Our facilitors are highly experienced, dedicated 
students of Maestra Ynes

Our healers carry an incredible wealth of ancestral
knowledge that has been passed down for generations

Our facilitors are highly experienced, dedicated 
students of Maestra Ynes

 As a largely women led lineage, our center has attracted a dedicated, mainly female support team of facilitators.  Many of our guests report feeling deeply safe, held in the strong and nurturing energy of our center's feminine led presence.

Our family has the unique privilege of having three powerful and experienced female healers. This female presence brings a gentle and nurturing energy to ceremonies and the overall impact of our work by promoting sensitivity, compassion, and warmth.

 As a largely women led lineage, our center has attracted a dedicated, mainly female support team of facilitators.  Many of our guests report feeling deeply safe, held in the strong and nurturing energy of our center's feminine led presence.

Our facilitators are all dedicated students of maestra Ynes, who have dieted multiple times with the family. Our family relies on our facilitators to act as the bridge between the maestros and the guests - to translate between guests and maestros, to be able to explain the key elements of the dieta process in depth and detail, as well as guide from their own personal experience. Facilitators help us to hold the container, supporting the maestros in and out of ceremony, and available to offer compassionate one on one attention to guests as needed through this powerful and often challenging journey.

Our family of healers has all been raised under the guidance of Maestra Ynes. She continues to guide them and enrich their healing powers through her extensive knowledge of plant medicine.

Ynes' two daughters, Maestra Laura and Maestra Lila predominantly work together in different parts of the world. Ynes' youngest son, Maestro José works very closely with his mother, both at Niwe Rao Xobo and abroad. On occasions, when they all return home and are at the center at the same time, the ceremonies reach another level of potency.

We also have a dear cousin of the family, Maestro Isaias, who works closely by Ynes' side at Niwe Rao Xobo. The team wouldn't be complete without Ynes' husband, Maestro David, who takes care of our family and center, and plays an essential role as protector of the maloka and land during our ceremonies and diet.

Our facilitators are all dedicated students of maestra Ynes, who have dieted multiple times with the family. Our family relies on our facilitators to act as the bridge between the maestros and the guests - to translate between guests and maestros, to be able to explain the key elements of the dieta process in depth and detail, as well as guide from their own personal experience. Facilitators help us to hold the container, supporting the maestros in and out of ceremony, and available to offer compassionate one on one attention to guests as needed through this powerful and often challenging journey.

Jessica Begin - 39yrs

Program Director, Dieta Facilitator and Integration Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 7 years, working with plant medicine for 13 years
Favorite Plant: Chiric Sanango

Jessica Begin is an artist, dancer, singer/songwriter, movement and voice teacher, plant medicine integration coach and a student of life.  She holds the firm belief that the re-awakening of humans to our authentic power lies in turning to the ancestral practices which remind us of the joy and interconnectivity of being alive.  Jessica’s passion is to inspire others to the free and uninhibited expression of their deepest heart’s longing through voice and movement.

 Jessica has been supporting ceremonial healing work for the past 13 yrs. She has worked as a facilitator at some of the leading medicine healing centers in Peru and Costa Rica, including the Temple of the Way of Light, Niwe Rao Xobo and Soltara Healing center. Fluent in Spanish, French and Portuguese, Jessica is passionate about bridging cultures - she has worked globally as a translator and interpreter in many international indigenous and environmental gatherings. As a student of Maestra Ynes, she currently works closely with the Maestra and her family at their center, Niwe Rao Xobo, as program director, facilitator and integration coach. Along with Maestra Ynes, Maestra Lila and Maestra Laura, Jessica hosts Master Plant diets and retreats in the Peruvian Amazon as well as abroad. As a teacher, she brings to her work precision, clarity, artistry, sensitivity, care and passion.

Maestra Ynes Sanchez Gonzalez - 70yrs
Shipibo Name: Xawanjisbe - 'Vibrant most Vibrant Bird'
Working with plants for 54 years
Favorite Plant: Bobinsana

Maestra Ynes is a mother of seven children, three of whom are now Onaya healers, and form the main team of Maestros here at Niwe Rao Xobo. She is originally from the native community of Roaboya, next to the Ucayali River, Pucallpa.

