Client Testimonials
"Personal healing work is a complex, challenging, and long journey that weaves through our everyday lives, but is often impaired by our Western social perspectives and cultural mechanisms. For years I've longed for opportunities to find space and time where the mind, body, and spirit can breathe and work together.
Despite feeling a call to ayahuasca for years now, candidly speaking, I felt serious trepidation - it unraveled me before, during, and after. However, there was an indescribable level of support that began even before the commitment, and still comes through from Todd and Lacey (and the medicine) long after leaving Peru. Although I am rather new to the traditions and technologies of Shipibo plant healing, I could not imagine taking any other path to this medicine than with Intertwining Medicines. This entire journey has been saturated with support, trust, and love - allowing for a pureness in experiencing the human condition that exists outside of our daily dimensions. Truly masterful facilitation.
I feel so thoroughly grateful to have connected with ayahuasca through Intertwining Medicines and been able to share the journey with Lacey & Todd (and of course, their noble spirit-guardian puppy Kano), and the mighty Maestro Nelson. They have created such a warm, personalized, intimate, and supportive environment at Intertwining Medicines. Thorough and direct communication, amazing facilities, small retreat group sizes, highly detailed logistical support, incredible depth of plant medicine experience, and heart-driven focus on integration work - a few of the many defining qualities that, in my opinion, makes Intertwining Medicines the superior pathway for plant medicine journeys.
I also feel incredibly grateful to have been at this retreat while Carolyn Shaw (trauma-informed psychologist & yoga instructor) was there as a co-facilitator. Her skills, knowledge, teachings, support, and overall presence is incredible. She truly is a spiritual guardian angel and is one of the most amazing human beings I've ever met.
As Lacey says, "this work is entering the classroom of the soul." As Todd says, "it's not about feeling better, it is about better feeling." I have come to learn that the "only way out is through, and the only way through is through yourself". Everything up to this retreat was merely the preparation, and now, through the unbelievable support and help from Intertwining Medicines, I may get to the real work ahead.
Thank you, Lacey. Thank you, Todd. Thank you, Kano. Thank you, Maestro Nelson. Thank you, Carolyn. And of course, gracias, medicina."
— Jonathon, Canada, May 2024
"Intertwining Medicines creates a peaceful, beautiful and loving environment for people to work with Ayahuasca. Lacey and Todd are seasoned practitioners who have created a space of trust and beauty that allows somebody to work with the medicine and truly be themselves.This is a rare experience that I strongly recommend to anybody who has healing to do, both physical and emotional. Ayahuasca, the Shipibo tradition, the Peruvian Andes, with Lacey and Todd guiding you, is a precious gift to give to yourself."
— Jay, Canada, February 2024
“Over the past few weeks I had the absolute privilege of spending time with Intertwining Medicines in the Sacred Valley, Peru. I have been working with sacred plant medicine since 2015 as a way to support me in healing and my spiritual journey. The experience I had at this centre with the guidance of Lacey, Todd, Sean and the mighty Shipibo Maestro Nelson is completely unmatched.
The integrity in which these humans navigate such spiritual work is felt so deeply. Their honouring of the Shipibo traditions, and their knowledge, continued learning and practice of it is held and shared so sacredly. The small, intentional and sustainable group container that was created, helped me feel into a level of trust and safety - and thus healing - that I’ve never experienced before in this kind of work.
My heart feels completely held and expanded. My connection to spirit and earth strengthened. My commitment to the collective healing path clarified and deepened. As I take my teachings and begin to integrate with their continued support.
I am forever grateful to this indigenous way of healing using plant technology, and this specific community of folks whom conscientiously walk this path.”
— Carolyn Shaw, Canada, December 2023
“I am so incredibly grateful for the whole team that makes up Intertwining Medicines. I started my plant medicine journey at a big center and fortunately met Lacey & Todd at my first retreat in Costa Rica. I connected with Lacey right away as she is authentic, understanding, and non-judgmental. While opening up can be a challenge for me, talking with Lacey is effortless, and her perspective consistently helps me in navigating my experiences. The smaller setting at Intertwining gave me the opportunity to also connect with Todd who has some amazing experiences and insights that have been essential to my process. Working through shadows is some of the hardest work, even when you’re ready to face them. Lacey has been a huge support to me as she has guided me through the darkness with her light, love, laughter, and joy.
