My work with Aubrey and Dionisio has been nothing short of life changing. I am more connected with who I am at my deepest core, and with a power much greater than me. The work continues as my life unfolds beyond the perimeters of Yacumaman, yet the desire to return to and go deeper, remains. And I will return.
-Ryan S, Finance Wizard
When my mothership approached me in the Fall of 2016 about wanting to travel to South America to take ayahuasca for some deep therapeutical work my intent was to make sure I found a holistic sanctuary that provided the most comfort possible during her jungle medicine fueled transformation. Being someone who is keen on mind expansion and evolutionary self work (but also turned off by sham shamans and new-agey spiritual tourism) I also had to take my own experience into consideration while planning. I feel very blessed to have landed at Yucamaman as it was a garden of delights devoid of disingenuousness and by the end of our stay there it felt like home. Home in the truest sense. When it lives within you always. Doors always open. A mother's knowing embrace. Everyone I spent time with during my week at Yucamaman feels like family. The beings who live and work there are all beacons with deep wisdom and experience that made my inner and outer journey in Tarapoto, Peru truly magical and joyous. Dionisio is refreshingly straightforward, Aubrey embodies the Mother of the Universe, Sofi is an infectious smile serving delicious healthy meals, John-Allen is a gentle well of wisdom and skilled yoga instructor, and let’s not forget Akshy is a dear old wolf dog that keeps away any bad vibes. Or the cats! Or the little monkeys that visit daily! Or the eden abundant with flora and fauna of all splendid sorts! The worst part about my experience at Yucamaman Sanctuary was having to leave. I am immensely grateful for my time spent there; it made a lasting impression and was a deep breath of fresh hope and love for my soul.
-Hannah H, Performance Artist
I just wanted to thank you both for such a wonderful experience. I return home from your retreat feeling grounded, lighter in my body, and with cleaner channels truly connecting to higher vibrations. Hurrah!
Aubrey, your Amazonian Apothecary, your integrity, your passion for your craft, the planet and your life make quite a combo lady! Beautiful and inspirational to be around. And i am inspired! To move and nourish my body, to trust and listen.
Dioni, thank you again for sharing your words of wisdom. I'm so thrilled to have connected with your high vibes in magic Peru! Hasta pronto!
-Emily Shaw
I find it hard to find the words to express how restored and rested I now feel and how grateful I am for the help and support you both gave me but I know you are aware of how I feel, so words are probably not necessary!!
THANK YOU BOTH. With gratitude and love.
-Janina
Dear Dionisio and Aubrey,
I'm siting on my deck on a very nice, warm and sunny day. I just called out of work, so that I could properly observe this day. Today is my own personal Thanksgiving day. No matter where my life takes me from here, I intend to set March 20th aside as a very special day for me from now on. Exactly one year ago, Ginny and I woke up in our bungalow in the stunningly beautiful setting of Cordaro Escallara. Later that night we drank the wonderful medicine for the first time ever. March, 20th 2011 was the first day in a week that my life changed forever in a most positive way. I grew more, spiritually, in that week than any other time in my life and I have the two of you to thank for that. The thing that I am maybe the most happy about is that I have not lost much in the way of the gifts that I gained from that week. Both Ginny and I have reflected on the fact that we made such a great choice in choosing the two of you as our facilitators for our first aya experience. Your compassion, caring, and gentile guidance were and are still abundant. I don't think the whole experience would have been as good with someone else as facilitator. So again, thank you both from the bottom of my soul.
I know that this is the week that you have set for another retreat. I wish we were there with you guys. Hopefuly all is going well. I was wondering if anyone from our group made it down to Tarapoto for this one. We miss you guys, and are both looking forward to seeing the three of you hopefully soon. Much Love.
-Don
Dionisio and Aubrey,
It feels like a lifetime ago since we were last together.
I spent a lot of time reflecting about my experiences with you both and with the Mother during the week in March that was our 'anniversary'. Words still seem inadequate to describe how much spending time with you has meant to me. There are times when I hear 'Her' calling to me, close my eyes and feel like I am back in Peru like it was yesterday / and other times it feels like it was indeed an experience from another lifetime. The pull to work further with you and the Mother is still so very strong. I look forward with much anticipation to when we will meet again. MUCH love and light.
