonies are led by a traveling shaman 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 New York 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 provide assistance? If yes, how many are available, and is 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)
At New Life Ayahausca, we have been providing ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica since 2014. We are open to travel and if you would like to offer ayahuasca in New York please contact us.
We strongly urge anyone looking to participate in an ayahuasca ceremony in New York 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 a lot of therapeutic value in getting away from your environment and giving yourself the time to commit and reflect on your experiences.
If you are interested in attending a retreat with us in one of the wold famous Blue Zones of the world less than 1 mile from the beach in Costa Rica, please contact us. We have 5 or 7 day ayahuasca retreats available.
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.
FACILITY - AYAHUASQUERO - BREW - SAFETY
From offering intimate groups of 16 or fewer, to serving potent brew with a skilled and qualified ayahausquero, we have considered every detail.
FACILITY
A beach retreat -
We are located less than a mile from one of Costa Rica's gorgeous beaches.
Our expansive facility offers a comfortable environment for such an intense process. We offer both private and shared accommodations. We have communal areas to socialize, a large pool, fire pit, lounge area, and natural areas to explore.
All meals are prepared with care by Jeanae using locally grown and sourced ingredients. We follow a relaxed ayahuasca diet, providing food that is vegan, nutritious, colorful and flavorful.
WiFi is available although we discourage the use of electronics prior to the ceremony to focus on the intention for the journey ahead.
We provide complimentary airport pick-up and drop-off . We limit our ayahuasca retreat groups to 14 so we can provide individualized attention and support.
AYAHUASQUERO
What is a shaman?
Matthew has been working with ayahuasca since 2014 and is our resident ayahuasquero. He guides each participant through the experience with Icaros which are medicine songs either passed down from his teacher or gifted by ayahuasca. Matthew, a highly sensitive and intuitive empath, adapts the songs of the ceremony to meet the energy of the room. The songs of the spirit come to him, and his powerful voice carries them through the space. This is why it is so important to us to keep our groups intimate so that the energetic space is maintained with respect to each individual's experience. Matthew is supported by his wife, Jeanae, who plays the flute. Our intimate ceremonies are offered in darkness, promoting an inward journey to heal the soul.
Matthew has facilitated hundreds of ceremonies and leads with compassion, love, and a deep connection to spirit.
Matthew’s training takes him to Iquitos, Peru multiple times a year to complete master plant dietas and learn the Peruvian ceremonial traditions under the guidance of his teacher, Don Ron Wheelock. Matthew’s intentions and passion in his work are unparalleled. There is no question of his integrity or his sincerity in his mission to help others.
AYAHUASCA BREW
The brew is one of the most important elements of any ayahuasca retreat but it is often overlooked. It is incorrectly assumed that all retreats offer high-quality and potent ayahuasca medicine, unfortunately, this is not always the case. Our ayahuasca brew is made in Iquitos, Peru by Don Ron Wheelock, the gringo shaman of the Amazon. He selects his plant materials at a precise level of maturity to contribute to the potency of the medicine.
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.
SAFETY
To ensure the safety of all our guests, we require each potential participant to complete a medical screening over the phone with Matt. The medical screening will give us an idea of your overall health and will help us determine if you are a safe candidate for ayahuasca therapy. It also gives Matt, our ayahuasquero, a chance to speak with each participant personally, to develop a relationship and answer any questions you may have.
In addition to conducting a thorough medical screening, Matt and Jeanae are both trained in CPR. New Life Ayahuasca is equipped with an AED machine, which our staff is trained to use.