Our Story
A Quest for Real Healing, Tradition and Integrity
Our Story
A Quest for Real Healing, Tradition and Integrity
Creating the real healing sanctuary we saw was needed...
Caya Shobo was formed by friends who started their own journey with Ayahuasca many years ago (as early as 1997). The profound healing experiences we each had with Ayahuasca set us on deep paths of self-discovery with this sacred wisdom plant of the Amazon.
After years of exploring different Amazonian shamanic traditions, in 2009 we encountered the Shipibo tradition. In particular the Shipibo practice of Master Plant Dieta. We became astounded at the healing and transformation that is possible with this ancestral practice. We became fascinated with how the traditional Shipibo way of Dieta can foster profound mystical connection with Master Plants.
But we also saw that there was no really well-run Ayahuasca center focused on deep healing with Shipibo Dieta practice. Most operated in the space of Ayahuasca tourism. We recognized the need for a real healing sanctuary that honored the ancestral Shipibo tradition, but with western standards of care.
To find the integrity and high service standards we wanted for ourselves, we knew we needed to create Caya Shobo.
To find the integrity and high service standards we wanted to experience for ourselves, we knew we needed to create Caya Shobo.
Creating the real healing sanctuary we saw was needed...
Caya Shobo was formed by friends who started their own journey with Ayahuasca many years ago (as early as 1997). The profound healing experiences we each had with Ayahuasca set us on deep paths of self-discovery with this sacred wisdom plant of the Amazon.
After years of exploring different Amazonian shamanic traditions, in 2009 we encountered the Shipibo tradition. In particular the Shipibo practice of Master Plant Dieta. We became astounded at the healing and transformation that is possible with this ancestral practice. We became fascinated with how the traditional Shipibo way of Dieta can foster profound mystical connection with Master Plants.
But we also saw that there was no really well-run Ayahuasca center focused on deep healing with Shipibo Dieta practice. Most operated in the space of Ayahuasca tourism. We recognized the need for a real healing sanctuary that honored the ancestral Shipibo tradition, but with western standards of care.
Discover how the Shipibo tradition can facilitate real healing
The birth of a place of care & learning
Dedicated to real healing with safe Shipibo practices
Bobinsana in flower in the gardens at Caya Shobo
The Caya Shobo story began in 2009 when one of our original co-founders, Miguel, discovered the incredible healing knowledge of the Shipibo tradition. Having studied Ayahuasca shamanism for many years, Miguel had heard about the special healing power of Shipibo shamans. But it wasn’t until faced with a serious health issue that he was encouraged to try Shipibo healing.
That proved to be a profound, life-changing discovery. It put the other traditions in a new perspective. The richly technical and breathtakingly poetic quality of the Shipibo tradition went deeper than any other tradition he’d known.
For Miguel there was no doubt – the Shipibo knowledge, particularly Master Plant Dieta practice, presented an incomparable opportunity for real healing. Miguel’s partner Becky and other friends were also inspired by his path and we too started learning about Shipibo Dieta practice.
In 2016 we were presented with an opportunity to create our own healing sanctuary in Iquitos, Peru. That’s when we came together to form Caya Shobo, to be a center dedicated to real healing and learning with the best Shipibo shamans.
It hasn’t always been an easy road. Shipibo shamanism is perhaps the most challenging and demanding shamanic path in existence. And there are vast differences between the Shipibo and western perspectives, as well as different ideas amongst friends about standards of care. Not to mention the tough years of Covid that we nearly didn’t survive!
Today we are proud and grateful of what Caya Shobo has become – a beautiful sanctuary for true healing.
The birth of a place of care & learning
Dedicated to real healing with safe Shipibo practices
Bobinsana in flower in the gardens at Caya Shobo
The Caya Shobo story began in 2009 when one of our original co-founders, Miguel, discovered the incredible healing knowledge of the Shipibo tradition. Having studied Ayahuasca shamanism for many years, Miguel had heard about the special healing power of Shipibo shamans. But it wasn’t until faced with a serious health issue that he was encouraged to try Shipibo healing.
That proved to be a profound, life-changing discovery. It put the other traditions in a new perspective. The richly technical and breathtakingly poetic quality of the Shipibo tradition went deeper than any other tradition he’d known.
For Miguel there was no doubt – the Shipibo knowledge, particularly Master Plant Dieta practice, presented an incomparable opportunity for real healing. Miguel’s partner Becky and other friends were also inspired by his path and we too started learning about Shipibo Dieta practice.
In 2016 we were presented with an opportunity to create our own healing sanctuary in Iquitos, Peru. That’s when we came together to form Caya Shobo, to be a center dedicated to real healing and learning with the best Shipibo shamans.
