Connect with the 4 Directions
Purge yourself of negativity and learn to absorb positive energy from the powers of the cardinal directions.
Activity Level
●●○○○
Group Size
40-50 max
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Prerequisites
No experience needed
Experience & Learn
Pricing
Tuition + Accommodation options
- Tuition Price
- Standard Tuition • $369
Tuition Options
include program instruction and materials
Morning, Afternoon, and Evening Sessions
- Tribal songs, chants, drumming & rattling.
- Journeying exercises working with the 4 directions.
- Meditation practices to connect with the elemental powers.
- Lecture & discussion including Huichol cosmology and myths.
- Question and answer opportunities.
Dance of the Deer Ceremonies
- Ancient ceremony to honor the light of creation, celebrate the spring season, and pray for healing for ourselves and the planet.
Pilgrimage on the Beautiful Kripalu Campus
- Learn how to approach places of power in prayer.
- Receive a transmission of power from the land.
Accommodations
The all-inclusive packages at Kripalu include lodging and three daily meals, deliciously prepared with nutritious ingredients that are local and organic. You will also have access to the retreat grounds + amenities, with more than 100 acres of hiking trails, walking paths, a private lakefront area, and indoor amenities including the beloved Kripalu Shop.
The simple, yet peaceful lodgings are designed for you to step away from your busy life and unwind. Private and shared rooms are available. View Accommodation Options ➜
Retreat Itinerary
Program schedule + session details
FAQ + Guide
Tips to ensure a great retreat experience
Where is the retreat located?
For 50 years, the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health has been a leader in yoga and mindfulness-based education. Located 2.5 hours north of New York City and west of Boston in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, Kripalu is the largest retreat center in North America. Their campus sits on more than 100 acres on the traditional, unceded Mohican territory of the Stockbridge-Munsee band of Mohicans.
How do I arrange my travel?
We do not provide transportation to and from the workshop.
If you plan on flying, the nearest airport is Albany Airport (code: ALB) approximately a 1-hour drive from Kripalu. Bradley International is an alternative option (code: BDL) and is approximately a 1.5-hour drive. For assistance with air travel, please contact Peter Silberschatz at Travel Works – toll-free (800) 874-7207 or international +1 (415) 897-4405
Amtrak offers one train daily from Boston, Albany, and Springfield, arriving in Pittsfield (nine miles from Kripalu). Metro North provides service daily from Manhattan to Wassaic, New York.
Are you taking any COVID-19 precautions?
Absolutely! The health and safety of everyone is our highest priority. We are closely monitoring local and international healthcare recommendations and updating our protocols accordingly. We’ll be sending updated information to all registrants ahead of the program.
Read more about what we’re doing to keep our programs safe ➜
What are the accommodations?
There are a variety of lodging options at Kripalu. View Accommodation Options ➜
All meals are included (Friday dinner – Sunday lunch). The all-inclusive package at Kripalu includes three daily meals, deliciously prepared with nutritious ingredients and the freshest foods that are local, seasonal, and organic.
Do I need to bring anything?
Here is a list of items to bring:
- A cushion or blanket to sit on if you prefer sitting on the ground. Chairs will be available
- Pack layers as the weather can change quickly. This can include a warm sweater/jacket for outdoor exercises
- Comfortable shoes for walking
- Personal toiletries
- Flashlight
- Anything special you would like to have blessed on the ceremonial altar
- Notepad/Journal (not required)
Are there any prerequisites to attend?
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.
When does the program start and end?
The retreat will begin on Friday (May 17, 2024) with check-in from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, dinner at 5:45 pm and an opening session at 7:30 pm.
The program will conclude on Sunday (May 19, 2024) at 1:30 pm with lunch following a closing session.
Will the program be live-streamed?
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.
Do I need to attend the entire retreat?
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.
Will plant medicine be offered?
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.
Will I become a shaman by attending this program?
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.
Brant Secunda
Shaman • Healer • Ceremonial Leader
Brant Secunda will lead this program and with his direct and humorous teaching style, transmitting the simple, yet profound teachings of shamanism.
Since completing an arduous 12-year apprenticeship with Don José Matsuwa, the renowned Huichol shaman, Brant has traveled the globe, sharing the ancient wisdom of the Huichol culture. His teachings and healings have helped thousands of people over the past 40 years.
Have questions?
Schedule a call with us
What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is a way of honoring nature. Practiced in various forms around the world by different indigenous tribes, the methods of shamanism are diverse; however, they are unified in their inherent basis in the natural world.
Huichol Tribe
The Huichol (Wixaritari) are a small indigenous tribe of approximately 35,000, living in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. They are considered one of the last cultures in North America to have maintained their pre-Columbian traditions to this day.
Shamanic Healing
Inherent to the spiritual traditions of shamanism is the art of healing. Although our programs do not aim to teach people to heal or become shamans, they most definitely provide the tools for personal healing and transformation.