At 14 years old, Ynes fell seriously ill with an unknown disease which led her to diet medicinal plants under the guidance of her grandfather and master healer, Aurelio. After successfully healing herself, Ynes decided to apprentice with Maestro Aurelio to learn her ancestral shamanic tradition of the Shipibo indigenous people.

A year later she undertook a diet in the forest that lasted for more than two years in complete isolation from the outside world. Some years later, Ynes continued dieting with her great-grandfather, Maestro and a Meraya healer, Luciano Sinuiri. At the age of 18, she began her last diet with her mother’s uncle, Maestro and Onaya healer, Basil Gordon. These three powerful healers gifted her the base of her knowledge and experience with the sacred plant medicine and ayahuasca.

Now with over 50 years of dedicated experience and ancestral knowledge, she offers a very powerful and beautiful connection with plant spirits; devoting her life to heal others in Peru and abroad. She brings an incredible wealth of knowledge that has been passed down for generations through her family lineage. With her contagious laughter and passion for healing, she distributes light and love with unfaltering compassion.  

Jessica Begin - 39yrs
Program Director, Dieta Facilitator and Integration Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 7 years, working with plant medicine for 13 years
Favorite Plant: Chiric Sanango

Jessica Begin is an artist, dancer, singer/songwriter, movement and voice teacher, plant medicine integration coach and a student of life.  She holds the firm belief that the re-awakening of humans to our authentic power lies in turning to the ancestral practices which remind us of the joy and interconnectivity of being alive.  Jessica’s passion is to inspire others to the free and uninhibited expression of their deepest heart’s longing through voice and movement.

 Jessica has been supporting ceremonial healing work for the past 13 yrs. She has worked as a facilitator at some of the leading medicine healing centers in Peru and Costa Rica, including the Temple of the Way of Light, Niwe Rao Xobo and Soltara Healing center. Fluent in Spanish, French and Portuguese, Jessica is passionate about bridging cultures - she has worked globally as a translator and interpreter in many international indigenous and environmental gatherings. As a student of Maestra Ynes, she currently works closely with the Maestra and her family at their center, Niwe Rao Xobo, as program director, facilitator and integration coach. Along with Maestra Ynes, Maestra Lila and Maestra Laura, Jessica hosts Master Plant diets and retreats in the Peruvian Amazon as well as abroad. As a teacher, she brings to her work precision, clarity, artistry, sensitivity, care and passion.

Tuva Emilie - 30 yrs 

Dieta Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 3 years, working with plant medicine for 5 years
Favorite Plant: Bobinsana

Tuva has been working with plant medicine for the last 5 years. She came to with the intention of exploring holistic modalities of healing as an addition to her degree in clinical psychology. After several dietas with Maestra Ynes, she began facilitating with Niwe Rao Xobo in 2021. She continues to be amazed at the depth of the healing and lasting transformations that she witnesses as a facilitator in Niwe Rao Xobo.

In addition to being a psychologist, she has been teaching yoga for 9 years, and she loves to incorporate and weave these branches of wisdom into both her work and her personal life. Music, song and dance is a big part of her practice, and she is happy when she can inspire others to open up to their own creative flow as well.

Maestro José Lopez-Sanchez - 35yrs
Shipibo Name: Sanymeny 'The Messenger'
Youngest Son to Maestra Ynes, and Maestro David
Working with plants for 27 years
Favorite Plant: Shihuahuaco

Maestra Ynes’ son, José was born in the native community of Roaboya and spent much of his upbringing learning from his grandfather, the highly-respected Onanya healer, José Lopez. Jose was named after his grandfather so that when he passed away he would inherit all his knowledge and wisdom of shamanism and traditional medicine.

At age 7, Jose began to train his body, mind, and spirit to prepare for his first diet. At 10yrs old he began his one year diet with one of the most powerful Master trees, shihuahuaco, and successively dieted two other equally powerful trees, niwe rao and noya rao between 11-12 years old.

