Ayahuasca Retreat in Putumayo

A few months ago, my wife and I were looking for a two-week Ayahuasca retreat—something new, something different, something we had never done before. When we reached out, we learned that the program had been shortened, which actually felt like a better fit for us. So, with excitement and curiosity, we decided to sign up. At first, our intention was simply to experience something unique. But as we went through the preparation process, we were guided to go deeper. We realized this wasn’t just about trying something new—it was an opportunity to strengthen our marriage, cultivate gratitude, and open our hearts to a deeper spiritual connection. The first ceremony was challenging for me, while my wife handled it with more ease. But by the second ceremony, I finally understood what the Shaman meant when he spoke about the loving nature of the medicine. The cleansing rituals were incredibly powerful—I had constant visions of tigers and jaguars, which felt deeply symbolic. The space was held with such care and intention, making the entire experience feel safe and sacred. By the time we reached the final cacao ceremony, it felt like everything had come full circle. We had done the inner work, faced what we needed to face, and in the end, we rejoiced. We left feeling more connected than ever, with our hearts wide open for another 20 years of love and partnership. Since moving to Colombia last summer, we’ve come to see experiences like this as one of the great gifts of living here. We hope to make attending a retreat a yearly tradition—a way to reset, realign, and continue growing together. If you’re considering a retreat, all we can say is: go with an open heart. You might just walk away with more than you ever expected.

I’ve struggled with porn addiction for a long time. It was this cycle of stopping for a while, feeling hopeful, and then falling right back into it—over and over again. After a point, I just felt powerless, like nothing I tried could break me out of it. That’s when I decided to work with Yasha at Mahadevi Retreat. I didn’t really know what to expect, but what I experienced went way beyond anything I could’ve imagined. Yasha helped prepare me for deep healing, and for the first time, I wasn’t just trying to fight my addiction—I was starting to understand it. Here’s the thing: I don’t know if I’ll never watch porn again, but what’s changed is that I now understand why I was watching it in the first place. That realization alone was huge. I also found compassion for myself in a way I never thought was possible. I’m not beating myself up anymore; instead, I feel like I have the clarity and confidence to follow through with my integration plan and actually create lasting change in my life. The biggest eye-opener for me was realizing that porn wasn’t really the problem—it was just a distraction from the deeper stuff going on inside me. Before the retreat, I thought quitting porn was the goal. Now, I see it was just the surface symptom of something much bigger that needed my attention. Another unexpected lesson was around vulnerability. I used to think being open and vulnerable was just… not for me. But Yasha helped me see vulnerability differently—he called it “radical honesty,” and that really clicked with me. It’s not about weakness; it’s about facing myself without filters or excuses. I know I still have a long road ahead, but now, I don’t feel stuck anymore. This retreat gave me the clarity, compassion, and real tools to keep moving forward

I knew about Yasha and Ania before they started Mahadevi, back when they were offering small ceremonies here and there. Seeing them bring their vision to life has been truly inspiring, and I’m so happy they did. I had one Ayahuasca experience in the United States, but it wasn’t what I was hoping for. So when they invited me to drink with Taita Miguel, I was curious to see if this time would be different. He offered me Krudo medicine—it tasted just like water, and I drank a full cup of it. I was relieved that I didn’t have to drink the cooked version again because I wasn’t looking forward to holding my nose and chugging it down. The experience was deep but not overwhelming. After this ceremony, I finally understood why so many people are drawn to Ayahuasca—it truly is beautiful. I didn’t have a deep emotional intention like others; I just wanted to be reintroduced to the medicine and understand its purpose. But after my first ceremony, memories of my childhood, especially of my father, started surfacing in my personal time. It felt natural to reach out to him, and when I did, we had such an open, heartfelt conversation. It made me wonder—maybe one day, I’ll drink with him too. The location is beautifully kept, and having a swimming pool to float in and simply observe my thoughts during rest days was one of the best parts of the retreat. I made new connections with people, and listening to their stories in the sharing circle helped me appreciate others on a deeper level. This retreat brought me closer to people, not just in the moment but in a way that has changed how I see the relationships in my life. I never felt like I took people for granted, but after this experience, I feel a new level of appreciation, connectedness, and presence. I hope that in the future, I can bring my family with me so we can strengthen our bond and bring our hearts even closer together. Thank you for everything.

I first met Yasha and Ania through the Gratitude Circle in Medellin. I was curious about Ayahuasca, but I had never been involved in anything spiritual before. After reading their book, something inside me clicked, I felt a deep pull to experience the medicine for myself. My intention was clear: I wanted to understand the root of my depression. The first ceremony was intense. I felt an overwhelming sadness, and I cried more than I ever had before. But instead of feeling broken, I felt like I was finally releasing something heavy that I had been carrying for so long. It was painful, but it was also freeing. By the end of the night, I could feel a huge weight lifting off my chest. We had two more ceremonies after that, each one bringing me deeper into my own truth. In the end, I realized that my depression wasn’t because something was wrong with me, it was because I had spent my life ignoring my heart, trying to live in a way that made others happy instead of listening to what I truly wanted. That realization hit me hard, but it also gave me hope. The ceremonies themselves were beautiful. The first one started off gentle, almost like the medicine was getting to know me. By the last ceremony, it felt like a celebration, like I had come full circle. The music was beyond words; the medicine musicians played the most beautiful songs I had ever heard, and they touched something deep in my soul. After the closing ceremony, the shaman offered me a tobacco and protection ritual. Even though I don’t speak Spanish, I could feel his kindness and wisdom in the way he carried himself. When I learned that he had his first Ayahuasca experience at just six months old, I understood why he felt so deeply connected to this work. Meeting his family was just as powerful. They were simple, humble people, yet they radiated happiness in a way that made me realize how much I had been complicating my own life. That moment alone changed my perspective. I left with a newfound appreciation for the simple things. Now, I’m working with Yasha to integrate everything I experienced. This retreat was more than just a journey with Ayahuasca. it was a journey back to myself. I feel like I found not just healing, but a new family and a new way of living. I already know I’ll be coming back. I want to see what Ayahuasca has to show me next. One unexpected gift from this experience was my roommate. I shared a room with a brother from Germany, and I never imagined I could connect with someone so easily. It reminded me how powerful it is to share space with people who are on a similar path. I’m deeply grateful for everything Yasha and Ania are doing. The way they offer this medicine is truly special. As Ania said, I feel heard, seen, and complete. Ahooo!

I had a very beautiful experience. Ania was a great help to me. Taita Miguel’s medicine was very sweet. Coming into this, I was a little afraid. Even though I had prepared one month in advance, I still had some nerves. In the end, I feel this was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I really liked how they prepared my mind and body for the experience. I felt very connected to my intention. When I look back at it, it just brings a smile to my face! Going to the waterfall before each ceremony really helped me to be in a good state of mind. The location is stunning—having the best of both worlds, being in the Amazon but also having comfort. It made it easier for me to process my emotions after my breakup. I have emotional freedom now, and I can choose who I want to be! It was incredible. Dank je wel, Yasha en Ania. Dank je wel, medicijn!