Going International: Wellness Travel In Mexico

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how and where to go to experience wellness and healing ceremonies like full moon circles, cacao and other plant medicines when traveling in Mexico. So, I figured it would be a good idea to do some updates on resources I’ve been sharing privately when folks reach out to me from Youtube and IG so you, my loves, will also know how and where you can go to have similar experiences.

Most of these community practitioners and healers have ongoing circles that are not always advertised on social, so it's best to message them and get referrals if they are not hosting anything for the month.

Wellness Resources in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Spirituality Riviera Maya for Temezcal, Cacao & Sound Bath healing.

Ceremonias de Cacao for Full moon circles with Cacao & Temezcal.

Gina Perez Amaro, Local Wellness Practitioner and a good contact to reach out to for more info about local events.

Portal Xibalba Community Temple where many ceremonies and wellness circles take place in the nearby jungle of Playa del Carmen.

Wanna stay over night in Pueblo Sacbe? Here’s a cozy listing on Airbnb. Also, check out the temple’s FB as well. They have some contacts for lodging right on their page.

How to visit the private jungle community in Sacbe

Friends of Pueblo Sacbe: This private eco-sustainable community in Playa del Carmen is also, the location that I wrote about here, which includes 5 Things to Do When You Visit. Also, home to Xibalba Temple. Reach out to them or the temple on their FB page for info on how you can access permission to visit. They’re pretty open to it, especially since the on site temple hosts so many community events. There are at least 1-2 community cenotes there that you can dip and dive into once on-site.

Watch the video below to learn more about the Cacao ceremony I had the opportunity to host for the Black Expat community when I lived there. Plus, check out the full playlist for more info about other holistic healing modalities you might encounter on your travels.

February 2018

My personal playlist for more info

Want more freedom to travel and live life on your own terms? Let’s talk about how to uplevel your mindset so that you can design a life you don’t need a vacation from.

Mindset Upleveling for Aspiring Black Women Digital Nomads

When's the last time you did something for the 1st time??

I sat down with Black Women Digital Nomad Entrepreneurs to talk about how mindset and spiritual grounding helped me:

✨Pushing through fears
✨Moving abroad, solo
✨Holistic healing modalities for WOC
✨Muva Ayahuasca
✨And other mindset practices that can help you level up!

Lean in and listen up!
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Watch the playlist below to learn more about the Cacao ceremony I had the opportunity to host for the Black Expat community when I lived there, plus more info on wellness travel experiences.

Want more freedom to travel and live life on your own terms? Let’s talk about how to uplevel your mindset so that you can design and create a life you don’t need a vacation from.

Griots Republic: Ayahuasca & The Black Traveler

Aya Stories | Ayahuasca & The Black Traveler feature story x @GriotsRepublic

I can't pinpoint with certainty why I felt compelled to experience Ayahuasca. It’s said, if it's for you, it will call you. And Muva Aya (my name for her) definitely drew me in. For me, Aya seemed the natural next step in up-leveling my consciousness. To prepare, I watched many videos on Youtube—although, no amount of research can adequately reflect what it’s like....

Read the full article here on Griots Republic.

Watch my story and other transformative testimonies about Muva Aya. on my Youtube playlist below.

Want to take back your mornings for greater productivity? Check out my FREE 3-day mini-course The Sacred Art of Being the F*ck Quiet. It's all about creating space and pockets of quiet in your life, starting in the morning-- or wherever you can grab it.

Solitude in our day is powerful. It's a space we can retreat to anytime we need to. And it's especially impactful in the mornings to give us the boost we need to create next level transformations in our life.

Ayahuasca In Mexico Pts. 3 & 4: The Integration & Post-Ceremony Insights

Getting to the good stuff. Part 3 & 4 of this story are my faves... so far. Can't wait to see what Muva Aya continues to reveal to me.

Plus, I've included a bonus playlist of videos that I watched before and after, which I've found extremely helpful and supportive on my journey.

Have you thought about or tried any plant medicines? Drop a comment below or hit my line on Youtube or IG and let me know about your experience.

3-Page Checklist Download

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Ayahuasca in Mexico, Pt. 2: What I Wish I Knew Before my 1st Ceremony

Have you been following my Aya story on Youtube? Well, here's a little bonus for you to know about what I wish I knew before my first ceremony. 

