Wild Bodies
Mayan Riviera 🇲🇽 Mexico
A daring & joyful 7-day exploration of our wild bodies through yoga, art, nature, and community
Join Amber Karnes and a community of courageous women for an unforgettable week of yoga, art, rest, and adventure, including an unforgettable trip to a natural water park, swims in cenotes, beachfront massages, and sunset yoga practice by the sea. This is your invitation to reconnect with your body, your joy, and the wild, vibrant parts of yourself.
🌴 This retreat is for you if…
✌️ You’re a woman who wants to explore body acceptance through yoga, art, and nature. (not a woman but want to attend? See the FAQ)
✈️ You’re an adventurous traveler who’s ready for your next passport stamp.
‼️ You’re a daring scaredy cat (my people ❤️) who wants to try something a little intimidating, jumping off a cliff into a cenote, traveling internationally, or going to your first retreat.
💞 You want to travel safely and conveniently in Mexico without having to figure out all the logistics.
🧘♀️ You want to practice yoga with a teacher that knows how to accommodate your unique body.
✨ You want to make some new like-minded and like-hearted friends with similar goals around body peace and living life out loud.
🌊 You want to experience an adventure retreat designed especially for plus-size folks and other unconventional travelers
🤓 You want an entire week packed with deep conversation, joyful movement, and laughter
🌺 You want to have time away from the distractions and stress of everyday life to rest, relax, and rejuvenate, whether you come solo or with friends
💖 What To Expect
You’ll fly into Cancun International Airport and take safe, private transportation to the tiny beach town of Paamul (15 minutes north of Playa del Carmen, and 20 minutes south of Tulum).
I’ll welcome you to our home for the week: a private oceanfront villa with panoramic views of the beautiful Caribbean Sea. Two gorgeous beaches and a swimming pool are a few steps away, surrounded by palm trees, the ocean breeze, and local wildlife like iguanas and pelicans.
Our villa’s in-house chef will prepare three daily meals for us. His cuisine has deep Mexican roots with contemporary style influences and he uses local and ethical ingredients in his dishes. Any dietary restriction can be accommodated.
Every day will be a blend of adventure and relaxation. Yoga workshops, body image discussions, a 1-hour beachfront massage, and fun art experiments will be interwoven with excursions to a truly one-of-a-kind natural water park and swimming in a stunning cenote.
We’ll have downtime each day for you to rest, enjoy one of the two nearby beaches, or use one of the villa’s kayaks, paddle boards, beach bikes, and hammocks.
💦 Let The Water Work Its Magic
Swim, float, splash, and feel your way back into joy! You’ll have plenty of time to move, play, and relax in water every single day.
The cenote excursion is a favorite: imagine swimming in cool, crystal-clear water filtered by the earth, surrounded by limestone and lush greenery. It’s an unforgettable, grounding experience that taps into something ancient and powerful. And back at our beachfront home, you’ll have access to two beaches, a swimming pool, kayaks, paddle boards, and hammocks.
One of our biggest adventures will be our excursion to Xel-Há, a natural water park where the jungle meets the sea. Think lazy river floats, cliff-jumping into cenotes, snorkeling with colorful fish, and zip-lining into turquoise lagoons. Whether you’re diving in or just dipping your toes, this retreat is filled with opportunities to experience water in joyful, adventurous, and healing ways.
🧘♀️ Build confidence in your yoga practice with Body Positive Yoga
This yoga retreat is one of a kind! All classes will be taught by Amber Karnes, plus-size yoga teacher trainer and creator of Body Positive Yoga.
If you’ve ever struggled with certain poses or transitions (hello, stepping from downward dog to the front of your mat!), you’ll love learning with me. I specialize in helping you personalize your yoga practice so it works for the body you’ve got!
And you won’t want to miss the unforgettable experience and unmatched energy of a Headstand Party 🥳 (IYKYK).
We’ll also spend time making art and talking about topics like self-acceptance, body image, and building confidence. On our final night together, I’ll host one of my famous silent disco dance parties. I can’t wait!
🇲🇽 Feeling lost? Travel to Mexico & find yourself
For a week, we will be immersed in the beautiful culture, food, sunsets, and laid back vibes of Mexico’s Riviera Maya. You’ll have downtime each day to explore the wonderful natural surroundings.
