Friday
4:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Arrival + Check-In
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Dinner
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Opening Session + Ceremony
Activity Level
●●○○○
Group Size
50 max
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Prerequisites
No experience needed
Lake George
Located along the southern Adirondack Mountain region of upstate New York, Lake George is truly a treasure. This 32-mile long body of water has been honored by local indigenous tribes for thousands of years.
Lake George was originally known as Andia-ta-roc-te (“lake that shuts itself in”) by the local native tribes (Mohawk and Onondoga) who lived in the area.
The water is extremely pure and people still drink the water from the lake to this day.
Meet Your
Teacher & Guide
Brant Secunda
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.
Pricing
Tuition + Accommodation options
- Tuition Prices increase May 1st
- Adult • $375
$475 - Child • $187.50
$237.50 - Infant • FREE $0
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 summer season and pray for healing for ourselves and the planet.
Pilgrimage to Lake George
- Learn how to approach places of power in prayer.
- Receive a transmission of power from the lake.
Accommodations
Our all-inclusive packages include lodging and three daily meals, deliciously prepared with nutritious ingredients.
Our Lodge, with breathtaking views of the Silver Bay in Lake George, offers comfortable and modern accommodations. Double rooms, private rooms, or family rooms are available, each with its own bath attached.
Discounted Attendance
Students
Register with a .edu email address and save 10% on all tuition options.
Seniors
If you’re 65 or older, you can save 10% on all tuition options. Simply select the checkbox when registering.
Families
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.
Retreat Itinerary
Program schedule + session details
FAQ + Guide
Tips to ensure a great experience
Where is the program located?
The Retreat is held along the shores of the beautiful Lake George, about a 1.5-hour drive from Albany, New York.
Detailed directions will be provided upon registration.
What are the accommodations?
Our all-inclusive packages include lodging and three daily meals, deliciously prepared with nutritious ingredients.
Our Lodge, with breathtaking views of the Silver Bay in Lake George, offers comfortable and modern accommodations. Double rooms, private rooms, or family rooms are available, each with its own bath attached.
How do I arrange my travel?
By Air
The nearest airports are Albany International Airport (ALB) or Burlington International Airport (BTV). Both are about a 1.5-hour drive from the retreat center. New York City airports are other options as well. It is approximately a 4-hour drive from the Manhattan area.
For assistance with air travel, please contact Peter Silberschatz at Travel Works – toll-free (800) 874-7207 or international +1 (415) 897-4405.
By Train
Two Amtrak trains per day stop in Ticonderoga (20 minutes north of Silver Bay) year-round. One departing from Penn Station in NYC and one arriving at Penn Station in NYC. All trains stop at the Albany/Rensselaer station to travel north to Ticonderoga.
By Bus
Buses from major cities stop south of Silver Bay in Lake George Village and Glens Falls, New York.
Do I need to bring anything?
Here is a list of items to bring:
- Pack layers as the weather can change quickly, and it can get cool at night. You may want to bring a warm sweater/jacket for outdoor exercises and comfortable shoes for walking.
- Bathing suit and towel for swimming in the lake.
- Chair, cushion, or blanket to sit on outside.
- Notepad/Journal (not required).
Additional items will be provided upon registration.
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 program will begin on Friday (August 23, 2024) with check-in opening at 4:00 pm and the first session beginning at 7:30 pm.
The program will conclude with lunch on Sunday (August 25, 2024) at 12:00 pm.
Will the program be live-streamed?
No. This program 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 program?
We greatly encourage everyone to join the workshop 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.
Can children attend?
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.
Have questions?
Schedule a call with us