Born to be a healer
Sankeniwe
Sankeniwe (Roberto Chávez) was born in Peru in 1961, descending from ancient lineages such as the Naylamp, Aiapaec, Sican, and Sipán — to name only a few among many. As the grandson of an Altomisayo, from birth on he was surrounded by profound spiritual experiences and the living tradition of Peruvian Andean shamanism.
The calling was undeniable
Gifted with a deep connection to all elements, to the Apus (sacred mountains), and to the divine presence within, his calling revealed itself early in life. At the age of fifteen, he chose to dedicate his path to the sacred profession of the Curandero — the traditional healer.
Under the guidance of many esteemed and indigenous masters, Sankeniwe immersed himself in years of learning and spiritual practice. He spent long periods at the Huacas — holy ceremonial sites and ancestral resting places of the healers — as well as in the Peruvian jungle, where he studied with the plant masters and undertook sacred diets. Through his apprenticeship with the Altomisayo lineages, he mastered the art of the Altomisa and learned to communicate with the Apus.
Today, at the age of sixty-four, Sankeniwe holds more than forty-five years of profound experience, gained through his continuous work and lifelong spiritual refinement. His journey also led him to Switzerland, where he spent several years giving numerous lectures and countless healing treatments, sharing the ancestral wisdom and sacred practices of the Peruvian Andes with people from around the world.
Carla Heugel
Assistant
To share the powerful and profound spiritual medicine of Peru with even more people, Carla has been working closely alongside Sankeniwe for some time, as both his student and assistant.
With her deep understanding of the Western world, she serves as a living bridge between cultures — linguistically, mentally, and spiritually — helping others connect with the ancient wisdom of the Andes in a contemporary way.
Born in southern Germany in 1999, Carla felt a strong connection to spirituality from an early age. Over the years, this calling evolved into a deep fascination with Andean shamanism and ancestral healing traditions.
After completing high school and several studies abroad — including language studies in China, a degree in music, and certification as a nutrition coach — she eventually found her way back to her true passion: spirituality and personal transformation.
Through her training in facilitating ceremonial circles, her studies of Andean shamanic practices under Alberto Villoldo, and her extended stay as a facilitator at a retreat center in the Peruvian jungle, Carla mastered the art of holding sacred space and discovered the transformative power of ceremonial work.
In recent years, she has also been apprenticing in the healing practices of Sankeniwe, deepening her understanding of traditional Peruvian curandero medicine.
Combining this spiritual path with her academic background in communication psychology and her professional training as a copywriter, Carla now helps individuals share their heartfelt message with greater clarity and visibility — guiding them toward authentic expression and purposeful impact.
