A Foundational Program in Contemporary and Core Shamanism, Andean Energy Medicine and Mesa Building

APPLY NOW FOR THE OCTOBER 2025 PROGRAM!

Ideal for Reiki practitioners, nurses, counselors, yoga teachers and other holistic practitioners.

• Grow and improve your confidence, spiritual gifts, and energetic abilities so you can do your soul's work and be of greater service to your clients, the earth and the collective.

• Take your skills as an energy healer and Reiki practitioner to the next level. Learn new tools, techniques, rituals and practices from Contemporary Shamanism, Andean Mysticism and ancestral healing and energetic practices. All shared with permission and respect.

• You will create a solid foundation for your own spiritual and energetic practices that brings it all together holistically.

• Boost your confidence, intuition, connection to your spirit guides, angels and ancestors, and ability to help more clients more effectively, and support your own healing process and soul's mission.

This course is offered both in-person and with live Zoom (+recordings) online virtual participation.

Program will run for 13 months, meeting together one Saturday per month (either in person or via Zoom). See below for Program Description, Program Requirements, and costs.

• Contact Deana first to apply for the October 2025 program.

• We will then schedule a short interview, and then the prospective student submits a letter of interest and application first, so we can see if this is a good fit for you at this time.

• Payment of the registration fee confirms your registration. All 3 steps must be completed to finalize your registration. 

• Scroll down to the end of the page to make your payment.

• There is also a Level 2 program for graduates of the Level 1 program.

Photo credit, Jay Lubin

A Foundational Program in Contemporary and Core Shamanism, Andean Energy Medicine and Mesa Building

One Saturday per month for 13 Months, live, in person in New Milford, CT and online via Zoom classes will be held from 10am-5pm.

This course is meant for Reiki practitioners, bodyworkers, energy healers, therapists, counselors and other health care practitioners and others who feel called to connect more with their personal team of spirit guides, angels, ancestors, power animals, and deepen their connection with Nature and Mother Earth/Pachamama for self-healing and self-empowerment, and to be of service to the community.

(All traditional indigenous teachings included in this program are offered with permission and respect, and each month a portion of service and program proceeds are donated to BIPOC and environmental organizations including to the Q'ero tribe of Peru, preservation of the Amazon, Mockingbird History Lessons (for antiracism work) and American Forests, to plant trees here in the U.S.).

Who this course is for

You may be called to this course if you wish to incorporate more spiritual, energy-based, shamanistic and mystical practices into your life and healing practice, including Shamanic journeying, ceremonies and rituals to honor the change of seasons, or feel a call to connect with the healing lineages and traditions of your own ancestors and the land where you live. This program is also for those who wish to deepen their intuition and spiritual connection to their own Spirit guides, learn authentic traditional healing practices from ancient lineages with an emphasis on the heart-centered, earth-honoring traditions of the Andes in South America and some North American teachings such as the Medicine Wheel, and to work with these practices to discover and build your own personal spiritual medicine.

Course background and foundation

The practices of animistic healing are the most ancient spiritual and healing paths on the planet. Shamans, traditional healers and medicine people from cultures across the globe have used animistic healing techniques, and meditative practices for connecting with the Spirit World for healing, learning, growth and empowerment for thousands of years. They also honored the cycles and the seasons of Nature, moon cycles, forged relationships with Angels, Spirit Guides and Nature Spirits to bring health, balance and harmony to their communities.

Shamans and traditional healers also worked with stones and crystals, altars and mesas (portable altars), worked with sound, including drums, rattles, bells and song, and worked with these tools to perform healing for themselves, their clients and their communities. In this program you will learn to work with some of these ancient tools of the medicine person still effective in the world today. In fact they are needed now, more than ever.

