Before you come

Beforeyour retreat

Preparation, health and medication

Floor cushions in a circle around a patterned mat on the grass, with a wood stove and flasks of tea in front of the barn

Preparation

You do not need to turn the week before a retreat into a project.

We do ask you to give your body and mind a little more space than usual. Eat simply, take it easy with things that make your system work harder, and try not to arrive after a week of very little sleep, a lot of alcohol or a heroic attempt to finish everything on your to-do list.

Once your participation is confirmed, we send you detailed preparation guidelines. They include what to eat and avoid in the days before the retreat, what to bring and the practical information for your stay.

Health and medication

Ayahuasca affects both body and mind and can interact with certain medications and health conditions. This is why everyone who wants to join completes an intake before participation is confirmed.

Please tell us honestly about your physical and mental health, medication, supplements and anything else that may be relevant. The purpose is not to judge whether you are the “right kind” of person for a retreat. It is to understand whether participating is appropriate and whether there is anything we need to discuss with you first.

Some medications do not combine safely with Ayahuasca. If medication or your health changes after you have completed the intake, tell us before the retreat.

Never stop or change prescribed medication in order to participate without consulting the doctor who prescribed it.

The intake and screening

  1. Sending a request to join is the first step. It does not reserve a place, and it does not yet confirm that you can take part.
  2. After your request to join, we ask you to complete an intake form with questions about your physical and mental health, medication and previous experiences.
  3. We review the information carefully. Sometimes we will ask an additional question or arrange a short conversation. Once the intake has been reviewed, we let you know whether you can take part. If you can, you are welcome to join, and you can guarantee your place with an optional deposit.
  4. The screening is not a test to pass. It is there because these retreats can be physically and psychologically intense, and because we want to know enough about the people we will be guiding.

Once your participation is confirmed

You will receive the detailed preparation and practical information for your retreat well before you arrive.

That includes food and medication reminders, what to bring, travel information, the programme and other practical questions. Participants can keep all of this in the Ancient Mother Retreat Guide before, during and after the retreat.

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