Spiritual Cleansing
Purge yourself of negativity and learn to absorb positive energy from the natural world around you.
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60 max
5 days / 4 nights
No experience needed
Crete is a place of healing, a place to nourish the body and replenish the soul. The tranquility of the island helps to clear the mind and the power of its sacred mountains and gorges fills the spirit with energy. Our annual retreat on Crete provides an opportunity to bring ancient wisdom into your modern life. Through daily shamanic practice we strengthen our spiritual connection to nature.
“We have to realize that everything outside of us is also within us. We are the flowers, the trees, the earth, the fire, the sacred waters. We are not only a part of our environment, but a mirror of it as well.”
– Brant Secunda
Join us for a life-changing experience that can empower your life forever. Journey to this cradle of modern civilization to tap into the healing energy of the sea and learn to integrate your body, heart, and spirit to help guide you on your path forward.
Meet Your
Brant Secunda is an internationally acclaimed shaman, healer, and teacher in the indigenous Huichol tradition of Mexico. During an intensive 12-year apprenticeship, Brant became the adopted grandson and close companion of Don José Matsuwa, the renowned shaman who passed away in 1990 at the age of 110. Brant was chosen by Don José to take his place in helping to carry on Huichol Shamanism.
Recognized as a global thought leader and spiritual teacher, Brant has been a lecturer at the Mayo Clinic, the American Holistic Medical Association Conferences, and a faculty member of the Five Branches Institute of Chinese Medicine. He also co-founded the Humanistic Medicine Conference with the World Health Organization, the Peace University in Berlin, and is a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild.
Striving to bridge the worlds of fitness and spirituality, Brant co-authored the award-winning book Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You.
Nico Secunda has been steeped in the indigenous Huichol tradition and shamanic practices since birth. He completed an intensive shamanic apprenticeship with his father (Brant Secunda) at twenty-one years of age and underwent the rare transmission of power ceremony to become a Mara-Akame (Huichol Shaman) in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico.
He is the Managing Director of the Dance of the Deer Foundation – Center for Shamanic Studies. Nico is also the Co-Founder of the Huichol Foundation, which provides economic and cultural support to the indigenous Huichol people of Mexico.
As of member of the Provost Advisory Council at the University of California at Santa Cruz, Nico utilized his unique perspectives to help guide the long-term vision of the college with an aim of supporting a balance of environmental sustainability, modern technology, and community diversity.
Nico holds a 4th Dan (degree) black belt in Aikido and is a regular instructor at Aikido of Santa Cruz. As a close student of Motomichi Anno Shihan (8th Dan), Nico has journeyed to Japan many times to deepen his practice and connection with the roots of Aikido. He is also a member of the Aikido for Tomorrow initiative, striving to support future generations of Aikido practitioners around the globe.
As a child of both the modern world and the ancient Huichol culture, Nico has walked a unique path, bridging the new and old worlds. Because of this, he offers a very relatable approach for people striving to integrate spiritual practices into their daily lives and unify various aspects of the self.
Tuition + Accommodation options
Double occupancy shared bedroom with private bath. Price is per/person.
Private bedroom with private bath. Price is per/person.
include program instruction and materials
Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions
Dance of the Deer Ceremonies
Pilgrimage to the Mediterranean Sea
all options include the following
Selected lodging option at traditional Cretan Taverna
Meals are not included.
Each meal can be purchased individually during the retreat.
Register with a .edu email address and save 10% on all tuition options.
If you’re 65 or older, you can save 10% on all tuition options. Simply select the checkbox when registering.
We love having families at our programs and strive to bring all ages into the sacred circle. Children 4-17 receive a 50% discount on all tuition options and infants (under the age of 4) are FREE.
Families of four or more receive 10% off each adult attendee.
Program schedule + session details
Tips to ensure a great retreat experience
The retreat will be held on the south coast of Crete, Greece. We stay in family-owned Tavenrnas (traditional Greek inns) in a small village at the end of the road. The exact location of the retreat will be provided upon registration.
The primary airport in Crete is Heraklion International Airport (HER), which offers connecting flights through major EU airports. Chania International Airport (CHQ) is another option, though there are fewer daily flights. Both airports are approx. 1 hr 45min drive to the village where our retreat is held. For assistance with air travel, please contact Peter Silberschatz at Travel Works – toll-free (800) 874-7207 or international +1 (415) 897-4405
Shuttles from the airport are not included and we recommend using a Taxi or renting a car.
