isn't it gorgeous?
You won't want to leave this spot.
Nourish your belly and nurture your soul!
isn't it gorgeous?
Yoga, magic sunsets, bioluminescence & bird watching Retreat in Holbox Island, México
February 8-13, 2018
About this Retreat
Relax and rejuvenate in paradise! Fly away from cold of February down for a tropical retreat in the idyllic island of Holbox, Mexico. This 5 night, 6 day retreat will be the perfect opportunity to relax in the calm, emerald waters and soak up the warm sun. Stay in a beachfront, eco-chic hotel nestled in the Yum-Balam nature reserve. Located 2 hours’ drive and short ferry ride northwest of Cancun, Holbox is the perfect place to unplug, relax, and reset. There are no cars on the islands—just golf carts. Even the water is relaxed, making it the perfect place for kayaking or Stand Up Paddleboard. Did we mention that Holbox has the most amazing sunsets?
Magic sunsets on crystal water white beaches with hundreds of seabirds flying the skies and reflected as in a mirror by the surface of the ocean and swimming with the Whale Sharks are just a few of the highlights of this mystical Island.
About the teachers
Join us for an unforgettable vacation, guided by two passionate yoga masters, Victor Varana creator of Kalam-Balam and who is partnering with us, Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor Joanne Matson.
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More details and map below. Keep reading!
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About this Retreat:
Whether you are a beginner or a more advanced practitioner, this yoga retreat is for you. Experience yoga for the first time or deepen your practice, while enjoying an idyllic setting as you relax and rejuvenate in paradise! This 5 night, 6 day retreat will be the perfect opportunity to relax in the calm, emerald waters and soak up the warm sun. Stay in a beachfront, eco-chic hotel nestled in the Yum-Balam nature reserve. Located 2 hours’ drive and short ferry ride northwest of Cancun, Holbox is the perfect place to unplug, relax, and reset. There are no cars on the islands—just golf carts. Even the water is relaxed, making it the perfect place for kayaking or Stand Up Paddleboard. Did we mention that Holbox has the most amazing sunsets?
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What’s Included:
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5 night accommodations at Villas Flamingos
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Daily breakfasts
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3 dinners
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7 bird-inspired yoga classes
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Boat tour of 3 islands – where we hope to spot flamingos!
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Visit to walk in and experience the bioluminescence
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Healing massage
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Transport to and from the airport*
*Transport is included from Cancun to the hotel only if you have arrived at Cancun airport by 4pm on Feb. 8th. Transport from the hotel to Cancun airport will depart at 10:30am on Feb. 13th. If your flights do not coordinate with these transport times, you must cover the costs of transport on your own, but we are happy to help arrange.
What’s not included:
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Lunches and 2 dinners, to allow you to explore some of the delicious restaurants the island has to offer
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Airfare
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Gratuities
Early Bird Discount of $100 until October 31st!
RESERVE:
Accommodations:
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Garden Vista Room: This partial sea view room has either 2 queen beds or 1 king bed, full private bathroom, private terrace, hammock, safety deposit box, wifi, and A/C. $2475 Single / $1465 per person Double SOLD OUT!
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Sea Vista Room: This ocean view room has either 2 queen beds or 1 king bed, full private bathroom, private terrace, hammock, safety deposit box, wifi, and A/C. $2665 Single / $1685 per person Double
Payment:
A deposit of $500 is due to secure your space in the retreat. Please contact caroline@yogamultimedia.com to confirm availability of accommodations and to make your deposit payment or use the Paypal link above.This deposit is non-refundable. If an unforeseen event arises, we will try our best to refund your deposit if we are able to fill your space.
The remainder of your payment is due January 8th, 2018.
Sample Schedule:
- Morning yoga class
- Breakfast
- Free time for massage, beach, pool, hammock, etc
- Lunch on your own
- Free time
- Afternoon yoga class
- Dinner (included in pricing 3 nights)
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Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations made within 45 days or less of arrival are 100% non-refundable. Any prior cancellations are refundable minus deposit. If you need to leave the retreat early for unforeseen circumstances, there are no refunds or pro-rates.