Integrity, tradition, and safety are the most important aspects I look for in a plant medicine space. Going to Intertwining Medicines was an easy decision as both Lacey and Todd so clearly hold these values. Respecting indigenous traditions when utilizing plant medicine honors their profound generational wisdom, offering a unique opportunity to learn from and appreciate their invaluable contributions to our well-being and shared consciousness. With a small intimate group, it is aligned with traditional Shipibo practices and provided me the safety and security to go deep into the medicine space and strength to heal. I genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to connect with everyone throughout each day, share stories, and gain wisdom from people who have such unique life experiences.
There was great thought and care put into every detail setting this retreat apart from any others. Lacey and Todd incorporate many personal touches creating an inviting energetic space. It feels like such a gift to go through this journey with people who are so generous in sharing their experience and knowledge. Ayahuasca has been a significant and beautiful part of my life. I am so thankful to have intertwining Medicines as a space I can trust to explore this powerful, mysterious, and extraordinary Amazonian plant medicine.”
— Kirstin, USA, December 2023
"I initially met Lacey in Costa Rica during my first experience with ayahuasca. I was drawn to her understanding, gentle yet powerful, and non-judgmental nature during the days following intense ceremonies. It felt both like meeting an old friend and at the same time meeting someone I knew would be a great teacher on my path. Since that time, I have been to two retreats with Intertwining Medicines in the beautiful Sacred Valley of Peru. What a joyful experience it was to meet Todd, Gemma, Kano, Sean, and Shipibo Maestros. It felt like a family reunion even just meeting people for the first time!
Having sat in ceremonies with 20+ people, I have a huge appreciation for the small groups at these retreats. I felt like I had room energetically and physically to go as deep as I wanted to with the medicine. Lacey has such a caring (and humorous if you're up for it) presence during the ceremonies. I have more than once giggled as she dropped me back off at my mat after returning from the restroom. Todd is full of stories and insights that he is more than happy to share. I found myself talking to him for a great while after one ceremony; looking up to the stars and contemplating our world. It is these special instances that set this retreat apart from the rest. I enjoyed the opportunity to chat throughout the days and gain wisdom and knowledge from people who have decades of experience. I also enjoyed talking to the other participants at the retreat. I appreciate the screening and care that Intertwining Medicines takes while welcoming guests. Many guests are friends of friends or referrals from others. Perhaps this is why no one truly feels like a stranger.
I had the opportunity to do a work exchange as a yoga instructor. Teaching pre-ceremony yoga deepened my connection with the medicine, with myself as a yoga teacher, and opened up my heart in a huge way. I am forever grateful for that experience.
The accommodations are beautiful, and the staff at the retreat center are kind and will do whatever they can to ensure your stay is comfortable. The food is incredible! You won't even miss the salt (that much). The ceremony space is warm with ample blankets, heaters, and they even gave us hot water bottles. Transportation and logistics are a breeze. I have been on the Andean tour twice and in my opinion, it's a must. Every detail is carefully thought out, safe, and easy.
Intertwining Medicines is THE retreat. THE experience. Ayahuasca changed my life in ways I never thought possible and Intertwining Medicines is a space I will trust again and again to support me in continuing to explore the wonders of Amazonian plant medicine. Irake!"
— Codie, USA, September 2023
“My time at Intertwining Medicines was a beautiful flow between reality and the mystical. At night we drank medicine with a very skilled maestro who gave his whole heart to us, saw us each as individuals, and held me as I walked between worlds and traversed with the spirits of the medicine while visiting the land of ayahuasca.
During the day Lacey and her team gave us practical guidance on integration and adding magic to our everyday life, and interjected fun and laughter into everything we did. Visiting Peru was a lifelong dream and doing plant medicine here was perfect. I can’t wait to be back, and I am so thankful for this place that values tight containers with lots of personal touches.”
— Melanie, USA, September Retreat 2023
“I laughed. I cried. I had an absolutely lovely time. My recent retreat with Intertwining Medicines exceeded all expectations.
This was my second ayahuasca retreat and I am so glad that I chose to join Lacey, Todd, Sean, and Kano in Peru. They are a stellar team, bringing a stunning level of expertise and care to every detail and aspect of the program. Their approach is so open and genuine, I felt instantly comfortable and was able to go deeper with the medicine as a result. It was transformative in ways that I am only just beginning to understand and words cannot adequately express.
Joining the Andean Tour post-retreat was amazing! I highly recommend, as it's wonderful way to experience the Sacred Valley while continuing to enjoy the company of your new friends.
Lacey has created something truly special with Intertwining Medicines, there is magic here, and my heart is filled with gratitude for her, her team, and the opportunity to have had this experience. I honestly cannot wait to join them again!”
— Johanna, USA, September Retreat 2023
“Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine that needs to be used respectfully with the proper guidance. After having a wonderful experience at a larger center, I knew I wanted to continue my plant medicine journey, but I felt that my integration might benefit from a smaller group size and more time to connect and learn from experienced facilitators. That is where Intertwining Medicines shines.
