"The benefit of transformative work is it allows us to be more truly and naturally ourselves,
whatever that is"
The Hummingbird Healing Center, Peru, is owned and operated by Jim Davis and his Peruvian wife, Gina. Jim and Gina live at the center full-time with their family.
All of our ceremonies and dietas are led by our ayahuasca shaman who is a fourth generation ayahuasquero with over 42 years of experience. We also have a master huesero, or bone doctor, who comes for each retreat, and some guests have said it was worth coming to Peru just for his work!
Our shaman, Manain, comes from a family of steeped in ayahuasca shamanism and healing, and he’s the fourth generation to carry forward this tradition. Born and raised in Requena, a small town about 12 hours from Iquitos by river, Manain began learning the healing-way from his father when he was 16 years old and spent the next 15 years working at his side in his healing practice. When his father died, Manain moved to the small community of San Herardo, about 6 hours deeper into the jungle, and spent the next 20 years there as a popular and well-respected healer.
In 2014 Manain joined the Hummingbird ayahuasca centre, and we’ve had a steady stream of returning guests and referrals since then. His powerful icaros and prayers bring people the deep healing that they’re looking for.
Manain has a deep and profound faith that God is working through the medicine spirits to heal. In everyday life, he’s a quiet and humble man, committed to helping people live happy and healthy lives. As a healer, his gentleness and humility shine through as he encourages people to be open about their troubles so that he can better understand how to help them.
In the first ayahuasca ceremony of the retreat, Manain does a general scan of the group and walks around to get a feel for all the people present. In all subsequent ceremonies he will do specific healing work on each person, stopping in front of their spot in the maloca and singing an icaro directly for them. As we move through the retreat and cleansing and healing begins, Manain appreciates it when people ask for healing for specific issues that have become clearer.
He often prays for people while doing this healing work and frequently asks them to take his hands while he’s praying. Many guests speak of the powerful energy of his direct prayer and healing work and how they can clearly feel deep blocks and energy leave while he’s working on them.
His powerful singing voice carries and guides you on your journey, calling in the spirits and vibrations of healing. Manain’s presence will have a profound impact on your healing that will remain with you for long after you’ve left the center.
Jim comes from Seattle, Washington in the USA. He’s had an interesting and eclectic career in various occupations, including working as a commercial fisherman in the Bering Sea, as a chemist, and as a software engineer.
It was his study of religion and spirituality, as well as his own journey of healing that eventually brought Jim to Peru where he was led to commit to working with ayahuasca healing. Being on the other side of a life-long struggle with depression and alcoholism, Jim truly understands the pain, confusion and negative thought patterns that plague so many of us.
Because he’s lived through it, he’s able to connect with people, figure out where they’re at, and offer compassionate support and guidance to help them let go of false beliefs they harbor about themselves.
Jim has studied many spiritual traditions and was deeply influenced by the teachings of Sri Ramana Maharshi, Krishnamurti, A Course in Miracles and Ernest Holmes, the founder of Science of Mind.
In addition, to study with an ayahuasquero, Jim has been through a number of different healing processes and transformative workshops and has formal training in facilitation and spiritual healing. He brings practical wisdom to his daily work, as well the insight and skill from personally facilitating the ayahuasca healing process of over 1300 people.
Healing has been Jim’s daily work since 2010. His compassionate and supportive presence provides a safe and loving space, allowing people the freedom to face their shadows and release the pain of the past.
Here is an interview with Jim created by Daniel Satari: Jim Discusses Ayahuasca
Gina is a native of Iquitos, Peru and delights in ensuring our guests have what they need to enjoy their stay. Affectionately called "Mama Gina", her warm and loving presence is appreciated by all.
From her upbringing, Gina has a rich knowledge of medicinal plants and frequently acts as the house nurse, using her knowledge of plants to help people with a variety of health and first aid issues.
Gina’s primary role at the center is managing the workers and facilities. She’s also an excellent cook and the reason the food we serve is so delicious!
She’s also the devoted mother of two young men, grandmother to 4-year-old Tayra who she absolutely adores.
Jorge comes from a long family tradition of bone healers. Their family gift is the ability to straighten out the skeletal system. Jorge’s work is surprisingly gentle, massaging muscles and moving limbs to help joints shift back into position.
He’s exceptionally skilled at straightening the spinal column and has straightened out scoliosis with a full inch of lateral displacement. He has also corrected the breathing of many people who’ve suffered a broken nose and been told by Western doctors that only surgery would repair it. Jorge can make delicate adjustments in hands and feet and has also corrected many knee problems.
If you have any persistent aches in the body, we recommend that you have him take a look, as he may be able to clear it.
Jorge comes to the Hummingbird Center on the third day of each ayahuasca retreat and can return for more sessions if needed. Each session costs only 50 soles, paid directly to Jorge.
Learn more about our ayahuasca retreat center, or contact us at hummingbirdretreats@gmail.com to start your healing journey.
