Retreat: Tulum, Mexico 2015 | Karma Yoga Center

What: Mexico-Mini Retreat
Where: Tulum, Mexico (Fly to Cancun)
When: Nov 4-8 (Wed-Sun)
Price: See Below

Monthly Payment Plans

We are offering MONTHLY PAYMENT PLANS for the trip starting at

$400/mo for 4 months 1-Person ~ 1-King Bed Private Room.
$550/mo for 4 months 2-People ~ 1-King Bed Private Room

*Monthly price includes a finance charge. Call or e-mail Michael to register, discuss payment options or splitting costs between credit cards: mschenkelberg@gmail.com 216-374-5948

Payment in Full Prices

$1,499 1-King Bed in a Private Room at Villa (1 person)
$1,999 1-King Bed in a Private Room at Villa (2 people)

Register and Pay: Click HERE

Price Includes

Price includes the entire trip with Michael and Katrina from Wed-Sun, Nov 4-8 for 5-Days and 4-Nights in the Mayan Riviera and Yucatan with accommodations, daily yoga and all meals from Weds- Sat afternoon. Does not include airfare.

5-Days and 4-Nights total
4-Days and 3-Nights at the Karma Yoga Center Villa on the beach
1-night lodging in Puerto Morales on the beach (Sat, Nov 7)
Guided tour at Tulum Ruins
3 healthy meals each day cooked by Chef Mauricio (*expect dinner Nov 7 and breakfast Nov 8)
Round trip Transportation to/from Cancun Airport
Transportation to the Cenote, Sacred Tulum Ruins, Akumal, and Puerto Morales
Visit Tulum & Akumal
Morning Yoga classes
Beach Meditations
Afternoon Healing Yoga
Kayaking
Snorkeling
Shamanic Journey Session
Tips and Taxes

Additional Options:

$35 Temezacal on Sat Nov 7th
$9 Tulum Ruins Entrance Fee
$20 Cenote Entrance Fee

Flying to Cancun

Since this is a mid-week trip, there are some great prices on the flights from Denver to Cancun– though, there are a limited number of options in terms of times.

We recommend taking the Red Eye flights. You head to airport Tuesday (Nov 3) night and take off at Midnight, arriving in Cancun early Wednesday (Nov 4) morning.

Or fly Tuesday, Nov 3 earlier in the day. We will pick you up from the airport and help you get booked into our beach front lodge in Puerto Morales that Tuesday night for around $50-$60. Let us know if you need assistance 🙂

Overview

Mexico Mini w/ Karma Yoga Center Nov 4-8

Akumal ~ We’ll visit Akumal for an oceanside picnic on your Karma Yoga Retreat!

Manifest a Mexico Mini, Nov 4-8!

Tucked in-between All Hallows Eve, All Saints/Souls Day and Thanksgiving, this Mexico-Mini is just what you need to renew, rejuvenate, and restore your spirit. The portal connecting you to love and gratitude is wide open during this first week of November and is a beautiful time to be in the Bhav– the bliss of connecting to spirit.

Slip away from work Wednesday and be back by Sunday. Re-awaken your light through cenotes, sand, and sacred sites with lots of good food, yoga, meditation, personal play and poolside beach time.

Fly direct into Cancun either Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and we’ll pick you up in our Karma Yoga Bus– some say it’s a mini-van. Venturing south along the coast of the Mayan Rivera, we’ll arrive at the Karma Yoga Center Villa- a crown jewel nestled on the turquoise waters of the Soliman Bay. This magical property is footsteps from the ocean with a private beach, gentle breezes, and each bedroom opens directly poolside with a complete panoramic view of the ocean sunrises.

Each day we will share a gentle yoga practice, optional beach meditations, and intuitive practices to connect with your heart through the elements of the sun, the moon, the water, the and the sacred ruins. There will be many opportunities for personal relaxation, free time, and exploration of the local culture, cuisine, archaeological sites and nature activities.

About The Villa

Nestled between the famous snorkeling waters of Akumal and the white-sand beaches of Tulum, Karma Yoga’s Villa overlooks the sacred ocean waters of the Mayan Riviera.

