6 Day Holistic Ayahuasca Retreat in Barcelona, Spain

Ayahuasca

The word 'Ayahuasca' is a Quechua term composed of two words: 'aya,' which means 'corpse', 'dead,' or 'dead human body,' and 'waskha,' which means 'rope,' 'cord,' or 'braided or twisted wire.' Thus, it has commonly been translated as “the vine of the dead” or “the rope of the dead.”

Ayahuasca is a decoction of the Amazonian vine Banisteriopsis caapi. Its chemical ingredients are known as harmalines. Some ethnic and religious groups add the Psychotria viridis plant to Ayahuasca, which has visionary effects and whose active component is dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Ayahuasca is not a magic pill that will instantly solve all your problems. However, sometimes solving a problem does happen, especially through integration.

Avalon's Ayahuasca retreats in Europe provides a gateway for the journey into wholeness. With clear intentions and a sincere commitment to work with sacred medicines, there are many potentials for healing and living a whole life - creating reality with purpose.

Potential benefits of Ayahuasca in terms of healing:

Unhealthy habits and patterns

It is difficult to overcome addiction and other unhealthy habits. Thus, Ayahuasca is used in many detox programs. The aim is for the person to let go of all the ties linked towards that pattern or addiction, whilst allowing themselves to be forgiven for everything that these patterns have caused.

Anxiety and fear

As with other ailments such as depression, Ayahuasca can help anxiety by directly facing the root of this issue and help the person heal from the fears that cause anxiety, as well as being able to release any sense of guilt that may be causing it.

Burnout

With so many responsibilities, worries, and growing issues people have nowadays, it is no wonder that many suffer from burnout. Ayahuasca gives people a chance to start from scratch with all the bulk of worries and tribulations. All in all, it will help feel like you are starting with a clean slate and have renewed and refreshed energy.

Fear of death

The fear of death is the primary fear of the human beings. This fear, often subconscious, guides one's life. Drinking Ayahuasca can be like having a near-death experience, many participants of the ritual have reported having a death of the ego and experiencing what is beyond the visible, which can help you dissolve your fears and face the end of your earthly life.

Social conditioning

Many of the decisions you make in your life are conditioned by your family, friends, or society in general, sometimes to such an extent that you stop being true to yourself. In this case, the benefits of Ayahuasca are applied by helping people find themselves, regain their freedom, and be responsible for their lives.

Media overload

One of the challenges of society nowadays is living with an excess of information, especially when most of it is irrelevant and can even have negative effects.

Media and social media have a great impact on people's behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. Ayahuasca can help you reconnect with your true self as well as what really matters and have a healthy relationship with screens and information.

Grief

Similarly to fear of death, Ayahuasca for grief can help people heal and finally find acceptance towards the death of a loved one, being able to reconnect with them on a certain level, make peace with the deceased, and finally move on.

Post-traumatic stress

Ayahuasca for PTSD is one of the most sought after benefits. Why? There are many surveys that point out the benefits of this treatment for people suffering from PTSD, as it can help overcome trauma, help people move past it, and detach from the situation that originated it.

Depression

Whilst Ayahuasca may not heal depression per se, it can help people understand where the root of their ailment comes from, will help them reconnect with themselves, and offer them coping mechanisms to eventually overcome it.

Life with uncertainty

It is increasingly difficult to find stability and a certain level of certainty in life nowadays. Thus, in this case, the benefits of Ayahuasca can help you surrender to life, reconnect with yourself, and give you the clarity you need to accept the uncertainty of everyday life, be more confident, and be able to trust that gut feeling that things will work out.

Weak immune system

Many studies have found that Ayahuasca benefits the redistribution of immune cells, thus helping the body combat disease in a much more efficient manner.

Body toxicity

The cleansing benefits of Ayahuasca can help in detoxifying the body completely, getting rid of any alien bodies that have entered your system, cleansing it from the inside-out and giving the person a fresh start to treat their body in a healthy and toxic-free manner.

Main transformational benefits:

Clarity of life and purpose

If you are having doubts on which path to take, find decision-making hard, or are not clear on your life purpose, an Ayahuasca ceremony can help you immerse into your higher self and find that answer that has always existed in the depths of your unconscious mind.

Expansion of consciousness

Reach a new level of consciousness as Ayahuasca can help you view your inner self and your surroundings in a completely different light, connecting not only with you but with every energy that surrounds you.

