OUR STORY
Shamanic Space was founded to create a bridge through Shamanic healing and journeys from the modern world of our clients to the indigenous Shamans and Inca wisdom of Peru.
Over twenty years ago, Peruvian born Shaman and renowned archaeologist Dr Rubén Orellana PHD had a chance meeting with American psychotherapist and shamanic practitioner Michele Costa Lukis in the Amazon Jungle. After an accident which required a life-saving spinal operation, Michele had journeyed to the jungle to find healing in working with Ayahuasca and later to the highlands to work with Wachuma (San Pedro). Since what her neurosurgeon calls ‘a miraculous recovery’, Michele and Rubén formed Shamanic Space to offer a safe connection to traditional Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies to allow others to explore the profound healing benefits of the medicine plants and to learn from the traditions that have survived. From the Amazon Jungle to the high country we are honoured to have held space for over 20 years with renowned and highly experienced indigenous Curanderos and Ayahuasqueros, holding traditional ceremonies on sacred sites throughout Peru.
Over the years Shamanic Space has evolved to offer shamanic workshops and retreats in the UK, Europe and New Zealand offering safe and legal opportunities to experience the profound healing benefits of working with the sacred plant medicines.
It is our honour and privilege to hold space, set and setting on your journey to healing.
DR RUBÉN ORELLANA PHD
Dr Rubén Orellana PHD is a Peruvian born and trained shaman who has made significant anthropological and archaeological contributions to the study and understanding of the Andean way of living. As the Director of the Institute of Inka Research (Inika), he is dedicated to researching and valuing Andean culture.
Born in Cusco, Rubén has been following the shamanic path since the age of nine. His career as an archaeologist culminated with being named Head of Archaeology at Machu Picchu where he discovered forty-four new sites surrounding the Crystal City, including the North Inca Trail. For these discoveries, he was on the cover of Time Magazine in South America. Rubén has lead extensive research into the mystical aspects of many significant sites and uncovered the true use of many temples in the empire.
Rubén has held ceremonial tours of Peru since 1976 and has brewed for many psychonauts including Terence McKenna who referred to him as ‘the Indiana Jones of Peru’. He has been interviewed in Ross Heaven’s books Cactus of Mystery and The Hummingbird’s Journey to God in which he is described as the ‘Maestro of San Pedro’ and has been featured on Medicine Woman among other documentaries for the Discovery Channel.
Rubén feels that his role as a scientist and a Shaman is to bridge between the indigenous Ayahuasqueros and Curanderos (Shamans) and the modern world. He continues to combine his experience with his excitement for the work and his deep love for all people into a vision of subtlety and divine power.
MICHELE COSTA
Michele Costa is a Transpersonal-Psychotherapist, shamanic practitioner, Maestra of San Pedro, Reiki Master and spiritual healer based in London. She has spent over forty years studying spiritual and psychological healing, including the study of Shamanic traditions from around the world. For over twenty-five years, Michele has run a psychotherapy and shamanic practice in London, in addition to teaching workshops in meditation and Shamanic studies. She holds a monthly spiritual and healing circle and regularly leads plant medicine and shamanic workshops throughout Europe and Peru.
Michele is a native Californian who studied at the University of California. At twenty-two, Michele turned to the Berkeley Psychic Institute to begin her training in higher awareness and went on to earn a diploma in Psychotherapy from The Psychosynthesis and Educational Trust. She has studied and continues to work with spiritual teachers both indigenous and in core Shamanism. Her spiritual journey has taken her through North America, South America, Hawaii, Europe, Australia, Fiji and to The Sacred Trust in England. Michele’s most influential mentors include Nan Beecher-Moore with whom she studied for twenty years, Dr Rodger Woolger, Simon Buxton, Piero Ferrucci, Dr Gabor Maté M.D and Dr Rubén Orellana PHD of Peru. Michele is deeply indebted to her indigenous teachers of the Amazon and Andes.