Mexico Mini w/ Karma Yoga Center Nov 4-8 You will be welcomed into our majestic garden villa with its intoxicating views of coral reefs and Caribbean waters. This spacious house is complete with an ocean-side pool, indoor and outdoor dining patios, 5 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms,
thatched roofs, and an outside dinning house with our own personal cook, Chef Mauricio. We LOVE Mauricio and so will you- trust us 🙂

Absorb sunrises, relaxing to the sight and sounds of the waves on our second story 45-foot covered terrace. The garden with it’s fountain is a peaceful place for quiet contemplation.

The 3-story vaulted, thatched roof living room provides a spacious bungalow, cathedral for relaxing, reading, and communing.

Your Bedroom Suite

There are 5 bedroom suites (air-conditioned Mexico Mini w/ Karma Yoga Center Nov 4-8 if needed) each with slatted-French doors opening to your own private–patio. From your plush beds, you can enjoy ocean vistas, gentle bayside breezes, midnight stargazing, and poolside access.

Your bedroom suites are decorated in the classic Yucatan colors of jungle-green and sun-drenched gold.

Each has a private bathroom with Travertine tiled walls, natural hardwood vanities, and unique stone vessel sinks. Each room also has a personal wall safe and your own refrigerator. There are 4-private bedroom suites with 1-King bed each, and 1 bedroom suite with 2-Queen Beds, for a total of 5 bedroom suites and 6 beds.

The Private Pool

Mexico Mini w/ Karma Yoga Center Nov 4-8

Located on a raised-deck directly on the beach overlooking the lapis Caribbean waters, the private pool is a step (literally) from each bedroom patio.

The furnished pool deck has cushioned reclining beds and in-pool stools for sitting in the water. Just a few steps away are the white sand beaches with additional recliners for resting and enjoying the ocean waves.

Activities, Adventures, & Amenities

The Karma Yoga Villa on Soliman Bay is easily located between the famous snorkeling waters of Akumal and the pristine beaches of Tulum, each a 15-min drive away. You can enjoy nature walks along the beach or venture along trails into the lush palm tree jungle. The Villa comes with its own kayaks and snorkel gear to use anytime. There are abundant coral reefs for snorkeling just a few meters from our shoreline.

We will venture into Akumal and Tulum with the group where you will have access to a variety of water activities: parasurfing, kite-boarding, stand-up paddle boarding, dolphin swimming, fishing or pleasure boat rides. Both beach communities have boutique shops, restaurants and beach front cafes, and local artisan crafts.

Meals and Our Private Chef Mauricio

3-meals a day will be celebrated in good health at the Karma Yoga Center Villa. Our Lunches and Dinners from Wednesday evening through Saturday lunch will be prepared by our local Chef Mauricio.

We will dine on our 45-foot ocean terrace, in the garden palapa, and in the vaulted-roof dining room. We will serve locally sourced foods with vegetarian and gluten free options. Breakfast will be served continental style with coffee, tea, juices, fruits, local bakery goods, grains, yogurt, etc.. Our final dinner on Saturday night will be in the charming fishing village of Puerto Morales. Will be dining out with the option for the freshest catches of the sea, so bring a little extra money- dining is very reasonable here 🙂

Tulum Ruins: Portal to the Sea

The coastline that holds up the sacred pyramids of Tulum reveals the outline of an iguana on the rocks, the symbol, spirit animal, and guardians of the this mystical site. The teachers of the ancient Maya knew that the ocean waters off the coast of the Yucatan are a portal of truth, beauty, and to their original homeland in sunken Atlantis.

Michael will guide you through the energies, openings, and occult wisdom of this cosmic university of Tulum. The pyramids, the ocean water, and sacred art are all tapping into the deeper teachings of the earth, guiding her children back into harmony with their hearts.

The teaching are received from Michael and Katrina’s teacher Don Miguel Angel Vergara. Miguel Angel is a Mayan Priest, Shaman, PhD doctorate in cultural anthropology, and a member of the council of Mayan Elders. He was the Culture Director of Chichen Itza for 4-years and has been a practicing shaman in the Mayan tradition for 34-years. Miguel, Michael and Katrina work together to bring forth the shared wisdom teachings of Yoga and Mayan Shamanism. Discover how the Mayans share a common knowledge of chakras, mantras, sacred art, and healing practices with the Yogis of India

El Gran Cenote

Only a few miles from the Karma Yoga Villa, The El Gran Cenote is a refreshing mini-excursion into the jungle. Where we will swim in the turquoise waters of the cosmos- REALLY!

