Our Shamans
At Yachay Wasi, our Ayahuasca ceremonies are led by our two generations of skilled curenderos (shamans) and our facilitator. Their deep connection with Amazonian plant medicine ensures a safe and transformative journey. Through decades of dedication, they have preserved the wisdom of their ancestors, creating a supportive and powerful healing environment.
Maestro DON WINISTER MAGIN
Don Winister began his journey with Ayahuasca at just nine years old, following in his father’s footsteps. As he grew older, he temporarily paused his training to focus on academics and complete his mandatory military service.
At the age of 21, he returned to plant medicine and has remained devoted to his path ever since. Now, at 60 years old, Don Winister has led thousands of ceremonies. Additionally, he has completed over five years of strict dieta, deepening his knowledge of medicinal plants. As a result, he is able to treat a wide range of emotional, physical, and spiritual conditions which makes him a very accomplished vegetalista. With every ceremony, he continues his family’s legacy of healing and service.
WINISTER JUNIOR MAGIN
Junior began working with plant medicine at 14, drinking Ayahuasca under the guidance of his father and grandfather. However, he later pursued studies and work outside the jungle before returning to the medicine path in 2021. That year, he undertook his first three-month dieta in isolation, receiving careful guidance from Don Winister and Maestro Romulo.
Since then, Junior has continued deepening his learning through regular dietas. Through this ongoing process, he strengthens his connection with the plants and spirits. His passion for healing is clear in his heartfelt words:
“This medicine path is a wonderful experience, and I am truly living it. I feel very happy to be able to help people emotionally and spiritually, and I do it with a lot of care and love. This is my purpose.”
Alix Arnas (Our Facilitator)
Alix is our translator and facilitator at Yachay Wasi. She brings warmth, clarity, and deep presence to the space. With training as a yoga and meditation teacher, along with studies in Ayurveda, Alix carries a holistic understanding of mind, body, and spirit. She is also a certified somatic plant medicine integration practitioner and a family constellation facilitator, which allows her to support each person’s healing journey in a grounded and compassionate way. Her ability to hold space with grace and loving care helps guests feel safe, seen, and supported throughout their process.
Alix began her journey with the medicine in 2021 and since then, she has been dedicating herself to deepening her connection through regular dietas as well as learning from her maestro Winister.
Maestro Don Romulo Magin (Retired)
Maestro Romulo was born in the Ecuadorian Amazon approximately 90 years ago. Coming from a respected lineage of healers, he began training with his father, a highly regarded curandero, at just eight years old. Early on, he was introduced to the spiritual teachings of the plants, animals, and the jungle itself
Over the course of his life, Maestro Romulo has dedicated more than 82 years to the healing arts. Through rigorous training, he completed over five years of strict shamanic dieta in complete isolation, learning directly from the spirits. Because of his profound wisdom, he is considered one of the most experienced and respected shamans in the Amazon. His life’s mission has always been to serve humanity through deep healing and spiritual guidance.
Now, Meastro Romulo has fully passed down the torch to his son Winister and his grandson Junior. Together, they work tirelessly to preserve his wisdom and teachings, while also bringing their own experiences into the practice.
Discover the incredible journey of Maestro Don Rómulo, whose deep wisdom and devotion continue to guide us at Yachay Wasi.
Read his inspiring story here
