A CURRENT OF PRAYER

TULUM, MEXICO

November 25th-Dec 1st 2024

THE INTERSECTION OF AFRICAN & INDIGENOUS CULTURE OF THE AMERICAS

Join us for a 6 day Afro Indigenous cultural immersion guided by the Orixás and the healing power of ancestral movement. Weaving elements of Capoeira, Afro-Brazilian Dance, Yogic Philosophy, Holistic Movement Exploration and traditional rites and ceremonies of the Huichol and Candomblé traditions; this unique gathering is designed to cultivate presence and connection utilizing dance as a catalyst for profound healing and remembrance.

Explore movement as a current of prayer.

 This unique experience will take place steps from the white sand beaches of Tulum. Featuring master workshops, cultural panels, epic nature excursions, spiritual baths, traditional ceremonies and healing rituals guided by our honored guests of the Huichol tribe and High Priestess Iyalorixá Mainha De Oxum.

GUIDED BY

Candomblé High Priestess Mainha 

Huichol

A Call To Summon

The God Within Us

Through Ancestral Tools & Authentic Expression. 

 

MASTER CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

  • Traditional Brazilian Dances Celebrating The Elemental Deities

    A study of connection, rhythm and the traditional movements and mythology of the Afro-Brazilian archetypes. A tribute to the movement of life. Nature is alive and has consciousness. Each of them comes from an invisible source, which resides in a spiritual kingdom called Orun. The sources of all life are called Orishas or Orixás. Through their dance, the Orishas move the Universe. We humans, descendants and particles of these Gods, come back to the consciousness of our origin and get aligned with our nature by dancing and celebrating them. Through movement, dance, ecstasy, we find the Gods within us and lose ourselves inside the Gods.

  • A Holistic Exploration of Movement

    A deep dive into intentional freestyle and personal liberation; bridging the gap between contemporary club dances and ritual. This master class is designed to guide you through fear, inhibitions and essential keys to awaken your creativity and connection. Utilizing elements of breath work, Yogic Philosophy, play, guided movement meditations, Cypher Rites and ancient foundations of Capoeira and Afro dance this workshop will expand your potential to explore freestyle from a place of intention, remembrance, joy and healing.

  • Capoeira Angola Introduction

    Exploring the yin and yang, the masculine and feminine forces that dance between the spaces and give life to all movement. The ancestral knowledge of Capoeira will be transmitted paying homage to ancestry and at the same time, provoke you to investigate your own creativity, continuity, authenticity and fluidity.

  • Candomblé Theory, Culture and Divination

    In this workshop we will explore essential Candomblé foundations such as rites, ritual, symbology, offerings, herbology, divination, mythology and practical daily application. We will prepare ourselves ultimately for divination and “encostamento” (channeling) to heal from deep ancestral trauma and/or energetic blockages.

  • Indigenous Symbology, Theory, & Culture

    A study of the Wirarika (huichol) Indigenous tradition from the High Sierra Occidental mountains of Mexico. Topics will include mythology, cosmology, offerings and plant wisdom.

  • Dive Deep into the healing sounds of our ancestors. This music workshop will feature traditional songs and Rhythms of Orixas from Candomblé.

MASTER TEACHERS

Candomblé High Priestess Mainha

Salvador, Bahia

Maria de Lourdes Silvestre dos Santos, Yalorixa, was initiated into the Candomblé Religion by her family, inheriting the position of High Priestess  and successor of the hierarchy of the African sacred tradition in Brazil. She has dedicated he life to to preserving the sacred Yoruban traditions through Orixá ritual dancing in the Candomblé religion, as well as in folkloric manifestations such as samba de roda. Her dedication to her community and ancestry has been recognized internationally. She received from the City of Los Angeles, the title of Cultural Ambassador as a preserver of tradition and wisdom of the Sacred. Her connection with the Indigenous and African sacred rites is joyfully expressed through her dancing, singing and telling of folkloric stories inherited from her ancestors. She currently passes everyday life in the sacred space of her Terreiro de Candomblé  in Salvador, Bahia. She has participated in numerous conferences, lectures and classes at universities and studios in several cities in the United States and Brazil and is honored to be part of the IXA experience to guide and heal us with her infinite knowledge.

