Essential Retreat Guidelines
To Create a Safe and Meaningful Experience
“Welcome to APL Journeys retreat!

We’re thrilled to have you with us on this meaningful journey. To ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone, please take a moment to review these simple guidelines. They help both staff and fellow guests enjoy a peaceful, harmonious space.”

Boris
Leading Facilitator
APL Journeys Retreats
Table of Contents for Quick Navigation:
Choose one to learn more:
Introduction.
Importance of boundaries.
Importance of involvement.
Key guidelines for the work with Ayahuasca.
Points of attention.
Main rules for keeping your experience safe.
Information on the retreat’s process
Explore what you can use.
Guidelines for using the dining area.
Explore what is available at the retreat.
Three rules for fulfilling experience.
Join APL community.
MINDFULNESS
We welcome all guests who respect and take responsibility for the energy they bring
into this space. Please take a few moments to acquaint yourself with these guidelines to support a positive atmosphere for everyone.

Join the retreat space with Good Thoughts, Good Speech, Good Action.
Personal Process
• No Mentoring: Avoid giving unsolicited advice to other participants as it may affect their process.
• Energy Work: Refrain from doing energy work on others.
• Sexual Conduct: No sexual activity, including masturbation.
• Nonviolent Communication: Please avoid crude jokes, sarcasm or hate speech.

Respecting Boundaries:


• Hugs & Touch: Always ask for a consent before hugging or touching others.
• Photos: Get consent before taking photos.
• Personal Questions: Avoid prying into someone’s past unless they are
comfortable.
• Music: Use headphones or earbuds, not speakers, to respect the space.
• Facilitator Support: If you wish to speak to a healer, ask a facilitator to assist.
Participate Fully
• Join Activities: If possible, take part in all ceremonies, group sessions, and discussions to enhance your experience. Please inform facilitators in advance if you will not join an activity / ceremony.
• Listen and Engage: Pay attention when others are speaking to create a
supportive environment.
• Private Sessions: Arrive on time for your private sessions with therapists, masseuses or Onanya (shaman) to get the most out of them.
Ceremonial Process

Ceremony Space and Respect


• Be Respectful: Please treat the ceremony space and the Onanya (shaman)
with the utmost respect. Approach the experience with an open heart and mind.

Some participants may mention that the taste of the plants is unpleasant, but in reality, many find the taste quite good. For the Shipibo people, these plants are sacred, and we hold that same deep respect. We ask you to avoid making comments about the taste, especially when approaching the altar and the Onanya (shaman) during ceremonies.

Be mindful of your words and actions in this sacred space. When you approach the plants and the ceremony with respect, they will guide and support you in return.

• Ask the Team: Our facilitators and Onanyas are here to guide and support
you. Feel free to ask questions—they're happy to share their knowledge.
• Trust and Openness: Trust the process and be open to the experience. Your
engagement enhances the journey for everyone.

Dosage


• Collaborative Dosing: We'll work with you to determine the right dosage,
considering factors like age, health, tolerance, and individual needs. You're
encouraged to discuss any concerns with us.
• First Ceremony: You'll receive a gentle, introductory dose to ease you into the
experience.

Ceremony Schedule


• Be On Time: Arrive promptly at the ceremony space. After Oni (Ayahuasca) is
served, there will be a quiet period of 30–45 minutes as the medicine takes
effect.
• Ikaros Begin: Following the quiet period, the Onanyas will sing Rao Bewa
(Ikaros/medicinal songs) to guide your journey.
• Additional Servings: About 1 hour and 20 minutes after the first serving, we'll
offer a second serving for those who wish to deepen their journey.

Attire and Comfort


• Wear what is comfortable: Focus on bringing comfortable clothes that you can layer, with a few options in case they get dirty and there’s limited time for laundry. Comfortable clothing like a sportsuit is ideal.
• No Scary Prints: Avoid clothing with frightening images like skulls or demons to
maintain a peaceful environment.
• Thick Socks: Bring thick socks to wear during the ceremony, as shoes are not
allowed in the ceremony space.
• Shoes Off: Please remove your shoes or sandals before entering the ceremony
space.