The cenotes of the Yucatan were created by meteorite debris- the famed meteor that caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. The waters are infused with cosmic minerals from outer-space. Each cenote is imbued with a unique healing signature that has been honored by the ancient and modern Mayans.

The El Gran Cenote has a white sand bottom, under ground caves, hanging jungle gardens, happy rock swallows, stalactites and stalagmites, and an amazing swimming cavern covered by mother earths stone arches.

Puerto Morales, Akumal, Goyo, and Temezcal!

We will spend our last day venturing back up the coast of the Mayan Riviera. Our first stop will be at the bay of Akumal where we will share a beach side picnic lunch prepared by Chef Mauricio. This is one of the best snorkeling places in the world, home to sea turtles, pink flamingos, and high vibrational local artists who are capturing the spirit of the land.

From Akumal, we will arrive in Puerto Morales. Protected by several miles of costal mangroves, this energy vortex has been preserved from development. A happy fishing village and artisan town imbedded right on the water, Puerto Morales is the perfect place for us to celebrate the last night of our Mexico-Mini Retreat. There are cafes (with great coffee!), casitas, and charming local crafts. We will be staying beachside with plenty of time to explore the town, fishing docks, and ocean.

Puerto Morales is also home to our friend Goyo. Goyo is a healer, shaman, philosopher, chef, musician, and gentle lover of the living spirit. He has been cultivating a healing sanctuary a few miles back into the jungle for over 20 years. Completely off the grid, Goyo grows and harvests his food, uses solar power, has in ground wells, and has built his healing sanctuary from the abundance of the jungle. Goyo will lead us in a Temezcal and healing ceremony Saturday evening (Nov 7). The Temezcal is optional. This is the Mayan cousin of the Native American sweat lodge. All participants can self regulate how long they want to be in the sacred space. The center of the Temzcal has a cooling pool filled with water. After our closing ceremony we will celebrate with a meal out in the village! Jai MA!!!!

About your Guides: Katrina and Michael

Katrina Gustafson
When Katrina took her first yoga class 12 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 and devotee of Saul David Raye, Dr. Katyayani Poole, and Dr.Manoj Chalom. Katrina subscribes deeply to the practice of bhakti (devotional) yoga, tantric philosophy, and Vedic astrology. She works hard on maintaining the integrity of this ancient practice while bringing it into the 21st century. Though yoga brings her deep joy, her greatest passion is loving on her two boys Maximus and Boden.

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 co-leading the tours of the Mayan sacred sites.

Itinerary

This is the tentative Daily Schedule for Mexico-Mini Retreat and may gently change.

Wednesday, Nov 4

3pm Be at Cancun Airport Terminal 3
- Attendees can arrive earlier or a day before
4:30pm Karma Yoga Bus to our Villa on Soliman Bay (1 hour and 15 min)
5:30pm Gentle Yoga
6:45pm Garden Dinner w/ Chef Mauricio!

Thur & Fri, Nov 5 & 6

6:30am Sunrise Beach Meditation (optional)
7:30am Breakfast will be set out and available until 10am
9am Morning Yoga
11am Free Time
12:30pm Lunch at Villa
1pm-4pm Free Time (there will be optional trips and activities offered)
4:30pm Afternoon Yoga & Healing Sessions
6:30pm Dinner with Chef Mauricio
8:00pm Evening Group Practice (optional)

Saturday, Nov 7

6:30am Sunrise Beach Meditation (optional)
7:30am Breakfast will be set out and available until 9am
9am Depart Villa for Tulum and Akumal visits
12pm Akumal Picnic Lunch and Beach Yoga
3pm Puerto Morales check-into Rooms
5pm Temezcal
7:30pm Celebration Dinner

Sunday, Nov 8

6:30am Sunrise Beach Meditation (optional)
7:30am Continental Breakfast or Cafe in the Village (Yoga is flights allow)
9am-11am Airport delivery- We are 20 min from airport.

**Attendees are welcome to arrive before Nov 4 and stay after Nov 8. Please let us know your plans.**

Shuttle Pick Up Times and Flights

Please plan to be at Cancun Airport no later than 3pm on Weds Nov 4 to meet the group. If your travel arrangements do not allow for this, we can help arrange your own transportation at an additional cost.