Manuela De La Cruz Huichol 

San Andres Cohamiata, Mexico

Manuela originally from San Andres Cohamiata, municipality of Mezquitic Jalisco, of the Wixarika (Huichol) people will share the traditional Wixarika medicine of Peyote (Jicuri). Manuela has dedicated her life to serve her clan and holds many responsibilities in her community. She was the first woman of her family to become a Marakame; a healer in the tradition of her people. A singer, seed collector, justice, guardian of the ceremonial centers and leader of the Medicine carriers and healers, Manuela is a a powerful leader of her community..

Amy Secada

New York City, USA

One of the leading holistic dance educators in the world presenting workshops and performances in over 20 countries. Secada is a daughter of the Monacan Indian Nation, known for her breathtaking fusion of Urban, Contemporary, African Dance and Capoeira. Dedicated to the evolution of dance through the revival and remembrance of intention, ritual and ancestral movement, her teaching methodology explores the physical, mental, spiritual and energetic elements of the intrinsic dance experience. Secada has performed with artists such as Madonna, Wyclef, Fergie and choreographed for America's Best Dance Crew. Secada currently lives in Brazil continuing to dedicate her life to keeping the sacred ritual of dance alive, transcendent and evolving.

Mário de Odė

São Paulo, Brazil

Mario was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil. He traveled to the USA as a professional dancer in the 80’s with famed contemporary choreographer Pina Bausch. He fell in love with NYC and decided to remain to share his Afro Brazilian culture. He has performed and choreographed for countless artists including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Bebel Gilberto and more. Today he travels the world teaching Afro Brazilian Dance and Capoeira. In 2016 he was awarded the legendary title of Contra Mestre of Capoeira under the lineage of Mestre Joao Grande in NYC.

REVIEWS

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT VALID UNTIL

AUGUST 15th 2024

Payment Plans Available Please Inquire

The Huichol

The Huichol people are a small indigenous tribe living in the high mountains and rugged terrain in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. The Huichol call themselves Wirarika- the Healing People. To them, all of life is sacred, nothing is taken for granted. Their commitment to this perspective and way of life has helped them survive and in many ways thrive for thousands of years despite modern pressures. Their lifestyle practices includes their visionary artwork, healing traditions, tribal structure, ceremonies and pilgrimages throughout the year that feed their relationship with all of life.

Huichol life is a continuous cycle of ritual and devotional practices that help them stay connected with the divine forces or beings that watch over them, their families, communities and the rest of the world. Their practices are for the greater good of all.

Their growing of food, artwork, pilgrimages, ceremonies, songs and healing work feed the relationship with their extended Divine family: Grandfather Fire (Tatewari), Brother deer who sang the world into being (Kayumari), Grandmother Growth (Takutsi Nakawe), Mother earth (Yurienaka), Father Sun (Tau), Grandmother Ocean, (Tateiharamara) and others.

Corn is life for the Huichol. So, the yearly cycle of preparing the fields, planting, growing, and harvesting the corn in what most would considered inhospitable terrain is surrounded by gratitude, ritual and ceremony, as is all of Huichol life.

“The sources of all life are called Orixas. Through their dance, the Orixas move the Universe. We humans, descendants and particles of these Gods, come back to the consciousness of our origin and get aligned with our nature by dancing and celebrating them. Through movement, dance, ecstasy, we find the Gods within us and lose ourselves inside the Gods.”
— Jahlyn Karuna

 LOCATION

 

TULUM, MEXICO

Tulum is known for its crystal clear turquoise water, white sand beaches, well-preserved Mayan ruins, natural cenotes, gorgeous lagoons and lush jungles,

Nourish your soul. Heal your body. Free your mind.

