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We have been hosting ayahuasca retreats since 1996. Our center is based in the midst of the beautiful Atlantic Rainforest along the coast of Bahia in Brazil. We facilitate a safe and comfortable space for you to achieve harmony in your everyday life by aligning your mind, body, and heart with your true self.
Our 9 day and 11 day ayahuasca retreats are designed to give you a balanced experience. We have ayahuasca ceremonies every other night and in between there are activities to integrate your experiences and insights. There is also ample free time to reflect, to enjoy the beauty of the jungle, to visit the gorgeous beaches, and just to relax, let go, and enjoy the pure bliss of the moment.
Calendar and prices on our website
We have extensive experience integrating ayahuasca, psychology, shamanism, self development, modified states of consciousness, and various other modalities. We are present at all times and are dedicated in supporting you with loving care, attention, safety, and respect.The activities include workshops focused on spiritual development. The techniques covered in the workshops can be practiced even after the retreat to continue the journey of personal growth. Some of the topics include inner child integration, life progression, discovering the source of your blockages and the resources to overcome them. Another very important part of the retreat are the Yoga sessions in the morning which greatly enrich the ayahuasca experiences at night.
Spirit Vine & TheVine Center previously known as Ayahuasca-Healing have been created by Silvia Polivoy. She received her license in clinical psychology and had a private practice in Buenos Aires, Argentina for several years until she began to feel the need to make a transition from studying and healing the mind to exploring the worlds of Spirit. This took her away from the busy city streets to the more tranquil life in the jungle, moving to Brazil where in 2004 she co-founded the TheVine Center, a trans-denominational and inter-faith spiritual center located in the state of Bahia.
The nature of our nonprofit center is philosophical, religious, mystical, spiritual, educational, and cultural. All the retreats’ income’ serves to maintain the center grounds, create employment for the local community, and help preserve the jungle, having replanted thousands of native trees over the years to give but one example.
The retreats take place inside of 39 acres of lush preserved area. It is about 7 miles from Itacaré on the coast of Bahia. Our location is only minutes away from beautiful coastal beaches, which back onto the Mata Atlántica, the second largest rainforest in Brazil.
The experience of sacred tea ceremonies can be challenging for some, deeply religious for others, but profound all around. Please note that we have several programs to offer and the plant ceremonies are always optional and not required to partake in during any of our retreats. The plant ceremonies begin in the evening and go through the night. The group dynamic is very important and there will be facilitators to look after participants throughout. There will be plenty of time for group discussions and also time alone to reflect on the experiences elicited by the spirit vine tea for those that wish to partake in the plant ceremonies.
At the retreat center we grow our own ayahuasca vine and chacruna plants organically! We also have an organic garden to source vegetables for the food prepared during the retreat. We have pure spring water for drinking and also coconut water, juices, and a variety of teas.
During all our programs we follow a strict (though delicious) diet. The meals are completely vegan, gluten-free, and nutritionally balanced, prepared by our in-house chef who has specialized in vegan cuisine and has a post-graduation in functional nutrition. They include plenty of fresh vegetables cooked with delicious herbs and spices, luscious fresh tropical fruits, salads, and grains.
A note about sexual abstinence: this varies from culture to culture; some recommending as long as 30-40 days while others as little as one day or none at all like here in Brazil. For energetic purposes we recommend sexual abstinence during the retreat as well as 3 days before it begins and 3 days after the retreat concludes. As well, a drug free and no salt diet with no red meat, pork or heavy alcohol use for the same amount of time is optimal.
We fully expect you have questions about the retreats, programs and the facilities we offer. Please feel free to explore our website or watch our videos and write to us to come to one of our retreats.
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John11
December 8, 2024 at 5:16 amWhen I first started thinking about doing a retreat, I thought I’d probably end up in Peru in a more traditional place. It just felt like the “right” thing to do since ayahuasca ceremonies have been done that way there for so many years. However, after a friend recommended Silvia’s retreat in Brazil, I spent a lot of time researching different places and eventually decided to trust my friend and go to Spirit Vine. After experiencing it, I’m so glad I did because I can’t imagine a better place for this type of retreat.
At first, I was pretty nervous, anxious and even scared about attending the retreat, traveling to Brazil for the first time, and living with complete strangers for a couple of weeks. However, after arriving and opening myself to the experience, and letting myself trust without assuming that everyone had a hidden agenda, everything about the retreat started to feel a lot safer and welcoming. Silvia, who runs the retreat, has this amazing way of making you feel cared for, like she genuinely wants you to have a deep and healing experience. The space she’s created is incredibly beautiful, calm, peaceful, and surrounded by nature. It’s incredible to think that she built this place herself. I’m so grateful for all the effort she put into creating such a peaceful and beautiful space.
