Yoga Retreat: Breath and Beauty in the Land of the Mayan People
February 27 – March 9/2027
Panajachel, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Come and join us for some transformative days in Panajachel, Guatemala with a focus on the practice of Yoga. Rest and restore on a gorgeous property with cottages nestled in the sub-tropical landscape surrounded by bird-song. Find space for stillness and chant and optional day time activities exploring a variety of site learning about Mayan Art and Culture. The property is a few minutes from the beach on on the edge of the largest town at Lake Atitlan with all services available and plenty of markets and shopping. Enjoy a mayan sauna each day, immerse your body in goodness and health as we focus on wellness. Enjoy healthy and abundant food, the best coffee in the world grown on the slopes of the volcano across the lake and time to relax and restore and enjoy!
Cost: $2250 USD (all inclusive, includes GST) Single room surcharge $415 USD
for double shared accommodation for all in-country costs including yoga classes, meals, in-country transport, all accommodation from Feb. 27-Mar. 9, outings, guides and translation and entrance fees.
About the Yoga Practice: Morning practice will focus on Hatha style yoga, gentle stretches, sun salutations to greet each day, important to do this practice before breakfast. Each class will begin with connecting us with breath, helping us to stay focused during class and also to self-regulate in daily life. At the end of each class a prompt for personal reflection for the day will be provided as something to think about and write optionally during the day. The evening practices will be a little less energetic and more restorative in style, holding poses for longer. Sessions will be 45 mins to an hour in length and will incorporate breathing, stretching and savasana (deep rest) with accompanied imagery and instructions. We will have a chance to sing during the practice in simple repetitive chants, from Yoga and Christian traditions.
Leader bios:
Moira (Moe) Fricke has been enjoying the benefits of yoga for my mind and body for over 20 years. In the summer of 2024 she completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training and and has been teaching in 2 studios since then. Moe loves sharing her passion for Yoga, teaching Flow Yoga and Restorative Yoga. At this upcoming retreat she will incorporate both flow and restorative yoga practices, providing prompts for participants to reflect on during the time away with the goals of experiencing the benefits of yoga in a space which is safe and nourishing.
Doris Kizinna is the Director of World Pilgrim Travels and has been practicing yoga for many years. She is hosting this retreat on Julio and Doris’ new property in Panajachel, Guatemala. She loves to provide radical hospitality and provide spaces of comfort and beauty and community. She will lead some chant and song as part of the retreat and is looking forward to welcoming you to Guatemala.
Julio Cochoy will act as the host for the retreat providing support and logistics. He is from Guatemala and a Maya Quiche speaker and will bring his care, compassion and knowledge to our group.
Feb. 27-Mar. 9/2027 Guatemala: Yoga, Breath and Beauty in the Land of the Mayan People
**tentative schedule, subject to shifts and possibilities
Day 1: Saturday, Feb. 27: arrive in Guatemala City and shuttle/taxi to Antigua, overnight at Hotel Aurora https://www.hotelauroraantigua.com/. Flights usually arrive later in the evening from Canada and the USA. We will suggest a flight time to arrive and will have pickup at that time. If you wish to arrive earlier or at a different time, then you will arrange your own transport and earlier hotel bookings. No meals included.
Day 2: Sunday, Feb. 28: The tour officially begins today! Breakfast at Hotel and 9 am orientation gathering. The lead up to Easter in Guatemala is an incredible time to watch the Lent processions in Antigua. People create carpets out of coloured sawdust and fruits and vegetables and huge floats are carried through the streets and over the carpets in acts of devotion. We will go and explore the carpets being made and hopefully catch up with the procession throughout the day in Antigua. We will explore the colonial city of Antigua together. Visit some historic ruins, the market, an organic farm for an incredible lunch, learn about Jade in Guatemala and explore the cobblestone streets. Dinner together. Overnight: Hotel Aurora Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Monday, Mar. 1: Breakfast at Hotel and departure for the drive to Panajachel (2 hours). Stop enroute to visit the ancient Mayan City of Iximche. Lunch at Rincon Suiza Farm and finish the drive to the property in Panajachel (Casa los Nidos). 5:30 pm Evening yoga practice and 7:00 pm dinner. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Tuesday, Mar. 2: 7:30-8:15 am Morning Yoga Practice, 8:30 am Breakfast 9:30 am tuktuks to the boat dock and boat to San Juan La Laguna. Morning to explore the art and craft of San Juan visiting it’s weavers, painters and beautiful murals. Lunch on your own and 2 pm share in a Mayan Ceremony with Nan Maria, our friend and Mayan Spiritual Leader. Learn about your mayan sign. Boat back together to Panajachel. 7:00 pm Dinner at home and 8:30 pm Yoga Practice/meditation to close the day. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Wednesday, Mar. 3: 7:30-8:15 am Morning Yoga Practice, 8:30 am Breakfast 10:00 am visit Fundamaya a social organization helping Mayan people around the lake. www.fundamaya.org We will visit the elder lunch programme and share some time with the elders and share time with an elder at their home and donate some of the things the elder needs. Lunch out together and an afternoon visit to the Reserva Atitlan with some hiking trails and hanging bridges and butterfly dome. Afternoon freetime to explore Pana, go to the beach, 5:30 pm evening Yoga Practice, 7:00 pm dinner. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Thursday, Mar. 4: 7:00-7:45 am Morning Yoga Practice, 8:00 am Breakfast ,8:30 am Depart for Chichicastenango (1.5 hour drive) to visit the world famous Market. Lunch together at Café San Juan. 1:30 pm departure back to Panajachel. 5:30 pm Yoga Practice and 7:00 pm Dinner. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Friday, Mar. 5: 7:30-8:15 am Morning Yoga Practice, 8:30 am Breakfast 9:30 am optional visit to San Antonio Palapo, to visit the pottery workshops and Santa Catarina to visit the weavers and the park by the lake. Lunch together in San Antonio. 5:30 pm Sunset Yoga Practice and Dinner. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Saturday, Mar. 6: 7:30-8:15 am Morning Yoga Practice, 8:30 am Breakfast. 10:00 am depart for the boat dock and take the boat to Tzununa and walk to the town of San Marcos La Laguna to the nature reserve for swimming and enjoying the small town. Lunch on your own and boat back. 5:30 pm Yoga Practice and 7:00 pm Dinner. Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
Day 9: Sunday, Mar. 7: 8:00 am Morning Yoga Practice, visit to Hotel Atitlan and enjoy their Sunday brunch. Tour the gardens and the beautiful hotel. Afternoon freetime for final shopping and visiting Panajachel. Beach time. 5:00 pm Yoga Practice and Closing Dinner at Casa Los Nidos. Meals included: Brunch & Dinner.
Day 10: Monday, Mar. 8 8:00 am Morning Yoga Practice, 10:00 am Brunch, depart for Guatemala City (3 plus hour drive) and the journey home or further travels in Latin America. Overnight at Hotel Barcelo close to the airport. Meals included: Brunch.
Day 11: Tuesday, Mar. 9: Early morning shuttle from hotel to the airport for your departures.
