From the serene setting of our retreats surrounded by nature, we at Avalon are dedicated to guiding individuals through profound spiritual and emotional transformations. Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and legal environment for guests seeking Ayahuasca retreats in the UK and nearby, to explore deep insights and the healing powers of the sacred plant medicine.
In this article, one of our participants shares experiences of her transformative journey with us and the real changes it inspired her to make. Abbey, originally from the UK and now living in Barcelona, came to us as a professional caught in the corporate world, seeking a deeper connection with her true self. Like many who walk through our doors, she was driven by a desire for change, a longing to align her life more closely with her soul’s purpose.
During her time at Avalon, Abbey participated in several Ayahuasca ceremonies, each one designed to foster personal insight and emotional healing. Our approach is holistic, combining traditional ceremonial practices with supportive therapies like guidance, plant-based cuisine tailored to each participant’s needs, and massage therapy to release tensions and enhance openness and receptivity. Her transformation is evident in her newfound clarity and purpose, altering not only her professional trajectory but also her personal life, allowing her to experience unconditional love and a profound connection with all forms of life for the first time.
As she beautifully puts it, “We are transforming ourselves so we can transform the world.” This philosophy resonates deeply with our core belief at Avalon—that personal transformation is the first step towards creating a more conscious and connected world.
We invite you to join us at Avalon, where you, like Abbey, can embark on your own journey of discovery and transformation and experience the long-term positive effects of Ayahuasca. Whether you are seeking to heal emotionally, gain deeper spiritual insights, or simply find a greater sense of peace and purpose.
From Abbey – Her Ayahuasca experience with Avalon
My name is Abbey, and after my very first Ayahuasca retreat, it became very clear to me that my current job, although interesting and fun, is not aligned with my soul. I am originally from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, but I’ve been living in Barcelona for the last seven years. I used to be a primary teacher and then had a change of career around five years ago, moving into HR and the corporate world. Now, I have had a taste of that, and I realise it’s not for me, so I am moving into coaching.
“I realised that was such a mental prison inside my own head.”
My biggest struggle before doing my first Ayahuasca retreat was that I was getting my sense of value by DOING rather than just BEING. What I mean by this is that I felt that I had to be productive and achieve things in order to earn love, both from myself and others. Now I realise that was such a mental prison inside my own head. I now see that love flows forth from me abundantly and is reciprocated by everyone I come into contact with. I feel it. It is a living energy that I wasn’t aware of before.
Looking back, I didn’t allow myself to believe that I could be, or even needed to be, transformed. But now, five months later, I see how much progress I’ve made since February 2019. Others notice this too and have told me I have an aura around me, that I’m glowing.
Ayahuasca helped me see that by showing me my own patterns of behaviour and bringing them to light so I could transform them.
The Avalon Ayahuasca retreat specifically helped me overcome my feeling of separateness from others by showing me very clearly that we are all one. As they say in Quechuan (the aboriginal language of Peru), “Ayllu Masikunapa” – we are all one. During the ceremony, I felt the meaning of unconditional love for the first time in my life, and I felt a very deep connection with all forms of life. Ayahuasca helped me see that by showing me my own patterns of behaviour and bringing them to light so I could transform them. It also showed me how blocked I was emotionally, and now I am able to feel a much fuller range of emotions and share them with others.
The Avalon Ayahuasca retreat and the team are pure love and light. They are there to look after your every need – from coaches to help you integrate your experience to a vegan chef who caters to every intolerance and allergy to a masseur to release any tension you might have arrived with. I am in touch with every one of them now on a regular basis, and they are a part of my life. More than anything, they have your best interests at heart, and they want you to feel very safe while you experience this transformational journey.
I highly recommend joining an Avalon ayahuasca retreat because, from my research, I have found no other Ayahuasca retreat in Europe that offers you such a bespoke service and attention to detail. Avalon really is the healing hub of Europe, and when you come, you will most likely see me there because sacred plant medicines are now an important part of my life. I knew Ayahuasca would iron out my emotional kinks, but I didn’t realise it would be the most profound spiritual experience of my life. Once you have experienced that, there is no going back. We are transforming ourselves so we can transform the world. See you there!
Update from Abbey – 5 years after her Ayahuasca experience with Avalon
It’s now been five years since my initial experience with Ayahuasca. They were the most precious, sacred nights of my life. I will forever be grateful to the plant for taking me off a life trajectory not meant for me and putting me on one much more aligned with who I really am.
When I came to Avalon, I was medicating pharmaceuticals for my underachieving thyroid. I was also suffering from Hashimoto’s autoimmune disease, and my inflammation was through the roof. I didn’t know how I was going to come off my medication to prepare for the first ceremony. I was feeling tired, exhausted, and depressed.
The medicine showed me what I needed to do to be healthy. A year later, I was off medication. My inflammation is down by 80%, and I feel vibrant, energised, and motivated by life.
The first night, I asked the medicine, “What is my purpose?” And I saw myself sitting in a circle, surrounded by instruments I had never played, including guitars and drums. Very soon after drinking, I started writing music on my harp. Initially, I wrote to soothe myself during my healing process, but it turned out that it also helped other people in their processes.
For the last two years, I have held regular singing circles in Barcelona (and now in Pisac, Peru) as a safe space for people to unblock and unlock their authentic expression. Also, I recorded my album, Suyana (meaning “hope” in the Quechuan language) last year, and it’s now available on Spotify.
This summer of 2024, after 11 years of living in Barcelona, I finally found the courage to follow my heart and move to the Sacred Valley of Peru, where I live with my partner, who I met at Avalon in those first magical ceremonies.
Although I am grateful to the medicine for my achievements over the last five years, what I am most thankful for is being able to leave behind all the trauma, conditioning, and unworthiness that kept me from doing what I really love. The plant showed me that I DESERVE to be happy and that I DESERVE for wonderful things to happen to me, and that has been the most significant gift I could ever imagine. It has literally changed every aspect of my life, including my relationship with my family, my career, my creativity, and my health.
If you relate to my story, have questions, or just want to connect, get in touch with me. You can find my contact details at the end of the article.
Ayahuasca retreats near the UK
At Avalon, we are deeply committed to facilitating life-changing journeys that tap into the profound healing and transformative powers of Ayahuasca. Through traditional ceremonies and a supportive, holistic care environment, participants like Abbey have discovered profound insights and undergone significant personal transformations. Our retreats provide a harmonious blend of nature, tradition, and modern therapeutic practices, helping individuals connect deeply with their inner selves and the world around them.
Choosing Avalon means opting for a retreat that not only offers a path to spiritual and emotional enlightenment but does so with an unwavering commitment to safety, comfort, and personal growth. Our team of experienced professionals, from therapists to nutrition experts, ensures that each aspect of the Ayahuasca experience is tailored to meet the needs and intentions of our guests, supporting them through their journey of self-discovery and healing.
For those looking for an Ayahuasca experience near the UK, Avalon offers an accessible sanctuary. Located within easy travel distance from the UK, our retreats provide a convenient yet remote setting ideal for those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life and an opportunity to engage in profound personal exploration. Whether you are looking to heal emotionally, expand your consciousness, or simply find a greater sense of peace and purpose, we invite you to join us. Here, you can embark on a transformative journey that could very well be the most significant spiritual experience of your life.
If you’re looking to start your own journey, or just want to learn more about how Avalon can support you, book a call with our team to discuss the next steps.