Michele’s work reflects her diverse background and her commitment to helping others on their journey to healing and empowerment. With the help of Ruben, Michele works to bridge her clients with the indigenous wisdom keepers of Peru. She is a member of the Society for Shamanic Practitioners and is committed to living and practicing the Principles of Integrity as described by the society. Michele is actively involved in providing Ayahuasca and other medicine plant aftercare and is committed to helping people to integrate and process their experience of the medicines.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews with Dr Ruben Orellana & Michele Lukis as featured in:
Watch now on:
SEEKING THE SELF;
DEATH, LOSS, INITIATION WITH MICHELE COSTA
Michele’s recent interview with Dr Aaron Balick and Nathalie Nahai for their podcast, ‘Seeking The Self’, in which she discusses her relationship with Ayahuasca and the events that lead to her shamanic path.
Anna is a dedicated wellness practitioner, breathwork instructor and yoga teacher who has spent the last decade exploring healing practices and holistic philosophies from around the world.
Her journey has led her into the world of sacred plants, from the warm embrace of the Amazon jungle in ceremony with Ayahuasca, to working with Wachuma in the Andes and onwards to the Dutch countryside working with psilocybin. Following her profound experiences with these sacred plant medicines, Anna continues to expand her understanding of their traditions and heritage, learning to brew the medicine under the guidance of Peruvian Curandero, Dr Rubén Orellana. She is passionate about facilitating safe and supported space for others to explore the profound healing benefits of the practices that have deeply impacted her own life and it is her honour to be of service.
Anna has completed 200-hour yoga teacher trainings in Forrest Yoga with founder Ana Forrest in Bali and in Hatha Raga Yoga with Ambra Vallo at the renowned Indaba Studio in London. Her yoga practice enhances the plant medicine experience, providing space for deeper connection and integration.
Recently, Anna trained as a breathwork teacher in the mountains of Australia with Johannes Egberts, who studied under Wim Hof. She has found breakthrough breathwork to be a powerful tool for releasing blocked energy, trauma, and anxiety and it is now a key component of her life and her offerings.
Anna continues to explore the union of mind, body and spirit through shamanic practice, yoga and breathwork and hopes to help clients release blocked energy, trauma and anxiety stored in the body, bringing forth a renewed sense of creativity and well-being. It is her honour to share space with our group members and to help them on their healing journey.
LEANDRO D’ANDREA
ONLY AVAILABLE FOR SESSIONS IN NEW ZEALAND
Born and raised in New Zealand, surrounded by the ancient and inspiring beauty that is Tongariro National Park, Leandro shares his Core Shamanic teachings in a form that is respectful of all practitioners and cultures; taking a universal approach that is strongly influenced by the work of Michael Harner.
Apprenticed in Peruvian Shamanism to Dr Rubén Orellana PhD, Leandro’s shamanic path has lead him to work with traditional medicine plants, such as Ayahuasca in the Amazon Jungle and San Pedro in the high country of Peru. For the last eight years Leandro has studied the tradition of brewing Wachuma as passed down through generations of indigenous healers in Peru under the guidance of Maestro of San Pedro, Rubén Orellana. He also holds Psilocybin Retreats alongside psychotherapist Michele Costa Lukis in the Netherlands.
Leandro completed a three-year training in Core Shamanism with Simon Buxton of The Sacred Trust. His work is based on a strong belief that we are all connected and therefore we should all show love and respect to one another.
In the UK, Leandro has worked with Michele Costa Lukis as a Shamanic Practitioner offering one on one healings and holding monthly Andean Circles where he teaches shamanic principles. Leandro also leads shamanic walks of consciousness through the woodlands of the UK and holds weekly men’s groups for personal empowerment. His efforts for the future are to bring men back in touch with nature and to fully realise themselves as conscious men.
To further his studies, Leandro completed a 200 hour yoga teacher training with Ana Forrest in Bali whose founding principle lies in using a combination of shamanism and yoga as a means to heal the body, mind and spirit of pain, anxiety and trauma.
Leandro’s passion for New Zealand, the wilderness and shamanic practice lead to the creation of Wild Man and Wild Woman Journeys; spiritual journeys and adventure tours through his homeland of New Zealand with the intention of bringing his clients back in touch with nature and themselves. In these tours, Leandro combines shamanic work from his own trainings with Maori healing practices and the nurturement the beautiful New Zealand landscape provides. In this tour he draws upon his expertise as a mountain leader, scout, shamanic practitioner, men’s group facilitator, fine dining chef and wilderness guide.