PERU 2022 RETREAT
SACRED RECIPROCITY
SEPTEMBER 2022
Our ancient, vibrantly-well ancestors knew a sacred secret of life: that living in deep reverence and reciprocity with the Earth is the essential lifeblood of our communities, the sacred web of life, and the soul of humanity.
Somewhere along the way, this sacred secret’s potent hum faded to a soft whisper (and has been intentionally silenced)— lost in the noise of a different way of life.
Everywhere we see the effects of living outside this deep connection to our true source. Time in nature has been replaced with screen time. Our lives move at an unnatural pace that harms our bodies and souls. Many of us rarely slow down enough to notice and honor the natural beauty and organic rhythms of our bodies and the natural world.
Not to mention the gravest effects of this disconnection—war, environmental destruction, genocide, social injustice, and the toll modern life can take on every aspect of our beings: soul loss, physical and mental dis-ease, the like.
But this vital hum of reciprocity and this intimate connection to Earth: it can never be silenced. It dances through our DNA; buzzes in our bones and blood. It’s under our fingernails. It’s in the drumbeat of our devoted hearts.
When we make time to slow down and get quiet enough to connect in with this sacred hum of life, we tap a wellspring of sustenance, nourishment, abundance, reciprocity, harmony, and connection to life force energy. We come home: to our souls and to the exquisite wisdom and generosity of our bodies and this earth.
In Peru, the native Quechua people have a word—a way of being and sacred principle of life, really—that captures this spirit of reverent reciprocity: ayni. To be in ayni is to be in right relationship to the self, to one other, to the earth, and to all beings in the sacred web of life. To remember that we are all intimately connected and interdependent. It is not simply to orient to an abstract concept of ayni, but to embody it, and weave it into our sacred practices and ways of being, living, and relating.
This is how we mend what needs mending. And we do it together.
To remember ayni, to experience and weave it deeper into our own being, is the heart of our gathering in August 2021 in the Sacred Valley of Peru.
Together, we’ll intentionally take a sacred pause from the dizzying fullness of daily life and cultivate ayni, with ourselves, one another, this sacred land we are blessed to walk upon, and the whole of life.
During this sacred time, we will connect deeply to the earth, our bodies, our creative essence, the subtle energies, and to one another. A sacred container of reciprocity will be lovingly held so that you can slow down, revel in nature, reconnect to your own divine essence, honor your body, and become enlivened with this sacred hum of ayni, of reverent reciprocity.
And as this sacred hum becomes enlivened inside, perhaps you’ll carry this medicine home to infuse into your daily life and to share with your own communities. Just by your very beingness. May the spirit of ayni activate deep remembrance in your bones and may it serve to nourish you in a good way.
“Jaime’s ability to show up fully, authentically and consistently is breathtaking. She is one of the most self aware humans that I have ever encountered and she lives her life from deep inside her heart, which is such a breath of fresh air to be around. Time and time again, I have witnessed Jaime draw groups together and create depth and meaning. She is a powerhouse.”
RETREAT DETAILS
DATES
August 7 to 11, 2021 (with an optional add-on of two nights, Aug 12 + 13 to explore Machu Picchu)
SACRED GATHERING PLACE
Willka T’ika Wellness Center is nestled in the heart of the Sacred Valley of Peru, approximately 75 minutes from Cusco airport, where it is recommended you fly in (all flights connect first in Lima, Peru’s capital).
Willka T'ika is a luxury wellness retreat center, located in Peru's Sacred Valley between Cusco and Machu Picchu near Ancient Incan ruins, ceremonial sites and temples, and abundant cultural activities. This land is home to winding rivers, charming villages and high mountain meadows where llama and alpaca graze.
Guests enjoy organic gourmet vegetarian cuisine, optional Andean spa services, authentic Andean ritual, and adventures to Incan sites. Willka T'ika is home to the renowned Chakra Gardens, filled with exotic plants and native Andean medicinal plants, that are designed to correspond to the seven chakras of the human body.
The gardens are ideal for meditation and reflection in the energies of nature. Set within the gardens are two magnificent fully-equipped, state-of-the-art yoga studios. There is also a ceremonial temple, a library, and a music room.
Willka T'ika is environmentally-conscious and is professionally-staffed by dedicated local Quechua. The non-profit Willka T'ika Children's Fund supports the local children of several schools in remote mountain villages, providing facilities and wonderful education.
The rooms are luxurious, spacious and comfortable, with custom Andean adobe architecture that harmonizes with the gardens and mountainscapes. Every room is steps away from the flower gardens.
The vegetarian cuisine is delicious and plentiful, and served in a cheerful dining room. The staff are excellent herbalists and can make you a brew to soothe an upset stomach or altitude headache.
“ From the moment I walked inside the artistic gate at Willka T’ika, I felt a profound sense of peace envelop my body and soul. From the intoxicating scents of abundant flowers, the hum of bees that carefully gather their pollen, the brilliance of colors throughout the gardens sparkling after a refreshing rain, to the enchanting songs of the birds who make these gardens their home, I felt the magic to my core.
