Maestra Estela comes from the Shipibo community of Santa Rosa de Dinamarca, located eight hours by boat from Pucallpa. Born in 1972, she was raised by her grandparents, both shamans and healers. From an early age, she was introduced to medicinal plants and had her first encounter with Ayahuasca at 14.
At the age of 20, her grandfather transferred the power of the medicine to her before his passing, initiating her as a curandera and shaman. She continued learning from her grandmother, who passed on her light and wisdom. At 35, she began healing foreigners carrying physical and psychological trauma, working in several well-known healing centers in the Iquitos region.
Today, with more than 25 years of experience in Shipibo medicine since her initiation by her grandfather, Maestra Estela is widely respected in the Amazon as a true healing teacher. She has completed many intense trials, including 14-month diets with the medicinal plant Camalonga, two years with Toé Floripondio, and another two years with Piñon Colorado. She also completed an intensive six-month light diet, a practice comparable to uninterrupted, isolated meditation. Within her community, she is recognized as the teacher of light.
Maestra Estela is the mother of four children. Her 16-year-old daughter, Ronibensho (Amerita), and her 12-year-old son, Reinihue (Ray), also study master plants under the guidance of their mother and grandparents. Her brother Roldan, an aspiring healer, also works at the center and offers guests insight into Shipibo traditions.