Our private villa is truly stunning, surrounded by the ocean, palm trees, and local unspoiled beaches including a turtle sanctuary. Rooms are air conditioned and our open-air yoga space overlooks the ocean for gorgeous views and special sunset practices.
Every day you’ll have time to enjoy the beaches, pool, or just relax in a hammock. Take time away from the distractions and stress of everyday life to recharge and find yourself again.
🐠 Why I Created This Retreat
I have been dreaming about a community space where we can explore body image through yoga, art, and adventurous connections with nature.
Think on these questions real quick:
👶 Why do we think chubby thighs and fat rolls are adorable on a new baby, but feel disgusted by our own soft, squishy parts?
🦛 Why can we admire the power, humor, and mischief of a baby hippo—fat, aggressive, and unapologetically itself—yet we shrink ourselves, trying to fit into a mold of acceptability?
🌊 The shimmering texture of water is beautiful to me. But when I see a similar texture on my own body, silvery stretch marks or the crinkly skin that comes with aging, why do I feel discomfort and the urge to smooth it out?
A wise man once said, a weed is a flower in the wrong place. What if we applied this same logic to our bodies and what we believe about our appearance?
What if cellulite, stretch marks, scars, our own body’s shape and size… are all just beauty “in the wrong place”?
Our brains are full of shortcuts that tell us which parts of ourselves aren’t acceptable—shortcuts shaped by culture, media, and shame. But when we step back, we often find that what we judge in ourselves, we admire in babies, nature, animals or other people.
What if we’ve been wrong all along about these wild, weird, imperfect, amazing human bodies?
These are the topics and questions I want to explore together at the Wild Bodies retreat.
A retreat isn’t just a vacation; it’s an intentional space to get to know yourself better and learn things in community. I created this retreat as a container for you to:
- Explore your relationship to body image and self-acceptance through yoga, art, and nature
- Be supported by a community of open-minded, curious, non-judgmental women while you push beyond your comfort zone in a brave, transformative way
- Come back to your body and yourself in a new place
Travel has a unique kind of magic. For many of us, it offers a chance to step out of the day-to-day and see ourselves in a new light.
Join me and learn something new about yourself in Mexico.
Profound force in my life
Body Positive Yoga, particularly the retreats (I attended two), was a truly profound force in my life for several years. Amber crafted incredible gatherings, with great logistics of course but she also has an ability to set a tone and create a space that I know was meaningful for all involved.
These events were over 5 years ago and I still communicate with friends I made there.
Courtney W.
❤️🔥
What’s different about this retreat?
Hi! I’m Amber Karnes. I have led over a dozen wellness retreats over the years, and I design my retreats specifically with plus-size travelers in mind. While I welcome folks of all shapes and sizes to join us, I center larger bodies in my work. The tiniest details are important to me so you can have an excellent experience.
At my retreats, I create a supportive environment where no one gets left behind, so you can safely push your limits in a group of other fun, positive folks without worrying about keeping up or fitting in.
Expect experiences where you can try something challenging (like cliff jumping into a cenote, doing a headstand, or exploring body image) in an environment specifically created to support you through the process of feeling awkward or “bad” at it.
We’re gonna celebrate each other when we feel awkward and when we win. And we’ll have so much fun learning and practicing together. My face always hurts from laughing and smiling so much at these events. 😂
If you have any concerns about whether you’ll be able to do the activities, or have questions about accessibility, mobility limitations, etc., please reach out! I’d love to speak with you.
☀️ Wild Bodies Retreat Schedule
Every day will look a little bit different and final schedules will go out a month prior to departure. This is not a retreat where every last second is packed full of activities or curriculum. There is spaciousness for you to explore on your own, have plenty of downtime, take care of your introverted side, and just relax.
Day One
After your flight lands in Cancun, you’ll meet our private driver who will bring you to our villa in Paamul (1 hour drive). When you arrive, you’ll meet Amber, and check in. You can go to your room to unwind, head straight to the beach or pool, or explore the property.
In the evening, enjoy a group welcome dinner where you’ll meet your community for the week. Then we’ll make our way to the rooftop yoga deck for a relaxing and magical sound bath session with shamanic cuencos (singing bowls). Feel the healing vibrations while ocean waves crash in the background and you gaze up at the stars.