The winding paths on the property lead you into a labyrinth of secret gardens, each holding a different mystery: a water fountain with the three worlds of the Andean cosmos, a burbling creek, a spiral meditation walk, to name a few. This is a Garden of Eden, a Heaven on Earth. ”
ON THIS RETREAT, YOU WILL:
Connect deeply to Sacred Land: your body and this particularly potent place on earth
Journey to sacred sites as a portal back to, and reflection of, your own essence
Restore deep, reverent connection to your wildness + your soul
Reconnect to your innate creativity, the flow of life force through you
Explore energy practices to cultivate ayni
Experience rituals and ceremonies self-led and in groups, to experience ayni in action
Move your body daily through Qoya and other embodied movement practices
Receive density clearings and light activations through channelled sound healing
Revel in lush gardens and gathering spaces
Be nourished by locally-grown, organic foods
Learn how to weave ayni into your daily life, through simple practices and perceptions
Cultivate deep, heart-centered, grounded connections with others
Enjoy space for silence and solitude
“Jaime, thank you for organizing such a wonderful event. By being fully present, you created a safe haven where we could land within ourselves and dive into what wanted to be seen. By being creative (with writing, dancing, and painting) we could grow deeper into authentic beauty and transform what was ready to be released. You took us on a journey where our heart showed the way instead of our mind. Absolutely wonderful, thank you for guiding us into that sacred space within! ”
ITINERARY
This is our tentative schedule for the retreat (subject to change)
Saturday August 7: AIR
1:30pm Arrive and check into the center
2:00-6:00 Time to connect to the land and rest from your travels; optional tour of the gardens
6:00-6:30 Short welcome gathering
6:30-800 Dinner
8:00-10:00 Opening Circle
Sunday August 8: FIRE (New Moon in Leo and Lion’s Gate Portal)
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-12:30 Morning Session (energy + sound work, embodied movement, creative activity)
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-6:30 Open for Soul-guided experience. Rest and relax, take a massage, or partake in an activity: Andean art workshop, pottery class, Alpaca wool outlet visit, guided hike to Chullpas ruins, horseback riding along the river, river rafting, and ziplining are all options Guest Services staff can help you arrange on-site. Later in the afternoon, optional 15-20 minute coca-leaf readings (traditional divination) with Quechua Shaman, Don Benito, will be available.
6:30-7:30 Dinner
7:30-9:30 Despacho (gratitude ceremony) and Fire Ritual with Quechua Shamans of Incan-lineage
Monday August 9: EARTH
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-12:30 Morning Session (Shamanic energy work, embodied movement, creative activity)
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:30-4:30 Trip to sacred site of MORAY
6:30-8:00 Dinner
8:00-10:00 Ritual
Moray is an ancient Incan site of spectacular concentric rings or circles. This site is thought to have been part of a large agricultural experiment, with soils from all over the region brought to this land.
Descending grass-covered, terraced rings (offering microclimates) vary in size, with the largest + deepest at 98 feet deep and 722 feet wide. The site is where the seeds were planted and life was cultivated in harmony with the earth.
Tuesday August 10: WATER
8:00 Breakfast
9:00-12:30 Morning Session (Shamanic energy work, embodied movement, creative activity)
12:30-1:30 Lunch
1:45-4:00 Hike to sacred site of SALINAS DE MARAS
6:30-8:00 Dinner
8:00-10:00 Closing Circle
This hillside field of stream-fed, interlocking sacred geometric pools of salt was first created by the Incans in the 1400s. This land is otherworldly and a sight to behold. Locally-operated salt harvesting, done in the same manner as the Incans, still provides salt to residents of the valley. We will hike to this site directly from Willka T’ika.
Wednesday August 11: ETHER
8:00 Breakfast
10:00 departure to Cusco airport
Add-on Adventure: Machu Picchu
Optional adventure to Machu Picchu immediately following the retreat. We will take a train through the Sacred Valley to the base town of Aguas Calientes, below the Machu Picchu Ruins, with time to hike and explore this town. Friday, we wake early and head to the sacred site of Machu Picchu. Later, we’ll take a train back to Cusco for an overnight stay. Saturday, you may explore Cusco, or fly home or to your next destination.
“Working with Jaime was a dream come true. She is that perfect mix of a medicine woman who embodies the wisdom of an elder, the compassion of someone walking a path alongside you, and the sweet innocence of a child with a wide open heart. She sources her medicine from a place beyond time, but makes it accessible.”
YOUR GUIDES
Your chief guides on this journey will be Mother Nature and your own soul.
We are also held by a sacred circle of support in both the seen and unseen realms.
Your lead human ally for this adventure is me, Jaime Fleres.
I’m an artist, medicine woman, author, astrologer and soul guide. I’m practiced in the arts of sacred ceremonial space holding, Qoya, expressive writing and arts, herbal wisdom, astrology, Shamanism, sound healing, and nature medicine. You can read more on the About page.
I spent much of 2008 living in Peru, and have been blessed to visit the Sacred Valley twice before (huge initiations and epic magic).