Unleashing highest potential

What is your life’s calling? What is your gift or talent? Another of the benefits of Ayahuasca is that it helps you in the process of getting rid of whatever is holding you back from the life you want. Moreover, it also guides you to think outside the box and pinpoint your best attributes and help you to set you up for success.

Inner peace

Although this point is pretty self-explanatory, Avalon would like to highlight this benefit of Ayahuasca as it is one of the most popular reasons to attend a ceremony. Find your acceptance from within, get rid of bad thoughts or energy, and learn to just be content.

Spiritual awakening

You may sometimes find it hard to connect with your most spiritual side. Know that everybody has one. It is just a question of finding it. Ayahuasca can help you reach the spiritual capacity that you have within.

Enhanced creativity

Don't forget that you will be dealing with a psychedelic plant with Ayahuasca. Thus, if you are searching for new creative grounds, this experience will unblock that white canvas syndrome and unleash the artsy part of your brain and find new ideas and grounds to create.

Improved interpersonal relationships

Ayahuasca can help you really feel what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Find new empathy for the people around you to build stronger, healthier, and longer-lasting bonds with your loved ones.

What to expect during an Ayahuasca ceremony

One of the most burning questions people have is what an Ayahuasca ceremony looks like. What will they feel? What should they expect? It is very important to take into account that every Ayahuasca experience is unique, so there will be no way to predict how it will unfold and also, one of the keys to a great experience is not having expectations.

However, here is a very small summary of what often happens, step by step.

Space protection:

After sunset, the shaman and facilitators will cleanse the space and each of the people in the room, for a safe and pleasant experience.

Rapé ceremony:

Dry tobacco powder helps to clear the mind and enter a meditative state, as well as stimulate the pineal gland (responsible for having visions), deepening the connection with Ayahuasca.

Silence

It depends on the tradition of the shaman. Normally, a space of silence will be left when drinking the first cup to connect deeper with the plant and feel its first effects.

The effects of Ayahuasca

The effects of Ayahuasca are many and vary from person to person. You may have hallucinations in the form of bright colors or even see shapes and people. You should also be aware that you may also experience the purge.

A common side effect is vomiting and diarrhea. It is important to embrace these effects as a part of the detoxification and cleansing that the ceremony offers.

Medicine music, ícaros, and sounds

The shaman and musicians will begin performing music, which are songs designed to boost the effects on each person and guide them on their journey.

Second door. Drink the tea again

All attendees will have the possibility to drink a second time and even more times if they wish to. In this way, it will be possible to go deeper in the journey as well as open new processes.

Closing of the ceremony

After the shaman feels that it is right, normally around eight hours later, he or she will formally close the session. At this time, the participants usually go to rest.

Other retreat activities

Access bars

This is an energetic one-to-one therapy that facilitates the release of an electromagnetic charge of limiting thoughts, attitudes, decisions, and beliefs. The bars therapist touches 32 unique points on the head that correlate to different aspects of life.

Your experience includes:

• 4 Ayahuasca ceremonies. by experienced (>10 years) shamans trained in Colombia (Kamëntsá, Kichwa or Cofán traditions), Peru (Quechua tradition), or Brazil (Yawanawá or Guaraní traditions).
• 4 rapé (dried tobacco powder) ceremonies - clearing the mind and cleansing the body and energy field, used in combination with Ayahuasca
• 4 integration workshops with a trained psychologist, combining diverse and creative methods, such as sharing circles, writing, art therapy, and ecstatic dance
• 1 one-on-one integration session - designed to bring your unique experience into your daily life and ensure lasting change
• 1 access bars session - energetic therapy facilitating the release of limiting beliefs
• 1 holotropic breathwork
• 1 healing massage
• 4 yoga and meditation sessions suitable for all levels
• 5 food awareness workshops
• Intake and safety screening with the collaboration of a doctor
• 1 one-to-one preparation video call
• 2 online integration follow-up circles

You will also enjoy:

• Personal support before and after the retreat - You will have a personal Avalon family member assigned to guide you through the preparation and integration
• Ceremonies are held in an exceptionally safe setting. Our ceremony team consists of 6-7 experienced sacred space guardians and musicians who follow many of the guidelines of the Enhancing Safety in Ayahuasca Sessions course by ICEERS Academy
• Ceremonies filled with live “medicine” music - A combination of multiple instruments and voices
• Ayahuasca preparation and integration guidelines documents
• Lifelong access to the Avalon community, activities, and support system

Very high facilitator-to-guest ratio

A team of 25 people for a maximum of 25 participants will make you feel supported at all times.