MARCH 2026 DATES TBA

Serra Grande, Bahia

GUIDED BY

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

Join us for a 7 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, Ritual, Holistic Movement Exploration, and Ceremony; this unique gathering is designed to celebrate our Mother Earth and the alliance of Afro Indigenous peoples.

 Explore movement as a current of prayer.

This once in a life time experience will take place where the river meets the sea, steps from the lush jungle beaches of Serra Grande, Bahia, Brazil. Featuring master dance classes, cultural panels, epic nature excursions, traditional aura cleansing baths, plant medicine ceremonies and healing rituals guided by our honored guests of the Huni Kuin tribe and Yalorixá High Priestess Mainha De Oxum. It’s time to get vulnerable, learn, unlearn and connect with Mother Earth.

MASTER CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

iXã is a call to summon the God within us through ancestral tools & authentic expression. 

LOCATION

Serra Grande, Bahia is a world that exists in itself – in a magical and unique dimension. The place where the sky touches the earth, a meeting point between the ocean and river waters. A pristine tropical hideaway edged by secluded beaches and lush rainforest, Serra Grande is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and waterfalls in Brazil. Just an hour drive from the city of Ilhéus, nestled on Bahia’s Cacao Coast.

“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

KENEWMA YAWANAWA

Acre, Brazil, Mutum Village

A Visionary Female Leader & Daughter of first female Chief of Mutum. Kenewma Yawanawa’s lineage runs deep, weaving seven Amazonian tribes, four of which don’t exist anymore. Her mission is to call upon the wisdom of the forest and connect all peoples to the force of the Amazon. She is an advocate for female leadership and continues to receive guidance from her mother, Neiweni (Chief of Mutum).

“My mother was the first woman to lead our people. That duty is a gift that comes from God. You become father and mother of your people. My aunt was the first woman pajé (spiritual leader) of my village and my youngest aunt was the first to leave our village to study and graduate university. It always was a burden to carry so much family expectations and responsibilities, Mainly as a teenager. Somehow, I had the duty to take on all of all the things the women in my family had achieved. I only began to understand it as a blessing when I was initiated as a pajé”

Rosangela Silvestre

Internationally renowned for her “Silvestre Technique” that has redefined the boundaries of Afro Orixã dance. A graduate of the Federal University of Bahia, she has been a core pilar of the evolution and fusion of Afro-Brazilian and Modern dance since the late 70’s. She has initial training in classical Ballet as well as Modern dance in the Horton and Graham techniques. She has set choreography on Brazil’s lauded company, Balé Folclórico da Bahia, as well as Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company, Ballet Hispanico Repertory Company, American Academy of Ballet, Roots of Brazil, DanceBrazil, Viver Brasil, Muntu Dance Theater, and the Kendra Kimbrough Dance Ensemble. Silvestre is based in Salvador, Bahia and the U.S. and conducts dance training programs in the Silvestre Technique internationally.

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.

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.

Biruani Siriani Huni Kuin

Aldeia Novo Futuro, Acre , Brazil

Biruani Siriani will guide us through various traditional Huni Kuin ceremonies, spiritual cleansing rituals and cultural lectures from a rare feminine perspective. A true power house of a woman with a passion, voice and energy that will shake your soul. The niece of Chief Ninawa Pai Da Mata, Biruani is a respected leader and medicine woman of her clan. She has traveled the world sharing her culture, rituals and traditions. It is a true honor to share this intimate and up close experience with her and her family.

Mestre 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 coveted title of Mestre of Capoeira by the legendary Mestre Joao Grande.

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE

Payment Plans Available Please Inquire

REVIEWS

RETREAT DETAILS

AIRPORT The nearest airport is Ilheus/Bahia-Jorge Amado Airport. AIRPORT SHUTTLE WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTES FLYING INTO IOS AIRPORT. If you chose to fly into Salvador (SSA) there will be an extra charge for shuttle services.

ACCOMMODATIONS For comfort and tranquility all rooms include linens, bath towels, mosquito net, hot water, WiFi balconies and hammocks. All rooms are beach front surrounded by lush tropical nature and designed with low environmental impact in mind. Unless private accommodations are requested, your bungalow will be shared with another participant of same gender. There will be an extra fee for private accommodations, please inquire.

FOOD 3 daily farm to table vegan friendly meals are included with your retreat package.

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

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN MY RETREAT PACKAGE?

• Access to all workshops and group activities

• Shared Beach Front Bungalow Accommodations (private bungalow available by request only)

• 3 x Daily Farm to Table Meals

• Nature immersions to private beaches and waterfalls

• Transportation to all extracurricular activities outside of Retreat Center

• Candomblé Energetic Cleansing Herbal Baths

• Rapé Circle, Lectures and Ceremonies Lead by Huni Kuin & Yawanawa Indigenous peoples

• Group Shuttle Bus transportation from IOS Airport to Retreat Center (from SSA airport is extra fee, please inquire)

• Introduction to local Afro Indigenous herbalism

* 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/offerings by our Guides.

• Integrative Counseling

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

• Local Artesian Markets

• Afro Brazilian Samba/ House Dance Parties

• Access to Indigenous Crafts sold directly by Indigenous peoples and/or from original Indigenous Artists

• Holistic Therapies: Massages & Aromatherapy available upon request

• Intimate 1x1 Healing Session with the Huni Kuin and/or High Priestess

• Personalize Yoruban Offerings Guidance