9 Day Meditation, Ayahuasca, and Yoga Retreat in Itacaré, Bahia

Facilities

Course content

In addition to the exercises to access and work with your inner being, this retreat also includes:

• Basic meditation and breath work skills through the use of sophisticated biofeedback training devices (Wild Divine computer software)
• Guided imagery meditations designed to enhance communication between the mind and body conducive to transcendence
• Progressive relaxation skills for accessing deeper states of being
• Regular morning yoga classes and individual tuition on request
• Cleansing flower bath

Meditation and regression

Since the ayahuasca experience occurs in a modified state of consciousness, the spiritual insights, visions, symbolic messages, and communications received during the ceremonies can be difficult to comprehend in the ordinary day-to-day state of mind. Meditation training may help to create a mental space for the new visions and insights to sit more comfortably until the mind has time to fully incorporate all of the information received.

During the retreat, various meditation, workshops, and regression exercises take place. Although in the unconscious mind, time does not exist and everything is happening right now. Participants can re-visit past, future, or parallel lives and eventually unblock resources to reconnect with the power within.

Yoga

The ancient practice of yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline that leads one to a state of peace. Within the journey of yoga, one may attain health benefits and spiritual awareness. The class is composed of pranayama (breathing exercises), asana (poses), mudra (energetic seals), and meditation. The state of presence attained through yoga allows the practitioner to feel calm, relaxed, and confident.

Spirit Vine Retreat Center offers non-compulsory yoga classes that are gentle and easy, with a beautiful flowing style; a great introduction for beginners and deep relaxation for those with more experience.

Ayahuasca ceremonies

During this retreat, 3 ceremonies will be held at night in the beautiful, purpose built ceremony room in the jungle. In this room you will be protected from insects inside by mosquito nets, and outside, the jungle orchestra with the frogs, animals and insects is the perfect backdrop to a night of spiritual discovery.

The fourth ceremony is held in the day time with the intention to connect with nature. During the ceremony, if you feel ready, you can go walk around the gardens, swim and float in the natural pond, and you can also spend time in hammocks or watch the tapestries in the massage room. Spirit Vine Retreat Center always have a facilitator in the ceremony room and outside in the area where the you can walk to ensure safety and provide support when required.

Please note that the plant ceremonies are always optional; while it is recommended, it is not essential that participants attend all of the activities. Read more about our ayahuasca ceremonies.

The ritual of ayahuasca ceremony is an ancient practice that has traditionally been performed by shamans in South America for many thousands of years. The ayahuasca ceremony is a powerful spiritual experience that opens the participant to a greater awareness of the essence of oneself in this realm.

The ceremonies at Spirit Vine are held at night in the beautiful, purpose-built temple inside the jungle, and beside a stunning lagoon. Outside the temple, the symphony of sounds from the frogs, animals, and insects at night is the perfect backdrop to a night of spiritual discovery.

Music is carefully chosen for the ceremony that supports, triggers, and guides the participant in their spiritual journey with ayahuasca. Music can often be a powerful medium for spiritual awakening and the music played at Spirit Vine are sublime soundscapes that allow the mind to expand into endless space where visions and feelings of cosmic awareness flow as rivers of consciousness.

Spirit Vine is a trans-denominational space that is designed to allow the participants to optimize their own inner spiritual processes and development through self-reflection and integration.

An instructor will work individually with each participant before and during the retreats to ensure they are ready and feel safe in the experience. During the retreat, the group process is very important and regular sharing circles are an intrinsic part of the reflective experience, which often lead to deeper understandings.

Spirit Vine Retreat Center grows its own ayahuasca vine and Chacruna plants and the tea is made here on the land with much loving care and attention. It is devoted to ayahuasca and the spirit of the plants permeates through the land and everywhere in the center.

Itacar is a small town located on the south coast of the Bahia state. Originally, Itacar was a fisherman's town. The first visit makes it seem like many other small coastal towns, but dig deeper and you will find a multi-layered microcosm of everything that makes this world a beautiful place. White sandy beaches, pure, unadulterated nature, gorgeous people, delectable food, tranquility, and most importantly, sunshine and awesome waves.

Whether body surfing in the warm ocean water, riding a barrel, or practicing yoga on the beach, Itacar attracts adventure seekers, eco-enthusiasts, and urban dwellers alike. Rent a canoe and take a bath in the waterfall in Conta River, scuba dive in Marau, or surf in Engenhoca beach (five minutes driving from Spirit Vine Retreat Center).

Stop by the artisans in Itacar and buy some presents. Dine at one of the many eateries serving local and international cuisine. After dinner and before dessert, stop by the Jungle to watch capoeira and perhaps even participate. Dance with people from all over the world on the cobble-stoned streets.

Itacar is quiet during the day but after the sun sets, the streets start to come alive.

Do not forget to try the typical Bahian specialty called Acaraje and Moqueca at least once before you return home. You can drink an Aai smoothie or a Cacao honey here too.

Nearby places

• Salvador, 240 kilometers

During the program, a special diet that is optimized for the ingestion of ayahuasca is followed. The Spirit Vine Retreat Center's dietary recommendations include a period of time before and after the retreats.

The delicious meals served are prepared by the cooks using only local fresh products and most of the organic fruits and vegetables are from the Spirit Vine Retreat Center garden. Every day, plenty of fresh vegetables, luscious fruit, salad, grains, and coconut water or fresh lemonade will be served.

The nutritionally balanced diet is gluten-free, and without sugar, salt, meat, or alcohol. Only healthy spices to replace salt. It is not unusual that people lose weight and feel healthier after an ayahuasca diet, although this is not the focus, nor a guaranteed outcome. Participants are suggested to start the diet, (which includes sexual abstinence) at least three days prior to arrival at the Spirit Vine Retreat Center and recommend its continuation for at least three days after the retreat.

• Local capoeira schools where you can get lessons with experienced teachers in town.
• Local walk in the jungle with a native guide. There are many nature walks through the jungles or along the coastlines.
• Renting a car and get some surfing lessons at one of the local beaches.
• Swimming in the lagoon and visiting beautiful beaches close by.
• The local town, Itacar is at the mouth of a large river that flows through thick jungle and it is easy to hire a local guide and a canoe for trips up the river to cacao farms, waterfalls, and native restaurants.
• Whale watching available from June to October.

• 4 ayahuasca ceremonies
• 8 nights accommodation
• Cleansing flower bath
• Delicious daily meals based on ayahuasca diet
• Guided imagery meditations designed to enhance communication between the mind and body conducive to transcendence
• Regular morning yoga classes and individual tuition on request
• Sessions on basic meditation and breath work skills through the use of sophisticated biofeedback training devices (Wild Divine computer software)
• Sessions on progressive relaxation skills for accessing deeper states of being

• Airfare and airport taxes
• Gratuities or tips
• Laundry or any other activity or service from the center
• Transportation to the retreat center
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees

• A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.