Day Two
Wake up and drink your coffee or tea while you take in the amazing ocean views. After a nourishing breakfast, we’ll travel to a local cenote for a truly unique experience.
Cenotes are natural deep water wells that are fed by the filtration of rain and the currents of the rivers, born in the heart of the earth. Swimming in a cenote’s crystal clear waters is a refreshing experience, as the average temperature is a maximum of 75°F (24°C)!
The Mayan word for these pools is ts’onot, which means cavern with water, and led to the current spelling cenote.
Enjoy downtime in the afternoon to dip in the pool, visit one of the nearby beaches, take a nap, or relax in your room. After dinner, enjoy a sunset Body Positive Yoga practice overlooking the ocean.
Day Three
Get ready for a magical day at Xel-Há, one of the most breathtaking natural water parks in the world. Just a 25-minute drive from the villa, this eco-paradise is where the jungle meets the sea, literally. Picture yourself floating down a lazy river surrounded by lush mangroves, snorkeling in a crystal-clear lagoon teeming with tropical fish, or cliff-jumping into turquoise cenotes. It’s not just a park, it’s a full-body experience of joy, awe, and connection to the Earth.
What makes Xel-Há truly unique is how seamlessly it blends nature, sustainability, and fun. You’ll spend the day exploring a protected inlet where freshwater from underground rivers meets the Caribbean Sea. It’s an environment so rich in biodiversity, it feels like swimming through a living postcard. Whether you want to snorkel all day, zip-line into the water, walk through jungle paths, or just float in the lazy river with a drink in hand (it’s all-inclusive!), Xel-Há offers something for every energy level.
Your ticket to the park is included in your registration (along with unlimited food and drinks!) but you may be interested in some of the optional add-on experiences like manatee encounters, swimming with dolphins, walking the seafloor in a special scuba-helmet, and more! This isn’t just a day trip, it’s a memory-maker.
We’ll have dinner together in the evening and share stories from the day.
Day Four
Wake early for sunrise yoga overlooking the ocean (or sleep in and join us for breakfast).
Today we’ll gather for an art & body image workshop. During this session, we’ll be exploring body image through journaling, discussion, and low-pressure art-making. We’ll discuss our experiences at the cenote and water park, and take inspiration from our connection with nature to infuse into our art and writing.
If you don’t think of yourself as an artist, don’t worry. I will demonstrate some easy creative techniques like collage and printmaking with natural materials. I’ll have plenty of creative prompts for you to work with, or you can let your imagination wander and create something you envision. This is art you can’t mess up!
You’ll have the afternoon free to explore or rest as you please. After dinner, we’ll wrap our day with a sharing circle as the sun sets.
Day Five
After breakfast, we’ll continue to explore our body image through easy, fun art activities.
Today is your day to embrace the siesta life. Spend time at the beach, in the pool, take a gorgeous nap, read a novel in the middle of the day: whatever calls to you!
Some point in the day, you’ll enjoy a 1-hour, beachfront massage.
After dinner, join me for a sunset yoga practice on our gorgeous rooftop as the waves crash below.
Day Six
After breakfast, we’ll gather for another body image and art workshop where we’ll capture more of our experiences and express ourselves through easy fun creative practices.
After lunch, take your final afternoon to rest, explore, or chat with your new BFFs. We’ll give our chef and kitchen staff the night off and have dinner at a local beach club instead (they have plenty of options for everyone).
After dinner, I’ll host one of my famous closing circle silent disco dance parties. If you have never tried silent disco, trust me, you’re gonna love it (everyone does, even me… I was skeptical at first). There’s no better way to end the night than dancing in front of the ocean together as the sun sets.
Day Seven
On our last morning together, we’ll have breakfast and gather for goodbyes (til next year). Private transportation will bring you back to Cancun airport for a safe flight home.
🌺 Private Villa Accommodations
The villa is located in Paamul, a small beach town an hour away from Cancun International Airport. All of our private suites are steps away from the pool, a relaxing space with an ocean breeze and view. There is an abundance of coconut palm trees, tropical flowers, sea shells, weathered limestone, hermit crabs, iguanas and pelicans, plus a galaxy worth of stars at night to gaze up at.
Five minutes south of the villa, on a rugged bike-path through the jungle, lies a turtle sanctuary. This ungroomed and seaweedy isolated beach is the perfect spot to soak up some sun in peace. To the north, about a two minute walk away, lies another beautiful beach with white powdered sand and fabulous margaritas.