Student Feedback

".... I loved the feeling of a judgement-free zone. I felt accepted and really resonated with people not having to look or act a certain way to do this kind of work. That being your authentic self is the best way to contribute. That was a game changer for me..." ED, Monroe, CT

"[What I liked most about this program...] the safe nurturing foundation created by the instructor. Fantastic course!” VB, Danbury, CT

"There isn’t anything that I learned that I couldn’t use in my everyday life. Every lesson that was given was in a way to ensure I could easily add it to my everyday life." -AH, New Milford, CT

"I’ve become much more skilled in meditation since the start of this class. It has supported me tremendously (being someone who suffers from anxiety). The practice of journeying and discovering my helping guides have helped me through the grieving process. Despacho ceremonies have given me an even deeper understanding of and connection with Pachamama and the gift that she is. So, so much learned." -CD, Somers, NY 

Walking this path with empowerment and respect

While this is an intensive foundational core shamanistic and energy medicine training program that involves work and dedication, this is not a program to train one to become a "Shaman." The path of the Shaman is a calling, it is life-long, and the title is one of honor bestowed by the community for those who practice a very specific type of healing work from particular cultures in Siberia, that involve repeated entry into altered or trance states of consciousness to work with helping spirits to perform healing in the Spirit World.

Traditionally, the title of Shaman comes from the healing traditions of the Tungus tribe in Siberia. Today the terms "shaman" and "shamanism" are used in a very general way to describe many different forms of animistic and spiritual healing, both contemporary and traditional. One way for us to avoid cultural appropriation and colonialism is to leave the traditional titles where there rightly belong, with their particular culture and tribe.

In this course, we honor the traditional meanings of the title Shaman, and do not use it to describe contemporary or other cross-cultural methods of healing that are not truly Shamanic. It is very important to have respect when working with the teachings of these ancient cultures and only work with teachings that are given with permission. The core shamanistic approach, which is a contemporary practice, can benefit us all, and can be practiced, learned and developed with dedication, humility, love and respect by almost anyone. The shamanistic and animistic path of healing is one that spans a lifetime. Students are encouraged to continue with ongoing learning in whichever traditions and teachings resonate for them. In many ways, we are all beginners.

Learning the path of Contemporary Shamanism AND the path of the Andean Mystic

The teachings of the Andes are animistic and mystical, not Shamanic. And one of the teachings of the Andes is openness and sharing of their wisdom and knowledge with all who want to learn. They have gifted their teachings to humanity and to the Western world, and wish for us to learn these ways to reconnect with our rightful relationship with Pachamama, each other, our Ancestors, and the entire cosmos.

This is not the way of all traditional cultures, including many of the North American traditions, because of what they have endured at the hands of white supremacy and colonial entitlement. In this course, we honor and respect traditional cultures and teachings and do not use practices, ceremonies, titles or terms without permission. We also discuss and incorporate in our learning the ethics and boundaries of facilitating energetic and Shamanic healing work, and to take personal responsibility for our own healing, biases, racism, and sustainable approaches.

Learn authentic ancient and contemporary teachings with permission

Deana Paqua incorporates both traditional teachings with permission, directly from several elders of the Q'ero of Peru, a tribe of mystics with a very heart-centered, heaven and earth honoring and open-hearted approach to healing along with contemporary core shamanistic teachings learned from various mentors. Deana has also worked with other traditional healers from South America, North America and Tibet as well. Elders of the Q'ero tribe have trained and encouraged many Westerners to share their teachings across the globe because of this time of change, challenge and great need. They call folks who come from cultures outside the Andes, that have learned their teachings and are sharing them in their own communities "Chakruna." Which is known as a "bridge person."

(PLEASE NOTE: any deep, personal physical or mental health challenge may likely also require ongoing conventional healing work, possible medical intervention or therapy, and consultations with the appropriate professionals (health care, counseling, legal, financial, etc.). This course is not meant as a substitute for medical treatment, psychotherapy, or other professional guidance or direction. This course is for personal development and information only). 

