The experience was better than I expected. Derek does not gratuitously adorn his guidance over integration, breath work, dieta, etc. with esoteric mysticism; he bases his advice on direct empirical experience. As a result, his guidance through integration is as gentle and direct as a formally trained psychotherapist or counselor.

MC Arkawa is a brilliant musician and Aya guide. His recorded works don’t do justice to his solo instrumental and singing abilities, and to understanding the ‘arc’ of the Aya experience– of when to summon, when to go deep, and when to resurface. The music was absolutely grounding, evocative, and uplifting. I witnessed an intervention with someone struggling in her headspace, and he and Pachamama assistant Sativa masterfully brought her out of her loop and into calm self-control.

The setting and approach is one of sober reverence that reveals a deep firsthand understanding of the Aya experience and tradition, and its relationship to individuals of varying needs and dispositions.