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.

Cacao Facilitator

Bianca was born in Cabo Frio, on the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Capricorn with Pisces ascendant, 31 years old, daughter of the waters, Guardian of the Mineral Kingdom and Medicinal Cocoa, Deeksha Giver graduated in 2019 by Prema and Abhishek in Búzios, studied until the 5th period of Psychology and intends to finish. She started on the path of entrepreneurship at the age of 23 when she co-created her online store of Silver Jewelry, Crystals, ecological and vegan products. Nowadays her focus is on Yoga classes, therapy services, experiences and retreats.

Yogini, practitioner for 8 years and Hatha Yoga Teacher - graduated from the Indian Institute Ananda Marga in 2021 - Bianca completed the training in person and also the specialization in Yoga with Children, and is currently also studying her training in Integral Yoga.

Holistic Therapist graduated in 2018 and specialized in Crystal Therapy, also known as Lithotherapy or Crystal Healing (Crystal Therapy) and Sound Healing (SOUND Therapy) with Quartz bowls and other instruments.

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.

Graduated in Marketing from Unicarioca college - Rio de Janeiro, he abandoned his "conventional" career to dedicate himself fully to the mission of sharing the wonders he received from Ayahuasca to the rest of the world in a disciplined and directed work in the city of Búzios, since 2019. Through which they have already gone through their work, more than 2,000 people from all over the planet to consecrate Ayahuasca, Sananga and the Rapé.

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

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.

Yoga Instructor & Licensed Massage Therapist

Nicolas is a certified yoga instructor, licensed masseuse, and an expert in circus arts. He studied at UNTREF university in Argentina for three years and is a licensed circus art performer.

His many unique talents include: musician, hand stand teacher, acroyoga, chaõ acrobatics, stunts in double and troupe, juggling, aerial acrobatics, contemporary dance, tango and African dance and theater.

Nicolas’ participation with Maravilha will create a very unique retreat experience during your stay here.

Tour Guide

Born in Rio de Janeiro and raized in Búzios, Loan specializes in eco tourism. With over 12 years of experience and fluent in English and Spanish, he will take care of all your adventure needs — hidden hiking trails, bike rides, scuba diving, canoeing and anything else you desire to experience in Brazil. He doesn’t just want you to visit Búzios, but to feel it!

Co-Founder

Mara and Chris are co-founders of Maravilha Retreat Center and intend to create a Maravilhoso retreat — a place of serenity, peace and transformation.

Chris is a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200 hours), Reiki (level 2), Vipassana meditator, cold therapy and breath work facilitator and an Ayahuasca ceremony facilitator and integrator.

Maintenance

Tiago is our everything man and takes care of the maintenance of our property.

Hospitality

Neya and Eileen are our master hospitality team! They provide all of our cooking and cleaning services.

Our spirit animal!

Our spirit animal!