This training program will include the following:

• 13 monthly sessions, from 10am-5pm, 1 Saturday per month
• Connect with a community of like-minded people in safe environment for sharing
• Learn to explore and create a cohesive Shamanistic and energetic healing practice with respect and permission that includes your own Ancestral healing traditions, personal religious and spiritual practices that avoids cultural misappropriation
  
• Instruction and practice in core Shamanic Journeying for guidance, learning, healing and empowerment.
• The importance of offerings and sacred reciprocity, learn about giving back to the original tribes and sources of these ancient traditions
  
• Developing relationships and learning healing techniques to work with Helping Spirits, including Guardian Angels, Archangels, Ancestors and Ascended Masters 
• Learn to work with Power Animals and Plant/Nature Spirit allies
  
• Creating a deeper, more profound relationship with Pachamama/Mother Earth
• Creating a Mesa, a medicine bundle or portable altar, from the teachings of the Q'ero and the Andean traditions and how to work with the Mesa as a personal healing and empowerment tool for guidance, transformation, energy clearing and blessing.
• Working properly with sacred tools such as drums, rattles, feathers more effectively and appropriately
• Learn and practice cross-cultural energy medicine healing techniques from the Andes and other traditions for everyday life and for incorporating into your healing practice with permission and respect
  
• Exploring the Shamanic world view including the elements, and exploring honoring the 7 sacred directions and the three worlds for your personal spiritual connections
• Energy clearing, grounding and protection techniques for doing spiritual work safely and for everyday health and wellbeing. Further instruction in safe Shamanic Extraction (deeper energy clearing) will also be included.
• Exploring Ancestral healing and guidance, and our connection to the Stars
• Shadow work and personal responsibility for the disowned, forgotten parts of ourselves for healing and empowerment
• Learning about sacred ceremonies including fire ceremonies, sacred rites and initiations, drumming, the Andean Despacho, and more...
• Discussion of personal ethics, responsibility and boundaries in spiritual and energetic healing work, the Holistic Shamanic Practitioner's Code of Ethics
• A full reading list, resources guide and sacred tools list are provided for the course.
• A library of reading materials, videos, medicine songs and worksheets will be provided.
  
• And more...

Student Feedback

“Deana taught us so much about the Shamanic and Andean traditions, as well as working with angels, archangels, nature spirits, etc. She is a wealth of information and freely shares it with us.” SS, Brewster, NY

“I loved that the information given was true to itself and that it was clear when Western practices were influencing Eastern and traditional/Shamanic practices.” AS, Somers, NY

“I most enjoyed the comfortable, accepting atmosphere of the classes where everyone was included and encouraged to participate and share their experiences without judgement.” BS, Carmel, NY

Program Requirements

Contact Deana first to apply for the October 2025 program. We will then schedule a short interview, and then the prospective student submits a letter of interest and application first, so we can see if this is a good fit for you at this time.

The program usually meets every 3rd Saturday of the month, October to October, starting October, 2025.  Students will also have the option to participate via Zoom regardless even if a class is scheduled to meet in person.

Class registration maximum number of students is 15. We request that only those who are dedicated and serious about the program apply. We are very grateful for the interest in this course and each year have had a waiting list. Keep in mind that if you sign up you may be taking away a spot from someone else. Be sure that this program is right for you at this time.

Students should have at least their Reiki level one certification and plans to continue their study of this modality. Students will need to write a one-page letter as to why they are interested in this course and why they feel this is the right fit for them at this time. Applicants will also need to meet with Deana for a brief interview prior to being accepted into the program.

Students must sign and agree to adhere to the Embody The Sacred® Code of Ethics to participate in the course and receive their certificate at course completion.

About Certification

To receive certification, attendance at all scheduled classes is required. If a class is missed, a private make-up may be arranged if schedules allow. The fee for a private class is $325 (in addition to the tuition fee). Students may also make up a class with the next course group starting the following October at no cost, to receive credit for certification, however this is discouraged as this disrupts the flow of learning for the student and the group. However, it is an option if needed.