It hasn’t always been an easy road. Shipibo shamanism is perhaps the most challenging and demanding shamanic path in existence. And there are vast differences between the Shipibo and western perspectives, as well as different ideas amongst friends about standards of care. Not to mention the tough years of Covid that we nearly didn’t survive!
Today we are proud and grateful of what Caya Shobo has become – a beautiful sanctuary for true healing.
Caya Shobo is not just a healing sanctuary. It is a community of good friends sharing a path of learning and living in harmony with the wisdom of plants.
Miguel's story
Original co-founder, A long path of learning and service
“Since 1997 I followed various Ayahuasca traditions around the Amazonian jungle, different countries, tribes, and worked with Shipibo maestros for long years. I observed how different maestros approached their own lineage. After many years, I arrived at a point of wanting to be more independent, not like a guest or a patient or a student.
At the same time, there was something I didn’t feel comfortable with in how different Ayahuasca centers were managed – how many turned themselves into only a business. I needed to create a place where I could bring a new perspective and build deep, trusted friendships with Shipibo maestros, with Peruvian workers, and with western facilitators. I wanted to feel more comfortable with how things were done and how healing treatment was given.
In 2016, Becky and I saw an opportunity to open this center. I didn’t have any idea how big that decision was and how it would require most of our energy and attention. Especially because we didn’t want to be just another business. We wanted to be really honest and bring the best of our knowledge for anyone who really needs healing.
For years we’ve grown in that way and in our partnerships. We understand the western culture, mind and traumas and what this tradition can achieve. And we’ve seen that our role is to be in service of Caya Shobo, which has become its own entity, as a place for people to feel safe and know that we will care for them.
So this is a kind of life commitment, at least for me, and this is what I do now – be in Dieta and pray for this energy and the trees and the plants and the maestros; being in service and growing like a family, a community of friends. Our maestros and workers are part of our family. We support each other, our kids, pets and the land. We continue to grow, continue to do Dieta, and continue to help people. That’s it.”
Miguel's story
Original co-founder, A long path of learning and service
“Since 1997 I followed various Ayahuasca traditions around the Amazonian jungle, different countries, tribes, and worked with Shipibo maestros for long years. I observed how different maestros approached their own lineage. After many years, I arrived at a point of wanting to be more independent, not like a guest or a patient or a student.
At the same time, there was something I didn’t feel comfortable with in how different Ayahuasca centers were managed – how many turned themselves into only a business. I needed to create a place where I could bring a new perspective and build deep, trusted friendships with Shipibo maestros, with Peruvian workers, and with western facilitators. I wanted to feel more comfortable with how things were done and how healing treatment was given.
In 2016, Becky and I saw an opportunity to open this center. I didn’t have any idea how big that decision was and how it would require most of our energy and attention. Especially because we didn’t want to be just another business. We wanted to be really honest and bring the best of our knowledge for anyone who really needs healing.
For years we’ve grown in that way and in our partnerships. We understand the western culture, mind and traumas and what this tradition can achieve. And we’ve seen that our role is to be in service of Caya Shobo, which has become its own entity, as a place for people to feel safe and know that we will care for them.
So this is a kind of life commitment, at least for me, and this is what I do now – be in Dieta and pray for this energy and the trees and the plants and the maestros; being in service and growing like a family, a community of friends. Our maestros and workers are part of our family. We support each other, our kids, pets and the land. We continue to grow, continue to do Dieta, and continue to help people. That’s it.”
Learn more about Miguel and our other shamans
Becky's story
Original co-founder, Finding and sharing healing
“To share my background of how I came to be a part of the Caya Shobo story I need to go back and share a little of my earlier life. Because that’s what brought me to Ayahuasca and led me into a deeper search for real healing and self-understanding.
My childhood was not an easy one. There was a lot of instability and confusion, fear, abuse and sadness. My adult way of “dealing” with it was to throw myself into my career and ignore the trauma. Eventually, of course, that led to a crisis in my mid-30s when I realized how deeply unhappy and unfulfilled I was. I took a sabbatical to consider my life. In that time of self-reflection I came across Ayahuasca.
Like many others, I found in Ayahuasca a truly embodied healing that went beyond any psychological or physical or spiritual therapy I’d encountered before. It was a huge discovery and re-awakening of my spiritual life. For the next 2 years I attended Ayahuasca retreat after retreat, delving into my trauma and purging so much pain.
In 2010 my curandero suggested I do a Master Plant Dieta, to heal more of the deep roots of trauma I carried. It took me a while to appreciate this practice. Not until my 3rd Dieta did I “see” the plants in my dreams and visions. The incredible experience of relating with plant consciousness has held me ever since. It is a practice that keeps deepening and growing and supporting me to understand myself and live my life in better health and balance, with more love, every day.