-Ginny
I’ve attended 2 AYA Yoga retreats and I have nothing but good things to say. The lodging is gorgeous. The meals are prepared with careful thought and love. The yoga is in-depth. Out of all the ceremonies I’ve participated in, in the past, these have been the most profound for me. Highly recommended,
-Marlon
I am very thankful for my experience at Yacumaman. Dioni and Aubrey have put together an amazing retreat filled with beautiful sessions and amazing food. They space they hold is clear and inviting and I look forward to working with them often in the future. I have yet to meet anyone in this field with the integrity that both of them hold and it comes through in their medicine and the land on which they live. Mahalo.
-Kumara
To one of the most enriching and empowering mind provoking weeks of my life. May our pineals align in the near future. Lots of love.
-Thoryn
It was a pleasant moment looking at the pictures of our March retreat on your latest offering. It's too early for me to consider coming again although it was one of, if not the most, memorable experiences of my lifetime. Several months before I came I journaled my reasons and desires for coming - both were fullfilled. An intense need to soften my heart and to overcome my fear of death. The first will always be a work in progress, the second has been resolved. I feel like shaking people and saying "let me tell you what she showed me". Thank you both.
-Micheal B.
Aubrey and Dionisio have created a little piece of Heaven on Earth at Yacumaman. This magical couple live their love of being in harmony with the world they inhabit and graciously open their hearts and home to share their experiential knowledge with others. Together they integrate the world of yoga, meditation, healing ayurvedic body therapy and food that will enliven your entire being with the mystical world of Amazonian plant medicine. The experience is incomparable to anything being offered and simply put... will change the way you see and interact with the world. I am rested, rejuvenated and inspired! Thank you a thousand times. I look forward to sharing in another retreat soon!
I wish I could express with words how grateful I am for the experience I had with you and Dioni and our group at Yacumaman but words seem to fall short. :) Spending time with you there in Tarapoto, being in the world you and Dioni have created was the perfect corner stone for the rest of my adventure in Peru.
-AYA Yoga Flowering of Inner Confidence 8/2012
My experience during AYA Yoga was unbelievable. Aubrey and Dionisio are not only amazing people with much love but the best guides I could have had. They created a perfect environment for all the group throughout the entire retreat. The teachings, practice and sharings between the guides and the group was really amazing. I leave with much love, appreciation, and really deeply touched by this experience. I am grateful to have been able to be here. I learned from Aubrey, Dioni and all the unity from the group. I leave grounded, at peace, happy and very tranquil. These days have really changed my life. Thank you so much!
- Carolina Urrea
Its quite a challenge to simply express my experience at Yacumaman. Prior to my arrival and throughout the retreat, Aubrey’s generous warmth was felt. She guides you through this week-long journey giving you as much or as little as you need. No 2 days were the same, yet each day was beautifully planned to include delicious local plates and a mixture of yoga, cleansing, jungle excursions and much needed rest. The retreat serves as a true immersion integrating nature, sharing and solitude. Day by day, a layer of my city life was shed in the maloca, a sacred space surrounded by leaves, floral colors and a spectacular mountain view. I entered the maloca and found meditation, movement, rest and the healing powers of plants. The experience was light, quite insightful and humorous, especially when Dionisio shared his rich life experiences. Aubrey’s humble expertise provided a guidance on nutrition, aromatherapy, ayurveda, flower essences, yoga, breathing practices and more. I write this as I sit on my bed next to a hammock, looking through tree tops to a small mountain range and listening to animal sounds of sorts. I have been reacquainted with the stillness inside and my own smile. With much respect and gratitude, I bow my head to Aubrey and Dionisio’s generous hearts.
-Theresa Breland
Aubrey ~ May the sun bring you new energy every day. May the moon softly restore you by night. May the rain wash away your worries. May the breeze blow much strength into your being. May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life. I am lucky to have met you. You are truly an incredible woman. I would say, you are a magical person. I learn quietly from you, observing who you are. You have awakened something in me that I was missing and I want to really thank you for that. I admire your being, your life and your relationship. You have touched my heart deeply and I will always remember you hermana. Vaya con Dios amiga.
