What to look for to find a safe, quality Ayahuasca Retreat?

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Like most things in life, there a broad variety of Ayahuasca retreat options, and a number of factors that effect the quality and cost of an ayahuasca retreat in Canada that you may like to take into consideration:

• Safety: Many smaller operators are not in a position to invest in safety, and unfortunately, there are too many sad stories out there. (recommendation: choose a retreat that does in-depth screening to ensure your physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being). ‍

• Legality:  Practitioners who have dedicated their lives to medicine work typically live in locations where it is legal, so they don't have to live in a state of "what if". (recommendation: consider whether travelling to a place with "new energy" might be in your best interests).

• ‍Size of the group: It's common for retreats to have 20, 50, even 100 people in ceremony, which can be chaotic. Additionally, you are less likely receive the level of attention from healers that you are probably looking for. (recommendation: choose a retreat with an intimate group of say, 8-15 people).

• Length of the retreat: Shorter retreats feel rushed, and there are limits to what can be done in a few nights. (recommendation: go for at least a week).

• Comfort: (recommendation: spend a little extra for something where you will be physically comfortable and have your own bedroom to decompress and integrate, especially if this is your first time). Your future self can thank us later.‍

• Cosmology: (recommendation: choose a retreat that supports your own subjective experience, or one that you feel aligns with you energetically). The energy of the retreat and ceremony leaders will have a profound effect upon your experience. ‍

• Holistic approach: (recommendation: work with an organization that takes a holistic approach to working with medicine, and has options to support and guide your mental and emotional evolution). If a provider implies that "medicine will solve all your problems", proceed with caution (because it won't!).‍

• Service: (recommendation: choose a place that you believe can serve your individual needs. Consider whether or not they've taken the time to get to know you and understand you, or it's more of a take it or leave it retreat center).‍

• Booking process: (recommendation: speak with the provider before finalizing your booking). If it's all online, ANYONE could be sitting next to you in ceremony.‍

• Expertise: (recommendation: work with an organization that emphasizes healing, and you believe has a breadth of expertise to guide your transformation). Look for facilitators and healers who have a lightness of being and a sparkle in their eyes.‍

• Reputation: (recommendation: Google the provider). You may be surprised by what you find. If there's not much information, that is also information :)

• ‍Volunteers: (recommendation: work with an organization that pays their staff). Unfortunately, it is common practice for retreat centers to cycle through young, eager, and worn out volunteers and/or not pay healers fairly. If the people supporting your retreat aren't living their best life, they're not going to be able to lead you to yours.

Given the potential, power, and sensitivity of working with Ayahuasca, who you choose to work with is undoubtedly one of the most important decisions of your life, so we encourage you to take the time and the energy to educate yourself to be able to make a good one. If you're in a position to do so, you may also like to consider a private retreat.

If our recommendations above feel energetically aligned for you, and you'd like to explore a journey with Behold, apply below.

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‍Looking for a little more guidance for one of the most important decisions of your life? Watch this video.

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Ayahuasca is a powerful psychedelic compound that has been used for centuries by indigenous people in the Amazon for spiritual and ceremonial purposes. In recent years, ayahuasca tourism has become increasingly popular, with people travelling from all over the world to participate in ayahuasca ceremonies.

While there are many legitimate ayahuasca retreat centres around the world, there are also many that operate without proper legal permission. This means that they may not follow safety guidelines or provide adequate medical care.

There have been several reports of people becoming seriously ill or even dying after drinking ayahuasca at unlicensed retreat centres. For this reason, it is extremely important to do your research and only participate in ayahuasca ceremonies at reputable and legal retreat centres.

If you are considering participating in an ayahuasca ceremony, Ontario is not the place to do it. Ayahuasca is not legal in Canada, and there are no licensed retreat centres operating in the province.

If you choose to participate in an ayahuasca ceremony, you will need to travel to another country where it is legal. There are many reputable retreat centres operating in Peru, Ecuador, and Brazil.

Before you book a trip to an ayahuasca retreat centre, make sure to do your research. Read reviews from other participants, and contact the centre directly to ask any questions you have.

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5 Best Ayahuasca Retreats in Ontario (Updated 2022)

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1 Behold Retreats - Costa Rica, Mexico

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For any person interested in a healing retreat with a focus on plant medicine, Behold Retreats might be exactly what they’re looking for. For the best ayahuasca retreat location, a beautiful beachfront villa in Costa Rica seems difficult to top. A personalized ayahuasca ceremony led by a traditional shaman is an experience that can provide profound healing from past trauma or any other issues that may be difficult to address by Western medicine alone.

Participants at any ayahuasca retreat center of Behold Retreats are given the option of small intimate group ceremonies or a private ayahuasca ceremony, with an emphasis on personal comfort, with other healing modalities like yoga classes and meditation available. The journey begins with you and ends with you. This company works hard to emphasize each participant’s healing experience.

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2 Origen Sagrada - Colorado, USA

This ayahuasca retreat center has a focus on performing the traditional ayahuasca ceremony with facilitators native to the Colombian Amazon tribes of South America. The shamanic ceremony using ayahuasca is an ancient tradition, and each healer from this retreat center believes strongly in helping the participants reconnect to Mother Earth and the powerful healing that comes from doing so.

If you are looking for a basic introduction to the ayahuasca vine and a spiritual retreat in nature, contact Origen Sagrada and find the perfect time to visit the mountains and get in touch with Mother Ayahuasca, and see what experiences the master plant can unlock for you.

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3 Ayahuasca Spirit Healing Center - Spain

This beautiful retreat center has a native Peruvian shaman as its facilitator, with over 25 years of experience in leading clients on the ayahuasca journey. Ayahuasca has been recognized as one of the most powerful forms of plant medicine. For those seeking a spiritual awakening, or looking to enhance their healing process from other issues, an ayahuasca retreat center is an excellent opportunity to have this experience in a safe and pleasant environment.

Each ayahuasca ceremony is limited to 11 people, so that the participants can get personalized attention, and accommodations can be made to bring each member directly from the airport to the retreat center with no hassle.

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4 APL Journeys - Peru, Spain, Portugal

For those seeking very close attention and care during a stay at an ayahuasca retreat center, APL Journeys is a good match, with 6-day retreats. Participants will have daily conversations with the master shaman, as well as flower baths before each ayahuasca ceremony.  The facilitators all have Red Cross certifications, and 15% of proceeds go to supporting traditional shaman communities in the Amazon, showing the close link between this ayahuasca retreat and the native background which it stems from.

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5 Lighthouse Retreats - Portugal

Located 50km from Porto, Spain, this ayahuasca retreat center is beautiful and is ordained with fruit trees. Participants can enjoy other healing modalities during their stay, such as meditation and yoga classes. The retreat center has a vineyard, a spring water pool, and various other activities that make this a wonderful place to have a spiritual retreat individually or with loved ones. The team of facilitators have worked together for many years, leading thousands of participants through each traditional ayahuasca ceremony. They love their work.

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