Maha Devi Ayahuasca Retreats

OUR TEAM

MEET THE TEAM

Our team is a diverse group of passionate individuals, including dedicated organizers, skilled facilitators, experienced Amazonian healers, and medical staff. Each member brings unique skills, wisdom, and a deep commitment to guiding you through your journey of transformation and healing with care and respect.

HEALERS

Taita Miguel Mavisoy
Tribe: Camsa

Taita Miguel Mavisoy is a highly respected healer from the Camsa tribe, renowned for his warmth, openness, and deep commitment to sharing his ancestral traditions. Known for welcoming people from all over the world, Taita Miguel embodies the spirit of community and healing, making him a cornerstone of the Maha Devi Ayahuasca Retreat experience.

Taita Miguel began his journey with Yagé (Ayahuasca) at just six months old, guided by his parents, both esteemed healers in the Camsa tradition. By the age of 14, he was already serving medicine, carrying forward the wisdom of his lineage. His expertise has made him well-known beyond his homeland, with individuals from Europe and the United States seeking out his medicine for ceremonies. His wife, also a gifted healer, joins him in their shared mission of healing, creating a family deeply rooted in the sacred traditions of Yagé.

Born in the village of Buena Vista, near the Ecuadorian border, Miguel’s upbringing reflects the simple, communal life of his people. The Camsa tribe places great value on living in the moment and fostering strong community bonds, which is evident in Miguel's ceremonies. He often incorporates talented local musicians into his ceremonies, adding a rich cultural dimension to the experience. His kind smile and open demeanor are as much a part of his medicine as the Yagé itself.

ORGANIZERS / FACILITATORS

Yasha Shah
Director, Facilitator, Student of Medicine

Yasha is the visionary behind Maha Devi Ayahuasca Retreats, bringing a deep passion for creating transformative spaces rooted in tradition, safety, and spiritual growth. He is certified in First Aid and CPR by the Canadian Red Cross, ensuring the highest standards of safety for all participants.

He has completed integration training through ICEERS, enabling him to support participants in processing and integrating their Ayahuasca experiences effectively. Yasha's journey into plant medicine is enriched by his initiation into the Shipibo tribe of the Amazon, where he developed a profound understanding of their healing traditions. He also shares a strong bond with the Camsa tribe of Putumayo, learning from their wisdom and practices.

Beyond his work with plant medicine traditions, Yasha brings his passion for Shakta Tantra as a practitioner initiated into the Sri Vidya lineage under Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati. This spiritual path informs his approach to life and his vision for creating retreats that honor ancient traditions while embracing modern integration practices.

Yasha’s dedication lies in fostering safe, supportive, and enriching experiences for participants, guided by respect for indigenous wisdom and a commitment to personal growth.

Ania Halama
Organizer, Facilitator, Integration Guide, Student of Medicine

Ania Halama is a world-renowned holistic mentor, integration guide, transformational leader, and entrepreneur whose life journey is a testament to the power of self-discovery and manifestation. After breaking free from an unfulfilling corporate career, she embarked on a transformative global odyssey that opened her to ancient healing modalities and revealed her true life’s purpose.

Ania draws from a multitude of certifications, including EFT Practitioner, Breathwork Facilitator, Ho’oponopono Master, and Akashic Records Reader, to empower thousands of heart-centered individuals and professionals to align with their highest potential. Her keen intuitive abilities and mastery of the Law of Attraction allow her to guide clients in attracting health, love, wealth, and spiritual abundance.

Initiated by Peruvian healers into the tradition of Shipibo Curanderismo, Ania is a dedicated student of life who has been working with different plant medicines for seven years. She has undertaken the Chullachaqui, and Niwe Rao dietas, deepening her connection to these sacred practices.

Recognized as a “Top Millennial Powerhouse” by Entrepreneur Magazine and “Top 10 Entrepreneur to Follow” by US Reporter, Ania’s visionary approach has garnered widespread acclaim. She is a two-time bestselling author of Rebel’s Guide to Spirituality and Women Gone Wild: The Wealth Edition, and her insights have been featured across major media outlets.

With an intuitive artist’s eye for beauty and a passion for uplifting others, Ania fuses her business savvy and metaphysical gifts. Her mission is to impact lives by empowering people to manifest their deepest desires through radical self-love and spiritual awakening. Ania works with forward-thinking individuals to foster a life of mindfulness, empowerment, and fulfillment. She is dedicated to helping people unlock their full potential, leading to increased happiness, motivation, productivity, innovation, and overall abundance.

Healers

Maestro Segundo Pangoza Chani
Tribe: Shipibo

Maestro Segundo Pangoza Chani is a revered Shipibo healer with over 40 years of experience in plant medicine. As the lead shaman, he brings an authentic connection to the ancient healing tradition of Ayahuasca, offering a safe and nurturing environment for those seeking transformation. His decades of knowledge and expertise create a space where participants can fully surrender and immerse themselves in the profound wisdom of this sacred practice.

Why Do We Work with Maestro Segundo Pangoza Chani?
Yasha first encountered Maestro Segundo in Pucallpa, Peru, after completing a dieta in Iquitos. Seeking to expand beyond the teachings of previous mentors, Yasha was drawn to Pucallpa, known for its rich Shipibo culture. There, Yasha was searching for a maestro with deep knowledge of master plant dieta, aware of the challenges and risks involved in such a pursuit in Peru.

When Yasha met Maestro Segundo, he was immediately struck by the maestro's patient and kind demeanor, even in the face of a language barrier. Despite limited Spanish, Yasha communicated with Maestro Segundo through Google Translate, and the maestro shared stories of his experiences in Spain and Germany. Their connection deepened as they discussed the Shipibo language and dieta, with Maestro Segundo recalling his time spent near Iquitos.

