“I'll be honest: I walked into Kano's men's retreat with a lot of baggage around what I thought the experience would be: the type of work we'd be doing around masculinity, the type of men who'd be there, and what I – as a relatively well-adjusted trans man – would be able to get out of it. And despite Kano's assurances, I assumed I would, at the very least, spend the bulk of my time defending my right to be there to people who believed there to be an asterisk next to my identity as a man. Never have I been so grateful to have been proven so wrong. Not only did I find brotherhood amongst a wildly diverse group of men (who all unilaterally accepted me for who I am) but I was able to reconnect with parts of myself that decades of trauma had forced me to wall off. To call the experience transformative is a gross understatement; it healed parts of me that I never knew needed healing, and opened up parts of me that years of therapy haven't even touched. I used to believe that I had missed out on so much by having not been assigned male at birth; and while it's true, there are many formative parts of boyhood and manhood that I never got to experience, I walked away from this retreat with nothing but gratitude for the long and twisting road that brought me here (and 25 of the greatest friends a guy could ever hope to have).

-Adam Duval - Writer

The men's retreat was fantastic. I loved the people, the activities, and all the facilities. Kano was a really experienced leader. He kept the schedule exciting and fun but yet not too tight. The size of the group was about right. The food was delicious, which was especially impressive considering all the dieting restrictions. The embodiment practice was exactly what I was looking for. Aided by powerful ceremonies, I not only had gained clear insights into my own life but also built new friendships with a group of extraordinary brave men who I feel honored to call spiritual brothers. I felt so much more healthy and wholesome after the short week! I am considering coming back for this retreat in future years.

— SJ , Marketing CEO

"I’ve been working with Kano for three years now, and in that time I’ve experienced radical transformation. In my experience, Kano is the embodiment of the balanced masculine. He holds a strong container for our work together and speaks directly and truthfully, making it feel safe and exciting to explore the aspects of my spiritual and emotional growth that I’ve avoided in the past. Kano wears his passion for this work, the earth, and others on his sleeve. To me, his presence is defined by his immaculate heart. I call him Bear Heart as he is a fierce protector of the hearts deepest expression. He encourages his clients to move from a place of passion and inspiration and guides them into alignment with action and integrity. This is what sets Kano apart from the other healers I have worked with. He honors the truth of the heart and moves it toward embodied aligned action. This is what the world needs, and it is what I needed. I am so grateful for Kano and his teachings and ongoing support throughout my journey. I recommend Kano to those who are looking to move deeper into the spaces of themselves that feel challenging, Kano will lend you his presence and courage to take the steps forward on your journey back to self."

— Stephanie Moore, Certified Shamanic Practitioner

A life changing experience. Had the opportunity to sit with Kano at a 7 day mens retreat in July 2023. Kano asked us to write about our experience, which I was going to do immediately after, but decided to wait a few months to see how the experience survived time. It’s November now, and I can honestly say that it was life changing. I had never heard of mens embodiment practices, before this retreat, but I entered with an open if not a skeptical mind. Kano holds himself in manor which is both egoless and yet commanding, creating a container which gives you permission to let go. It was also an opportunity to create a bond with the other 9 men on the retreat, a shared experience that has proved to be lasting. We have maintained the connection within the group, which in turn has allowed the lessons learned to live on. I have new friends now, friends who I can call upon when the going gets rough, which of course it does. But you cant underestimate the value of having a support network born of shared experience. What has also remained has been the insights gleaned, new habits have formed, healthy habits that have enabled me to integrate what was seen and felt. Kano has integrity, you know he wants to help, this is felt on a deep level, and for that I am truly grateful.

— Christopher H. Musician

“Working with Kano was the first time coming into a place of connection to my own authenticity. Until then, the concept of standing in my own power to be of the highest service was more of a buzzphrase than what it is now as the central core to my life's work. What's most important for everyone to take from this is how tangible this gift is to anyone who wants to receive it, regardless of whether or not they are aware of it existence for themselves. My sessions with Kano can be best described as being the subject of a master craftsman whose trade is in unlocking a person's true potential. He starts with the foundational building blocks of who you are, what is serving you, and what isn't. Replacing bad habits with constructive routines, physical practice work along with meditation to help you identify those parts of you that are holding you back. Once you have identified those, you can now step into the growth aspects of your being which have been covered in shadow arriving at the true YOU that has always been there. Since I began my work, I've experienced weight loss, and levels of physical and mental energy I haven't felt in decades. The ailments that I have been inflicted with (gout) have all but subsided. I've been promoted at work and won the largest sales deal in my career. I have a deeper understanding and love of my partner and have emerged a King!!! Standing in a balanced state of the divine masculine and feminine energy that others commonly refer to as a "light" or "brightness" that I now emit. In love and gratitude to my dear teacher Kano Mai,”