This course will require "homework," including reading, practice sessions and attendance at all classes to receive certification.

Students will need to acquire some basic tools, including drum, rattle, mesa cloth, medicine bag, smudgeing tools, offerings, books, stones/crystals (as needed), as directed. Resources for such items will be provided during classes. Cost-effective options will be discussed.

Students will need to bring a journal/notebook, water bottle, bagged lunch, drum/rattle, and their shamanic/healing tools (as needed) to each class. Wearing comfortable clothes for the season recommended.

REGISTRATION PROCESS

Contact Deana first to apply for the October 2025 program. We will then schedule a short interview, and then the prospective student submits a letter of interest first, so we can see if this program is a good fit for you at this time. Payment of the registration fee confirms your registration. All 3 steps must be completed to finalize your registration. 

The first class is on October 26, 2025, followed by the 3rd Saturday of each month, until October 2025.

Total tuition for 13 months is $2997. All tuition payments are non-refundable.

There is a $497 registration fee and deposit, due to hold your spot, which is non-refundable.

Save $250 off the course tuition by paying in full by September 15, 2025


A portion of proceeds from the program will be donated to support the efforts of planting trees in North America, to preserving the Amazon rainforest, and a full year's tuition goes to the Heartwalk Foundation that supports education, health care, and cultural sustainability for the Q'ero of Peru. 

  Registration/Program Deposit (paid to complete your registration and hold your spot):

Don Umberto Soncco Quispe, Q'ero Elder, Kuraq Akuyaq, and Deana

Course taught by:

Deana Paqua, MA, LMT, a Teacher and Practitioner of Cross-Cultural Energy Medicine, Contemporary Shamanism, a Reiki Master Teacher, Licensed Massage Therapist, Family Herbalism Practitioner, Flower Essence Practitioner, Ordained Minister and Certified Tarot Reader. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Western Connecticut State University, teaching courses and giving presentations on Mind/Body Healing, Cross-Cultural Healing, Power Animals, Reiki, Shamanic Healing and more.

She has over 30 years of study in the holistic health field, over 25 years as a practitioner, 18 years of teaching, and 19 years of study in mystical healing and shamanistic healing with contemporary and indigenous teachers. She also has several certifications in clinical, energetic and spiritually based healing techniques, including a Master's Degree in integrative health and healing, and a license in massage therapy. She brings practical wisdom, knowledge and experience to her work and teaching and strives to empower her clients and students to heal themselves and use their gifts to help others.

Deana has had the great honor to have either worked with, sat with or trained with the following teachers in her healing and shamanic practices and training: Gail Gorelick, Eileen O'Hare, James Mellor, Charles Thermer, Alverto Taxo, Yachak elder of Equador; Don Jose and Don Esteban Tomayo of Equador; The Q'ero medicine people of Peru, including renowned elder Kuraq Akuyaq Don Umberto Soncco Quispe, Don Claudio, Don Jose, Don Mariano Quispe Flores, Don Francisco Chura Flores and Dona Juanita, Don Sebastian; and Don Martin Pinedo of Cuzco, Peru, the twins Isabel and Yolinda of the Northern coast of Peru, healers of medicine traditions of the Amazon; Lewis Mehl Madrona, Painted Muddy Turtle of the Mohegan tribe of CT, and Lama Lobsang Palden of Tibet.

Deana has been blessed to have received multiple initiations, rites and empowerments over the years from contemporary teachers and the Q'ero and Tibetan Lamas in their indigenous healing traditions.

Her own personal healing journey has included recovery from cancer at age 21, an OCD/anxiety disorder in her twenties, a near-fatal car accident at age 30, a difficult divorce, career changes, and losses of various loved ones and pets throughout her life. Through a spiritually based, holistic path of self-healing Deana transformed these traumas and pain into triumphs and deeper self-awareness, and some of her greatest joys have involved inspiring others and supporting them to do the same, as a humble teacher of great heroes.

Read more on Deana here: About page.