About Us
Discover how it all began, the Indigenous tribes we work with, and the heart behind our mission.
Deeply immersed in the study of diet with Matsini, Teresa is dedicated to preserving this vital work. Its mission is to return to spiritual and physical care accessible to those who require it, carefully defending this invaluable tradition. Its name revolves around guiding other people to discover the profound remedies we seek.
Our Story
The Vivacre Retreat, which has a long history of providing healing experiences in Amazonian jungles was founded by Teresa Lundgren. Teresa, a devoted mother to two children, spent 18 transformative years in Sweden before embarking on a profound journey back to her roots in Brazil in pursuit of her spiritual quest. Her return to Brazil marked the beginning of an incredible odyssey.
In 2016, an invitation extended by Tashka Yawanawa led her to Mutum for the Festival Mariri, an event that became a pivotal moment in her life. It was there, amidst the vibrant tapestry of culture and spirituality, that she encountered the healing powers of indigenous medicine for the first time, setting her on an unwavering spiritual path.
Since that transformative experience, Teresa’s bond with the Yawanawa tribe has flourished. She’s traversed various Yawanawa territories, fostering reciprocal visits between tribe members and her home in the city of Rio Branco, where she lovingly operates a bed and breakfast. Her space stands as a sanctuary—a haven—for those journeying into and out of the jungle, embodying a bridge that connects curious visitors with the wisdom of the indigenous culture. Her role often involves deftly coordinating connections, facilitating a meaningful exchange between guests and the indigenous community.
"Our sacred calling beckons us to craft a bridge between ancient tribal healing ceremonies and the profound humanistic quest to ascend towards our higher selves. Our purpose resonates in harmonizing these timeless traditions, guiding souls towards transformation and enlightenment."
Yawanawá Tribe Healing
The Yawanawá take ayahuasca ceremonies with deep seriousness, gathering through the entire night in chanting, singing, and dancing that uplift and unify tribal energy. Rooted in the lush Amazon rainforest, they live in close harmony with nature, carrying ancient wisdom that flows through their daily life. As guardians of the forest, they honor the sacred bond between people, plants, and animals, moving in rhythm with the living world around them.
Central to their spiritual path is communion with the unseen realms, guided by the ayahuasca vine and other plant spirits. Through rituals passed down for generations, they seek healing, clarity, and guidance for both individual and community. Their vibrant art and intricate crafts reflect this cosmic journey, preserving ancestral stories while standing resilient in the face of modern change, protecting their knowledge as they walk between tradition and evolution.
Huni Kuin Tribe Healing
The Huni Kuin ayahuasca ceremony unfolds deep in the Amazon, where the night hums with crickets and frogs. Inside the maloca, a circular hut lit by a small fire, participants sit in silence as the pajé begins soft, prayer-like chants. The thick, bitter brew is shared with intention, while sacred tobacco smoke rises and blends with the earthy scent of the forest, opening the space for healing.
As the medicine takes hold, drums and maracas echo like a heartbeat, guiding each person inward. Visions emerge—dancing colors, animal spirits, whispered messages—alongside waves of emotion that move through the circle. The pajé walks among the group, cleansing and protecting, until dawn light filters in. With fresh air and quiet gratitude, participants share their experiences, receive blessings, and step back into the world carrying the medicine’s wisdom and a renewed sense of clarity.
Shanenawa Healing
The Shanenawa people approach healing as a sacred, communal practice rooted in their deep relationship with the Amazon rainforest. Through all-night ceremonies of chanting, prayer, and rhythmic movement, they awaken the collective spirit and restore balance within the community. Surrounded by the living presence of the forest, the Shanenawa honor nature as a conscious ally, listening to its subtle teachings and respecting the wisdom carried by plants, rivers, and animals.
At the center of Shanenawa healing is communion with plant medicines, guided by ancestral knowledge passed carefully through generations. These rituals open pathways to the unseen realms, where guidance, cleansing, and renewal take place for body, mind, and spirit. Their songs and sacred instruments carry intention and protection, while their healing work preserves cultural memory in the face of change. Grounded yet adaptive, the Shanenawa continue to safeguard their spiritual heritage, walking with strength between ancestral tradition and the modern world.
