Hello there!
My Shipibo name is Ino Kaya, and I’ll be your guide and support during your Master Plant connection.
A little bit about me:
I’ve been sitting with the Plant Medicine for over 12 years, but in the last three years, I’ve deepened my path through the lineage of Mahua and Ochavano in Peru. Although I return to the jungle each year, my practice with the plants continues to guide me wherever I am. This connection inspired me to pursue formal certification in Western Herbalism, deepening my understanding of plant medicine and empowering me to safely guide others in working with both local and Amazonian plants.
As a certified Herbalist, I am devoted to working on my dietas while also preparing and supporting others on their journeys of deepening with the plants that call to them (which can be any plant!). Alongside this work, I am a Yoga and Meditation teacher, practices that have cultivated discipline, focus, and spiritual grounding in my path. I also hold a certification in Sitting and Integration, Psychedelic Care, and Harm Reduction by the Zendo Project.
I reside in San Francisco, California, where I hold together this unique work with a career in the tech world—living proof that these practices are not separate from daily life. It is entirely possible to walk your path in the modern world while engaging deeply with the wisdom of the plants and embracing the transformative wisdom, FRIENDSHIP, and healing they offer.
About our teacher in Peru
Maestro Miguel Ochavano Urquia is originally from Paoyhan, Peru, and is a relative of the Mahua lineage. Though connected to this respected tradition, he carries and teaches from his own family lineage—the Ochavano lineage. He runs his family-owned retreat center, Sama Nete, located in his hometown, where he shares his lifelong dedication to Plant Medicine.
Miguel began his path as a curandero at just 12 years old, guided by his grandfather and father. His first dieta was a remarkable dieta with 100 plants over the course of a full year—an experience that laid the foundation for his lifelong work. With over 50 years of practice, Miguel has never stopped dieting, deepening his connection with the plants year after year.
He now shares his knowledge alongside his older children, who continue the family tradition at Sama Nete. Known for his warm spirit, Miguel loves to share stories from his many dietas and experiences with the Master Plants. A unique quality of Maestro Miguel as a teacher is his openness; he joyfully welcomes curiosity and encourages questions from all who feel called to learn.
Miguel is one of the few teachers in Peru experienced in opening/closing, protecting dietas, and energy cleansing by distance. He also has a unique practice for holding and providing Plant Medicine with several plants at the same time in one dieta.