-Carolina Urrea
My time at Yacumaman was exactly what my mind and body needed. It is a beautiful sanctuary where you are free to lay languidly and empty your mind. Aubrey's deep wisdom, knowledge of the plants and yogic lifestyle were an inspiration. Her meals were delicious and nourishing. Dionisio practices a sort of Zen Shamanism allowing for direct communication with Ayahuasca. I loved his stories, which he shared with honesty and humor. Together they created a retreat which encouraged deep introspection and a flowering of inner confidence.
-Guillerma Moreno, LMT
My time with Aubrey and Dionisio was truly transformative in the most positive way. they were excellent guides on our journey through Peru as well as our sacred journey through ayahuaska. I look forward to sharing space with them in the near future.
-Matt McDavid
Aubrey & Dionisio are facilitators of the journey into the Self. They will help you enter the space where your inner truth resides. I feel totally supported and at ease in their presence. Their integrity and dedication to their work is unquestionable. The experiences they guide you through are cleansing on all levels: body, mind, and soul. These retreats leave me feeling nourished and whole. There's great delicious food and really nice warm people all in a beautifully peaceful environment. I have been on two retreats so far, one at their homebase in lovely Tarapoto, and most recently I traveled with them to sacred Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. Both have been positively transformational and I learned a lot about myself. I highly recommend their retreats to anyone looking for learning, self-exploration, or healing on a deeper level.
-Vincent Garcia
When I saw the solstice 2012 retreat being offered, I knew this was meant for me and jumped on board, and I’m not a person that joins group excursions, as I’m comfortable with solo trips.
First, it was the correspondence I had with Aubrey via Facebook then email about her botanical products. It was clear she and her husband are dedicated to bringing the knowledge of the Amazons to the public. This intrigued and excited me at the same time, and I can say they delivered. Both are highly knowledgable and experienced with botanical medicine and spiritual development. As I had a profound breakthrough in my spiritual development with the Solstice 2012 retreat. I’m thrilled to have found them and will continue to study herbal and shamanic healing with them in the future.
-Anne Marie Rodriguez
Dearest Aubrey and Dionisio,
I hope this finds you both vibrantly well. Returning to Lima and Cusco has revealed subtle shifts in my being. I feel stronger and calmer, more energetically sensitive, and occasionally tormented by the process of reconciliation and integration I am moving through. Mostly, I wish to offer my gratitude for the time, energy, and practical tools you both have shared and for teaching me subtle lessons that continue to reveal themselves by measures now that we are physically apart. I look forward to keeping in touch.
-Zanne
Thanks for all the messages of support and questions.... here is a taste of whats going on. I am about 2 weeks into my Ayahuasca, Ayurvedic and yoga Amazonian shaman retreat. So far I couldn't have imagined what this time is doing for me. I am pushing my limits mentally, physically, emotionally and especially spiritually. It is breaking down all my previously conceived notions about our realities of this life and the world we live in. I have seen and felt things beyond this world and dimension. I have felt the energizing of my energetic body and briefly tapped into the source. Beyond words! It has been extremely difficult but all the work is worth it. I am really starting to understand Self and the ego is becoming less and less apparent. On an Ayurvedic level we are learning about our Doshas and how our body is made up beyond western medical beliefs. it is making a lot of sense to me and I am finding a tremendous amount of empowerment from the classes. We are also learning to distill essential oils and hydrosols from amazonian plants for medicinal purposes. Making medicinal chocolates and we are also learning to sprout food, ferment food and make food medicine for our bodies! In the next week starts the pancha karma part of the program where we go through a rigorous full body detoxification. I will still be participating with Ayahuasca and further developing and exploring my spiritual being. It is amazing to be taught and witness first hand through experience how the mind, body and soul are connected and act and react to one another. It has given my the glimpse I needed to weave these practices into my everyday life and truly live life! An awakening is happening and I am loving every minute of it!
-Scott Parker
To the fantastic duo!
I feel so trite attempting to express the depth and girth of gratitude I have for the both of you but I'm going to try… Thank you for walking your paths with such integrity and strength and for your service in guiding others (myself included) into areas within and without ourselves that we wouldn't be able to navigate or even know without your help, your experience and your courage. My gratitude for the opportunity to work with you both unfolds more each days I begin to see more and more parts of myself that are beyond me. Your patience, perseverance and vigilance with yourselves and others is a profound and exemplary teacher for me as I continue putting one foot in front of the other on this path of self cultivation. You are both individually remarkable and even more so in how you come together to create a magnificent space for this work on so many levels! Thank you for your insights and also for your openness. My heart and mind are full of thanks for the experiences I have shared in your company and for all those that await. A small gift is enclosed that encapsulates the sentiments I am unable to express with words. Thank you for the unification you are bringing together in your own lives and for inspiring that in the world in which you reside.
