Retreat: Belize 2016

What: Belize Yoga Retreat: Sacred Earth & Water
Where: Caribbean Waters and Rainforest of Belize
When: Oct 8-15, 2016
Hosts: Katrina Gustafson & Michael Shankara
Prices:
Before Sept 1

  • Single $1,999
  • Double $1,500ea

After Sept 1:

  • Single $1,999
  • Double $1599ea

Does not Include airfare and some meals. See below in “What’s Included” for complete details on all that is included with your price 🙂

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General Overview of Retreat

Harmony and balance. Earth and Water. Spirit and body. A sacred yoga retreat in Belize. Join Michael and Katrina to the Caribbean shores and living rainforests of Central America. A splendid mix of culture and creation, Belize is a wonderfully easy country to travel that harmonizes and breathes the ancient Mayan teachings with the breezy island life of the Caribbean. Our retreat will be in 2 parts; the first half will be in the earth element of the lush rainforest and the second half will be on beaches of the Caribbean water.

Part 1: Sacred Earth

Spend 4-nights at the renowned Chaa Creek Eco-Lodge, immersed in the lush and verdant energy of the spectacular Peten Rainforest.

Enjoy rejuvenating meals with food grown and harvested on the land, the mystical jungle trees, the lullaby of the Macal River, exotic birds, daily yoga, and refreshing swims in the infinity pool.

Each cottage accommodation has a porch veranda perfect to absorb the rich earth element from the comfort of your dwelling. Connect to ancient earth wisdom of the Mayan Spirit in an earth ceremony and visit the sacred pyramids of Xunatunich. Take a guided  tour of a mayan medicinal farm, see the cultural town of San Ignacio,  and the natural wonders of this mystical rainforest. With additional options to schdeule a spa or energy treatment, horse back ride, or simply relax.

Part 2: Sacred Water

Emerge from the rainforest grounded and ready to travel a short 2-hour ride to the Caribbean coast. Spend 3-nights in the lovely fishing village and cottage town of Hopkins. Stay at our private Caribbean Villa in air-conditioned bedroom suites. Explore the swimming pool, hot tub, rooftop verandas, full kitchen and the 2-minute walk to the white sand beaches of the Caribbean. Moving into more of an island time schedule, enjoy plenty of personal time to relax, nap, bike ride to the town, swim, read a book, schedule personal energy sessions, and do daily yoga. Let the water element open your flow and carry you deeper into personal balance and love of life!

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About Chaa Creek Resort (4-Nights)

Set along the banks of the Macal River and reaching towards the foothills of the Maya Mountains, Chaa Creek is a full serviceluxurious resort set in the Belizean rainforest. This spa and wellness center is situated on 400 acres of pristine rainforest with a focus on Belize’s ecology and natural history as well as the vibrant culture and spirituality of the Maya civilization.  There are 7 impressive ancient archaeological sites on their grounds, along with a Blue Morpho Butterfly Farm, Organic Farm, Nature Preserve and walking trails, Natural History Center, and Infinity Swimming Pool. Book a massage and walk the ancient temples, eat fresh fruit from the land, and watch the vibrant rainforest from our palm thatched yoga nest each day.maya-organic-farming-belize-chaa-creek-1_0

 

At Chaa Creek you’ll stay in individual palm thatched cottages, furnished with a tasteful, casually elegant mix of hand crafted furniture, fine fabrics and local and international art. Each spacious cottage has a private sundeck verandas to enjoy the soothing sights and sounds of the rainforest, and including dazzling hummingbirds.

Start your day light with a selection of tropical fruits and homemade yogurt, or go local and try a more substantial breakfast of refried beans, eggs, and freshly prepared corn tortillas. For dinner, spoil your taste buds and enjoy delectable ‘Jungle Cuisine‘ in the al-fresco dining room.

Most of the produce is grown on-site at Chaa Creek’s Organic Maya Farm.

Try innovative dishes like carrot and ginger soup flavored with orange peel and lemon grass, Cho Cho and cantaloupe salad with mango and balsamic dressing, or fresh fish fillet wrapped in Santa Maria leaves sprinkled with lime butter

About Your Caribbean Villa (3-Nights)

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Located just a 2-minute walk form the Caribbean waters- with full Beach access, our beach house is in the charming fishing village and town of Hopkins. Each daily yoga, full breakfasts and glorious views of both the 

sunrise and sunsets from the rooftop and swimming pool verandas. Take a swim in the ocean, hang out by the pool ledge under the waterfall, or take a 10 min bike ride into town for a meal and crafts- Bikes are provide as part of your stay! And after a day of relaxation and beach time, soak in the poolside hot-tub.Our house has 6 full bedroom suites each with a private bathroom, and access to the full house- including a full kitchen, air-conditioning, and many luxurious areas inside and out to relax, read and deepen your yogic practices. With a more island schdeule you will be able to eat inexpensively in town or cook at the house for lunch or dinner. Picnic at the beach!
The actual town of Hopkins is on the central coast of Belize’s Caribbean shores. There are beachside places to dine, shop, enjoy the local culture, or engage in beach and water activities

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Pricing and Payments

Cash and Check payments are free of any fees:) Credit Card Payments have an additional 2.5% processing fee.

