EXPLORE THE TRADITIONS AND TOOLS OF ANDEAN HEALING IN OUR SHAMANIC WORKSHOP WITH PERUVIAN CURANDERO, ANTHROPOLOGIST AND ARCHEOLOGIST, DR RUBÉN ORELLANA

"My spiritual path is to preserve the ancient Andean wisdom of my country and to bridge the understanding of these traditions into the modern world. This is of the utmost importance to me." - Dr Rubén Orellana

We warmly invite you on a day of

Join Dr Rubén Orellana on our unique workshop sharing the ancient techniques of Andean Shamanic healing. Working alongside shamanic practitioner and psychotherapist Michele Costa-Lukis, Rubén will guide you through a number of exercises you can weave into daily life to shift blocked energy and create a pathway to access higher levels of consciousness. As you cultivate and evolve your shamanic practice, these healing tools bring forth a renewed sense of energy and lightness. These techniques can also aid those working through depression and help reduce anxiety when facing large decisions, providing clarity and space for transition and transformation. Awaken your senses as Ruben and Michele guide you through the traditional use of sounds, songs, colours and aromas to achieve a sense of balance, harmony and well-being.

This workshop is open to all and offers a wonderful introduction for those who are new to Andean healing practices as well as an opportunity to deepen and evolve the for those who have worked with us previously.

“I was somewhat dubious. As we all know weekends are sacred in London and my only time away from long hours at the office. I was also very nervous to be in a group situation with other people more “experienced” at meditation than my hectic self. The first thing that struck me about meeting Ruben was for a small gentle man was his huge energy and sense of peace which filled the room. I can truly not find any other word to describe him than “peace” as this is what he represented to me. During the morning of the first day, I felt an immense feeling of calm and clarity I usually only feel after a two-week holiday. I felt I could let myself smile. I felt I could be a little easier on myself and I truly believe there is no where else I wanted to be that weekend. Finally, I understood the power of meditation. Since meeting Ruben I have continued to add his reasonable and practical practices in to my day to day life and it has made a true difference to how I cope with various situations and pressures. Thank you Ruben and thank you Michele.” - Lisa

“It’s my second workshop with Dr Ruben Orellana and Michele. It was a deep and personal experience that was well supported by a lovely group of people. Full of insight and healing practices that brought much needed lightness and wellbeing into my life.” - Beatriz

EVENT DETAILS:

DATE: Saturday 22nd March 2025
TIME: 11:30am - 5:30pm (includes a lunch break)
LOCATION: Renaissance Yoga and Well-BeingStudio, Brockley, London SE4 1JY

What should I bring?

Waterbottle - you can refill this at the studio
Notepad and Pen
Dress comfortably as you will be invited to lie down for some of the exercises - there will be yoga mats and blankets available to use
You may wish to bring a shawl or an eyemask for journeying exercises
Lunch - there are lots of local eateries (Good as Gold is next door, Broca, Browns & Parlez opposite Brockley station are also great). There is also a Sainsbury's next door to the venue. We ask that you do not eat inside of the studio).

About your Guides: Peruvian Curandero, Dr Rubén Orellana and psychotherapist, Michele Costa Lukis, the founders of Shamanic Space

Your Guides: Dr Rubén Orellana and Michele Costa Lukis

Our Story:

Over twenty years ago, Peruvian Shaman and renowned archaeologist Dr Rubén Orellana PHD had a chance meeting with American psychotherapist and shamanic practitioner Michele Costa Lukis in the Amazon Jungle. After an accident which required a life-saving spinal operation, Michele had journeyed to the jungle to find healing in working with Ayahuasca and later to the highlands to work with Wachuma (San Pedro). Since what her neurosurgeon calls ‘a miraculous recovery’, Michele and Rubén formed Shamanic Space to offer a safe connection to traditional Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies to allow others to explore the profound healing benefits of the medicine plants and to learn from the traditions that have survived. From the Amazon Jungle to the high country we are honoured to have held space for over 20 years with renowned and highly experienced indigenous Curanderos and Ayahuasqueros, holding traditional ceremonies on sacred sites throughout Peru.

Your guides, Michele and Rubén have dedicated a combined 60+ years to preserving the integrity of Andean Healing and the ceremonial use of Peru's healing plants. It is our joy to share this lineage with you on your journey to healing.

Learn More About Our Story

Dr Rubén Orellana, leading authority on Andean Shamanic Culture

Dr Rubén Orellana - Peruvian Curandero, Maestro of San Pedro, Anthropologist & Archaeologist

“What I have discovered through archaeology and anthropology has supported what I know as a healer and both paths have led me into what you call shamanism. My training also helps me to translate the Andean traditions so they can be understood by Western society and in this way to preserve the wisdom of my land.”

Dr Rubén Orellana PHD is a Peruvian born and trained shaman who has made significant anthropological and archaeological contributions to the study and understanding of the Andean way of living. As the Director of the Institute of Inka Research (Inika), he is dedicated to researching and valuing Andean culture.