Maestro Segundo's warmth and sincerity left a lasting impression. Inviting Yasha to join a ceremony, he welcomed him like family, and his Icaros resonated with a comforting, grandfatherly presence. This deep trust and genuine connection led Yasha to choose Maestro Segundo as a key healer for Maha Devi retreats, confident in his ability to guide participants through their Ayahuasca journeys with wisdom and compassion.

JOIN US

We invite you to explore the profound potential of ayahuasca and embark on a journey of self-discovery with us. At Maha Devi Ayahuasca Retreats, you will find a community dedicated to your transformation and a space where your spiritual journey can unfold with grace and support.

Wellness & Support Team

Mijal Schmidt Muñoz
Role: Clinical Psychologist, Musicologist, Complex trauma specialist, Clinical therapeutic accompaniment

Mijal is our go-to psychologist for difficult cases, offering deep expertise in working with trauma and therapeutic integration. She also leads our group sessions on therapeutic integration, helping clients navigate their healing journeys with a focus on amplifying consciousness and changing perspectives.

Guy Sapirstein
Role: Psychologist, PhD

Guy is our expert therapist for complex situations, bringing extensive experience in working with stress, anxiety, and relationship challenges. He specializes in guiding individuals and families through difficult life transitions and offers unique expertise in psychedelic integration. Guy also leads our group sessions on resilience and practical coping strategies, helping clients find effective, lasting solutions to their challenges.

Sebastian Sanchez Ramires
Role: Registered Nurse

Sebastian is our dedicated medical professional responsible for ensuring that each participant is physically prepared for the ayahuasca ceremonies. He conducts thorough physical check-ups, including monitoring vital signs such as blood pressure, every night before ceremony. Sebastian's attentive care helps to create a safe environment, allowing participants to focus on their healing journey.

Jose David Guarin
Role: Guardian of the Grounds

Jose is our devoted guardian of the grounds and a specialist in psychedelic-assisted therapy with over 10 years of experience. He ensures the retreat remains a safe and serene sanctuary. His presence is a constant reminder of the deep connection between the earth and the spiritual work being done, providing a stable and nurturing foundation for the entire retreat experience.

Ram Rattan Singh Khalsa
Role: Kundalini Yoga Master

Ram Rattan Singh Khalsa is our skilled yoga instructor, offering a variety of yoga sessions multiple times per week to support participants on their journey. His classes are thoughtfully designed to complement the retreat experience, helping to balance the body, mind, and spirit.

Thomás Guarin
Role: Musician

Tomás is a holistic therapist and skilled musician who integrates music and sound as powerful tools for emotional and spiritual healing. He blends ancestral wisdom with modern science, creating a transformative atmosphere in ceremonies through carefully crafted medicine music. Despite his young age, Tomás has extensive experience with psychedelics and a strong background in holistic psychology and neuroscience.

PSYCHOLOGISTS

Mijal Schmidt Muñoz, MA

Clinical Psychologist, Musicologist, and Trauma Specialist
Languages: English and Spanish

Mijal brings over 15 years of clinical practice and six years of experience working with entheogens in traditional settings. As a specialist in complex trauma, she embraces the transformative potential of Amazonian plant medicine, supporting clients in navigating deep personal growth and healing.

As the former director of a center for individuals with chronic ailments and emotional suffering, Mijal has taught intervention techniques and lectured extensively on diverse therapeutic treatments. Her expertise extends to her research on sacred chants, or Ikaros, from the Peruvian Amazon, exploring their healing power through sound and intention. A strong advocate for the wisdom of plants and other beings, Mijal integrates her understanding of traditional practices with modern therapeutic approaches.

Mijal enjoys working with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, offering a compassionate and personalized approach to healing.

You can also book a one-on-one session with Mijal to prepare or integrate. Contact us for more information about these services.

Guy Sapirstein, PhD

Psychologist and Family Therapist
Language: English

Guy specializes in helping individuals, couples, and families overcome challenges and achieve meaningful change. He supports parents in navigating their children’s needs, guides couples and families toward building closer and happier relationships, and helps individuals manage stress, anxiety, and life transitions such as relocation or family changes.

Guy also works with relationship issues, including divorce, extra-marital affairs, and conflicts, while providing tools to manage interactions with difficult family members. Additionally, he assists individuals and families dealing with stress-related medical conditions such as gastrointestinal issues, chronic pain, and sleep disturbances. His practice includes skill-building for stress and anxiety management, assertiveness, conflict resolution, and effective communication.

You can also book a one-on-one session with Guy to prepare or integrate. Contact us for more information about these services.

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE GUIDES

For detailed information on Ayahuasca, its effects, potential risks, and the overall retreat experience, download the Ayahuasca Guide. To learn about the various plant medicines that may be offered during your retreat, download our Plant Medicine Guide.

TESTIMONIALS

Hear from those who have experienced the profound healing and personal growth at Maha Devi Ayahuasca Retreats, where the wisdom of ancient traditions meets modern support.

Two of my ceremonies were very difficult, very dark, very emotional, but I can tell I learned from there. I received some good insight, I'm looking forward to integrate and process all I have learned.

Jean from Corsica

Ayahuasca changed my life, it set me on the path to truth, love, honesty, and awesomeness.

Souhaila from Morocco

This retreat was deeply personal, it helped me resolve issues with my mother. It helped me resolve pain and resentment for my father. I'm ready to mend a lot of personal relationships, even ones that I don't want to be friends with I'm ready to close those cycles.