I am so very happy and excited to be offering this retreat!
It will be a such a joy to see in person those of you who attend, and to have the opportunity to share on a deeper level the joys and benefits of the practices I teach. The location is incredibly beautiful and extraordinarily peaceful; the amenities provided by Villa Sumaya are superb. And you will be able to savor a taste of Guatemala; our adopted country, our already beloved new home.
Update: Maya Rose House Rooms 5 and 7 are booked; six rooms are currently available.
Classes
The interests and priorities of you who attend will determine which of the following classes are prioritized. And once schedule is set, YOU choose which and how many classes you take.
- Breathing Practices, Pranayama, and Meditation
- A Yoga Approach to Understanding, Strengthening, and Integrating Your Core
- Gentle, Therapeutic Yoga
- Alignment-based Vinyasa Flow
- Restorative Stretch
- Qigong
- Tai Chi
I'll also have open studio time when you'll be invited to come ask questions, get individual instruction, and seek guidance on addressing issues and challenges.
Chill
Stroll at your leisure through the lush grounds and gardens, alive with tropical flowers ...
Melt into a swaying hammock staring mesmerized at the shimmering lake, ancient (dormant) volcanoes, and Sierra Madre Range mountains ...
Soak in the lakefront hot tub...
Indulge in a Massage, a Reiki treatment or other Spa Service ...
Food🍽️
The food is delicious. You can be assured of this because it has been approved by my Extremely-Picky-Eater Husband Waldon. Three sumptuous, colorful, nutritious meals a day, much of it fresh from the Villa Sumaya organic garden, are included in your Retreat package, served buffet style.
Note: The included buffet is vegetarian - chicken and fish are available for an additional $9.50/serving, and buffalo burgers for an additional $10.50. Gluten free and other dietary needs are accommodated.
And, if you're hungry or thirsty for more, the kiosk is open 7:30 AM to 9 PM offering (for purchase) juices, smoothies, sandwiches and treats as well as beer, wine, and mixed drinks.
Two Optional Field Trips
San Juan La Laguna
Casa Flor Ixcaco Weaving Cooperative
"Tejedoras de San Juan de Laguna" Artist: Antonio Coche Mendoza
Across the lake on the southwest shore of Atitlan, San Juan La Laguna has been home to the Tz'utujil Mayan people since the early 17th century. They are renowned for their extraordinary textiles crafted using ancestral weaving techniques and natural dyes, and also for their "Arte Naif" paintings that honor and tell the story of their history and culture. Artwork, crafts, and woven clothing are also available for sale, so you can take home some of the beauty of Guatemala.
Atitlan Nature Preserve
The Atitlan Nature Reserve is at the forefront of lake basin environmental and cultural preservation.
256 species of birds ... a refuge for endemic and migrating animals .... a butterfly garden boasting 30 native species ... lush mixed tropical forest .... waterfalls...
Fees
My Fee: $500 - $1000 / person
I offer a sliding scale to accommodate a range of individual circumstances. Please set your rate where it's comfortable for you.
Includes:
- Pre-retreat preparation
- All transportation and logistics within Guatemala
- Lots of classes, lots of individual attention
- Care for your well-being throughout the retreat
Villa Sumaya Fee: $1115 - $1995
Depending on your choice of room and occupancy (Scroll down to see your awesome options)
Includes:
- Your room with patio, private bath, security lockbox, and daily housekeeping.
- Three meals per day (as described above)
- 24/7 coffee, tea, herbal tea, & filtered water.
- Unfettered access to the grounds, facilities, and amenities.
Your Room Options
Update: Maya Rose House Rooms 5 and 7 are booked. Six of the following rooms are still available (the 7th will be for me 😊). Choose between:
- Maya Rose House Rooms 2, 3, 4 and 6
- Caracol Apartments 21, 27, and 28
Maya Rose House
Single Occupancy - $1645
Double Occupancy - $1120 / person
Maya Rose House is centrally placed on the property ... an easy minute or two walk to the main courtyard, to the indoor and outdoor dining patios, to the Blue Tiger Temple, and to the Diamond Dojo. It's about a three minute walk (including about 15 steps) up from the lake. We have the entire house, consisting of six rooms (numbered 2 - 7 ... why there is no #1, I do not know) reserved for our use.
Here's link to see Photos, videos, and specs for each room
(Note: Under "Details" for Room 4, only the two twin beds option is listed, but the Queen bed option is also available for this room.)
Maya Rose House Room 7
Patio, Maya Rose House Room 4
Caracol Apartments
Single Occupancy - $1995
Double Occupancy - $1400 / person
Triple Occupancy $1225 / person, Quadruple Occupancy $1115 / person (Available only in Caracol 21)
The three Caracol Apartments are located on the eastern side of the property.
- Caracol #27 and #28 are about a five minute walk from the main courtyard, indoor and outdoor dining patios, Blue Tiger Temple, and Diamond Dojo. The walk is fairly level, but does have a bit of up and down, including 23 steps (8 down and 15 up) then another 12 steps up to #27, and an additional 8 steps up #28. Note: not all the steps have handrails.
- Caracol #21 is perched high on the hillside - GORGEOUS view AND will give you your cardio - 85 steps to get up there
Here's link to see Photos, videos, and specs of each of the Caracol apartments
Caracol 27
Caracol 21
Update: Maya Rose House Rooms 5 and 7 are booked; six rooms are currently available.
Additional Expenses
- Airfare: Your flight to Guatemala City, you book this on your own
- Transportation within Guatemala - I will coordinate and make these arrangements.
- Between Guatemala City Airport and Panajachel, Lake Atitlan.
- About $35 each way for shared shuttle, more if you opt for private car
- Water Taxis - These boats, called "Lanchas" are how everyone gets around Lake Atitlan
- Between Panajachel and Villa Sumaya
- About $12 each way for the Retreat Lancha that I will reserve
- Less if you take a Public Lancha
- More if you hire your own Lancha and driver
- Field Trips, If you choose to join, see descriptions above
- $45/person - San Juan La Laguna
- $65/person - Atitlan Nature Reserve
- Tips for Villa Sumaya Staff
- Pooled and given at the end of the retreat
- $70 - $100 is recommended, but this is up to you
Optional Extra Days
After our Retreat ends on Feb 13th, you can be on your way home
(hopefully infused with newfound joy and vitality) OR ...
Sunday Feb 14th - Valentines Day ♥️♥️
Give the lake some love! Water pollution is a serious global issue and sadly, our beautiful Lake Atitlan is not exempt from the threat. Spend a day learning about the problems and contributing to the solutions. We will go as a group to learn from and volunteer with:
In their words: "Regeneration is the heartbeat of our mission...To regenerate is not just to restore, it is to fall in love again and again with the miracle of life, and to protect it with everything we have. It’s this connection, between people, water, and land, that guides our work every day."
Fee: $65 Includes community lunch, and covers sponsorship of a water filtration system for one family.
Feb 15th - 17th
Take an extra one, two, or three days to explore and enjoy Antigua with your personal guide (me, of course!)
Cost:
- The only payment for me will be the pleasure of your company.
- Lodging, food, and activities are available at various price points. Retreat participants - I will send you information and options after you have signed up so you can decide whether or not you would like to partake.
