LAKE ATITLAN

The Anatomy of Connection

Guatemala with Jenn Wooten & Mateo Magee

October 22-29, 2022

Seek not the paths of the ancients; Seek that which the ancients sought.” – Matsuo Basho

Consider for a moment… that the first guru had no teacher.  Their wisdom was gleaned directly from an astute observation of the natural world.  The presence of a living landscape was the only resource required to produce their experience of enlightenment.

This courtship with nature, especially within a sacred landscape, is the most trustworthy guide we will ever know. It’s essence encourages authenticity, truth and balance.

Set within the lush, volcanic land of the ancient Maya, Lake Atitlán offers a powerful backdrop and deeply healing environment for this special Anatomy of Connection Retreat.  Led by Jenn Wooten & Mateo Magee, we will experience and explore how we connect to our bodies, to our animal nervous systems, to each other, and to the land below us.

Topics of exploration include:
Ecological mindfulness (land-based meditation)
Our Human-Nature Relationship and its Impact on our Well-being
Somatic Awareness
Functional Yoga
Nervous system education (based in Polyvagal Theory, Somatic Experiencing, and Organic Intelligence)
Nervous System Awareness
Nervous System Regulation Skills
Energy Body Awareness
Energy Movement Skills

This retreat is designed to create pathways to return to our wholeness. Through movement, breath, connection, community, ceremony, and nature immersion we will come home to ourselves and our essential wisdom.

This retreat qualifies for 20 hours of CEUs through Yoga Alliance

Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Vacation Details
The 5,000 foot altitude of Lake Atitlan and its proximity to the equator offers a semi-tropical paradise often referred to as “the land of eternal spring.” The deep caldera walls of the lake form a powerful inverse vortex to the volcanic mountains and ridges above, creating powerful energies and striking natural beauty in this play of opposites. During your week, you’ll receive daily yoga classes and workshops, healing foods, and sacred Mayan ceremonies. There is plenty of time built in to rest, receive spa services, explore, play, and adventure!

On and Around Lake Atitlan, many options and extras are available including:

  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Diving
  • Zip-lining
  • Waterskiing
  • Boat rides around Lake Atitlan
  • Birdwatching
  • Hiking the San Pedro Volcano
  • Climbing El Pico del Cielo
  • A shopping excursion to Panajachel
  • Guided village tours to Santiago, San Juan, Santa Catarina, San Antonio, and the Chichicastenango Market

The opportunity to recharge in a natural setting such as this is a true gift from mother earth herself. Let the practice of yoga reflect the vision of your best self in this land of serene mountains and dancing waters.

Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala

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. Some of you may choose to arrive in Guatemala City one day early for morning pick up on Saturday, if so, we recommend Hotel Barcelo. (They offer a free airport shuttle and Villa Sumaya will pick you up from here) 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.

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.

Lake Atitlan Yoga Guatemala
Teachers
Jenn Wooten
Jenn has been teaching yoga for 15+ years.. She has an academic background in anatomy and physiology which informs her understanding of alignment and yoga as a therapeutic tool. Her gift as a teacher is her ability to connect somatically and emotionally with her students to connect with the wisdom of their own bodies. She is regarded as a teacher’s teacher and loves teaching students how to practice in a way that is accessible and effective to strengthen the body, ground the nervous system and open hearts and minds. Her teaching style is loving, grounded, challenging and as irreverent as it is spiritual. She teaches teacher trainings, retreats and workshops both locally and internationally. She continues to discover herself and the world around by rooting deeply into family and her practice while uncovering the mystery and magic that come from showing up to life as it is. [more about Jenn]

Mateo Magee

Matthew “Mateo” Magee has been serving communities around the world as a spiritual teacher, guide, and expedition leader for a quarter-century.  His book, Peruvian Shamanism: The Pachakuti Mesa (2002) was the first written account of an ancient lineage that has been refining its Earth-based forms of wisdom for thousands of years. Holding several University degrees, Mateo feels his true education was derived from the years he spent living and working alongside First Nation Peoples of both North and South America.  His current spiritual work revolves around postures of receptivity in nature, stillness in motion, and a deep relationship to silence in solitude.  Years of his life have been spent alone in the wilderness, studying the ancient conversations that live there.  One of Mateo’s great gifts is his capacity to make complex and elusive spiritual concepts accessible and palatable, building bridges between ancient cultures and modern-day truth seekers.  He considers himself a perpetual student, and his humble, inclusive teaching style creates a safe environment for every soul to enter and stretch out in. 

Accommodations

MAYA ROSE ROOMS AND BUNGALOWS

MAYA ROSE ROOMS include lovely lake view patios and are conveniently located near the courtyard, dining room, gardens and boutique. Most have 2 beds and will be sold as doubles. One has a Queen bed and can be a double or single.

We have 1 female in need of a roommate 
Double Occupancy: $2195 per person
Single Occupancy:  $2595 – SOLD OUT – please enquire at laura@oneyogaglobal.com

 

LOTUS ROOMS

LOTUS HOUSE ROOMS-   this newer  build has, 6 rooms on 3 levels with the Meditation Tiger Temple at the top. Each has 2 or 3 beds, a private bath & small terrace.
SOLD OUT

GINGER SUITES

PETITE GINGER SUITES & PREMIUM GINGER SUITESset higher on the property (so several flights of stairs)  Featuring seating areas, patios with panoramic views, antique woodwork and more. Suites with 2 beds will be sold as doubles, suites with Q or King bed as singles or for couples.

PETITE GINGER SUITES
SOLD OUT

Double Occupancy : $2395 per person
Single Occupancy:  $2795

PREMIUM GINGER SUITES
SOLD OUT
Double Occupancy : $2495 per person
Single Occupancy:  $2995

 

 

Your week includes: 7 nights accommodations, meals, and classes, workshops and ceremonies with your teachers.

Not included: Airfare to Guatemala, airport shuttle, and short boat ride (we will help organize, please budget $30-$50 each way), as well as any gratuities you’d like to offer to the retreat center staff (suggested is $35-$60 for the week), 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 ($595) before July 15, 2022. No refunds after July 15, 2022. In case of cancellation, you may transfer your deposit or your reservation to another person as long as you notify One Yoga Global 21+ days in advance. 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 2022, unless other arrangements are made.

We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like Trawick International and 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.

aig-travel-guard-logo-c

We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. AIG 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.