One thing that really stood out to me was how thoughtfully the retreat was put together. It wasn’t just about the ceremonies, which felt very safe and organized, but also the workshops, which helped prepare us and made the whole experience much deeper. I learned so much during those sessions, and they really helped me understand what I was going through both during and after the ceremonies. Silvia has such a special way of explaining things and guiding you; it felt like she truly understood what each of us needed, even when we didn’t know ourselves.
The ceremonies themselves were powerful and sometimes intense, but I always felt supported. Silvia and Elvis were there every step of the way, creating a space where we felt safe to let go and fully immerse ourselves in the moment. Even when my anxiety and fears crept back, I did not feel alone. I could always ask for support, and that made such a difference.
Other activities added so much value to the experience, like the yoga sessions, the food, and the incredible group of participants. Elvis, the other facilitator, was amazing too, always available to chat and share helpful tools and resources. It was great having someone there who was also on their own healing journey in such an open and relatable way. The food was a wonderful surprise, it was honestly amazing! I was always excited when it was time for a meal and had to stop myself sometimes from going back for seconds because everything was so good. Lastly, the group of participants felt like a family. We openly shared our experiences and supported one another, and my initial fears about spending time with strangers disappeared almost immediately.
Looking back, when I saw all the glowing reviews about Spirit Vine, I thought it might be too good to be true. I wondered how so many people could say they’d only come back to this place if they did another retreat. I imagined I’d want to try different places or seek a more traditional experience instead of coming back to Spirit Vine. I even wondered if there might be some kind of catch that I’d discover once I got there. Now, I get it. Spirit Vine is something special, and Silvia’s retreat felt like the perfect fit for me. If I ever decide to do this again, I really hope Silvia is still running these retreats because I’d want to go back to Spirit Vine!
If you’re trying to decide where to go for a retreat and want a place that feels safe and focused on healing, I’d definitely recommend Silvia’s place. Trust the process! If you’re still feeling unsure, take some time to read the reviews and watch the testimonials, they’ll give you a great sense of what to expect. But try not to overthink it or spend too much time researching the experience. Silvia’s website provides everything you need to know in terms of preparation, and she’ll guide you through the rest once you’re there to make it a truly wonderful experience. This was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and I’m so grateful I got to do it in such a wonderful place with her guidance and support.
Jojojo123
December 6, 2024 at 3:41 amThis year was my second time at spirit vine, which speaks volumes. I will be going again and taking my daughter when she comes of age in 2 years, then my son 2 years after and my daughter who is 5, when she is around 18 also, so spirit vine never end please!! 🙂 Such a held space with genuine facilitators who have time for you and who really do care. The workshops are invaluable and the love for what spirit vine does for people really stands out. You cannot go there and not heal, it is impossible. Absolutely stunning grounds and a very magical place. I hopefully will be going for many years to come, healing layer by layer with the help of Silva.. Who’s… 1 hourrrr.. (among many of the things she says) will be with me forever. So grateful, thank you so much Elvis and Silvia ❤️ Love Jo. Baker
Note: This review was edited to reduce the number of emojis used, but has otherwise been left in its original form.
AJVH
December 6, 2024 at 2:34 amIn the realm of deep spiritual work, set and setting are the essential keys to successful healing experiences. When you find someone who truly understands this delicate balance, you stop, you take notice, and you listen. Silvia, the guide and heart of Spirit Vine, is one of those rare individuals. Her energy and expertise shine through every corner of the retreat.
I discovered Spirit Vine through word of mouth, and I was fortunate to gain reassurance from someone who had already been there. That whisper of safety was all I needed to take the plunge, and now that I’ve experienced the retreat, I feel compelled to share what I’ve found. Silvia has dedicated years to creating and refining this sanctuary, and it shows. It’s not just a retreat; it’s a sacred space, a precious find that I will absolutely return to.
Coming from a difficult background, where feeling safe and relaxed often seemed like an impossible dream, I found the environment at Spirit Vine to be a revelation. Every detail, every arrangement, is designed with care to facilitate your journey inward. The group work, the individual attention, the food, the yoga, the massages—everything is part of a process that not only encourages but nurtures growth. There is a rare and deep safety here, a space where vulnerability is welcomed, allowing you to engage in the work that is uniquely your own.