Food & Water


• Empty Stomach: Please do not eat anything after lunch on ceremony days.
• Water Intake Before Ceremony: Stop drinking water at least two hours before
the ceremony begins.
• Water During Ceremony: Traditionally, it's advised not to drink water during the
ceremony, especially for the first 20 minutes after taking Oni (Ayahuasca). Rinsing your mouth is fine. However, listen to your body—if you feel you need water, you may drink.
• Bathroom and Water Needs: If you need to fill your water bottle or use the
bathroom and can walk, please do so quietly. If you need assistance, softly call your name, and a facilitator will help.
• Limit Bathroom Time: Try to use the bathroom efficiently and return promptly to
continue your journey in the protected and guided ceremonial space.

Ceremony Etiquette


• Silence and Focus: Maintain silence and stay present to allow everyone to focus
on their personal journey.
• No Clapping or Singing: Please refrain from clapping, singing, or making
unnecessary noises during the ceremony.
• No Phones: Leave your phone and electronic devices in your room.
• No Physical Contact: Respect others' personal space by avoiding physical
contact during the ceremony.
Ask for Help: If you feel uneasy or need assistance, softly say your name to get a
facilitator's attention. We're here to support you.

After the Ceremony


• Post-Ceremony Options: You may stay in the ceremony hall, return to your
room, relax in the indoor lounge, or enjoy the natural surroundings near the
main area. Facilitators will be available if you need anything. We encourage you
to relax and unwind before sleep.
• Reflect and Rest: Spend some time alone to reflect. Consider journaling your
thoughts or simply enjoying the afterglow.
• Lighting After Ceremony: To maintain a serene environment, please avoid
turning on bright lights in your room. Use minimal lighting to create a
comfortable and reflective space.
• Avoid the Beach: For your safety, please do not go to the beach after the
ceremony, as it can be dangerous at night.
Take Care of Yourself
• Self-Care: Listen to your body. Take breaks when needed, and let us know if you
feel uncomfortable or need assistance.
• Stay Hydrated and Nourished: Drink plenty of water and enjoy the meals
provided to support your journey.
• Hydration: Tap water is not potable. Use the filtered stations in the kitchen and
by the ceremony hall.
Safety First
• Trained Team: Our team is trained to handle minor incidents. Inform us immediately if needed.
• Villa Security: Do not lock your room doors from the inside to allow quick access
in case of emergencies.
• Health and Participation Policy: Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance to us at the retreat. If, at any point before or after a ceremony, our team determines that your mental or physical state may not allow you to continue participating safely, we reserve the right to pause your involvement in further activities. This decision is made with the highest regard for your health and the collective well-being of the group.
Such decisions are approached with care, understanding, and compassion. Should this occur, our team will provide you with guidance and appropriate support to ensure your needs are met in the best possible way.

Ocean & Safety Guidelines


• No Lifeguards: There are no lifeguards on the beach, so swim with caution.
• Avoid swimming ant night after ceremonies to process your experience.
• Swim with a friend during the daytime for safety.
• Use hats and sunscreen for sun protection.
• Property Boundaries: The beach area is not private property, so take care of your
belongings. Do not invite strangers onto APL property.
• Respect Each Other’s Space & Belongings: Please be mindful of other people's
property and personal space.

🚫 Bringing Plant Medicines or Recreational Drugs


We have a strict no-tolerance policy on bringing any other plant medicines or
recreational drugs onto the property. This is a hard line for your safety.

The work we do here requires a controlled, safe environment, and the introduction of
external substances could interfere with the deep healing and personal transformation
that takes place. These substances may not interact well with the plant medicine we use in ceremony, which can lead to unpredictable or harmful effects.

