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 - 40yrs

Program Director, Dieta Facilitator and Integration Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 8 years, working with plant medicine for 15 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.

Jessica Begin - 40yrs
Program Director, Dieta Facilitator and Integration Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 8 years, working with plant medicine for 15 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.

Jessica Begin - 40yrs
Program Director, Dieta Facilitator and Integration Facilitator
Dieting with the family for 9 years, working with plant medicine for 17 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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

Savanna Felstead - 33 yrs 

Dieta Facilitator / Guest & Communications Manager
Dieting with the family for 5 years, working with plant medicine for 14 years
Favorite Plant: Chiric Sanango and Shihuahuaco

Savanna is a natural space holder who is passionate about altered states of consciousness and the gifts that they can offer humanity in reaching higher potential. Savanna offers her support in preparation, during and integration of these experiences and the intention of her work is to create a realistic environment for long-term and successful assimilation of an individual’s inner journey, her guidance informed by her 14 years of personal and professional psychedelic experience and studies, as well as her personal healing journey and her initiations through various ancestral lineages.

She designs her work with her knowledge of transpersonal techniques such as Internal Family Systems, Somatic Therapies, Kinesiology, bodywork, and of course, her plant teachers. Savanna is passionate about self-empowerment and sovereignty in an individual's healing journey, being present with those navigating their self-directed healing through her deeply rooted connection with the natural world.

Savanna has been dieting and studying with amazonian master plants for 5 years with Maestra Ynes and her family in the Upper Basin of the Peruvian Amazon jungle. She is dedicated to the role as a medicine facilitator, bridgekeeper, and support for the healers of the family, both in their own healing centers throughout Peru and overseas. Savanna offers sessions as a Preparation and Integration Facilitator for altered states of consciousness.  She also works to support the family in their operations and guest communications. 

Tuva Emilie - 32 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.

Tuva Emilie - 32 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.