You can go deeper into your journey while being guided by a team that is extremely experienced yet humble and generous. Larger centers do many things very well and have their place, but with the large number of people it is hard for the facilitators to connect with everyone in a relaxed, organic fashion.
I also highly recommend the Andean tour they offer!! Intertwining Medicines curated an experience that left us feeling very cared for! So much attention to detail and personal touches. Everyone involved was knowledgeable, warm, and trustworthy. You are in great hands with this team. If you are considering ayahuasca in the Sacred Valley of Peru, these are your people!!”
— Ivan, USA, June Retreat 2023
“I was lucky enough to experience a 7 night retreat with Intertwining Medicines and met Lacey as the main facilitator in the group. I cannot speak more highly of our time at the retreat. I felt held and seen, and Lacey and Gemma were extremely patient and loving with me during the week as it was my first retreat and first time away from my husband and children.
As cliche as it sounds, the experience was certainly life changing for me. It reminded me how lucky I am to be alive and to be healthy. The spirits of the plants spoke to me and provided me with some important knowledge as to how to move forward in my life. Orfelinda provided some personal cleansing and blessings to each one of us during the ceremonies depending on what we needed. I will always remember my experience with the plants and I am truly grateful to have had Maestra Orfelinda, Lacey, and the team to guide and support our journey during the retreat.”
— Jacinta, Australia, September Retreat 2022
“This is one of the most profound and expansive journeys I've been on. It's one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself if the medicine is calling to you. Lacey and her team hold the space so lovingly, intentionally, masterfully. It was such a treat to have a Shipibo Maestra there to bring the plant medicines that she personally had a hand in cultivating. The depths of her sacred connection with the earth and the indigenous magic reverberated throughout the retreat. And having Sean there to offer his Mindfulness With the Medicine tools was such a blessing. Not only did those mind and spirit tools help immensely during ceremony--I have carried them with me into everyday life as integration continues.
One can tell that the retreat center was carefully chosen. The grounds are beautiful and peaceful, tended to with care. The staff is friendly and accommodating. The rooms and beds are comfy, the food is delicious, and the location is nestled and held by the ancient mountain spirits surrounding it. I would also recommend the option of the Incan ruins tour when it's available. There is so much power and energy on those sacred grounds that will leave you breathless and show the ingenuity that we have as humans when we tune into the rhythms of Pachamama and the cosmos that surround us.
A word of advice... Show up with an open mind and open heart, loosen you grip on any resistances you may be carrying, surrender yourself to the plants and they will then surrender their wisdom to you. This is something I would highly recommend when you feel the call. Dive in wholeheartedly, whole-bodily, whole-spiritly. Your Self is waiting for you.”
— Kalya, USA, September Retreat 2022
“I just finished my second retreat with this being my first with Intertwining Medicines. I am so glad I booked with Lacey and the team. I feel when working with plant medicine that it is so important to not only have a comfortable and safe location, but also people you can trust when you are in an altered state.
Firstly, Maestra Orfelinda- there just aren’t enough words for my deep respect, awe, and love for her. She takes her profession and healing quite literally to another level. Her guidance, healing, and protection during ceremony were amazing. After each ceremony Lacey checked in to make sure dosage was correct for the work that I needed to do. Sean, the mindfulness and meditation coach, has been my therapist for a couple of years, but getting to work with him and his techniques in person was beyond phenomenal… even without the medicine his techniques have altered my life in such positive ways. Gemma, she is quite literally the best! Her talks and yoga sessions helped me so many times with grounding and getting break through after break through on the mornings after ceremony. Lacey- master organizer, yoga teacher, and light bringer to the extreme! Whenever things felt too difficult, my talks with her brought me back up in laughter and love. She does not shy away from the shadow, but brings extra illumination and a bit of joy to delving into it. I am so thankful for her work with me, and also her pre-ceremony yoga sessions put me into a perfect mindset for the medicine. And last but not least Kano- the wonder pup! His hugs (this dog knows how to hug) and kisses made my time at Intertwining Medicines even more amazing.
The location is beautiful and the staff at the center were phenomenal, I would happily stay there again. I am already looking forward to more retreats, and am so happy to have found a small and comfortable place to go. Integrity, trust, and compassion. Those are the three words that encompass this retreat. I would also be amiss if I don’t mention authenticity. It is rare to find truly heart full, authentic guides in this space, and all members of the team were exactly that. Authentic to their cores. It was a very welcome breath of fresh air... thank you, all!”