Participants stay at a number of “Tavernas,” or small family-owned hotels. Each Taverna has beautiful rooms near the coast.
Meals are not included.
Each meal can be purchased individually during the retreat.
Everyone will dine together at the different Tavernas each meal. Experience mouth-watering dishes that exemplify the renowned Mediterranean diet, accompanied by local foods such as fresh fish, wild vegetables, and family-grown olives.
Here is a list of items to bring:
No. This retreat is open to anyone, whether you are looking to take the first step on the shamanic path or if you’ve been studying with Brant for decades.
The retreat will begin on Wednesday (April 10, 2024) with check-in from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm, followed by dinner at 7:30 pm and an opening session at 8:00 pm.
The program will conclude on Sunday (April 14, 2024), which is solely a departure day. You must be checked out by 10:00 am following breakfast.
No. This retreat will only be available for those attending in person. If you’re interested in joining a virtual program online, please take a look at our schedule of upcoming programs.
We greatly encourage everyone to join the retreat for the full time in order to gain the complete experience of the teachings and practices, while also helping maintain the energy of the collective group.
No, this program does not include any type of plant medicine. Although this is indeed an integral part of shamanic traditions, this program will focus on the use of drumming, rattling, chanting, and dance to achieve similar altered states of consciousness.
No, our programs do not provide any type of certification and are not designed to teach people to become shamans, as this requires years of complete dedication through a traditional shamanic apprenticeship. Instead, this retreat provides an opportunity to practice shamanism, learn the ancient exercises for spiritual developemnt, and celebrate life in sacred ceremony and ritual.
The practices of shamanism are ones that can be integrated into your everyday routine in order to empower yourself, your community, and all that lives on Mother Earth.
Yes, we welcome families and children at all our programs and love having all ages included in our circle. We offer a 50% discount for children ages 4-17 and infants under the age of 4 join free of charge.
Children (anyone under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Schedule a call with us
The island is filled with ancient history dating back thousands of years. Gain a unique sense of timelessness as you journey to places of power throughout the southern coastline. Each mountain, each cliff, each valley has a spiritual essence. Through traditional Huichol pilgrimage, we strive to tap into that natural energy to empower both ourselves and the place.
The crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean provide a template for our soul. Through daily practices of purification and spiritual cleansing, we work to find manya-tuku (crystal clarity).
The warm waters of this land caress the soul and the sound of gentle waves purifies the mind. Throughout the retreat, you will discover ways in which to mirror the beauty of the sacred waters.
The feminine power of the island is rooted in its inherent connection to the turquoise waters that surround her. Sandy beaches and hidden coves link land and sea, creating a harmony and balance deeply engrained in the landscape. The tranquility of the gentle waves and the warm water provide a relaxing environment in which to connect the outer world with your inner world.
This retreat provides an opportunity to practice ancient indigenous practices in a community of like-minded individuals. Together we will sing traditional chants, journey on sacred pilgrimages, enjoy delicious meals, and purify our souls in the spectacular waters of the Cretan coast.
We honor the natural times of power throughout each day. Walk along the beach at sunrise, chant to the mid-day sun, and end the day by honoring the Sakaimoka (the spirit of the setting sun).
Held sacred for thousands of years, the land is alive, infused with the energy of ancient gods and goddesses.
The Dance of the Deer Foundation’s Cretan Center is surrounded by the turquoise blue of the sea and has an incredible view of the island’s tallest snow-capped peaks. The Center overlooks the cove of the Sacred Healing Water Beach and is the perfect environment for healing through shamanic practice.
Explore ancient indigenous wisdom and practices employed for millennia to bring greater harmony to your life and the world.
Celebrate the transformative energy Crete by tapping into the life-force of Mother Earth. Discover how the art of pilgrimage can help you honor and internalize the power of Nature.
Learn to journey into the Nerika, the mystical doorway of the heart that connects each of us with all of creation.
Experience a retreat that focuses on the shamanic traditions of the Huichol tribe through a mix of lectures, experiential learning, and guided group practices.
Join us for an unforgettable experience that can help inspire you. Walk on the path of shamanism and discover your true nature as a sacred being connected to all of creation.