One of the highlights for me was seeing where the plants are grown on-site, grounding the experience in the very earth that nurtures their power. This connection to the source of the medicine added an intimate layer to the experience. The ayahuasca experience, in all its depth, is never one-size-fits-all. I had anxieties about doing this work in a foreign country where I had read about traditional shamanic practices involving live music, tobacco smoke, and language barriers, but I was not seeking that for my first time. Silvia’s blend of insightful ayahuasca knowledge with her background as a psychotherapist creates a seamless integration of Western sensibilities and traditional healing—a Goldilocks experience that felt just right for my first time.
Silvia is awake, present, and direct. She takes time for every participant. This kind of leadership fosters healing and growth, steering you toward a healthier, more authentic self. My complex PTSD was a difficult shadow to reckon with after growing up in a narcissistic household, but Silvia and the experience at Spirit Vine carried my issues with great care and expertise. For the first time in my life, I felt safe enough to open up and be vulnerable within a group setting. The workshops led by Silvia directly addressed these wounds, offering tools to ease the burdens I carried. Before this retreat, I felt like someone who had tried to join a choir but had learned all the wrong songs. Now, I feel like I’ve found my voice. I’ve discovered the songs that let my heart sing, aligning with myself and others in ways I never thought possible. It has helped me shed the layers of trauma and conditioning that once weighed me down, allowing my authentic self to emerge—bright, unburdened, free.
The ayahuasca ceremonies helped me to experience my fullest self. Once you touch this version of yourself—your truest essence—your heart overflows with love and compassion, not only for yourself but for everyone around you. It draws into sharp focus the power and depth of love. This experience is liberating in the most profound sense, awakening a world of possibility. It invites you to feel, to experience the entire spectrum, to be.
I left Spirit Vine aligned, empowered, and immeasurably changed. The transformation is not a fleeting moment; it is a profound shift in the fabric of your being. If you have a passion for discovering your truth, a need to drive the needle of the mind right to the heart of it all, this is the place to do that. Ayahuasca strips away the layers and connects you to the raw, authentic truth of who you are. And for that, I am deeply grateful.
annetlantikmarie
December 2, 2024 at 2:06 pmHello dear person looking for an ayahuasca retreat!
Maybe the following sentences might sound too good to be true (like probably most of the reviews about Spiritvine:D), but it might as well be a good opportunity to start or keep on believing that life and the world can be full of goodness and you can fully trust. Whether you are opening up for a first experience or want to go deeper on the journey with ayahuasca, at Spiritvine Silvia has build up a place and refined the retreats she’s offering with a lot of care and dedication over the years. Everything is super well organized, from before you get to Spiritvine, throughout beautiful cozy bungalows with verandas and hammocks; extremely yummy, healthy and inspring food; a peaceful, quiet and caring atmosphere; friendly discreet stuff; an incredibly well looked after piece of land of jungle with lovely flowers, heaps of funny birds, butterflies and monkeys you can observe throughout your stay; a big pond to enjoy swims and floating… aaaaaand the powerful tools and deep understanding you can learn in the workshops! The music in the ceremonies is beautifully chosen and I found it very supportive navigating through the ayahuasca journeys and still now helping me grow and connect afterwards. I personally went to an 11-day-retreat after having done a few 1-night-ceremonies in Europe and found it very supportive to move through the ceremonies by using the workshop’s tools to dive into some big healing of inner child wounds, understand behavioural patterns and beliefs on a more profound level, as well as the links to my family and ancestral history. I personally found the rhythm with having yoga, workshop and a ceremony one day, and art and integration and resting time a good combination to rest enough, journal and feel ready for the next day again. Or at least as ready as I could be, which is always enough I believe;). It’s been a life changing journey that I feel will keep me developing in a constructive way for a long time. Silvia has a lot of experience and knowledge and has been dedicating herself to helping other people heal for a long time. I honestly believe it’s a big privilege if you decide to go to Spiritvine and feel ready to open up for the life changing journey you need at this moment in time. Silvia would always give us the direct mirror to where we need to look at to move on, which can be discomforting, but then thats the way to follow if you want to grow. She would accompany us with a caring presence all the time and give us all a huge empowerment by leading us to find out the answers for ourselves. I feel extremely grateful and could not have imagined before, how empowering and healing these 11 days would be. 3 weeks after the retreat now, I still cannot find enough words to describe the gratitude I feel for the safe space Silvia’s offering at Spiritvine and how priceless this experience is. Still full of love and appreciation for the Spiritvine family. 🙂 so last but not least, I would like to share that we had some good laughs in the group with Silvia- in case you are fond of humour too. 😉
If this resonates with you I wish you a wonderful journey, stay curious and playful! and maybe a secret I learnt from mother ayahuasca: You don’t need to be afraid. Fear is not part of the secret of life. But psssst, it’s a secret. 🙂
You’ll make the right choice for you!