⛱️ What’s Included
🧘♀️ Sunrise & sunset yoga classes
🤿 Xel-Há water park trip
👙 Excursion to a local cenote for swimming
💆♀️ 1-hour beachfront massage
💖 Art & body image workshops, all supplies included
🛏️ Your chosen accommodation at our beautiful, lush villa
🍳 Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by our private chef (with one dinner out in town)
☕ Fresh coffee, tea, and filtered water available all day
🌙 Opening night sound bath ceremony with singing cuencos
🥰 Sharing circles to celebrate your wins and cheer on your new besties
👚 Limited edition t-shirt to commemorate the event
🚐 Private, safe transportation to and from the Cancun airport to our villa in Paamul
What’s Not Included
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Airfare to Cancun
- Additional excursions
- Alcohol
- Gratuities
What They’re Saying
I attended every single retreat she offered one year
Amber Karnes is someone I’ve had the pleasure of learning yoga from, attending retreats and collaborating with as a wellness practitioner. One of the things that’s been a pleasure throughout all of my experiences is the thoughtfulness and impact of her work.
She is always there in her students minds or in the retreat participants hearts, creating an unforgettable and transformative experience that is centered around personal and collective empowerment. And working with her is FUN. She’s driven, creative and is a powerhouse of taking a project from idea to completion.
There’s a reason why I attended every single retreat she offered one year, trust.
Deb Malkin
Mindbody Coach, The Curiosity Cure
I didn’t think my second retreat could be better than my first. I have grown so much using my experience from my first retreat to the this second one. I maintained friendships, made new ones, deepened my connection with myself, others, and with my practice. It has taught me how to use what I feel on my mat and share it with the world. Most of all it has given me a place to calm my mind, feel confident, and be more authentic with myself. Loved every minute!
I’d recommend this retreat to a friend because it was such a nourishing experience – I felt my body and soul get stronger, I felt my intentions take a more meaningful shape, I felt refueled. Plus, all the lovely people there are so supportive and made me feel like I had found a new community.
Amber is very good at pulling people out of their shell. I learned so much, but I also felt so comfortable in her environment and she made modifications for my back problem. She’s very good at reaching people where they are and a joy to learn from.
I attended a Body Positive Yoga retreat with Amber and it was life-changing, life-affirming, actually!
Amber’s care, compassion, commitment, and drive is what still has me doing yoga and still working on me and my overall health (body, mind, and spirit). She gave me the tools I needed to move forward on my health and self love journey.
Being in a community of intelligent, authentic and like minded, yet diverse women is exceptionally empowering.
To know there are others out there that you can identify with, learn from, and share community with is so impactful and can be carried with you in everyday life wherever you go.
I was pretty skeptical about what to expect, despite having signed up on a last minute whim. I deal with social anxiety and struggle to step out of my comfort zone when it comes to meeting new people. This was a great opportunity to challenge my own insecurities and do so in a supportive environment with other women who face the same internal conflicts.
How powerful community can be. It was so wonderful being around women who were committed (even at different levels) to achieving body peace.
I love looking at our bodies together and witnessing the power that we hold to heal ourselves and each other.
I think what Amber does is so important in holding space for us to find one another and lead us through example, wisdom, kindness, and humor.
Community building is a special skill that, with Amber, comes from her heart and a passion for the ways we can see and be seen in the world with compassion.
My Body Positive Yoga class with Amber was the real but very needed compassionate check-in toward living in a body that’s different. She gifted me her focused attention, thoughtful words, and movement to love myself wholly.
🌊
About Your Host
Hey, I’m Amber Karnes. I’m a multi-disciplinary artist, community builder, educator, and yoga teacher.
I am a curious, multi-passionate person and a connector. Over the past 25 years I have built communities and thrown events around yoga, art, craft, graphic design, food justice, the hardcore punk music scene, bikelife, entrepreneurship, and more.
I’m so excited to weave more art into my work in a more intentional way, starting with this retreat. It’s exciting to imagine exploring body acceptance through self-expression and art together.
My art background
I’ve always been into making art. My mom nurtured my creativity as a kid and I experimented with every media from painting to photography.