Monthly Payment Plans. You can pay your retreat price (plus $100) over 4 months. Ranging from $400-$525 –a person/month for 4 months. Contact Michael if you would like register with Monthly Payments (720-745-0184).
Single 

  • Single    $1,999

DoubleCouples or Friends

  • Before Sept 1   $1,500ea ($3,000/couple)
  • After Sept 1      $1,599ea ($3,198/couple)

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The Sacred Earth & Water Belize Yoga Retreat starts 3:30pm Saturday, Oct 8 and ends 12pm Saturday Oct 15. We will arrange a pick-up and drop-off at the Belize City Airport (BZE).

Your first included meal will be dinner Saturday, Oct 8 at Chaa Creek Resort, and your final included meal will be breakfast on the morning of Oct 15 at our Private Caribbean Villa. Included meals are Breakfast and Dinner for 4-days at Chaa Creek, and full Breakfast for 3-days at the Caribbean Villa.

Not included is your airfare, tips, personal excursions, personal spa treatments, and meals not listed. See below for more detail:

Included

  • 8-Days and 7-Nights total
  • Chaa Creek Resort:
    • 4 nights (Oct 8-12)
    • Cottage Accomodation (1 or 2 beds)
    • 2 Meals Daily- Breakfast & Dinner
    • Butterfly Tour
    • Natural History Tour
    • Infinity Swimming Pool
    • Free WiFi
    • Bird-watching walk
    • Canoeing Macal River
    • Medicinal Plant Tour
    • Access to Walking trails
  • Private Caribbean Villa: 
    • 3 nights (Oct 12-15)
    • Bedroom Suite Accommodations
    • 1 meal Daily-Full Breakfast
    • Beach Access
    • Bicycles
    • Swimming Pool & Hot Tub
    • Rooftop Decks
    • Full House Access
  • Daily Morning Yoga
  • Afternoon Heart & Yoga Practices
  • Transportation to and from Airport in Belize City and all included excursions
  • Excursion to the town of San Ignacio & Hopkins (Artisan Crafts)
  • Excursion to Xunantunich Mayan Sacred Site (Entrance Fee not included $5 USD) 
  • Group Earth & Water Ceremonies
  • Group Shamanic Journey Sessions
  • All Taxes

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Additional Options

  • Spa Treatments @ Chaa Creek
  • Energy Healing Session- Michael
  • Personal Shamanic Journey – Michael
  • Crystal & Sacred Oil Healing- Katrina
  • Addition Day Trips or Ocean Activities

Flights and Pre-Retreat Lodging

Most of the best priced flights from Denver to Belize City will route through either Atlanta, Huston, or Dallas.  There are some Red-Eye flights that will depart Friday, Oct 7 and arrive in the later morning on Saturday Oct 8. There are a few flights that depart on the morning of Saturday, Oct 8 and arrive before 3pm. If you decide to fly down Friday, Oct 7th you will need to book a hotel on your own Friday night. We can assist with recommendations and coordination of pick-up on Saturday, Oct 8 to start the retreat. Contact Michael for assistance with travel plans to Belize is needed. mschenkelberg@gmail.com or 720-745-0184


About your Guides: Katrina and Michael

Katrina Gustafson
When Katrina took her first yoga class 14 years ago she knew she had found her soul’s home. The practice of yoga has transformed her life so vastly that she left her 12 year career as a high school English teacher to pursue the practice wholeheartedly. She has taken two certified teacher trainings since then, numerous workshops with master teachers, opened Karma Yoga Center, and created a 200 hour Yoga Alliance Certified teacher training that she leads three times a year. Her teaching style is a heart-centered vinyasa (flow) with an emphasis on the spiritual aspects of the practice. She is a student of Saul David Raye, and Dr.Manoj Chalom. Katrina subscribes deeply to the practice of Bhakti (devotional) yoga, tantric philosophy, and Vedic astrology.

Michael Shankara
Michael is a certified yoga teacher and Shaman. He weaves together the practices and wisdom of Bhakti Yoga with Mayan Shamanism. Initiated into the sacred wisdom of the Maya, Michael is the sole apprentice under elder, high priest and shaman Don Miguel Angel Vergara. Michael is also a professional musician and former tropical biologist. He will be providing the live music for the yoga classes and mediations, and guiding the group in ceremony and journey work.


CONTACT/QUESTIONS

You can contact Michael or Katrina to talk about the retreat, travel plans, payment plans.

E-mail: love@karmayogacenter.com
Katrina: 303-709-0535
Michael: 720-745-0184