GUATEMALA
Lake Atitlan Viasomatic Retreat
with Jenn Wooten
October 16-23, 2027
Registration opens soon!
THE SPACE BETWEEN
A Viasomatic Retreat to Recover, Reorient and Move Forward
Life brings change. Some of it we choose. Some of it chooses us.
Some of it shows up uninvited, arrives with zero regard for our existing plans, and pulls the rug out. Most humans are remarkably capable of rising to meet these moments. We adapt. We carry on. We do what needs to be done. But we need the opportunity to put the load down, recover from what has been, and make some space for what comes next.
Your nervous system shapes every version of you that shows up. It influences how you respond to stress, to demands and challenges, how much capacity you have available, how clearly you can think, how deeply you can connect, and how readily you can move toward what matters. And you have far more influence over that system than you realize.
This is the wheelhouse of our work at Viasomatic: helping you understand the language of your nervous system and giving you practical, body-based ways to work with it. Over the course of this week, you’ll learn the language of your nervous system, how your body mobilizes to meet life’s demands and changes, and how to intentionally create the conditions for recovery and growth.
Through yoga, movement, breath, meditation, rest, nervous system education, reflection, nature and community, we’ll work with the natural rhythm of stress and recovery. You’ll learn how to build greater capacity not by pushing through more, but by becoming more skillful at recovering from what life asks of you.
When your nervous system is no longer devoting so much of its energy to managing stress or responding to what has already happened, that energy becomes curiosity, clearer thinking, creativity, meaningful action, desire and purpose. Perhaps figuring out what you want from life once it’s stopped handing your ass to you.
This week is a space to truly set down what you’re done carrying and ask “what becomes possible when more of your energy is available for what comes next?”
Join Jenn Wooten, founder of Viasomatic, on the shores of Guatemala’s stunning Lake Atitlán, where three ancient volcanoes cradle crystal blue waters said to hold powerful and grounding energy. This sacred lake, known to the Maya as a place where earth and sky meet, offers the perfect backdrop for stillness, reflection, and renewal.
Vacation Details
This is our second time at Villa Sumaya, a magical and secluded retreat center that sits on the shores of Lake Atitlán in the Guatemalan highlands, surrounded by water and volcanic peaks. Getting there requires a boat across the lake, which feels like an appropriate way to begin making space from ordinary life on the other shore.
Our days here together will have space in them. Morning and afternoon practices overlooking the lake. Swimming off the dock in Lake Atitlan. Plenty of hammocks to disappear for a while. Hot tub soaks and lots of places designed for rest and reflection.
Meals are fresh, abundant and largely plant-based, with three home-cooked vegetarian meals served each day and vegan and gluten-free options available. Expect local ingredients, fresh fruit, organic greens, homemade breads and tortillas, soups, seasonal dishes and the very important category of dessert.
Villa Sumaya’s Spa offers massage, acupuncture, Ayurvedic treatments, reflexology, Reiki and other bodywork from world class healers.
This space is for you if you’re in transition, making intentional changes, finding your footing after unexpected ones, or somewhere in the messy middle between what was and what comes next.
We welcome you to join us and be held by the space, the land, the community, and the intention to leave not just lighter, but with the ability to embrace change and move forward with purpose.
Travel, Additional Information & FAQ’s
Villa Sumaya is located on the shores of Lake Atitlan near the village of Santa Cruz la Laguna.
Please plan your flights to arrive in and depart from Guatemala City. We will collect your flight details and group you together to share private shuttles to Panajachel. From Panajachel, you will take a short boat ride to the Villa Sumaya Dock. The shuttle and boat ride will be booked for us by Villa Sumaya. Please budget $50 each way for this service. (This may be less or slightly more depending on how many share your shuttle bus).
For ease of travel, please arrive as early as possible on day 1 for airport pick up and transfer to Villa Sumaya. On the last day, the retreat ends with breakfast on the last day. Afternoon flight departures are preferred, although any time can be accommodated. Please note that you will need to leave Villa Sumaya approximately 5 hours before your scheduled flight departure.
