Shamanism

Shamanism is the world’s oldest healing methodology, with roots reaching back over 35,000 years. Practiced across cultures and continents, it offers time-tested spiritual tools to help us reconnect with what has been lost, restore balance, and reclaim inner strength. Though ancient in origin, its wisdom remains deeply relevant in the spiritual healing work of today—and in the lives of those seeking meaningful transformation.

What Is Shamanism?

Rather than being a single belief system, shamanism is a cross-cultural set of healing practices grounded in the understanding that spiritual imbalance often lies at the root of suffering. Practitioners work in partnership with compassionate spirit allies to restore vitality, retrieve lost energy, and bring clarity where there has been confusion or fragmentation.

In traditional societies, shamans served as healers, seers, and guides—mediating between the physical and spiritual worlds. They entered altered states of consciousness using drumming, breath, or intention to seek insight and bring back healing from non-ordinary reality. Long before organized religion or modern medicine, Indigenous peoples around the world engaged in spiritual practices to restore balance, access guidance, and bring healing to the body, mind, and soul.

Shamanism is not a religion. It is a set of spiritual technologies grounded in the belief that all life is interconnected—and that spiritual imbalance is often the root of emotional, psychological, and even physical suffering.

Across cultures, shamans were known as intermediaries between the seen and unseen worlds. They entered altered states of consciousness—through drumming, breath, trance, or nature immersion—to seek answers, retrieve life-force energy, and heal what could not be healed through physical means alone.

Core Practices in Shamanic Healing

Although cultural expressions differ, shamanic healing often includes practices such as:

  • Soul Retrieval – Recovering vital, healthy soul essences that detached due to trauma
  • Power Animal Retrieval – Reconnecting individuals with spiritual allies and protectors
  • Shamanic Journeying – Entering non-ordinary reality to seek healing, insight, or guidance
  • Ceremony and Ritual – Honoring sacred energies and building relationship with the spirit world
  • Divination and Symbolic Messages – Receiving information to aid in healing or clarity

These are not imaginative experiences—they are spiritually grounded encounters guided by compassion, humility, and deep listening. The shamanic practitioner does not act alone, but in conscious collaboration with trusted helping spirits.

What Shamanism Is Not

Shamanism is not fortune-telling, escapism, or control. It is not a quick fix or a bypass of psychological or medical care. It is not a trend or performance. True shamanic healing is rooted in respect, discipline, and service.

Many people misunderstand the term “shaman,” especially in the West. I do not call myself a shaman. I am a shamanic practitioner—someone trained in the principles and sacred methods of cross-cultural shamanic healing, practiced with reverence for the traditions from which they arise.

My Training & Lineage

I began practicing shamanic healing in 1998. My early work was shaped by the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and later deepened through my training with Sandra Ingerman, one of the foremost teachers of soul retrieval and spiritual healing in the West.

I also apprenticed with a traditional shaman in North Texas, studied Yin-Yang principles and Taoist energy systems under South Korean masters, and spent nearly a decade immersed in the ancient spiritual sciences taught by Sri Kaleshwar, a saint and master healer from India.

My path has also included hospice service, crisis support work, and deep study of many sacred traditions—from Kabbalistic to Indigenous American practices. These studies are not only academic—they are living, evolving, and embodied in the healing work I offer today.

Shamanic Healing in the Modern World

In today’s world, many people are spiritually fragmented. They may feel emotionally numb, energetically off, or disassociated from their lives. This can result from trauma, grief, early childhood fear, addiction, illness, or loss. Sometimes, the source is known; often, it’s not.

Shamanic healing offers a framework that honors the unseen roots of pain. It allows us to work with energy, memory, and spiritual disconnection in ways that complement—but do not replace—psychological or physical care.

Soul retrieval, power animal connection, and spiritual counseling are just a few of the ways shamanic work can support your healing journey.

Explore Shamanic Healing with Maia

To learn more about specific practices, visit:

  • Soul Retrieval
  • In-Person Soul Retrieval: The Process
  • Long-Distance Soul Retrieval: The Process

[Schedule a Soul Retrieval Session] or [Contact Maia]

“When I first contacted Maia, I felt apprehension at what would be my first soul retrieval. However, any tension was immediately assuaged after our hour-long conversation. 

