The Infinity Retreat with Anke and Marie Lou was an incredible life changing experience. After years of conventional “talk” therapy, I felt like I had some tools to manage my depression and anxiety but had not made much progress in actually healing; however, in just one retreat with Marie Lou and Anke, I processed so much trauma that I left the retreat feeling like a different person. Anke and Marie Lou are truly gifted Shamans who help bridge Ayahuasca traditions and teachings with our modern language and understanding of trauma and healing. They create an incredibly safe and intimate space where folks can be vulnerable and more open to deeply transformative work. And it is work! But it is the most important type of work there is: your journey coming back into wholeness. I could not recommend Marie Lou and Anke more for your journey, there is no one else I would intrust with my healing. Thank you again for everything!

Erika C., Hawaii

“Of all ceremonies, I’ve experienced so far, this last one with Anke and Marie Lou was the most profound and transformative for me. They are true masters of creating a beautiful, safe, and sacred space that allowed me to be vulnerable, go deep, and explore unknown realms. Their gentle, yet powerful, wise guidance with the medicine allowed me to surrender, open and receive revelations and wisdom. The integration circles were very supportive of the whole process. Listening to others speak about their experience as well as sharing myself was very helpful as I discovered, remembered, and understood more about what happened the previous night. Receiving feedback and reflections from Anke and Marie Lou was potent and spot-on. The small group size was perfect for me, creating a sacred safe container to work with the medicine. If called to work with Mother Ayahuasca, I highly recommend Infinity Retreat with Anke and Marie Lou.”

Therese D., USA

 "Anke and Marie Lou are undoubtedly two of the most extraordinary instances of humanity I have ever had the joy to encounter. Their loving presence in this world is a great blessing to all. When I first had the honor of sitting in a ceremony with them, I remember experiencing the following revelation: "Wow, this is what is possible for humanity. It is within our potential to become ascended beings while still on Earth." The two of them possessed such grace, groundedness, centeredness, and lucidity that they struck me as existing at a level of consciousness not far from that of bodhisattva masters. They exhibited a profound intrinsic authority—the sort that can arise only as a result of venturing deep into the caverns of oneself and one's reality to confront whatever dragons and unicorns one might find there. "We've been to Hell and back together," Anke once told me. 

As I spent more time with Marie Lou and Anke in and out of the ceremony, my Love for them continued to expand. They approach their work with joy, lightness, inner strength, and humility that is akin to fresh water from a mountain stream. They possess a remarkable awareness of their oh-so-human foibles and are able to view their own shadows with tenderness and humor. Someone once told me, "Never trust a shaman who cannot laugh in a ceremony." I came to understand the wisdom in these words via my experiences of Anke and Marie Lou's pristine balance of reverence and levity. When it is time to focus and ground, they focus and ground. When it is time to laugh, they laugh. When it is time to be radically honest, they are radically honest. 

When I think of Anke and Marie Lou, the image that comes to mind is that of two mysterious trickster sorceresses bearing magical healing potions from otherworldly realms. The two of them seem to be manifesting an archetypal Yin-and-Yang-esque partnership, as each of their energies complements and contrasts the other's in a Sacred Dance of Duality. Anke's energy is like a compassionate yet sharp-taloned eagle, a red-hot katana ready to slice through vast layers of delusion at a moment's notice. Marie Lou's eyes are like windows to the abyss; her energy is that of a shadowy yet playful serpent destined to transcend all cages. Their unforgettable smiles give you the feeling that they see and understand realities you cannot presently imagine. It is no exaggeration to say that my life has been enriched immeasurably as a result of being divinely guided by these powerful enchantresses. I am tremendously grateful to call them my friends, collaborators, teachers, and fellow human beings."

Jordan B., USA

“I attended Marie Lou and Anke's retreat at the Imiloa Institute. I have been to several other retreats before and I have to say, this one was by far the best! They really care about their clients.”

Rob S., USA

“I would like to thank you! You changed my life completely. My attitude towards life, the world around me, and above all, towards my own self, has changed fundamentally.

Sometimes, when I pause and look back, I cannot quite believe that this person of that time was actually me. Not only have I taken some steps to see who I truly am and what I can be - with your help, but it was also possible to discard many of the patterns that have destroyed, inhibited, restrained, and constrained me - drugs and those shackles that have plagued my spirit itself, to name just a few of them.

Thank you for your work and your patience - especially when I sometimes tried to escape and ran in the opposite direction. Thank you for your perseverance, even when I was overcome by self-satisfaction and excessive comfort:) Thank you for always sharing your knowledge and insights and helping me gain a better understanding of the larger and smaller contexts.

Briefly put: thank you for guiding me on a journey that makes my life richer, deeper, and much more fulfilling. And above it all, thank you for giving me tools that allow me to continue this work also by myself.”

Gerhard M., Germany

UTTERLY LIFE CHANGING - would be the words that most closely describe how I feel since coming to know Marie Lou and Anke.

I have been to three retreats with Marie Lou and Anke, and I can say that I don’t ever foresee sitting in ceremony with any other Curanderas. Honestly, I never thought I would feel safe enough to sit in any Ayahuasca ceremony. There were too many questions about my physical safety and wellbeing that I was frightened about (terrified is probably a better word here :-)).

However, these women not only make you feel safe, but when you sit with them, you have the experiential knowing that you ARE safe, and this is where the magic begins, at least for me.

In terms of the actual experience, it’s indescribable, as one might imagine. However, after your experience, you will be a changed person. The experience will not only increase your capacity for love, community, and connection, but it will also help you get clearer on how you feel about the world around you and even how you can start (or continue) aligning yourself with your authentic self.

The possibilities are personal and endless, but you need a safe container for this deep personal work to happen. This is what Marie Lou and Anke provide, and this is what makes sitting with them so extraordinary. Apart from the experience itself, I would be remiss if I did not mention the wisdom these women possess. When they talk, you want to listen because you know you will learn something. In a world of noise, this is a gift.

I have nothing but good things to say about these women and hope to continue to sit and learn from them for years to come.

Tish C., Hawaii