For me, creating Caya Shobo was a clear choice. Other centers were focused on the Ayahuasca experience, or were mixing traditions, or in some way didn’t feel grounded and safe. We clearly needed a place focused on learning the ancestral ways, but with the idea of self-responsibility for transformation. Meaning no false heroes. Only mutual consideration and care – for the plants, for ourselves, and one another. Caya Shobo is that place. I’m grateful to be a part of its life as it keeps on helping all of us.”
Becky's story
Original co-founder, A long path of learning and service
“To share my background of how I came to be a part of the Caya Shobo story I need to go back and share a little of my earlier life. Because that’s what brought me to Ayahuasca and led me into a deeper search for real healing and self-understanding.
My childhood was not an easy one. There was a lot of instability and confusion, fear, abuse and sadness. My adult way of “dealing” with it was to throw myself into my career and ignore the trauma. Eventually, of course, that led to a crisis in my mid-30s when I realized how deeply unhappy and unfulfilled I was. I took a sabbatical to consider my life. In that time of self-reflection I came across Ayahuasca.
Like many others, I found in Ayahuasca a truly embodied healing that went beyond any psychological or physical or spiritual therapy I’d encountered before. It was a huge discovery and re-awakening of my spiritual life. For the next 2 years I attended Ayahuasca retreat after retreat, delving into my trauma and purging so much pain.
In 2010 my curandero suggested I do a Master Plant Dieta, to heal more of the deep roots of trauma I carried. It took me a while to appreciate this practice. Not until my 3rd Dieta did I “see” the plants in my dreams and visions. The incredible experience of relating with plant consciousness has held me ever since. It is a practice that keeps deepening and growing and supporting me to understand myself and live my life in better health and balance, with more love, every day.
For me, creating Caya Shobo was a clear choice. Other centers were focused on the Ayahuasca experience, or were mixing traditions, or in some way didn’t feel grounded and safe. We clearly needed a place focused on learning the ancestral ways, but with the idea of self-responsibility for transformation. Meaning no false heroes. Only mutual consideration and care – for the plants, for ourselves, and one another. Caya Shobo is that place. I’m grateful to be a part of its life as it keeps on helping all of us.”
Learn more about Becky, Franziska and our other facilitators
Franziska's story
Late Stage Co-Founder
“I began my healing journey with Ayahuasca in 2014 when I was searching for healing and recovery of spiritual direction in my life after migrating from Europe to North America.
At Caya Shobo’s inaugural retreat in 2016 I started exploring the Shipibo practice of Master Plant Dieta. It was not an obvious and easy path for me at first. In the early years I had to transform a lot of confusion and doubt. But through continued encouragement I started to overcome many things that had held me back in life. Ultimately I received more answers and gifts through this practice than in the 20 years of therapeutic study and spiritual search before I “stumbled” into my first Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Caya Shobo for me has always been a place to go when I need to connect with myself, with Spirit and receive the support that meets me where I am at. It is truly a sanctuary. Since 2018 I have helped to facilitate Caya Shobo’s healing retreats. And through this work I have come to witness how powerful Shipibo healing work is, especially when combined with Master Plant Dieta.
I was honoured to be offered a partnership in 2020. Joining the team as a steward of this important project felt to be the right next unfolding on my journey and a great way to be able to support our community in a bigger way. A challenge as much as it is an honour, this journey has required me to learn more and stretch myself in many different directions.
Watching the center and the team grow over the years makes me feel excited to be a part of Caya Shobo’s unfolding evolution and sharing of what we’ve learned with those looking for real healing.”
Franziska's story
Late Stage Co-Founder
“I began my healing journey with Ayahuasca in 2014 when I was searching for healing and recovery of spiritual direction in my life after migrating from Europe to North America.
At Caya Shobo’s inaugural retreat in 2016 I started exploring the Shipibo practice of Master Plant Dieta. It was not an obvious and easy path for me at first. In the early years I had to transform a lot of confusion and doubt. But through continued encouragement I started to overcome many things that had held me back in life. Ultimately I received more answers and gifts through this practice than in the 20 years of therapeutic study and spiritual search before I “stumbled” into my first Ayahuasca Ceremony.
Caya Shobo for me has always been a place to go when I need to connect with myself, with Spirit and receive the support that meets me where I am at. It is truly a sanctuary. Since 2018 I have helped to facilitate Caya Shobo’s healing retreats. And through this work I have come to witness how powerful Shipibo healing work is, especially when combined with Master Plant Dieta.
I was honoured to be offered a partnership in 2020. Joining the team as a steward of this important project felt to be the right next unfolding on my journey and a great way to be able to support our community in a bigger way. A challenge as much as it is an honour, this journey has required me to learn more and stretch myself in many different directions.
Watching the center and the team grow over the years makes me feel excited to be a part of Caya Shobo’s unfolding evolution and sharing of what we’ve learned with those looking for real healing.”