Rick Broniec, M.ED. is an author, speaker, Men’s Coach, and skilled workshop facilitator. He has been a leader of men’s trainings with the ManKind Project (MKP.org) since 1990. Rick has facilitated men’s personal growth workshops in fourteen countries on six continents for many thousands of men, which gives him a unique window into the healing needs of men. Rick has also been deeply involved in Leadership and Multicultural work for MKP and several other organizations as well.

Rick is an Amazon bestseller author of The Seven Generations Story: An Incentive to Heal Yourself, Your Family and the Planet (2015) and a Passionate Life: & Steps for Reclaiming Your Passion, Purpose and Joy (2011). Both Books are available on Amazon, Kindle and audio books.

Rick’s third book focuses on men’s healing work and was co-authored with dear friend Leonard Szymczak. This book, Power Tools for Men: A Blueprint for Healthy Masculinity, was published in May 2023 and became an instant Amazon Best Seller. You can find out much more info about Rick’s Men’s Work at: www.PowerToolsForMen.org and discover Rick’s Multicultural Awareness and Leadership Training work at: www.WisdomWindfall.com

Curandeiros

Maru was born in Brazil and is part of the Inca and Huni Kuin Tribes, and has been a Shaman since the age of seven. Both his grandfather and father have been Shaman’s for most of their lives and are renowned for studying and understanding how to use thousands of medicines native only to the Amazon forest.

Maru lived in the US for 16 years conducting ceremonies with non-native groups. He returned to Brazil in 2022 where he spent a year and a half living in the jungle practicing what he preaches by living on a very restricted diet and in solace with Mother Earth. There he had a vision on Ayahuasca telling him to return to the city to continue to spread this gift to others. By serendipity he was introduced to Mara (and MaraVilha). They both immediately felt a connection and knew this would be the place to continue his teachings. Maru is also a leader in the Yuxibu Alliance.

Maru is a devout Christian and feels that plant medicine is but a door that can be opened to the love of Christ. His teachings and treatments have been proven to help all in need with physical, emotional, mental and above all else spiritual ailments.  Proficient in Portuguese, Spanish and some English, he is also a gifted musician and plays guitar and sings in beautiful indigenous and Portuguese languages before and during ceremonies.

Instructor & Co-Founder

Mara is a certified masseuse, yoga instructor, personal trainer, and level-4 Reiki master.

She was raised just outside of Rio De Janeiro and lived there until she was 32 at which point she moved to Southern California. Her early years were fraught with dysfunction, perhaps the reason she became a healer. Mara has been working with private clients for the past 20 years providing somatic body work, massage, breathwork, and sound-bowl healing treatments.

Mother of three wonderful children, Mara is also a four-time IFBB champion and speaks Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

Plant Medicine Facilitator

Born in France in 1980 to a French father and a Brazilian mother from the interior of Minas Gerais, Julien grew up in Brazil from 1982, five years in Rio de Janeiro until 1988, then 10 years in Minas BH until 1998. Julien has been on the ayahuasca journey for a year and a half, with about 20 ceremonies already. He has achieved level 3 Magnetism and the quantum level of magnetism, level 2 Reiki, and is a deksha donor, trained in opening Akashic records.

He is also a follower of the art of fasting, having practiced a 9-week phase of intermittent fasting with only fruits, vegetables, water, honey and tea. Fluent in French, English and Portuguese Julien is also our resident percussionist during ceremony.

Curandeiros

Founder and Advisor of the Unijaya Ayahuasca Búzios Portal, Holistic Therapist, Entheogenic Therapist, Facilitator of Ceremonies with Power Plants. Idealizer of Ayatherapy - Soul Therapy (Ayahuasca herbal and holotropic microdosage). Creator of Alchemy of the Soul therapy, therapeutic listening service with microdose of Ayahuasca, Rapé and Oracles. Idealizer of Shamanic Blow Therapy, cathartic therapy with the use of Rapé medicine. Reikiano Usui Method.

Started in Deeksha by Abhishek Ji, under the blessings of his Gurudeva Atma Nambhi. Meditator Started in the Vipassana Dhamma Shanti RJ, in the Sayagyi U Ba Khin tradition, taught and transmitted by S. N. Goenka. Therapist Dorn Method, Initiated by João Devulsky (Pajé Shametu). Universalist Composer and Prayer. Started in the Arca da Montanha Azul Holistic Circle, Rio De Janeiro. Devoted Vaishnava (Hare Krishna), started in Sri Gauravani Gaudiya Matha by the Indian Sadhu Srila Vana Maharaja, under the blessings of his Gurudeva, Srila Bhaktivedanta Narayana Gosvami Maharaja.

Our Curandeiros and experienced facilitators ensure a personalized container with their deep-rooted knowledge of ayahuasca traditions. They are adept at establishing a safe environment that is conducive to profound healing and consciousness expansion. We incorporate one-on-one integration sessions into the retreat schedule to assist you in processing and making sense of your experiences in a secure setting.

Held by expansive ocean views, our retreat facility provides a restful and revitalizing setting that amplifies your retreat experience. The soothing atmosphere allows the time and space to commune with both the natural world and yourself. Our picturesque location is ideal for contemplative walks, oceanside hikes, and quiet times of introspection and contemplation.

Our wellness services at Maravilha Retreat Center are designed to complement and support your ayahuasca experience. Our wellness services include therapeutic massages, sauna and cold plunge, yoga classes, and meditation sessions to prepare your body and mind for ceremony and help integrate your experience.