Anne-Marie
Craig Black
November 30, 2024 at 4:52 pmReview of My 11-Day 5 Ceremony Retreat at Spirit Vine
Words can’t fully capture the incredible journey of the 11-day retreat I recently attended at Spirit Vine, but I’ll try my best….
Why I Chose Spirit Vine: After months of researching various Ayahuasca retreats, I chose Spirit Vine. Six years ago, I attended a retreat in Peru with a traditional Shaman. While the experience was transformative, I returned home with many unanswered questions and no tools to integrate the plant medicine into my daily life, leaving me feeling lost.
Spirit Vine stood out because of Silvia’s integrated approach. Each ceremony is thoughtfully paired with a workshop designed to help participants make sense of their experiences and provide practical tools for integrating the medicine. This holistic approach was exactly what I was looking for.
The Communication: From the very first moment I reached out to Silvia, the communication was smooth and transparent. The questionnaire screening process was thorough, ensuring that every participant was mentally and physically prepared for the journey ahead. Details like diet, things to bring, medication supplement restrictions, were all explained clearly. Silvia also made the logistics seamless, from airport pick-up (my name on a sign was a nice touch) to transfers to and from the retreat. She even recommended fantastic places to stay and vegan restaurants in the nearby surf town of Itacaré—only a 30-minute drive from Spirit Vine.
The Property: The property itself is absolutely stunning! It’s meticulously maintained and expertly managed by Silvia and her wonderful team. She started with a blank canvas and carved out a little slice of heaven in the jungle while carefully preserving the surrounding forest. There’s an unmistakable sense of peace and seclusion here, which made the immersion in the retreat all the more meaningful. Silvia’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect, from the beautifully organized ceremonies to the comfort of the accommodations. My bungalow was beautiful, clean, comfortable, and well-equipped with hot showers, fans, and air-conditioning. Each bungalow also had a hammock on the balcony, the perfect spot for reflection while listening to the soothing sounds of the jungle. A large swimming pond in the center of the retreat is the perfect touch—one evening, we even took a moonlight swim, which felt truly surreal.
The Food: The meals were nothing short of incredible. Each dish was not only delicious but perfectly timed to complement the ceremonies. The chef and kitchen staff prepared some of the best vegan food I’ve ever had, and they did so with such warmth and joy. …always with a warm “Hola” and a huge smile on their faces. It’s clear that the food is a reflection of the care and love put into every part of the retreat.
The Workshops: The integration workshops between ceremonies were absolutely invaluable! They provided an opportunity to process and make sense of everything we were experiencing, helping us integrate the teachings and insights from the ceremonies into our daily lives. I use them in every day life now that I’m back at home processing everything.
The Ceremonies: The ceremonies were both emotionally and physically intense, yet profoundly transformative. Silvia’s carefully choreographed music worked in perfect harmony with the plant medicine, creating a deeply immersive experience. With the support of the inner child workshop, the insights I gained during the very first ceremony were so impactful that I felt the retreat had fulfilled its promise. Each subsequent ceremony took me deeper into the experience in ways I could never have anticipated. The daytime ceremonies were equally powerful, fostering a deep connection with nature and helping me uncover a renewed sense of purpose in life. By the end of the retreat, I had undergone a profound shift in perspective—one that I know will stay with me forever.
The People:
Silvia – A heartfelt thank you to my amiga, Silvia—you are a true angel. Your dedication and commitment to guiding people through this journey are extraordinary. The way you seamlessly combine your deep knowledge of Ayahuasca plant medicine with years of psychotherapy expertise is a rare and invaluable gift to everyone who attends the retreat. Your presence was a true blessing, and I’m profoundly grateful for everything you did to make this experience so meaningful.
Elvis, thank you for your calm and supportive presence throughout the retreat. You were the perfect complement to Silvia’s guidance, and you played an integral role in making everything run smoothly. Your warmth and kindness were comforting from start to finish, and I really appreciated the tips on diet and gut healing.
And finally, the unexpected and incredibly special part of the retreat was the bond I formed with the 14 other participants. Despite the deeply personal nature of the experience, we shared moments of tears and laughter that made the journey even more meaningful. I learned so much from each person, and those connections will stay with me for a long time and we’ll be lifelong friends.
Spirit Vine Retreat exceeded all of my expectations. It is a genuine space for healing, run by people who truly care. If you’re seeking an authentic, integrated ayahuasca experience, I cannot recommend Spirit Vine highly enough. I came searching for something and found it, along with so much more. This is a place where transformation happens and I can’t imagine going anywhere else…I’ll definitely be back!
Much love, Craig