— Ash, USA, Women’s Retreat 2022
“What a transformational experience! Intertwining Medicines provides a small intimate group experience and the team—Lacey, Gemma, Sean and Orfelinda are all exceptionally kind, knowledgeable people who truly want to help. Lacey enfolds you into the community from the moment you sign up and serves as a protective, nurturing presence the entire time. The setting is beautiful, the food is healthy and delicious, and the team members are supportive. There is always help available if needed. This nurturing environment allowed me to go deeper during the ceremonies, instead of holding back out of fear. Orfelinda, our Maestra, is powerful and protective but loving and warm at the same time. She has deep roots in the Shipibo tradition and years of experience but also can connect genuinely with each individual participant. She told us that healing would continue well after the ceremonies, and it surely did for me.
I experienced relief from depression for months afterward, despite major stressful events in my life. An unexpected benefit was an improvement in my balance, which had been problematic since a head injury. The retreat was the equivalent of two years of psychotherapy and physical therapy combined. I had attended an Ayahuasca retreat previously, at a larger upscale center, but Intertwining Medicines is a cut above what you get elsewhere. It gave me the experience I had been seeking to initiate healing.”
— Jamie, USA, Women’s Retreat 2021
“For anyone considering ayahausca, I highly recommend Intertwining Medicines. Lacey creates the most loving, safe, and healing environment for ceremony while also creating a space to learn about the Shipibo culture which adds so much to the experience. She will check in before, during, and after ceremonies to help integrate and process your experience. The people she brings in to work with you during and in-between ceremonies are incredible, and they make it so much deeper. It is such a personal experience filled with so much love, and next time I feel a call from aya, I will absolutely be coming back! Oh and the food is unbelievable, I had no idea ayahausca diet friendly food could be so delicious!”
— Tessa, USA, Women’s Retreat 2021
“Well it was a pleasure to be invited, accepted into and getting the opportunity to be part of Intertwining Medicine’s first workshop. The workshop was well thought out, organized, and planned. The staff were over the top, the workshop definitely exceeded my expectations and then some. And of course so did everyone at the venue. The meals, friendliness, and service were top shelf. It was way more than I expected. I haven’t laughed as hard as I did there in a long time, and yes, laughter is the best medicine, right up there with ayahuasca. The workshop definitely was a reset for me and some much needed healing took place while there.
When I arrived, I was an uptight, stressed out and tattered mess. After recovering from rotater cuff surgery, dealing with the pandemic and my son moving away, I had definitely gotten wrapped around life’s axle. I left Peru with a total different mindset and felt really light and peaceful as I do now. Now I have to take what I learned from the workshop and apply it here at home to keep this mindset. I can’t thank you all ENOUGH!!! How grateful and blessed I am. All of the extra added adventures after leaving the retreat center were icing on the cake as well as the waterfall hike from the retreat center, INCREDIBLE!!! This was a trip and adventure of a lifetime I’ll never forget. I give it a 5 star rating!!!”
— Titus, USA, May Retreat 2021
“I’ve been a guest at a number of ayahuasca retreats over the last few years, including Intertwining Medicines in 2021. This retreat was groundbreaking for me in terms of my healing journey, with some incredibly powerful ceremonies. Working with the medicine in the beautiful mountains and picturesque setting of Sacred Valley is something I’m grateful to have experienced. Lacey and her team were exceptional. As well as facilitating some deep work in a safe and nurturing environment, they also brought a sense of playfulness and fun, which I really appreciated. Sean’s mindfulness sessions were also extremely helpful and helped me make sense of a lot of the things I experienced both in and out of ceremony. My life changed a lot after this retreat - both internally and externally. I felt like I purged years of tension from my body and I decided to move to Peru permanently not long after. I can’t recommend this retreat highly enough.”
— Ward, UK, May Retreat 2021
“I can honestly say this was truly a special retreat for me, all the benefits of the small group, deeper work, stronger connection, support, beautiful retreat center, beautiful nature, mountains, amazing food, many laughs, etc. made it one of the best! The "intertwining" of the medicines is such a nice modern touch to the retreat while still keeping in line with the Shipibo traditions.
The mindfulness and the yoga were amazing tools to prepare for the ceremonies. Sean's mindfulness approach really helped me to to continue my practice and integrate it into everyday life with more simplicity and ease. Lacey's yoga was incredible, lots of variations with asanas, and tailored to the group based on our energy level each day. Our shaman was such a humble and genuine master that put so much work into healing the group. Lacey and her staff are really doing it right with such attention to every little minute detail. I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the work put into the retreat. Muchisimas gracias!”
— Gavin, USA, May Retreat 2021