Dona Flordemayo is a Mayan elder born in a small village on the Nicaragua-Honduras border. Flordemayo's father was a local shaman, and her mother was a midwife and healer. As her children grew, Flordemayo began to work as a healer/curandera. Flordemayo is a sundancer who considers her Mayan heritage a keystone of her work. She studies under Don Alejandro Oxlaj, a leader of the Mayan Council of Elders, who convened the first Gathering of Indigenous Priests and Elders of America in1994. Learn more about the Grandmothers Council at www.Grandmotherscouncil.com.

Join The Practical Shaman, Renee Baribeau, for the “Renovate Your Heart Journey To Peru” this fall. Explore the magic of Peru, on this life-changing experience, where you will come back into balance in your body, mind and spirit. This is the spring or dry season in Peru. The trip will include a four-day hiking exploration to Machu Picchu. We will spend the beginning of the trip becoming acclimated to the elevation by touring the colorful and ancient city of Cuzco and the Sacred Valley . On day four we will begin our journey accompanied by guides, porters and pack mules as we begin our ascent along the lush terrain of the mountain. We will travel by foot to Machu Picchu by way of Salkantay – one of the sacred majestic and holy moutains in the region which has been referred to as the Untamed Feminine. After arriving at our destination, we will relax and rejuvenate at the Luxurious Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel, located adjacent to the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. Our small group (limited to ten) will visit various temples, sacred sites, and meet with weavers and other local artisans. You will have the opportunity to participate in a traditional Despacho Ceremony with local Medicine People. ABOUT YOUR TOUR GUIDE Renee has hiked several peaks in Peru including Salkantay, Ausungate, Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu. She has integrated the rites of passage given to her by the local Quero Indians into practical everyday tools for living. Her authentic love and familiarity for these mountains and people will help you acclimate and immerse yourself easily into the flow of this heart-warming community and culture. Along the way, she will be working with the group to open your vision and your hearts. She will encourage you to integrate this experience into your every day life. You will leave Peru with a new vision and an awakened heart. DATES: SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 10, 2010 Day 01: AM: Grops meets in Cuzco. Time to adjust to the altitude. PM: Walking City Tour. Overnight in Cusco Day 02: Ollantaytambo and Weavers. Overnight at Willka T’ika or Similar Day 03: Pisac Temple and Market. Overnight at Willka T’ika or Similar Day 04: Salkantay Trek: To Soraypampa. Overnight Camp Day 05: Soraypampa / Rayan-Niyoc Or Chaullay. Overnight Camp Day 06: Rayan-Niyoc Or Chaullay / La Playa. Overnight Camp Day 07: La Playa / Aguas Calientes. Overnight The Sanctuary Lodge Day 08: AM: Visit Machu Picchu. PM: Hiram Bingham train to Ollantaytambo Overnight in Cusco Day 9: AM: Altars: Sacsayhuaman, Tambomachay, Qenko, Puca Pucara. PM: Free. Overnight in Cusco Day 10: Fly to Lima to connect with your international flight home. Price Per Person In Us Dollars For The 10 Day / 9Night Program: Priced using 3 Star Hotels In Cusco, Willka T’ika and one night at Sanctuary Lodge Double Occupancy: $3700. Single Supplement: Add: $880.00 Deposit: $1400. By July 1, to reserve hotels. Price Includes: What is mentioned in the program above, transfer on the day of arrival and departure to hotel in Cuzco 4 star hotels for 7 nights, including Willka T’ika, 3 nights camping in tents, full board during the trek journey Horses to carry 22 pounds per passenger, cooks, tents, 1 Day Entrance fee to Machu Picchu plus the bus up/down, Entrance fees to archaeological sites, Ground Transportation Hiram Bingham Luxury Train to Ollantaytambo

Twenty-minute Guided Journey Meditation back to your own Sacred Garden. In this healing meditation you will be guided by the beat of the drum into your own inner domain. As you step inside your garden you can make lasting changes in your everyday life. Recorded by Renee Baribeau, The Practical Shaman. There is an introduction and also a bonus 20 minute drumming.

Advance Order Copies to help support Renee's work. Buy 1 or 50. Will ship by November 30, 2010.

Book Description: My book, My Life and Other Recipes, weaves my personal journey from childhood, to cooking school, to owning my first restaurant, being swallowed alive by corporate America, and coming back out again into the world of healing myself and others. It is the story of how I was able to mix ingredients like neglect and abuse during childhood, the craziness of growing up with addiction, then living with it myself, and the rituals of various spiritual traditions into a stew that has become a bountiful feast to nourish me and others as well.

When I was twenty years old, I discovered quite by accident that I was a natural cook and that my destiny was unraveling towards a career in food and entertaining others. Cooking was a double-edged sword in my life and, while I believe whole-heartedly it saved me from an early death with drugs and alcohol, it became the sole determination of my self-worth for years.

This book is a self-help memoir that will make you laugh, cry, and, I hope, get you to look at your own stories: the myths that have created your favorite recipes for living. As you read this story, you will see that the healing which can take place in your life and the life of others united by food is monumental. Each episode begins with a ritual, followed by a story, and then a recipe. The recipes are included because I believe that only by coming once again to our tables will we bridge the isolation of our current lifestyle.

In the pages of My Life and Recipes, you will share my journey toward wholeness. Our feasts may have different ingredients, but the human struggle toward wholeness is the same. Please enjoy the delicacies of my stories and my food and feel free to insert your own ingredients. Cook these dishes with your family and friends and share your stories. It truly is the path of our own unique gifts and souls.

Visit The Shaman Chef to see more videos and to get recipes >

 

"Virtual Dolphin Therapy had a profound effect on making me realize how "fast" I was moving. I have experienced them in real life by actually swimming with them. Virtual Dolphin Therapy brought me back their gentle, playful nature." "I also laughed and smiled and wanted to reach out and pet them. It also made me realize how "conscious" they are of each other. They swim close yet allow distance. I almost fell asleep, I was so relaxed. Thank you for this experience." Sonia Bradford