When José turned 13, his beloved grandfather passed away and went on to continue his apprenticeship with Maestra Ynes. At 16 he began to heal the local community in his village and continued to do so in the city of Pucallpa and across Peru. He now dedicates his time working alongside Maestra Ynes.

Through his powerful astral visions, Jose is able to unlock and release negative energies held in the body and spirit, to harmonize and align the individual. In spite of his incredible power and knowledge, he stays humble with the perspective that “we always have new things to learn until we die”.

Tuva Emilie - 31 yrs 

Dieta Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 4 years, working with plant medicine for 7 years
Favorite Plant: Bobinsana

Tuva has been working with plant medicine for the last 7 years. She came to the plants with the intention of exploring holistic modalities of healing as an addition to her degree in clinical psychology. After several dietas with Maestra Ynes, she began facilitating with Niwe Rao Xobo in 2021. She continues to be amazed at the depth of the healing and lasting transformations that she witnesses as a facilitator in Niwe Rao Xobo.

In addition to being a psychologist, she has been teaching yoga for 9 years, and she loves to incorporate and weave these branches of wisdom into both her work and her personal life. Music, song and dance is a big part of her practice, and she is happy when she can inspire others to open up to their own creative flow as well.

Claire Bouleau - 56yrs

Dieta Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 4 years
Working with plants for 7 years
Favorite Plant: Marusa

Claire was born in Paris, Rue des Plantes. Her interest for trees, gardens, and plants kept growing with her, along with her nourished practice for fresh food as life, and medicine.
As a former TV - Radio producer , and Fine Art photographer she travelled the world, exploring our human condition.

Questioning the human potential, she went to the Esalen Institute where she work-studied in the garden, and the kitchen. She practiced Yoga and Soul Motion with Zuza Engler and Vinn Arjuna Marti.

Claire first began working with plant medicine seven years ago. She spent some time healing, and learning while volunteering at the Temple of the Way of Light between 2017 and 2020. Her first master plant diet was with Tobacco with Don Ernesto Garcia Torres.
Her first dieta with Maestra Ynes was in 2018, and she has continued to diet several times per year since then.

Facilitating this art of healing at Niwe Rao Xobo, is a great honor, a way to reciprocate her deep gratitude for everything that she has received from the plants, the family, the Shipibo tradition and the dieteros. 

Maestra Lila Lopez-Sanchez - 46yrs
Shipibo Name: Caná Jisbe - 'A Flash of Lighting’
Youngest Daughter of Maestra Ynes, and Maestro David

Maestra Lila grew up with her grandparents and highly-respected Onaya healers. At the age of 13, Lila was the victim of a strong energetic attack. She then moved to live with her mother, Maestra Ynes and dieted a mighty tree named Catawba. The diet succeeded in curing that evil harm and served as the gateway of Lila’s path as a healer.

Being the rebel that she is, Lila resisted the way, sometimes in favor of leading a ‘normal’ life, but after the birth of her two children, the plants persisted in calling her to work with them. Since then, she has worked with her mother and other highly respected teachers throughout Peru and is also a specialist ikaros Warme. She works with an incredible amount of love and compassion and is an absolute joy to have her in the team.

Claire Bouleau - 56yrs

Dieta Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 4 years
Working with plants for 7 years
Favorite Plant: Marusa

Claire was born in Paris, Rue des Plantes. Her interest for trees, gardens, and plants kept growing with her, along with her nourished practice for fresh food as life, and medicine.
As a former TV - Radio producer , and Fine Art photographer she travelled the world, exploring our human condition.

Questioning the human potential, she went to the Esalen Institute where she work-studied in the garden, and the kitchen. She practiced Yoga and Soul Motion with Zuza Engler and Vinn Arjuna Marti.

Claire first began working with plant medicine seven years ago. She spent some time healing, and learning while volunteering at the Temple of the Way of Light between 2017 and 2020. Her first master plant diet was with Tobacco with Don Ernesto Garcia Torres.
Her first dieta with Maestra Ynes was in 2018, and she has continued to diet several times per year since then.