I also was online from an early age (before AOL even existed) and at age 16 taught myself HTML code and made my own website from scratch, where I shared my daily thoughts before blog was a word. (I am old in internet years.)
I went to art school in college where I developed a love of linoleum block printing and letterpress and earned a BFA in graphic design. For 10 years, I worked as an art director and graphic designer and held marketing roles in corporate, at nonprofits, and as a freelancer.
I also was an art director for 2 record labels and made countless album layouts, t-shirt designs, posters, stickers, patches, buttons, and other merchandise for hardcore punk, metal, and indie rock bands. I made letterpress art and learned bookmaking as a member of Virginia Arts of the Book center for several years.
In my 30s, I built community for independent artists and crafters. Our collective hosted skillshares, supply swaps, social crafting circles, juried craft markets, networking events, and more. I was heavy into knitting and sewing my own clothes and had an Etsy shop where I sold handmade lip balm and other body care products.
I am visually obsessed with collage, graffiti, cities, street signs, decay, graphic design in all its forms, hardcore punk culture, band posters, grunge esthetic, zine culture, midcentury modern, handlettering, abstract impressionism, typography, letterpress, and linoleum block printing.
I have a lifelong love of stickers (starting with Lisa Frank in the 90s 🦄). For several years in Baltimore I ran a youth-driven custom graphics and bike sticker business called amberhouse. I love designing custom sticker sheets for all kinds of reasons (ask me, I’m obsessed!).
Yoga & body acceptance
When I found yoga in my early 20s, it started a decades-long journey of learning how to live well in this wild body of mine. Eventually I became a yoga teacher and the past 14 years I’ve been building community (and a business) around yoga.
I am the creator of Body Positive Yoga, which is both a teaching method and a community about body liberation and accessibility. Among other learning experiences, I have sold out over a dozen wellness retreats over the past 10 years. Retreats are absolutely my favorite way to work.
I write and teach about body acceptance and how you can use your yoga practice to come home to your body and feel more comfortable in your skin. I love facilitating conversations about why we feel the way we do about our bodies and how we can have a healthy relationship with our appearance.
What I’m up to now
Before March 2020, I was traveling full-time, leading workshops, retreats, and teacher trainings. Then the pandemic happened and changed everything about my work (and the whole yoga industry). I stopped traveling and helped the yoga industry get online during the pandemic.
Nowadays, I support small business owners 1:1 with marketing coaching and done-for-you services like copywriting and content strategy. I am rolling out some new work which includes marketing clinics for micro business owners and adventure retreats like this one.
I’m also having a great time designing custom merch for small businesses. Ask me about merch, I’m obsessed!
It is clear that Amber brings authenticity, integrity, curiosity, and compassion wherever she goes. She lives her yoga. For non-yogis, this means that her yoga goes beyond making shapes with her body on a rubber rectangle (which is fun but not all there is).
She speaks hard truths with kindness and demonstrates HOW to make yoga accessible for all. She finds creative ways to support and inspire through both written word AND via open hearted conversations. Her openness to learn while teaching is what makes her such a solid teacher of teachers.
I am a better teacher and student thanks to her. The world is a better place because Amber Karnes is in it.
Tamara (Tami) J. Musumeci-Szabó
Social Health Psychologist, Ph.D., E-RYT-500, YACEP
🤩 Frequently Asked Questions
Retreat Logistics
How do I register?
Visit this link and fill out the registration form to select your accommodations. A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your spot.
Can I make payments?
Yes! When you register, you can pay in full or make payments. I don’t charge extra for payment plans.
After you register, I’ll set up a recurring payment plan dividing the balance equally by the number of months left before the trip. The balance must be fully paid by June 21, 2025.
Remember that the $500 deposit is non-refundable so I strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment.
What if I need to cancel?
- Until June 21, 2025: You may cancel or transfer your registration to another person and get a full refund of all monies paid (except non-refundable $500 deposit)
- June 21 – July 21, 2025: No refunds, but you may transfer your registration to another person.
- After July 21, 2025: no refunds or transfers.
What's included in the price?
