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Arizona Yagé Assembly Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in USA

Arizona Yagé Assembly is a legally incorporated religious ayahuasca church founded in 2015 and based in Tucson, Arizona. The organization operates as a nonprofit religious corporation and was established in 2015, incorporated in Arizona. The Assembly holds ceremonies in Tucson, Arizona and occasionally Joshua Tree, California, offering one-day, two-day, and three-day retreat options.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: Ceremonies are held on land that the church acquired in Tucson, Arizona, described as beautiful and secluded acreage on the outskirts of Tucson, surrounded by hills and mountains. Some ceremonies also take place at a 10-acre private retreat center in Joshua Tree, California.
• Approach: Registration is limited to 25 participants per evening. As a church, their ayahuasca ceremonies focus on a caring, helpful setting for participants. Members practice visionary communion by ingesting ayahuasca to induce a religious or spiritual experience.
• Suitable For: Individuals seeking a religious/spiritual framework for ayahuasca work, particularly those drawn to smaller group settings and desert environments. The church format may appeal to those seeking legal protections for their practice.
• Costs: Pricing ranges from $185-$295 for one evening, $350-$575 for two evenings, and $475-$850 for three evenings, with variations based on location and time period.
• Overall Assessment: Directory evaluation: C+ (notable for legal religious incorporation and desert setting, flags for mixed facilitator reviews and lack of traditional shamanic leadership).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Positive reviews describe multiple attendees having amazing experiences with facilitators described as wonderful, caring people who are always there when needed. Participants appreciate the beautiful desert setting surrounded by nature where you can see the night sky, creating a peaceful, healing environment that feels like home. Some describe ayahuasca ceremonies as the best thing they’ve done for mental health, helping them become who they always knew they were.

However, critical reviews describe it as one of their least favorite ayahuasca groups, with facilitators seeming to lack reverence for the medicine. Concerning behaviors noted include facilitators using phones to share photos during ceremony while asking participants to give up phones, talking and giggling during ceremony, and some facilitators going through their own healing while unable to hold space for new participants. Some participants felt shrugged off when needing guidance and support, with reports of people leaving ceremonies spiritually hurt, requiring help from other practitioners in the community.

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🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, and r/WellnessHive, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no deaths, serious injuries, or criminal charges were found.

• Theft: No incidents of theft reported across the sources checked, including Reddit discussions, review platforms, and public records.
• Sexual Misconduct: No reports of sexual misconduct were found in Reddit discussions, review platforms, news sources, or public records searches.
• Crime: A legal case was identified: Arizona Yagé Assembly v. Barr (Case No. 3:20-cv-03098-WHO), where the organization sued federal agencies seeking exemption from the Controlled Substances Act under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, and alleged that a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office investigation, search, and seizure was pretextual. This appears to be a religious freedom lawsuit rather than criminal charges against the organization.

One reviewer noted community concerns about the importance of having at least one experienced shaman present who can control energies in the space at all times.

New update as of March 2026: No new incidents reported, organization continues operating with scheduled ceremonies listed on website.

🔍 Critical Notes

The organization provides integration support through certified psychedelic integration coaches, with tailored coaching sessions centered around curiosity, gratitude, and radical honesty, following a four-step process of grounding, unpacking, interpreting, and integrating. The Assembly maintains an active schedule with ceremonies planned through 2026.

Concerns center around facilitator training and traditional shamanic leadership. Reviews suggest some facilitators may lack sufficient reverence for the medicine and experience in controlling ceremonial energies. The organization operates in a legal gray area, using ayahuasca containing DMT as part of religious practice while seeking federal exemptions. The church model provides some legal protections but lacks the traditional indigenous lineage and training typically associated with ayahuasca ceremonies.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

The organization conducts medical screening, noting that those with heart conditions or chronic high blood pressure may not be able to participate, and that certain drugs, herbs, and medications are incompatible with ayahuasca. Specific protocols require being off SSRI antidepressants for 8 weeks and having antihypertensive medications completely out of the system before participating, with advice to consult healthcare providers before discontinuing medications. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before participating in any ayahuasca ceremony, especially if you have medical conditions or take medications.

🧪 Brew Substance

The organization uses traditional ayahuasca containing DMT as part of their religious practice. Based on the religious and legal context, this appears to be authentic ayahuasca (B. caapi vine with chacruna or similar DMT-containing plants) rather than synthetic alternatives. No information was found about supplementary plant medicines or additives.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• USA: Arizona’s Sonoran Desert region offers a unique setting for ayahuasca work, with clear night skies and dramatic landscapes. The area around Tucson features desert mountains, saguaro cacti, and a dry climate.
• Setting: The church owns secluded acreage on the outskirts of Tucson, surrounded by hills and mountains in a beautiful desert environment. California ceremonies take place at a 10-acre private retreat center in Joshua Tree.
• Style: The main purpose of ceremonies is to develop a deeper and more conscious relationship with the divine spirit. Participants are encouraged to establish clear intentions and be in the best possible disposition for the event.

Practical guidance: For multi-day retreats, participants arrange their own lodging between ceremonies, with recommendations for nearby accommodations. Ceremony locations and driving directions are sent 2-3 days prior to the event. Contact ceremony@aya.guide for questions or group bookings.

Should You Book?

Arizona Yagé Assembly may appeal to those seeking a religious framework for ayahuasca work within the United States, particularly individuals drawn to desert settings and smaller group ceremonies. However, those seeking traditional indigenous lineage, experienced shamanic leadership, or proven facilitator training should look elsewhere. The mixed reviews regarding facilitator competency and reverence for the medicine raise concerns about the quality of ceremonial leadership and energetic container.

The Team & Story

Arizona Yagé Assembly was established in 2015 as a religious nonprofit corporation in Arizona, with founder Clay Villanueva also founding NAAVC (North American Association of Visionary Churches) and the Vine of Light church. Ceremonies are led by AYA facilitators including Annie and Bayle. Scott is mentioned as one of the facilitators in reviews. The organization positions itself as part of the visionary church movement seeking legal recognition for ayahuasca use in religious contexts.

Prep & Integration Tips

Preparation involves establishing clear intention and purpose for attending ceremony and being in the best possible disposition. A packing list with additional information is sent before ceremony weekends. Integration support is available through certified coaches using a four-step process, with a discount code AYA10 for 10% off coaching packages.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

To sign up, select desired dates and complete an intake form, with full ceremony donation required at sign-up. Registration is one attendee at a time, with group inquiries directed to ceremony@aya.guide.