-Amanda Buist
Aubrey, Dionisio and Taita Cesar led us on a powerful journey of transformation in the Sacred Valley. Together, we deepened our connection to the Land, the elements, one another, ourselves and to Spirit. We had the extraordinary opportunity to share ritual at many sacred sites, which cleansed and attuned us to the land, setting the stage for an indescribably magical day of solstice ceremony and celebration at Machu Picchu. To all those who feel a call to go deeper and a draw to the mountains, plants, rivers and spirits of Peru, make the journey. You couldn't ask for truer guides! Thank you!
-Suzanne Rosen, OR
My experience with Aubrey, Dionisio and Qori Inti was nothing short of magical from beginning to end. My praise is vast!
In a chance mentioning of a sudden interest in exploring Ayahuasca, Aubrey's brother pointed me towards her. Our friendship was immediate, and she instanteously put me ease with all travel arrangements and activities.
Aubrey is warm and giving. Her knowledge of Peru and all things herbs, ayurvedic, yoga, stone and spirit are unparalleled and fascinating. Her combination of strength, clarity, and interest in everything make her a magnificent travel guide. Aubrey's husband Dionisio compliments her grace with his wit. He is clever, charming, and wise! He was Exactly who I would choose to lead me on my first ayahuasca journey. Dionisio embodies the shaman spirit in a relatable, universal, light hearted way. The trip itself was memorable in many ways, and far exceeded my expectations (not to mention- was entirely reasonably priced!) I enjoyed the convenience of a well rounded journey without the hassle of planning a single thing. Treasures were in abundance; in all shapes and forms, every step of the way!
Both Aubrey and Dionisio are clearly committed to sharing their knowledge, enthusiasm, and respect for the cultures of Peru. My trip would not have been the same without their excellent guidance and I will continue to recommend them to seekers of a truly enchanting Peruvian experience. Sincerely and sprightly.
-Saree Robinson
Dear Aubrey and Dionisio,
Thank you for guiding me so elegantly in my process of learning to cultivate my inner garden. The energy, example, guidance and nourishment you have shared created the conditions for me to dive into the work that I have hovered on the edge of for so long. I feel more centered, more essential, more awed and inspired, humble and grateful than ever before. You both pushed me to my edge firmly and with love, and there I began to glimpse and taste cosmic cyclical connection to Divine Source. The synergistic combination of Ayahuasca, yoga, Ayurveda and meditation practice has deepened my connection to prana, sacred breath and I am beginning to feel nourished in ways I did not know were possible. Daily practice is gradually allowing me to integrate the profound experiences of my ayahuasca sessions and to create space and fertile soil for the flowering of inner confidence. The refinement process is gradual and ongoing, sometimes painful, sometimes bliss, but always worthwhile. The blossoming of trust slowly dissolves doubt and fear. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, your work, your land and your hearts and for holding space with such integrity. It is an honor and a joy to be here, to work and to play with you and to call you my teachers and my friends.
-Suzanne Rosen, OR
The Ceremonial Doula Immersion: I am forever changed and restored. So many prayers were answered in the immersion - my own and those of my lineage. Not only did I learn about pregnancy, birth, and post-partum, but through the labyrinth of my own fears and personal birth trauma, I birthed myself anew in ceremony with the support of two embodied, awake and compassionate guides on the path. In this way, I came to understand what it is to doula, by being doula-ed to. For the first time in my life, I was able to say that I was/am genuinely grateful for my birth experience - for all that it has taught me/ is teaching me. And because of this, I now feel able to claim motherhood for myself with a confidence and clarity I’ve never known before. The focus on the Maiden-Mother-Crone trinity allowed me to make peace with my maiden self, and to feel a kinship with all women in their journies from maiden to mother. Throughout it all, I appreciated the generosity of the sharing – the coherence and trust with which these transmissions were imparted to us – whether they were birth positions, belly-dancing, yoga asana, the ceremony of despacho, or the practice of Amazonian plant baths – I felt the permission to really make them mine. And lastly, to be “in the temple” with women cultivating the capacity to be fully present and in service with power and joy, was an affirmation that the world we long for is possible - one birth at a time. For all of this, I am so deeply, profoundly grateful.