In case of an emergency, we will do our best to apply your payment towards a future retreat or training. In case of cancellation due to a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, all payments will be applied to a future retreat, to be scheduled within one year of cancelled retreat. There are no refunds for natural disasters—credit only. In the late winter / early spring, hurricanes are unlikely to happen; the weather tends to be the best with clear skies, calm waters and temperatures in the low 80s.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
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Is this part of Mexico safe? On this island, crime is very low. However, petty thievery does exist, so keep your valuables locked up, to be safe.
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Is there wifi? Yes, there is wifi throughout the hotel. However, remember we are on an island, so the signal may not be as strong as you are used to. However, we encourage you to take this time to disconnect!
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Do I need to speak Spanish? Of course it doesn’t hurt, but for the most part, the people in Holbox are used to English-speaking tourists.
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How much money should I bring? It is important to know that most places are going to be cash only. Those restaurants or shops that do accept credit cards will likely have an associated service charge. There are a couple of ATMs on the island, but they are not reliable. We would recommend trying to exchange dollars to pesos before leaving the U.S. However, there are also opportunities to exchange or withdraw at the airport. In terms of spending money, all lunches are on your own as well as two dinners, so that you can enjoy the local restaurants—which are delicious! You will be able to find some meals as cheap as US$5 but also some as expensive as US$30. To be safe, we’d recommend allotting $50 a day, or perhaps a bit more if you plan to shop.
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Are the rooms air-conditioned? Yes, all of the rooms have air-conditioners as well as fans.
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Is clean drinking water available? Yes, there will be drinking water available. You should not drink the tap water. However, no need to worry about avoiding ice in restaurants, as it is standard at all places to use clean water to make ice.
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How are the mosquitos? The mosquitos can be quite annoying around sunrise and sunset. It is highly recommended to bring insect repellent with you.
About the teachers
Victor Varana ERYT500
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If you value learning from a seasoned and skilled teacher with a background in a diversity of yoga, meditation, martial art styles and a strong personal practice, then this is the trip for you! Victor has been a practitioner since his early childhood, and he has thousands of hours of teaching experience in Tulum, one of the most important yoga destinations in the world. Victor will bring to this retreat his experience of teaching to yogis from all ages, body conditions and practice levels in the same classroom, while still being able to give everyone the challenge they need. Come learn from him!
Learn and be inspired by an internationally reknown yoga teacher and creator of his own unique and acclaimed style of practice named Kalam-Balam.
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Testimonial : “This is one of the most energizing, centering, blissful, strong, empowering classes I have ever taken, I’m serious, ever [...] You’ve got to take this class. If you can ever see or take anything with him, I highly, highly recommend it”
Sadie Nardini. Tulum, Mexico, Sept 2012.
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Joanne Matson​
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Joanne tries to embrace Ayurveda and Yoga in all aspects of her life. She found these sacred sister sciences as a form of healing from a debilitating life with Crohn’s Disease, and as a result of this devastating auto-immune disease, degenerative spinal arthritis. Her goal is to balance our modern hectic lifestyle with the practice of living with awareness through yoga and daily routines with an intention to share her experience of healing by helping others find peace and balance in their everyday lives.
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Joanne is certified as an Ayurveda Wellness Counselor from both the Kerala Ayurveda Academy and the American Institute of Vedic Studies, and is an active member of NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association), the Society of Cannabis Clinicians, and Women Grow. She is also a faculty member for the Holistic Cannabis Academy. Much of her counseling involves recommendations for yoga, for which she is certified as a Raja yoga teacher (Sundara College of Yoga). Her teachings incorporate Hatha, Iyengar, Yin and Vinyasa yoga, along with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda; her classes form a tapestry of movement, meditation and stillness – with particular attention to mindfulness and breath.
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When teaching or counseling, Joanne subtly weaves Patanjali’s Eight Limbs of Yoga into her classes by incorporating and encouraging Pranayama (breathwork), Asana (yoga postures) and meditation. She credits her guru, Paramahansa Yogananda for leading her in the path of yoga, and to the many other beautiful healing teachers, in all forms, who have graced her life with love and inspiration.
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