- Yoga workshops: sunrise yoga classes, Body Positive Yoga workshop, yoga practice Q&A workshops, yoga nidra
- Whale shark snorkeling excursion with bonus Isla Mujeres trip
- Excursion to a local cenote for swimming and cliff jumping
- 1-hour beachfront massage
- Art & body image workshops, all supplies included
- Your chosen accommodation at our beautiful, lush villa
- Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by our private chef (with one dinner out in town)
- Fresh coffee, tea, and filtered water available all day
- Opening night sound bath ceremony with singing cuencos
- Sharing circles to celebrate your wins and cheer on your new besties
- Limited edition t-shirt to commemorate the event
- Private, safe transportation to and from the Cancun airport to our villa in Paamul
What's NOT included in the price?
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Airfare to Cancun
- Additional excursions
- Alcohol
- Gratuities
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. I strongly advise everyone to purchase travel insurance in connection with all bookings. While the coverage provided by travel insurance varies based on the policy you purchase, as a general rule, this type of insurance may provide coverage for a variety of losses which you may incur relating to a booking, including losses relating to trip cancellation, illness, injury, theft, lost or damaged property, etc.
Be aware that, except for the limited refund rights in the cancellation policy, you are 100% responsible for any losses, penalties, fees, or other financial consequences arising out of any booking or trip, or the cancellation or interruption of any booking or trip (including, by way of example, costs related to airline tickets and fees, passport fees, visa fees, medical expenses, etc.).
For all of these reasons, I urge you to purchase travel insurance promptly following booking.
What airport should I fly into?
Please fly into the Cancun International Airport (CUN). Transfers to our villa will be arranged from the airport only.
What time should I arrive and depart?
Transfers will be arranged from Cancun International Airport (CUN) only. The airport is 1 hour away from the villa. In order to take advantage of transfers to the villa, please note:
- Arrival transfers will be leaving the airport between the hours of 2pm and 6pm on August 4. I recommend a flight that arrives before 5pm if possible. The last shuttle departs at 6pm which will allow you to get to the villa in time for our welcome dinner and opening circle.
- Departure transfers will be leaving the villa between the hours of 10am-1pm on August 10. I recommend an afternoon flight. The airport is about an hour away and I recommend being at the airport 3 hours before an international flight leaves.
- If you wish to arrive before or after the shuttle time slots, I am happy to help organize a shuttle pickup at your own expense.
Is this retreat for women only?
This retreat is for women and gender minorities. It is not a space for cisgender men.
Let me try my best to be clear. Women (and people of other gender identities who grew up socialized as women) share certain lived experiences in our patriarchal culture. We receive implicit and explicit messages about “our place in things” that men don’t. We’ll be untangling the ways that cultural conditioning about womanhood overlaps with our sense of self, especially with regards to body image.
This retreat is a space for women as well as anyone who was raised or socialized as a woman. Trans women are welcome, as well as transmasc and non-binary folks who were socialized as women (regardless of how they identify). It is not a space for cisgender men.
If you have questions about whether you should attend, please contact me and we can discuss!
Tell me about the food!
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner is prepared by our in-house team of cooks and chefs. The menu focuses on Mexican cuisine with contemporary style influences, using only nutrient-dense and locally sourced ingredients. Our kitchen will accommodate to any dietary restrictions or preferences, always preparing and serving you with love.
One night, we will give our staff the night off and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in Paamul, which has lots of options for everyone.
Every year a new executive chef brings in new dishes and new techniques into the villa’s kitchen so that the rest of our team can continue to develop and evolve.
When you register, you’ll have a chance to tell me about any dietary restrictions so I can make sure the chef and staff can take good care of you.
If I want a shared room, can you help me find a roommate?
Yes! If you book into a shared room and are coming alone, we will pair you with another retreat participant who’s requesting the same room type.
You’re also welcome to book shared accommodations with a friend. Let me know you’re booking together when you register.
What do I need to bring?
I’ll send you a complete packing list before the retreat, but you don’t need any complicated or fancy items. Everywhere we go will be extremely casual.
I’ll be bringing comfortable, casual clothing, a couple bathing suits, cover-ups for the beach and pool, comfortable walking shoes, and stuff like sunscreen and bug repellant.
I have a question you didn't answer here.
Reach out to me and let’s talk!
About the Experience
Do most retreat participants come alone?
Yes, many of my guests do come alone. But by the end of their stay they usually have made some great new friends. I’ve heard from folks who retreated with me a decade ago that are still friends with each other today!
How big is the group?