For your safety, as well as the wellbeing of other participants, we ask that you respect
this policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our team for clarification.
Arrival and Itinerary
• Check-In: When you arrive, our team will assist you in getting settled and explain
the schedule.
• Personal Schedule: You will receive a paper with your individual retreat
schedule. Sometimes, we may need to adjust activities.
• Stay Updated: Please check the schedule board in the Lounge area each
morning for updates. Important changes will also be shared via our Telegram
group chat, so make sure to check it regularly.
• Be Punctual: Participating on time in all activities helps everything run smoothly.
If you cannot participate in activities such as ceremonies or integration group calls for any reason, please let our staff know in advance.
Facilities and Grounds
• Furniture and Linens: Please keep the retreat centre’s furniture, bedding, and
linens in the rooms. Do not take them outside.
• Water & Power Conservation: Please turn off lights, when not in use. Report any
water leaks to management. If the hot water runs out in your shower, please let us
know.
• Maintenance and Suggestions: If you find something broken or have a
suggestion for improvement, let us know, and we’ll take care of it.
• Smoking Policy: Smoking is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. Please ask
our team if you’re unsure where these are.
• Toilets: Do not dispose of paper or hygiene products in the toilets. If water
continues to run, tap the flushing button. Housekeeping will empty the waste bin
daily in bathrooms.
Kitchen Area
• Mindful Eating: Take a moment to pause and appreciate your meal before
eating. This can enhance your retreat experience.
• Dietary Preferences: If you’ve informed us of any dietary restrictions or allergies,
we’ll do our best to accommodate them. If your preferences change, please let us
know before meals so we can adjust accordingly.
• Kitchen Access: For safety and hygiene reasons, only kitchen staff are allowed
inside the kitchen. If you need anything, ask a staff member, and we’ll be happy to
assist.
• No Fridge Access After Ceremonies: Please refrain from taking food from the
fridge after ceremonies. If you are hungry, let the kitchen team know, and we’ll
help.
• Meal Times: A bell will ring to announce when meals are ready. Please wait until
the bell rings before approaching the serving table, as we need space to safely
carry hot dishes.
• Meal Announcements: We will announce the meal details after all food is set out.
Please wait for this announcement to avoid repeating questions.
• Self-Serve Stations: You are welcome to use the self-serve tea and snack stations
between meals, but please do not enter the kitchen to look for other items.
• Cleanliness: After meals, please place your used dishes, glasses, and cups in the
designated drop-off area. The kitchen team will handle the cleaning. Please
dispose of food waste in the bins provided.
• Dining Area After Ceremonies: Apples will be available on the dining table after
ceremonies, but we advise you not to eat them right away. Allow space for the
plant medicine to work without interruption.
Services
• Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Please be considerate
of other participants.
• Phone Usage: We encourage you to take a technology timeout and unplug. If
you must bring your phone to any activities (except ceremonies), set it to airplane
mode to avoid distractions.
• Computer Access: Wi-Fi is available in the Inside and Outside Lounge Zones, but
there is no Wi-Fi in the individual rooms.
• Yoga Mats: Yoga mats are provided for your use. Please return them to their
original place after use.
• Books: We have carefully selected books for your retreat. If you borrow a book,
please return it to the library in the Inside Lounge Zone before last ceremony.
• Lost & Found: Please take responsibility for your belongings. If you lose
something, we will attempt to locate it, but we do not take responsibility for lost
items.

Additional Experiences


◦ Horseback Riding: Horseback riding can be arranged as an additional
service. Please let our team know if you’re interested.
◦ Private Sound Bath Sessions: We also offer private sound bath sessions. If
you’d like to schedule one, please speak with our staff.
◦ Massages: You can request an one hour massage to be arranged at the retreat.
Final Tips
• Communicate: If you need help or have questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to
our staff. We’re here to assist you.
• Share Feedback: Your thoughts and feedback help us improve future retreats.
• Gratitude: We’re so grateful you’ve chosen to join us. We hope this retreat brings
you peace, healing, and growth.
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