For flight patterns that arrive after 2pm on Day or or depart before 10am on the last day, many participants simply add a night in Guatemala city for ease of travel. (So adding Friday night on the front end or Saturday night on the back end) For this, we recommend Hotel Barcelo. (They offer a free airport shuttle and we can arrange a pick up / drop off from here)
A valid passport is mandatory to enter Guatemala. Visitors from the USA, Canada, and most European countries do not need visas. You will automatically receive a 90-day tourist visa upon entry.
What to bring:
Clothing
A hat for sun and for chilly nights (we will be at high altitudes of close to 5,000 feet)
A bathing suit, and a cover-up or sarong
Sunglasses
A windbreaker or raincoat
Layers for cool mornings and evenings
Warm weather clothing for sun protection
A shawl, sweatshirt, poncho or fleece (one warm thing for cold mornings and evenings)
Sunscreen and lip balm
A flashlight (we sell eco-flashlights in our store)
Insect repellent
Walking shoes or sport sandals
Health
Homeopathic remedies
Nutribiotic (grapefruit seed extract) tablets–these come highly recommended and can help bad travelers’ stomachs
Vitamins/energy drinks
Dramamine (for car sickness) for the winding roads to Panajachel
Any prescriptions
Eyeglasses
Feminine hygiene products
Food and other comforts
Decaf coffee, decaf black tea, or other special teas if desired–there is no decaf coffee in Guatemala
Clocks and hair dryers
Laptops–wireless is available in most of our center for a daily or weekly fee. Limited uploading and downloading permitted.
Any other items that will make you feel at home such as iPad, headphones
A snack for airplane and shuttle ride to hotel (3 hours)
Books and magazines (the center loves donations for the guest library)
A current passport, airplane tickets, and other form of ID (bringing a photocopy of these is recommended)
Personal checks, cash, or travelers checks to pay for incidentals and spa treatments are preferred. Credit cards have an 8% fee.
Additional Frequently asked Questions and Answers
Does Villa Sumaya accommodate special diets?
Yes! Our center does accommodate most special dietary restrictions like allergies, vegan and non-gluten diets. We serve wholesome, fresh, meals that are simple and delicious. If you are concerned you can bring some alternative snacks to supplement your meals.
Is the water safe to drink?
You must drink bottled water. At our center we provide unlimited filtered water. Bring your water bottle or buy a Villa Sumaya one. We do not sell bottled water (plastic bottles).
Will there be enough protein?
Most meals have a protein source (eggs, beans, cheese, nuts, etc.). If you are on a high protein diet, please let us know in advance. It may be a good idea to bring a protein bar per day. You can also order chicken or fish as a supplement for buffet meals ($7 per portion). We do have meat options on our cafe menu when retreats are not in session.
Should I bring my own snacks?
The meals are abundant and well balanced. If you have extreme allergies or strict dietary needs, you may want to bring some supplemental foods. We also have a raw fruit and veggie juice bar, with exotic smoothies, raw caco and granola treats, chocolates, kombucha and other delights for in between meals.
What drinks do you serve?
We have beer, wine, tequila, and rum cocktails. Healthy smoothies, kombucha and fresh juices and sodas are also available.
All of personal and group packages have 24/7 access to teas and coffee as a complimentary service.
Is there laundry service?
Yes, we do have laundry service for $3 per pound. Please allow a 24 hours turn around for the laundry service.
Communications….. Internet and Phone?
We do have 2 computers with complimentary internet service for quick email check-ins. If you’d like to have internet service on your own device we charge $3.00 a day or $20.00 for the week. Calls to the U.S. are $1.50 per minute.
Do I need to bring my yoga mat or props?
We have mats, blankets, blocks, straps, eye pillows, and some folding chairs. In most cases, you are all set. But if you want to bring your owns props, that is fine. We appreciate any mat donations.
What type of electricity do you have?
Same as the United States. No adapters necessary.
Do I need to bring shampoo, lotion, hair dryer, and a towel?
