Vilma Pinedo was born surrounded by the Apus, powerful mountain spirits, in the city of Huasao, Cusco. Her initiation into the path of the healer arrived before she was even born. When her mother was pregnant with her, she was struck by a lighting that almost kills them both. In the Andes this is a strong sign of being called by the spirits, that’s why from a young age the eyes of the community were set on her to learn the “curandera” way.

Vilma grew among her grandfathers and grandmothers, whom through day to day labour and sharing, taught her the traditional healing rituals. And since she was 12, she help them, reading the energy in the coca leaves, gathering the natural elements for the healings and offerings and using her intuition to advice the patients.

She comes from a lineage of renown healers in Cusco, amongst them her father Martin Pinedo, her mother María Sanchez, her grandfather Benito Qorihuaman and her great-grandfather Melchor Deza. The latter two, made known to foreigners by the masters Don Juan Nuñez del Prado and Américo Yabar, and respected  by a world-wide community of practitioners of the Andean Spiritual Tradition.

By studying at the university, Vilma did something that was new to past generations, allowing her to learn different languages, accessing and understanding more of the western and modern mindset.

Currently, she dedicates her time to her family, to helping her community, and assisting people in their spiritual paths, their own relations, families and businesses. She works with different subtle natural energies, using the methods received from her ancestors, like the making of offerings, the use of healing plants and sacred Andean rituals. She always remarks that when she works with people it’s the their faith what gets the job done. And that each one of us knows what we truly need, it’s just up to us to open up, listen, talk, and walk the path.

Vilma has a special connection with the Apus, guardian spirits of her land and culture. Like the Apu pachatusan, Manuel Pinta or Wiraqochan. They guide her in her works, and this is why she is considered as channel to the elders who still inhabit the high mountains in Cusco. “Sometimes you don’t see them, but they see you for sure, and they take care of you”, she says.

Vilma loves her family and the healing ways that bring balance to our bodies and our relationship with the living earth. She was called to accompany the Dalai Lama when he visited Cusco, and she uses her gift as a tool for health, peace and unity.