Years ago, as I completed my last preparations to become a Qoya teacher, I received a vision from the Grandmothers who requested (well, insisted) I return to Peru in sacred service, in ayni. In facilitating this retreat, I’m reverently answering this call.
I am grateful and honored to hold this space and co-create with you and Life.
“The extent to which Jaime embodies herself, and her own divinity, is one of the most authentic I’ve ever seen. In each avenue of her sacred work I have witnessed her embody the highest level of commitment, professionalism, clear articulation, dedication, and doing whatever it takes to hold impeccably sacred space for her clients. She has one of the bravest, most generous hearts I know. Jaime is grounded, but also full of fiery inspiration and motivational energy. ”
WHAT YOUR INVESTMENT INCLUDES:
Round trip transport to/from the Cusco airport during mornings of August 16 and 20 (shuttle needs outside of this time are a personal expense, estimated between $30-60)
4 nights and 5 days at Willka Tika Wellness Center
Your accommodations will include heating and modern private bathrooms
All programming: morning practices, afternoon adventures, and evening rituals each day.
3 delicious organic, vegetarian, farm-to-table meals daily prepared by local Quechua chefs, including a buffet breakfast, a bagged lunch for our adventure days, and a 3-course family-style dinner. Fresh locally-grown herbal teas daily.
Access to the 7 Chakra Gardens, the Yachaywasi House of Wisdom Library, the Takiwasi House of Music, and a cozy communal living room
Access to the Spa, which offers massage, facials, reflexology, Crystal Light Therapy, and outdoor floral Solar Baths at Night, treatments are an additional fee.
Gratuities for staff (but you are welcome to tip directly as inspired)
What is not covered:
Any spa treatments or massages + tips
Additional adventures (besides those listed) including horseback riding, mountain biking, tours of additional ruins
Treasures and trinkets from the Gift Shop
Airfare to + from Cusco airport in Peru
Any additional nights you choose to stay in Cusco or other places in the Sacred Valley (see the Machu Picchu add-on option)
Contributions to the Children’s Fund (optional; see below for ways to contribute)
ACCOMMODATIONS AND PRICING
All rooms have heating and private bathrooms. Fresh flowers welcome all guests and cozy hot water bottles warm your bed at night.
Cozy Garden rooms are purposely tucked away in charming areas of the lush gardens. Luxury rooms look out to inspiring views of the mountains and gardens, and each are named for the medicinal plant that grows at its doorstep.
CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT ON THE RETREAT
BONUS GIFTS
All participants will receive a FREE Shamanic Astrology reading with Jaime via Zoom prior to the retreat.
And a FREE 60-minute follow-up integration call in the month following our retreat.
REFUND POLICY
Full refunds (minus administrative & service fees) will be given up to 60 days prior to the retreat start date.
No refunds will be given less than 60 days prior to the retreat.
“ To be at Qoya with Jaime is to be in love and acceptance, because Jaime IS love and acceptance. Her spirit is at once ancient in wisdom and childlike in joy. She taught the first Qoya class I ever attended; as a person who hadn’t danced in ages and hadn’t danced comfortably ever, I was apprehensive going in. But within moments of being in the space Jaime had cultivated, I melted into the moment and found myself dancing with abandon. I want every woman I know to come with me next time.”
HOW AYNI BEGINS NOW: THE CHILDREN’S FUND
The Willka T’ika Children’s Fund was established in 1995 to support the remote mountain schools and Quechua children and families living well below the poverty level in the Sacred Valley of Peru. As a group, we will be gathering contributions to these communities. We invite you to bring the following contributions as you are able and called:
Gently-worn hardy clothes for children ages 4-12
Baseball caps, soccer balls, and volleyballs
Spanish children’s books
Common hardy, non-GMO vegetable seeds for the school greenhouse garden
Small, durable toys
Scissors, pens, notebooks and school supplies
Flashlights that do not require batteries
Cash donations are also welcome
ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME
To retreat is to slow down long enough, to revel in Nature long enough, to begin to enliven that sacred hum inside our cells, to resonate with it, to become it.
When do you feel most alive? Most connected to yourself? To Life itself? When do you feel connected to earth? How much time do you spend in conscious connection to her and her wisdom? What might it feel like to connect to yourself and all that surrounds you, in ayni, for an entire week in the Sacred Valley of Peru?
Join us in Peru this August to enliven and connect deeply to yourself, others and this gorgeous Earth we call home.
Book above by selecting your accommodations.
Questions about the retreat?
Please email Jaime at jaime@jaimefleres.com
“ I had the chance to be part of a Qoya class and Despacho Ceremony with Jaime and she’s holding a beautiful and impeccable container that allows each one to connect deeply with Self as well as honoring the medicine in each and everything. Her humility, knowledge and deep reverence for her practices are profound gifts to the community.”
The Garden Single occupancy room has a double bed and is conveniently located by Willka T'ika's reception and dining room. Ideal for the solo traveler who wants solitude after the day’s program.