The Dieta 

The dieta is probably one of the most key parts of this whole plant-based experience. In fact, it is so important that in order to become a shaman, initiates have to undergo extensive strict dietas in isolation for long periods of time just to be able to be considered for training. I think westerners, myself included, do not consider the weight of how food can interfere with the plant medicine's ability to deliver its messages to you long-term, if after your experience you go back to putting junk into your system. Just because your diet is relatively clean, like mines was/is, doesn't mean you can't stand to tidy it up even more after you sit in ceremony.

For example, initially, my tolerance for eggs was unbearable and my body let me know it. Now that it's been a minute, I can eat them again, but knowing how my body rejected it at first, I just don't want to eat them any more if I can help it. And I know that I can help it. If I eat eggs, I'm making a choice. If I drink alcohol, that's a choice. Whatever we put in our body, like everything else in life is a choice. And I'm actively working on making better choices, because it feels right to honor my body's desire to eat as clean as possible. It's not a burden, it's just some thing I want to do. A new little aspiration of mines to see how clean I can keep my temple.

But don't just take my word for it. Here's some good reads about why the dieta is so important before and after. Also, check out some of the documentaries about Aya as a whole for a more complete picture. I created a whole overview playlist on Youtube, which you can check out here. But also, here's an audio clip from a documentary found on Gaia.com, Ayahuasca: Journey into Infinity which eloquently explains the necessity of maintaining dieta. *Excuse the background music, someone was watching TV near me and I didn't think the recording was picking all that up, lol. 

Icharos 

Icharos are the songs and chants that are performed during your ceremony with the Shaman that seem to control the tempo of the entire gathering. I've heard that after ceremony, one can listen to icharos to re-stimulate the medicine that is still within you to prolong its physical and psycho-active effects. I tried this myself, but did not feel any thing significant. Before and after ceremony, however I listened to a lot of soothing 432 hz meditation music, which I found to be extremely soothing. 

"Traditionally, sound has been used for healing in many cultures. Throughout the indigenous tribes of South America, plant songs are an integral part of the healing process. The Onanya explain that all plants have their own songs and these songs, the ikaros, are taught to the healer during [their initiation] dietas – extended periods of time in isolation adhering to strict dietary conditions designed to receive the healing energy and teachings of the plants. Each different master/teacher plant possesses songs that are given to the apprentice."
-Source

Mapacho

Tobacco, the true, pure kind is very integral to ceremony and is used throughout.

"Mapacho smoke is important both for the shaman and for the participant in any shamanic ceremony:  first, mapacho smoke is blown throughout and around the space or area in which it is to be performed in order to deter bad spirits from approaching.  The shaman will then blow mapacho smoke over the head, hands and the whole body of each participant which helps to cleanse the negative energy from his or system"
-Source

What to Bring

My Ayahuasca Integration: A Quick Day 6 IG Update

Like I explained in the video what one needs for comfort is completely up to the individual. I just know now that I'd have done well with my own blanket, a body pillow or at least some type of cushion to lie down on and something to hydrate with, like coconut water. I was sure to bring tissue, which was needed because I surely cried a river and had to blow my nose constantly. I had some natural repellent, which was absolutely needed because, hello random jungle insects & mosquitos. And a couple of my fave crystals for comfort. It would've also been nice to have some fruit or nuts to snack on in the morning, and probably my toothbrush and natural toothpaste to brush my teeth after it was all over the next day. Fortunately, for me I went straight back to the comfort of my apartment the next morning. But to be safe, just pack whatever you'd need on an overnight or weekend trip and that should cover all the bases.

Your Moon Cycle

If you're a lady who menstruates, it would be a good idea to inform your shaman or facilitator(s) that you are cycling. It's not typically a problem, but you just want people to be aware to look after you, and maybe adjust your dose if they deem it necessary.

Integration

The first few days after my ceremony were a shock to my entire system. I couldn't concentrate on external stuff very well. Everything was super cerebral and inward feeling. I could hardly stand to be outside in the sun, or absorb loud sounds from traffic, smells were repugnant, and I deeply felt all of my senses. It was almost unbearable. It passed within a few days or so, but I had to do a LOT of grounding and being in nature helped with this tremendously. Here I am talking about my experience on IG.

Final thoughts

Do your research on your shaman and group. Having a shaman and guides who are experienced is pivotal, because you never know what will come up for you emotionally during ceremony. So, having a compassionate, supportive community around you to safely guide you through is everything.  

Have you experienced any sacred ceremonies in your travels? If so, where and when? Do tell!!!