Facilitating this art of healing at Niwe Rao Xobo, is a great honor, a way to reciprocate her deep gratitude for everything that she has received from the plants, the family, the Shipibo tradition and the dieteros. 

Carolina Pilara - 35 years

Integration Facilitator
Working with plants for 10 years, dieting with the famliy for 7 yrs
Favorite Plant: Chiric Sanango

Carolina has been a close friend and apprentice of the Lopez- Sanchez family since 2015 and all of her diets in the Shipibo tradition have been completed under the tutelage of Maestra Ynes and Maestra Laura, although she also considers Maestra Lila an influential teacher and mentor. In 2019, she became a mother after the soul of her daughter was called into being by Maestra Lila. Many mapachos, moments of riotous laughter, and interesting ceremonies have been shared in these last 6 years. She nows spends her days navigating the intersection between plant medicine, integration, and motherhood. 

Carolina has accumulated over a decade of experience working with various indigenous cultures, plant medicines, and altered states of consciousness. She has held leadership positions in ceremonial settings and retreat centers in several countries and has guided many hundreds of first-time and experienced participants in medicinal work with ayahuasca, peyote, and cacao as ceremonial practices.

 As a Latin American with a Western upbringing and global experience, she sees both her identity and work as a bridge between cultures and approaches and deeply believes in the potential of plant medicine to radically change individuals and society at large. She sees healing as a journey that requires a patient, curious and supportive approach and is passionate about creating spaces of exploration with transparency and authenticity which she believes foster healing and growth.

Although Carolina is favorite onsite retreat facilitator, she now supports Niwe Rao Xobo from her Arizona home, offering pre and post diet integration calls, and helping guests to register for the dietas with love and attention. 

Maestro Isais
Cousin of Maestra Ynes
Shipibo Name: Barin Vita - 'Prince of the Earth'
Working with plants for 20 years
Favorite Plant: Marusa

Maestro Isaias is a dear cousin of the family who works very closely alongside Maestra Ynes. Working with sincere humility and in service for the plants, Maestro Isais will sing his heart out in every ceremony. His calming presence adds an ancient Shipibo quality to the space.

Carolina Pilara - 35 years

Integration Facilitator
Working with plants for 10 years, dieting with the famliy for 7 yrs
Favorite Plant: Chiric Sanango

Carolina has been a close friend and apprentice of the Lopez- Sanchez family since 2015 and all of her diets in the Shipibo tradition have been completed under the tutelage of Maestra Ynes and Maestra Laura, although she also considers Maestra Lila an influential teacher and mentor. In 2019, she became a mother after the soul of her daughter was called into being by Maestra Lila. Many mapachos, moments of riotous laughter, and interesting ceremonies have been shared in these last 6 years. She nows spends her days navigating the intersection between plant medicine, integration, and motherhood. 

Carolina has accumulated over a decade of experience working with various indigenous cultures, plant medicines, and altered states of consciousness. She has held leadership positions in ceremonial settings and retreat centers in several countries and has guided many hundreds of first-time and experienced participants in medicinal work with ayahuasca, peyote, and cacao as ceremonial practices.

 As a Latin American with a Western upbringing and global experience, she sees both her identity and work as a bridge between cultures and approaches and deeply believes in the potential of plant medicine to radically change individuals and society at large. She sees healing as a journey that requires a patient, curious and supportive approach and is passionate about creating spaces of exploration with transparency and authenticity which she believes foster healing and growth.

Although Carolina is favorite onsite retreat facilitator, she now supports Niwe Rao Xobo from her Arizona home, offering pre and post diet integration calls, and helping guests to register. 

Cristina Valacchi - 52 years old

Integration Facilitator and Clinical Psychologist
Working with plants for 8 years, dieting with the family for 4 years
Favorite Plant: Tamamouri

Cristina earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Bologna, as well as a Psy.D. in Adlerian Psychology in Chicago, (USA). She began her clinical career using dynamic and behavioral approaches for treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. 