— Christian Pescatore, IT Executive

“ In 2020, I was engaged in an 8-week integration container with Kano, and I can say with great confidence that the work we did together was integral in the foundational work I was doing in focus of my inner growth and expansion. From weekly check-ins, guided meditation, and supporting exercises, I was held and supported in deepening my connection to myself, exploring my developments, and integrating my discoveries. Furthermore, the tools he provided me with are those I continue to return to time and again in my own personal work. I like to say that even counselors need counsel, and I always know I can receive support from Kano; I have deep gratitude for the work we have done together. No matter where you are in your journey, Kano can meet you there, support you, and guide you on your path. ”

— Evacheska deAngelis, Integrative Counselor, Mindfulness & Meditation Facilitator, former Senior Executive

"I attended the "Heart of the Ocean" Men's Retreat at Finca Victoria in Vieques, March of 2024. It was facilitated by Kano Mai, Amir Khaligi, Mockingbird and the wonderful ownership and staff of the healing center. This was my second healing retreat with Kano Mai and my first "male specific" retreat I have ever been a part of. It's hard to put into words how profoundly important the work these men are doing, but I'll do my best: As a man who has struggled with dopamine addiction, a total lack of self control, deep emotional baggage from my intimate relationships, psychological issues stemming from childhood and family trauma, rampant substance abuse and likely an undiagnosed case of lifelong depression; I can emphatically say this was the single most therapeutic experience of my entire life. I have spent many years (8) in therapy, a few stints in rehab, AA, different "self improvement" seminars, working with different healers, being hypnotized, becoming a certified NLP master, etc. You name it, I probably tried it. I did, as they say "all the fucking work". And I kept seeking more work because I could not seem to break the bonds of my unconscious mind. I knew in my subconscious the keys to my freedom were hiding. That subconscious programming led me to a lot of self hate and self destructive choices and patterns I couldn't seem to escape. The work these men did with us was powerful, cathartic, healing, loving and created real intention in all of us. They utilized somatic breathing, embodiment work, elemental work, janzu water therapy, ayurvedic dieting, sacred plant medicine, therapeutic sharing circles and perhaps most importantly, they connected us back to our own hearts. They helped us reidentify with our true selves. The men we had forgotten we were. They helped us create the pathways we needed to move forward in our lives. And I say "we" because all the men felt the same way when we were done. It was a group healing experience as much as it was "the" healing experience I needed personally. After living with so much pain and anguish for much of my adult life, I felt the shift inside me that I had been searching for. I felt moved. I felt different. I felt and still feel connected with my source. I understood my path and I learned respect for my body, my mind and my spirit in a way I couldn't before. I can't say enough how much this experience meant to me personally, as it brings me to tears when I recall the beauty and peace it brought to my mind. This is the work that all people need. And to put a bow on it: since I have returned I have changed my diet, my exercise cycle, my energy, the way I choose to spend my time each day. I am intentional in a way I have never been able to access. And top it off, I have about 30 new best friends because of the experience. I have nothing but pure gratitude for the time I spent with all these men and these amazing teachers, medicine men and all the loving souls at Finca. Thank you gentlemen for creating the space for me to grow, learn and become who I needed to be. Ubuntu."

Sean French - COO / MANAGING PARTNER

“Kano has been an incredible asset for me on my journey of healing and spiritual growth. I worked with Kano many times over the last few months. He is a great listener and provides great advice. His intention setting service helped me focus on what I was truly trying to achieve. I went into an intention setting call with him a bit all over the place, and he helped me focus on what was most important to me. I was able to set a clear intention and have a laser like focus after our call. After setting a clear intention, Kano helped me integrate this intention into my lifestyle going forward. This integration was as crucial as the intention. The intention was the plan, the integration was the action I needed to take to get me there. Kano is also an incredible musician. His music speaks to my soul. I have learned to believe that everything is energy, and all energy has a certain frequency to it. Kano can feel my energy. Kano’s music is the frequency and sound I need to hear to help me heal from the inside. I am so grateful to have met Kano and to work with him professionally. He helped me heal my childhood trauma, my failed marriage trauma, and change my relationship with money for the better. After working with him, I achieved things I never even imagined to be possible. Do not pass on the opportunity to work with Kano. Working with Kano was one of the best things I ever did for myself. -- Thank You,”

— Richard Itskovich, Fund Manager, CEO

"Individual integration counseling with Kano has been a fantastic companion to my ceremonial work. I appreciate the way he holds space during our sessions, allowing for deep connection & thoughtful insight into whatever I’ve got going on. He’s helped me process situations in ways that feel like direct continuation of work I’ve done in ceremony, and I find comfort returning to words he’s said when I'm feeling overwhelmed by life"

— Mike Farrell, Musician

KANO MAI