Born in Cusco, Rubén has been following the shamanic path since the age of nine. His career as an archaeologist culminated with being named Head of Archaeology at Machu Picchu where he discovered forty-four new sites surrounding the Crystal City, including the North Inca Trail. For these discoveries, he was on the cover of Time Magazine in South America. Rubén has lead extensive research into the mystical aspects of many significant sites and uncovered the true use of many temples in the empire.

Rubén has held ceremonial tours of Peru since 1976 and has brewed for many psychonauts including Terence McKenna who referred to him as ‘the Indiana Jones of Peru’. He has been interviewed in Ross Heaven’s books Cactus of Mystery and The Hummingbird’s Journey to God in which he is described as the ‘Maestro of San Pedro’ and has been featured on Medicine Woman among other documentaries for the Discovery Channel.

Rubén feels that his role as a scientist and a Shaman is to bridge between the indigenous Ayahuasqueros and Curanderos (Shamans) and the modern world. He continues to combine his experience with his excitement for the work and his deep love for all people into a vision of subtlety and divine power.

“I was invited to Ruben Orellana’s two-day workshop and I was somewhat dubious. As we all know weekends are sacred in London and my only time away from long hours at the office. I was also very nervous to be in a group situation with other people more “experienced” at meditation than my hectic self. I decided well if Saturday is unbearable I can always ring in sick Sunday!

The first thing that struck me about meeting Ruben was for a small gentle man was his huge energy and sense of peace which filled the room. I can truly not find any other word to describe him than “peace” as this is what he represented to me. During the morning of the first day, I felt an immense feeling of calm and clarity I usually only feel after a two week holiday back in Australia. I felt I could let myself smile. I felt I could be a little easier on myself and I truly believe there is no where else I wanted to be that weekend. Finally I understood the power of meditation.

Since meeting Ruben I have continued to add his reasonable and practical practices in to my day to day life and it has made a true difference to how I cope with various situations and pressures. Thank you Ruben and thank you Michele.”

Michele Costa Lukis - Psychotherapist, Maestra of San Pedro, Medicine Woman & Shamanic Practitioner

Michele Costa Lukis - Psychotherapist, Medicine Woman & Shamanic Practitioner

“Wise and kind in nature, Michele’s empathic understanding of one’s needs is truly touching. The classes I’ve had the pleasure of attending have been great fun and highly motivating, her guidance on a personal level is both profound and inspirational.” - Mez

Michele Costa is a Transpersonal-Psychotherapist, shamanic practitioner, Maestra of San Pedro, Reiki Master and spiritual healer based in London. She has spent over forty years studying spiritual and psychological healing, including the study of Shamanic traditions from around the world. For over twenty-five years, Michele has run a psychotherapy and shamanic practice in London, in addition to teaching workshops in meditation and Shamanic studies. She holds a monthly spiritual and healing circle and regularly leads plant medicine and shamanic workshops throughout Europe and Peru.

Michele is a native Californian who studied at the University of California. At twenty-two, Michele turned to the Berkeley Psychic Institute to begin her training in higher awareness and went on to earn a diploma in Psychotherapy from The Psychosynthesis and Educational Trust. She has studied and continues to work with spiritual teachers both indigenous and in core Shamanism. Her spiritual journey has taken her through North America, South America, Hawaii, Europe, Australia, Fiji and to The Sacred Trust in England. Michele’s most influential mentors include Nan Beecher-Moore with whom she studied for twenty years, Dr Rodger Woolger, Simon Buxton, Piero Ferrucci, Dr Gabor Maté M.D and Dr Rubén Orellana PHD of Peru. Michele is deeply indebted to her indigenous teachers of the Amazon and Andes.

Michele’s work reflects her diverse background and her commitment to helping others on their journey to healing and empowerment. With the help of Ruben, Michele works to bridge her clients with the indigenous wisdom keepers of Peru. She is a member of the Society for Shamanic Practitioners and is committed to living and practicing the Principles of Integrity as described by the society. Michele is actively involved in providing Ayahuasca and other medicine plant aftercare and is committed to helping people to integrate and process their experience of the medicines.

Testimonials: See More At our Website

“Blessed with gratitude after attending Ruben’s workshop. The group worked beautifully together, there was a real sense of solidarity amongst us all. Ruben holds the space with ease. There is nothing pretentious in his teaching, quite the opposite, he is possibly the most down to earth extraordinary person I have ever met. Love to you both and thank you for the experience.” - Adam

"I had a fantastic experience. The teachers, Ruben and Michele, were incredible with a wealth of knowledge. The pace of the course was perfect, it's one of those workshops you could do again and again and learn every time. I really enjoyed the style of learning one thing and then going into a journey to experience it for myself. It was very empowering and transformative as well as an opportunity to release. I came out of it buzzing and feeling very 'high' and energised, in a natural gorgeous way. Thank you to all." -

I have come away from the shamanic workshop much more connected to my body and stepping out of fear and more into love. Thank you. I will definitely be back again next year assuming Ruben still comes to do another weekend. Until next time much love.”