We provide soap, shampoo and conditioner. Please bring your own lotion and hair dryers. There are towels in the room for bathing and beach towels to use in the spa area at reception.
Is there a pool, sauna or hot tub?
Lake Atitlan has been rising the past 5 years and our pool is sometimes under water. We have a beautiful dock space with lounge chairs and guests are often found sunning on the lake and swimming off our dock.
We have a beautiful spa area with natural stone solar heated hot tub and a wood fire sauna. The hot tub is available sun permitting and is complimentary. The sauna must be ordered in advanced and is $30 for a 1.5 hour sweat.
Can someone with mobility issues get around?
If you have slight mobility issues, we can most likely accommodate you. Getting off boats and onto docks, walking on stone paths and stairs can be super challenging to impossible for those with moderate or severe issues.
Teacher
Jenn Wooten
Jenn Wooten is a Viasomatic® Nervous System Coach, certified yoga therapist, trauma-informed somatics educator, and founder of Viasomatic. She specializes in helping people make sense of their nervous systems, supporting high-functioning professionals and people with complex trauma to self-regulate, build resilience, and better understand the bodies they live in.
Her teaching style focuses on embodiment, functional movement, and resilience. Jenn teaches trauma-informed yoga classes and leads foundational and in-depth yoga teacher trainings, mentorships and retreats around the world. She guides students to respond to life’s stressors through embodiment, breath, self-awareness and self-compassion. Her teaching is engaging, accessible and warm-hearted.
Jenn has an uncanny ability to read what nervous systems are doing and translate that into practical somatic support. Today, she guides somatic practitioners and mental health professionals in using movement for nervous system recovery, grounded in the belief that a supported nervous system can carry us through whatever life throws our way.
MAYA ROSE ROOMS & BUNGALOWS
MAYA ROSE ROOMS include lovely lake view patios and are conveniently located near the courtyard, dining room, gardens and boutique. Each has 1 or 2 beds, private bath and an outdoor seating area. These are best if someone has any mobility issues.
Double Occupancy $2695 per person – AVAILABLE
Single Occupancy: $3195 – AVAILABLE
BUNGALOWS are set higher on the property with lovely views, Bungalows have 1 Queen bed and are great for couples or single travelers.
Double Occupancy $2695 per person – AVAILABLE
Single Occupancy: $3195 – AVAILABLE
PETITE and PREMIUM GINGER SUITES
PETITE SUITES are cosy unique rooms higher on the property with large patios and beautiful views. They are higher on the property and some require a walk uphill to get to the spectacular views.
Suite #8 – Queen bed – AVAILABLE
Suite #18- Queen bed – AVAILABLE
Double Occupancy: $2795 per person
Single Occupancy: $3295
PREMIUM GINGER SUITES
These largest rooms on property have premium views and space. They are higher on the property and some require a significant walk uphill to get to the spectacular views.
Suite #17 – Queen plus twin bed – AVAILABLE
Suite #19 – King bed – AVAILABLE
Suite #22 – King bed – AVAILABLE
Suite #23 – King bed or 2 twins – AVAILABLE
Double Occupancy: $2895 per person
Single Occupancy: $3495
Your week includes: 7 nights accommodations, daily classes and workshops with Jenn, 3 delicious vegetarian meals per day.
Not included: Airfare to Guatemala, airport shuttle, and short boat ride (we will help organize, please budget $35-$70 each way), as well as any gratuities you’d like to offer to the retreat center staff (suggested is $70-$100), spa services, and additional excursions.
Optional excursions include: Local village tours, kayak excursion with a hike, a volcano climb, a zip line tour, a day trip to San Juan, and more.
Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($695) before July 15, 2027. No refunds after July 15, 2027. Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.
If you place a deposit, the balance due will be set to charge in equal installments starting the month after deposit through July 2027, unless other arrangements are made.
We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like TRAWICK INTERNATIONAL & TRAVEL GUARD offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical. Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.
We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Travel Guard and Trawick International are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.
We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Trawick International and Travel Guard are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.