I am planning for us to be a group of 15, but we may be a few more depending how folks book into the rooms.
Am I too old to come to the retreat?
You’d be amazed at how many women have this question! The other question is, “Will I be the oldest one there?”
The average age of my retreat guests is early 30s to late 50s. But I’ve had several retreat guests in their 60s and 70s over the 10 years I’ve been throwing these events. I deeply appreciate inter-generational retreats, it adds layers of perspective and wisdom that benefit the collective.
You are not too old! I hope to see you there.
I'm nervous I won't be able to keep up with the group during activities.
Please don’t worry. I design my retreats in such a way that we move at the pace of the person who needs the most time and assistance.
No one is ever made to feel “too slow.”
As the person responsible for holding the container of the retreat group, I set the pace for activities and I intentionally lead “from the back of the pack” according to how the group is doing.
Even the most athletic people have bad days, get too hot in the sun, or get their period. So I am always evaluating the group in front of me and making sure that no one is left behind, whether we are doing yoga, walking to dinner, or on an excursion.
Will I be able to keep up in the yoga classes?
Yes! I specialize in adaptive, inclusive yoga practice for all bodies and ability levels. This is low-pressure, judgment-free yoga led by a “non-typical”, plus size yoga teacher.
The yoga that I practice is not designed to be a strenuous workout. These are easy movements and big deep breaths that meet your body where you are today. Lots of options and modifications will be offered for any practice I lead.
We will workshop and troubleshoot poses or transitions that don’t work for our bodies, and you’ll leave with new tools to personalize your practice.
Is this retreat for women only?
This retreat is for women and gender minorities. It is not a space for cisgender men.
Let me try my best to be clear. Women (and people of other gender identities who grew up socialized as women) share certain lived experiences in our patriarchal culture. We receive implicit and explicit messages about “our place in things” that men don’t. We’ll be untangling the ways that cultural conditioning about womanhood overlaps with our sense of self, especially with regards to body image.
This retreat is a space for women as well as anyone who was raised or socialized as a woman. Trans women are welcome, as well as transmasc and non-binary folks who were socialized as women (regardless of how they identify). It is not a space for cisgender men.
If you have questions about whether you should attend, please contact me and we can discuss!
I have a question you didn't answer here.
Reach out to me and let’s talk!
International Travel
What is the weather like? Is it hot in Mexico in August?
Yes, it will be hot during our time in Mexico! The average maximum temperature during the day is around 85 degrees F (29.4 degrees C). However, be aware that highs can reach up to 95°F (35°C). The average minimum temperature is 70°F. You should plan to bring plenty of light clothing, a wide brim hat, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen. We’ll help each other be aware of spending too much time in the sun and staying hydrated.
I’m skipping the usual Mayan Riviera excursions (like the Tulum ruins) in favor of cooling trips to a local cenote for swimming and lounging, plus our day trip to Xel-Há water park.
I’m planning to host yoga workshops during sunrise and sunset. While our rooftop yoga deck is gorgeous, if we want to escape the sun, we also have a covered yoga shala we can practice under.
Afternoons are yours to relax at the beaches, dip into the stunning pool, take a nap in your room, get another massage, lay in a hammock, and more.
I encourage you to embrace the Mexican tradition of siesta in the later part of the afternoon (the hottest part of the day). Resting in the afternoon will keep you from getting sunburned or dehydrated, and reset your energy for a beautiful sunset, dinner, and the rest of your night.
I'm nervous about traveling alone to Mexico.
Hey, I get it. Traveling solo can be intimidating when you don’t know what to expect. Here’s some more information about how the experience will go.
Know that as the person responsible for the container of this retreat, I designed this experience with your safety in mind. I don’t want you to be confused about any step of the process, so please ask me if you have questions. I want your retreat experience to be smooth and stress-free.
I’ll email you ahead of the retreat with general info about international travel, since for many of my retreat guests it’s often their first time flying outside the USA.
- You’ll fly into Cancun, get your bags and go through customs.
- Our driver will be in a pre-arranged location and you’ll get on the shuttle with your bags. You may be with a few other retreat participants or alone depending what time your flight arrives.
- The driver will stop at an ATM if you need, and the ride to the villa where we are staying is about an hour.
