Why Small Groups Matter: The One Soul Retreats Difference in Healing

Imagine a ceremony room. Fifty, sixty, or even more people are lying side-by-side in the dark. One or two shamans are trying to manage the energy of the entire space. A handful of facilitators rush back and forth, spread thin. Someone is having a challenging experience, but they are 30 feet away from a helper. They feel alone, overwhelmed, and unsafe.

This is the unfortunate reality of the "factory" model of Ayahuasca retreats.

Now, imagine a different room. A circle of no more than 12-15 people. You know their names. You've shared your intentions with them. There are several master shamans and a high ratio of trained facilitators, meaning someone is always available for you. The energy is calm, focused, and held with meticulous care. You feel seen. You feel protected.

This is the One Soul Retreats model. It is the non-negotiable foundation of our promise to you.

When you are doing the deepest, most vulnerable work of your life, the size of the group is not a small detail—it is everything.

We have built our entire program around the power of small, intimate groups. This isn't just a marketing preference; it is a fundamental requirement for deep, safe, and lasting healing. Here's why.

1. The Energetic Container: Quality Over Quantity

An Ayahuasca ceremony is a profound energetic event. Each person brings their own history, trauma, intentions, and energy into the space. The Maestro (shaman) works to weave these individual energies into a single, cohesive, and protected field.

• In a Large Group: This field is chaotic and fragile. With 50+ energies, the space becomes "muddy" and difficult to manage. The shaman's energy is spread thin, and the container can "leak," leaving participants vulnerable to each other's unprocessed energies.
• In a Small Group: The shaman and facilitators can create a powerful, "high-vibration" container. The energy is clear, protected, and potent. Your journey is supported and amplified by the focused intention of the group, not distracted or derailed by its chaos.

2. The Safety Imperative: Individual Attention When You Need It Most

During an Ayahuasca journey, you may go through challenging moments. You may feel disoriented, overwhelmed, or need to purge. In these moments, you deserve immediate, compassionate support.

• In a Large Group: You become "one of many." You may have to wait for a facilitator to notice you. That wait, even if it's just 60 seconds, can feel like an eternity. This is not just uncomfortable; it's a safety risk.
• In a Small Group: Our high facilitator-to-guest ratio is our guarantee. The moment you need support—a hand to hold, a reassuring word, a basin, or help to the bathroom—someone is by your side. Your nervous system knows you are safe, which allows you to surrender more deeply to the medicine and do the healing work, free from the fear of being abandoned.

3. The Shamanic Work: You Are Seen by the Maestro

A true Maestro does not just sing to the room; they sing to the individual. They can "see" your specific energetic blockages and will sing personalized icaros (sacred songs) to help you heal, release, and break through.

• In a Large Group: This level of individual work is physically impossible. The shaman can only do broad, "general" work for the room. You get a fraction of their energetic attention.
• In a Small Group: Our shamans have the space and energy to connect with you. They will come to you, sing for you, and work on your specific healing. This is the difference between attending a lecture and having a 1-on-1 session with the master.

4. The Human Connection: You Are Part of a Tribe

The healing doesn't just happen in the ceremony. It happens in the sharing circles, at the dinner table, and in the quiet conversations afterward.

• In a Large Group: It's impossible to connect with 50 people. Cliques form, and many people feel isolated, unable to share their vulnerable, profound experiences with the whole group.
• In a Small Group: You form a deep, family-like bond. You bear witness to each other's journeys. You create a field of trust and compassion. This small "tribe" becomes your first and most powerful integration community, a network of support that often lasts a lifetime.

We Don't Sell Seats. We Curate Sanctuaries.

The "big box" retreat model is built to maximize profit. Our model is built to maximize healing.

Your journey to your soul is the most sacred work you will ever do. It deserves to be held in a container that is just as sacred. It deserves intimacy, individual attention, and an unwavering commitment to your safety.

At One Soul Retreats, you are never just a number. You are a cherished member of a small, healing circle. That is our promise, and that is our difference.