Remi grew up in the south of France. He decided to take monastic vows at the age of 17, where he stayed for almost 20 years, spending time as a monk and eventually becoming the monastery’s abbot. In his mid 30s, he decided to leave the monastery, not by a conflict of faith, but because he wanted to go into the world to help people. Remi became interested in plant medicine and decided to study for 3 years under Maestro Ricardo Amaringo. Because of health reasons, he completed 2 years of apprenticeship. In 2016, Remi met his wife, Ashley, at the same retreat center in Peru, and in 2018 they founded Kumankaya Healing Center. When synthesizing his monastic life with his life now, Remi always says: “the end is the same; only the means have changed.” 

Ashley grew up in Illinois, USA. She has her Masters degree in World Literature and her PhD in 20th century British and American Literature, specializing in trauma theory. She localized her studies on PTSD, specifically combat trauma. What she wanted to understand was how veterans communicated their experiences and spiritual crises through figurative language. In essence, how an individual uses symbology when experiencing a trauma that eludes expression. Little did she know, these studies would inform her present practice with the medicine and help people process through and heal their trauma. Ashley has been working with the medicine for a decade now and has been apprenticing since 2021. Alongside her husband, Ashley owns Kumankaya Healing Center. 

Ananías comes from a family of traditional Mayan Healers and knows the ancient Mayan techniques of energy movement, body work and healing. Ananías also understands plant medicine, so his healings/ massages align very well with the ceremonial work at Kumankaya. He has worked in the hotels of the Mayan Riviera and speaks excellent English. Recently, Ananías has also become Kumankaya’s driver and has worked very hard to upgrade the travelling experience for guests. We have been working with Ananías for more than 4 years now and are so happy to have him as a full-time member of the team. Ananías does guest pick ups every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, and he comes to Kumankaya for massages twice a week. We encourage guests to tip Ananías for his services as well.  

We bought the land from Consuelo and her husband. Consuelo has been with us from the very beginning, always encouraging us to follow our dream and not give up. She is originally from Mexico City, then she moved to Cozumel where she raised her family and worked in the hospitality industry. She has been living in the jungle for more than 30 years now. We are so blessed to have Consuelo in our lives and helping us at Kumankaya. She manages all aspects of the household and our staff.

Seydi is the daughter of Don Fidencio and has been with us for 3 years. She has 1 son, Jesus. Seydi is loved music and dancing. She is always a helpful smiling face at Kumankaya. 

​

Paulina has been with us for 5 years now, but we have known her since arrival. Paulina has 7 children, she loves spending time with her children. She such a kind, dependable woman. We’re grateful she’s with us here at Kumankaya.

Don Fidencio Tuz joined the Kumankaya team 6 months after arrival, and in 7 years Don Fidencio and his team have built a village of Kumankaya. After completing the maloka, Don Fidencio said, “I have just built the masterpiece of my life.” Don Fidencio works with his 2 sons: Eyder and Freddy. His daughter, Seydi, works at Kumankaya as well. It is definitely a family affair and we are so lucky to have them all with us and in our lives. We can honestly say none of this would have been possible without Don Fidencio.

Jesus Aguiñiga Villa has been with us from the very beginning. He is our family and dear friend. Jesus is from Samora, Michoacán and currently lives in a little village near Kumankaya called Zapata. Guests will see Jesus around managing all aspects of outdoor Kumankaya life.

Eyder is the son of Don Fidencio. He has been working at Kumankaya for 6 years. Eyder does it all. He is such an asset to have for he can fix and build anything. Eyder is so creative and talented. He landscaped the entire area by the cenote. He loves to ride his motorcycle and listen to music. He has 2 children: Diego and Celeste.

Quentin Pouyat is a French visionary painter. After a Master’s degree in Agriculture, he traveled in South America and the Peruvian jungle led by a deep call for healing. The encounter with plant medicine is for him a decisive creative turning point. Since this time, he shares his life with agriculture, plant medicine and painting. He has been deeply nourished and inspired by Ayahuasca and by the years of healing and learning that he has experienced with traditional plant diets. Through his art, he endeavors to translate the essence of the unique wisdom, knowledge, medicine, and visionary worlds of the plant spirits. Quentin is a permanent part of Kumankaya’s team. Each season he brings so much beauty and inspiration to the place, not to mention deep friendship.  We are so lucky to have him with us. 

Eric Brown is a writer, martial artist, and Wilderness First Responder. He is the Director of Apotheosis, a boutique plant medicine retreat organization. Previously, he created the experiential foundations for Mindbloom, designing the programs, content, session audio, and guide protocols for the largest psychedelic therapy company in the world. He’s deeply interested in Zen, plant medicine, Bitcoin, and holistic self-mastery. We have been working with Eric and Apotheosis for 3 years now. He will be with Kumankaya for the entire season, July 2025-March 2026 to begin his plant medicine apprenticeship with us. We are so happy to have Eric as part of the team and family. 

Joshua Kahn Russell is an apprentice of Maestro Ricardo Amaringo, with 12 years of experience sitting with Shipibo plant medicine in the Peruvian Amazon. He regularly facilitates cohorts of social justice leaders and Indigenous land protectors to visit the Amazon and heal with traditional plant dietas. He works as a somatic leadership coach, with a 20+ year background in frontline Climate Change, racial and economic justice, and Indigenous Sovereignty grassroots movements. He has written and co-edited numerous books, including A Line In The Tar Sands: Struggles for Environmental Justice, Beautiful Trouble, and Organizing Cools the Planet: Tools and Reflections to Navigate the Climate Crisis. His most recent podcast mini-series is called Dialectics & Psychedelics: Transformation and Social Struggles. Joshua will be facilitating at Kumankaya July- November 2025. He brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to our center. We are so grateful he offers his time and energy to us and our guests. 

Mathias Brand grew up in the mountains of western Austria. He is a trained carpenter who loves riding motorbikes and paragliding. Mathias started travelling at 22 years old. His first big travel was 6 months in New Zealand and Australia, then he spent about 10 years in India during the winter, travelling and learning yoga and meditation techniques. By a stroke of divine intervention, he first encountered the medicine in Goa spring in 2013.  Shortly thereafter, 2014-15, he went to Peru to search for a good shaman from whom he could learn and ended up at Nihue Rao where he met Remi. Mathias's one-year apprenticeship diet was with Huayra Caspi. More recently, in 2021-22 he worked for 4 months as a facilitator at Nihue Rao and dieted again: 3 weeks Bobinsana, 2 weeks Oje,and 6 weeks Chiric Sanango. Last spring, he conducted his first diet himself with coca. Mathias is always dedicated to learn, grow, help, care, share and enjoy the ride. Mathias will be at Kumankaya October 2025- March 2026. We are so excited to have such an experienced and highly trained practitioner, not to mention dear friend, helping us this season.