- On the return day, you’ll board the shuttle at our villa and ride to the airport. Follow the signage and go through security as with any American airport. Most airport staff speak English. When you land in the US, you’ll go through customs again.
As far as your time in Mexico, we will be spending all our time at the private villa (and the pool and 2 nearby beaches) with the exception of 3 excursions:
- Whale shark trip – we have private transportation arranged to and from the boat launch, and expert boat guides to take us to the sharks and to our bonus snorkeling trip. I have vetted these guys and they have hundreds of public 5 star reviews on tripadvisor and google.
- Cenote trip – we have private transport arranged by the retreat center which is their trusted vendor for all retreats
- Dinner out in town one night. This is a very sleepy, tiny beach town. We will walk to the restaurant and back to the villa as a group. It is very safe.
As long as you stay with the group, I think your trip to Mexico should be perfectly safe and without incident. Let me know if you have any specific concerns or questions about the process of international travel, and we can talk more!
Is it safe to travel to Mexico?
Yes, Mexico is generally safe for travelers who take basic precautions, just as you would in any large city around the world.
Mexico is a popular tourist destination with millions of visitors each year who enjoy its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and vibrant cities safely. Like any place, there are areas with higher crime rates, but we will be traveling to Paamul, a tiny town with very little crime. It’s always important to stay aware of your surroundings, avoid displaying valuables, and take extra precaution if walking alone.
I’m arranging trusted transportation services from the airport and we’ll have a group orientation about safety when you arrive, but if you follow common-sense guidelines, you’ll be well-prepared to enjoy a safe and memorable trip to Mexico.
Do I need a passport or visa?
U.S. citizens will need a passport to visit Mexico, but no visa is required at this time. Passports will require at least one blank page for an entry stamp. Entry information can change so please visit the State Department page for up to date information.
Citizens of all other countries should check travel requirements well in advance of their retreat.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. I strongly advise everyone to purchase travel insurance in connection with all bookings. While the coverage provided by travel insurance varies based on the policy you purchase, as a general rule, this type of insurance may provide coverage for a variety of losses which you may incur relating to a booking, including losses relating to trip cancellation, illness, injury, theft, lost or damaged property, etc.
Be aware that, except for the limited refund rights in the cancellation policy, you are 100% responsible for any losses, penalties, fees, or other financial consequences arising out of any booking or trip, or the cancellation or interruption of any booking or trip (including, by way of example, costs related to airline tickets and fees, passport fees, visa fees, medical expenses, etc.).
For all of these reasons, I urge you to purchase travel insurance promptly following booking.
Is there WiFi? Will my phone work in Mexico?
There is WiFi available at our villa. Check with your cell phone provider about cell service in Mexico. Many U.S. cell phones will work with no modifications, or you can purchase an add-on to your plan or an e-sim depending on your phone.
You should contact your cell provider well in advance of getting to Mexico to ensure uninterrupted service.
Do I need to convert cash to pesos?
This retreat is all-inclusive of accommodations, meals, and excursions, but you may want to have pesos on hand for things like souvenirs or booking an additional massage.
You also are welcome to tip any of our villa’s staff or tour guides. Gratuities are not included in the retreat price, and are always appreciated but not required. You can also generally tip in USD.
I recommend avoiding the currency exchange at the airport (the rate is worse than what you’ll get at any other ATM). Your shuttle driver can stop at an ATM on the way from the airport to the villa.
Check the exchange rate that your bank offers before you get to Mexico to ensure that you’re getting a good rate from the local ATM. You can choose to decline the local rate and use your bank’s rate if that is better. Most Mexican banks will have staff that speaks English if you need help.
Do I need to speak Spanish to come on this retreat?
Not really! Many of the people working in hospitality in Mexico speak English, but in any case, be creative! Smiles, gestures, “por favor” and “gracias” can get you far.
I recommend learning a little bit of Spanish for travelers, it will make you more confident and make life easier for you if you end up venturing outside the group. Plus, your world opens up when you interact with locals in their own language. Learning a little Spanish shows respect to the people whose home we are enjoying.
After my trip to Mexico in April 2024, I started learning and practicing Spanish using the Language Transfer podcast. It’s an amazing resource for learning conversational Spanish quickly, and I highly recommend it. It makes language learning feel like a game! There are also lots of great YouTube videos that will teach you some basics. Send me an email if you want to practice together. Ya vamos!
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