-Pooja Prema, Creatrix of “Rites of Passage”
My intention for attending the Ceremonial Doula Immmersion was to strengthen my ability in holding space for others in their processes and transitions. The best practice for this is holding space for myself in going through my process of being with, releasing , and integrating patterns on my own evolutionary path. The CDI made way for me to have a initiaive experience of releasing the phase of my life that I've lived so thouroughly and now have been transitioning through, and birthing myself into the next phase that is drawing me near. I'm transitioning from fully dedicated Mother of Children to fully dedicated Wisdom keeper Mother of Adults.
The Love and Support, the Energy and Presence of the Circle of Women that Aubrey and Sunshine drew together was a beautiful container for a very intense transformative initiation for me and I am very Grateful for this.
Aubrey and Sunshine are dedicated to Healing the Feminine and this is very apparent in their Presence and down to Earth Authenticity.
Thank you, I love you!
-Kirsten Aubrey Free, Homesteader and Mother of 3
Finding myself in Peru sitting in circle with sisters embarking upon the magical journey of birth and ceremonial doulaship, I have come into the embodiment of the true feminine like never before.Through fully realizing the force that we are as WOMBAN and the very real support that we need and deserve, I witnessed myself blossom into a doula as the facilitators set the groove by holding the most empathetic, nourishing space I have ever been on in retreat. The Ceremonial Doulaship Immersion gifted me with the remembering of who I am as high priestess as we blessed each other with aromatic flower baths. Encouraged to doula each of our sisters’ awakening on this journey with our own songs and prayers, we ignited our witchy ways and created an open portal for love to come shining through us. I was birthed into a more whole version of myself as I received the transmission of ancient wisdom that has been passed down from woman to woman since the beginning of time. Working with medicine hand in hand with the immense amount of practical knowledge that was given during this retreat, I was able to go deep within myself to the knowing of what it is to be in the womb, to give birth, and to fully hold space in total unconditional love for all that can emerge in the ecstatic, painful, intense, Kali nature of birth. The immersion was not only comprehensive and preparatory for the miracles and complications of birth, but a realization of my birth right as birth keeper — what we are all as women, whether we have embraced the tradition quite yet or not. Creating medicinal remedies in the lab and discussing the essentials of how to be a doula, I found myself enlightened as the natural medicine woman I am. Birth is natural. To be a doula is natural and within us all as woman. That is what I grew into in this divine, dynamic flow of wisdom teachings. I now feel that I know how we as women in sisterhood need to doula not only babies, but this new world, into Being!
-Indigo Violet Sol, Raw Food Chef
I arrived at the CDI feeling a bit disoriented and stressed. I didn’t know why or what I was doing here. For some reasons - that my mind could not logically understand - i was here, amongst inspirational powerful doulas and midwifes. And it came down to the question of Who was I? I use to be that successful business woman who had left everything behind - family - marriage - flourishing business to follow her heart one year ago, to find herself, to remember her essence, to walk this journey of self discovery and self healing. Following my heart, once again here I was in the deep jungle of Tarapoto with no clue on what to expect. I just had felt the calling, deep in my heart, deep in my womb, like a murmure guiding me to Yacumaman. The time I spent at this sacred place was groundbreaking.
Working with the Medecin it shattered my heart in pieces , burned away the old patterns the old wounds, I journeyed and walked on the fine line of Death and Birth, witnessing the Light and Darkness, only to rise from the shatters and ashes to the Source, to this wholeness of a woman that I am, to Oneness, to embrace my feminine power and awakened my calling to become a Doula. In such awe of this calling, it felt so natural, as if my whole life had waited for this moment, for this initiation. And everything made sense: the longing of service my whole life, my passion to help women, the sacredness of natural birth, the sacred waters and soils of Earth, of Women.
I also found out after the course that my grandfather that I never met was a midwife/obstetric and worked with plants, I am honored to honor his passion and may his legacy guide me.
-Olga Girault, Beekeeper and Owner of Honey Alchemy