Activity Level
●●○○○
Group Size
60 max
Duration
3 days / 2 nights
Prerequisites
None
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.
Nico Secunda
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 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.
PRACTICE
Purge yourself of negativity and learn to absorb positive energy from the natural world around you.
COMMUNITY
Share space with a community of like-minded people, unified in striving to better ourselves and empower our world.
NATURE
Study ancient techniques to foster a deeper connection with nature –strengthening your innate relationship with Mother Earth.
DANCE
Celebrate your life and harvest the light of the autumn season through sacred ceremony.
ART
Utilize the vivid colors and symbols of authentic Huichol artwork to hone your personal vision.
SONG
Learn ancient chants to open the heart and shift your consciousness.
Pricing
Tuition + Accommodation options
Tuition
| Ticket type | WORKSHOP |
|---|---|
| Adult | $400 |
| Child | $200 |
| Infant | FREE ($0) |
Tuition Options
Includes 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 Wixárika (Huichol) cosmology and myths.
- Question and answer opportunities.
Dance of the Deer Ceremonies
- Ancient ceremony to honor the light of creation, celebrate the autumn season and pray for healing for ourselves and the planet.
Pilgrimage to the Pacific Ocean
- Learn how to approach places of power in prayer.
- Receive a transmission of power from the ocean.
Accommodations
See below for a list of nearby hotels:
Watsonville, CA
10-15 minute drive to workshop
Aptos, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Accommodation Options
Meals and accommodations are not provided. We ask that you bring your own bagged lunch on Saturday and Sunday. There are no nearby restaurants, so please ensure you come prepared with something to eat. Light refreshments, including coffee and tea, will be provided.
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.
Itinerary
Program schedule + session details
Friday
6:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Arrival + Check-In
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Opening Session + Ceremony
Saturday
10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Morning Session
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm | Afternoon Session
Sunday
10:00 am – 1:00 pm | Morning Session
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Lunch Break
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Afternoon Session & Goodbyes – we prefer to say we’ll see you later!
Travel
Information for your journey
Where is the retreat located?
The workshop is located just south of Santa Cruz at the Pajaro Dunes Conference Center, along the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Detailed location information and directions will be provided upon registration.
By Air
If you plan on flying, the nearest airports are:
- Monterey Regional Airport (approx. 40 min drive)
- San Jose International Airport (approx 1 hour drive)
- San Francisco International Airport (approx. 1.5 hour drive)
Shuttles from the airport are not included and we recommend using a Taxi or renting a car. If you would prefer to arrange for a roundtrip shuttle or sedan service, please contact Early Bird Airport Shuttle at (831) 462-3933.
By Bus + Train
Amtrak: Dunsmuir Amtrack station is located approximately 30 minutes away from the retreat, where you can catch the north or south-bound Coast Starlight passenger train from Los Angeles, CA to Seattle, WA via the San Francisco Bay Area.
Bus: There is a Greyhound Bus service to Weed, CA, which is located about 30 minutes from the retreat.
FAQ + Guide
Tips to ensure a great experience
Where is the program located?
The workshop is held at the Pajaro Dunes Conference Center, just south of Santa Cruz, CA along Monterey Bay.
Detailed directions will be provided upon registration.
What are the accommodations?
This workshop does not include accommodations or meals.
Santa Cruz is a popular destination, so there are plenty of hotels and restaurants to choose from. Here is a short list of recommended accommodations:
Watsonville, CA
10-15 minute drive to workshop
Aptos, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Do I need to bring anything?
Here is a list of items to bring:
- Pack layers as the weather can change quickly. You may want to bring a warm sweater/jacket for outdoor exercises and comfortable shoes for walking on the beach.
- Bagged Lunch for Saturday and Sunday. There are no nearby restaurants.
- Notepad/Journal (not required).
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.
Are there any prerequisites to attend?
No. This workshop 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 workshop will begin on Friday (November 6, 2026) with check-in opening at 6:30 pm and the first session beginning at 7:00 pm.
The program will conclude on Sunday (November 8, 2026) at 4:00 pm.
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 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.
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.