ECO VILLA TULILI Tulili is a private eco-villa submerged in over one hectare of private lush jungle located next to some of the most famous cenotes in the world, roughly 15 minutes drive from Tulum and a short 15 minute walk from some of the most beautiful cenotes in the region- cenotes Dos Ojos and Taak-Bi-Ha

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY RETREAT PACKAGE?

  • Access to all Master Classes, Workshops and Group Activities

  • Shared Eco Vila Accommodations (private eco vila available by request)

  • 3 x Daily Farm to Table Meals

  • Nature Immersions to Private Beaches & Cenotes

  • Transportation to all extracurricular activities outside of Retreat Center

  • Candomblé Spiritual Baths + Libations

  • Cultural Lectures, Rites & Peyote Ceremony w/ Huichol peoples.

  • Group Shuttle transportation from Cancun Airport to Retreat Center

* AIRBNB OR OTHER OFF SITE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE ACCEPTABLE, BUT NOT ENCOURAGED.***

EXTRA EXPERIENCES & ACTIVITIES

In addition to all event activities you will be able to experience diverse additional activities offered by the local community.

  • Buzios/Shell Life Reading w/ Mainha De Oxum (donation based)

  • Integrative Counseling

  • Local Artesian Markets & Dance Parties

  • Access to Indigenous Crafts sold by Indigenous peoples/directly from original artists

  • Holistic Therapies: Massages & Aromatherapy available upon request

RETREAT DEETS

HOW TO GET THERE You will need to arrive to either Cancun Airport (CUN) or Tulum airport (TQO). Cancun airport is a 1.5 hour drive from our Retreat Location and Tulum airport is a 45 minutes drive. Airport transportation will be available on Nov 26th and also on December 1st for no extra cost. If you wish to arrive at another date or time we will be happy to assist you by arranging your transportation for you for an additional cost.

ACCOMMODATIONS Eco-luxury Vila will be shared with another participant of same gender. For an upgrade to private accommodations, please inquire.

FOOD 3 daily farm to table meals are included with your retreat package. Vegan/Veg friendly options available at no additional cost.

TRANSPORTATION iXã will provide group transportation to and from Cancun airport as well as all external group activities. Car rental is also available at all airports if you prefer more freedom.

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT VALID UNTIL AUGUST 15TH 2024

Full 6 Day Workshop Access + 3x Meals Daily + Shared Accommodations $2.500 USD

Snuggle Buddy Discount (Shared Double Bed) $2.200 USD

Private Master Suite w/ King Bed 4.000 USD (Snuggle Discount $3.444USD)

ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE PRICE AFTER AUGUST 15TH

Full 6 Day Workshop Access + 3x Meals Daily + Shared Accommodations $3.000 USD

Snuggle Buddy Discount (Shared Double Bed) $2.500 USD

Private Master Suite w/ King Bed 5.000 USD (Snuggle Discount $4.444USD)

OFF SITE EVENT PACKAGE

Full 6 Day Workshop Intensive Access + 2x Meals Daily $1.300 USD

 

NO FEE PAYMENT PLAN AVAILABLE

NO FEE. 6x Monthly Payments. All payments are Non-refundable. Transferable. Please inquire to arrange Amysecada@gmail.com

Accepted Payment Options

Zelle | Paypal (5% transfer fee) | Wire Transfer | Wise | Cashapp | Venmo

SPONSOR A BEAUTIFUL SOUL

If you would like to be an official sponsor for our scholarship program please inquire for further details and tax deduction options through our USA based non-profit Maloca Cultural Foundation Inc.

Work Trade | Scholarships

  • On site work trade is available for BIPOC Spanish speakers only. Please inquire.

  • Limited scholarships are reserved for Mexican citizens ONLY.

  • Off site work trade is available for all nationalities in trades such as Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Grant Researchers, Social Media Advertising Specialist and more.

REGISTRATION FORM

 

For Questions Please Use This Form Or Contact AmySecada@gmail.com