Maia touched on topics and aspects of my life despite our having never met. I had heart-based goosebumps throughout the first conversation- little did I know that was just the beginning! Maia was incredibly professional, prompt, and made herself very available during the process.

Her experience as a long-time shamanic practitioner was further buoyed by her incredible experiential knowing in spiritual matters and eastern mysticism. Most importantly, Maia made me feel comfortable, acknowledged and seen from the get-go, and she has helped me regain a sense of a quiet inner power.

I highly recommend working with Maia!”

Aman Dhaliwal

“Since December I have had what seemed like insurmountable pain due to the ending of a substantial 18-month relationship and the slow, but steady decline of my mother.

I was beside myself with grief and believed I would never see past the pain of my losses.  I underestimated the power of the love and guidance that Maia is able to offer.  Not only did she guide me with tools of meditation, but she directed me to resources I was heretofore unaware of.

More importantly, she kept me feeling whole.  She never allowed me to feel regret nor did she allow me to believe that I couldn’t overcome the pain.  She reassured me and made herself available to me in my weakest moments.

In my strongest moments, she cheered me on and encouraged me to once again believe in who I am.

If you value unconditional love, spiritual guidance and a down to earth approach to life, Maia will be a wonderful choice for you.  May God bless you!”

Carole

“The Universe guided me to Maia when I had felt like I had just spiritually broken into pieces, scattered and without direction. There was so much stress and pain that I had endured over the years that it felt like there was no hope and no doctor would be able to help heal me.

Maia was so kind and gentle and guided me through the entire process with professionalism and true genuine care for my well-being. It was such an emotional experience for me, and I was glad that I had found someone so sensitive and in tune with just what type of healing I needed.

I highly recommend spending some time with her if you are lost or feel spiritually hurt or missing like I was. Maia, you have a special place in my heart, always.  Love & Light.”

Michelle

“Maia, you are truly a beautiful spirit and a true healer.
I would someday love to partake of what you teach. If only I could, from here in San Diego.

With Pure Love and COMPLETE Gratitude!”

Anonymous

“I think I knew enough to ask about soul retrieval and Maia agreed it would be a good idea for where I was at in my journey. Maia is an outstanding, multi-talented  shamanic practitioner. She works with genuine care, love, and is a great human as well!  Her retrieval was a game changer.”

Mark Y.

“I contacted Maia because I wanted to get in touch with my power animal and to do a soul retrieval. She far exceeded my expectations and was even kind enough to help out my 3-month-old daughter who’s doing significantly better since Maia helped her regain her trust from her traumatic birth. I’d highly recommend her to anyone.”

A.R.

“After the soul retrieval I stopped bouncing back and forth between feeling okay and feeling depressed and things began moving quickly – personally, professionally and spiritually.

I remember that day afterward feeling incredibly rested and peaceful, which I couldn’t remember the last time I felt so good.  Even the things you had said after journeying made so much sense and some of which I had never told anyone before.  And I felt tremendous relief from the guilt I had pushed back way into the corner of my mind.

Thank you so much, and thank you for the friendship.” 

Anonymous

“Maia is an awesome being/ reader/healer and I’m so blessed to have chosen and worked with her. She is a bright light on this planet. I could go on and on about her talents but when you talk with her you can make your own decision.

I also attended Maia’s telepathy class. She taught us the basics of telepathy and how we could develop our natural skills in using it. We did some actual “readings” of each other and had 1st hand experience of telepathy. As time permits I’ll do more and advanced work with her and the other students.”

David

“It’s hard to believe it’s only been seven months since your healing because my life has changed completely. The energy you brought back for me gave me the strength to really march down a path to healing, and remember myself. I started studying shamanism to help me be engaged in my healing process. I am on the last leg of doing a chakra healing course. Through this work, I’ve been able to remember, grieve and release the abuse done to me by my father.”

A.K.

“We have been giving thanks for you and the miracles you worked in our lives. B. says he finally feels whole. L. has a high energy level and positive vibration. I feel balanced. It was an amazing experience. We really appreciate your hard work; and your thoughtfulness in bringing us together with your friends as well. It was truly an evening we will reflect upon for the rest of our lives. With love and gratitude.”

C. G.