As time passed, she developed an interest in promising new treatment approaches and began studying the work of energy healers and other alternative forms of therapy. This eventually led her to earn a Masters degree and Certificate of Science in ThetaHealing. She studied and worked alongside Vianna Stibal, the founder of ThetaHealing for several years.

 In the past 15 years, Cristina’s interest has shifted from working with mental illness to a focus on human potential. She has a particular interest in studying how our perceptions, beliefs, and emotions shape the way we construct our world and what we call reality. She has also studied hypnosis, the subconscious, unconscious, and altered states of consciousness. This inspired her to investigate more deeply the therapeutic use of Power Plants and psychedelics, with a particular focus on Ayahuasca.

 Cristina’s passion is to help people recover from traumatic experiences and wounds from their past so they can fully embrace their lives with a sense of peace, optimism, and joy. Currently, within her practice, she uses a holistic and spiritual approach with her clients to help them reconnect with their authentic selves, their emotions, and to experience life more fully. She sees each person in their uniqueness, to understand them from within their family system and lineage. 

 She has also been dieting master plants under the guidance of Maestra Ynes at Niwe Rao Xobo since 2017. This work with Power Plants and psychedelics has deepened and transformed both her approach to therapy, and to living her own life.

 Inquire with us to learn about opportunities for of pre- and post-dieta therapy support sessions and packages with Cristina.

Maestro David Lopez-Sanchez 75 years old
YNES’ HUSBAND
Shipibo Name: Barin Vita - Guardian of the Sun
Working with plants for 15 years and Tabacco for 15 years
Favorite Plant: Tabacco

David was born in Roaboya, at the bottom of the Ucayali River. A cigar maker and father of seven children, David is affectionately known as King David, and sometimes appears in the ceremony as a bright king. At 24, David began his powerful diet with his father and Onanya healer, Jose Lopez, who put him on a plant diet for seven months and finished his diet by consuming Ayahuasca for the first time. He remembers how his visions opened to reveal a pharmacopeia of plants that called out for him to learn.

He continued to drink for three years until the plants “won” to open his first plant diet in seclusion with a powerful shaman for nine months. David immediately went on to learn and master the tobacco spirit, Mapacho, leading him to become a powerful and accomplished healer.

David carries an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to the family. He also unassumingly holds the unique responsibility of being the guardian of the family’s healing work; protecting his wife, family and the center from negative energies. With his calming and humble presence, David beautifully redefines what it means to be a warrior of light. We are very blessed to have him with us.

Cristina Valacchi - 52 years old

Integration Facilitator and Clinical Psychologist
Working with plants for 8 years, dieting with the family for 4 years
Favorite Plant: Tamamouri

Cristina earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Bologna, as well as a Psy.D. in Adlerian Psychology in Chicago, (USA). She began her clinical career using dynamic and behavioral approaches for treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. 

As time passed, she developed an interest in promising new treatment approaches and began studying the work of energy healers and other alternative forms of therapy. This eventually led her to earn a Masters degree and Certificate of Science in ThetaHealing. She studied and worked alongside Vianna Stibal, the founder of ThetaHealing for several years.

 In the past 15 years, Cristina’s interest has shifted from working with mental illness to a focus on human potential. She has a particular interest in studying how our perceptions, beliefs, and emotions shape the way we construct our world and what we call reality. She has also studied hypnosis, the subconscious, unconscious, and altered states of consciousness. This inspired her to investigate more deeply the therapeutic use of Power Plants and psychedelics, with a particular focus on Ayahuasca.

 Cristina’s passion is to help people recover from traumatic experiences and wounds from their past so they can fully embrace their lives with a sense of peace, optimism, and joy. Currently, within her practice, she uses a holistic and spiritual approach with her clients to help them reconnect with their authentic selves, their emotions, and to experience life more fully. She sees each person in their uniqueness, to understand them from within their family system and lineage. 

 She has also been dieting master plants under the guidance of Maestra Ynes at Niwe Rao Xobo since 2017. This work with Power Plants and psychedelics has deepened and transformed both her approach to therapy, and to living her own life.

 Inquire with us to learn about opportunities for of pre- and post-dieta therapy support sessions and packages with Cristina.