Embodied Awakening:
All Inclusive, Immersive Yoga Teacher Training
in San Cristobal de las Casas, Mexico
200-Hour, 28 Day
Yoga Teacher Training
“The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires.”
- William Arthur Ward
Upcoming Dates in 2026:
March XX - April XX
November XX - XX
Inspire Others from the Depth of Your Own Search for Truth
Your capacity to inspire others arises from two things:
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Your dedicated practice.
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Your embodied understanding of what you are teaching.
That’s where we come in.
Your Practice Becomes Your Offering
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200HR Yoga Teacher Training
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28 days, fully residential
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3 vegan/vegetarian meals per day
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Meditative Hatha Yoga
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Tantrik Meditation
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Pranayama/breathwork
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Mudra and Bandha
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Embodiment practices (The Realization Process)
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History of Yoga
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Tantrik Philosophy
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Embodiment practice
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Intro to Ayurvedic principles
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Yogic diet and nutrition
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3-day Silent Meditation Retreat
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Anatomy taught through Thai massage
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Weekly cacao ceremonies
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We plan to a 300HR YTTC in the near future for those that crave more depth, that wish to qualify as an advanced yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance and those that wish to take their practice as deep as possible. [LINK: YOU CAN CHECK THE INFO HERE]
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Or to get on the exclusive mailing list for updates about this and other YTTC’s that we offer, [LINK: FOLLOW THIS LINK]
Why This Training Exists
Modern yoga has drifted far from its roots.
For many, “yoga” now means athletic postures, stylish leggings, and curated social feeds.
Many Yoga Teacher Trainings follow suit, emphasizing postural precision while overlooking, or at best paying lip service to, the vast philosophical and historical foundations from which yoga arose.
And yet, many of us feel an inexplicable pull toward this ancient practice.
A quiet burning in the heart a longing for peace, freedom, and connection: to ourselves, to life, to the living fabric of nature.
This is the yoga we practice, live, and share with you. Yoga not as transcendence, not as escapism, not as a fashion statement.
But as a path of embodied intimacy with life itself.
“Yoga is not escape from life. It is intimacy with reality itself"
Retreat Testimonials
Meet Your Guides
Between us, we bring over 45 years of combined practice, study, teaching, and solitary retreat experience.
Our shared vision: to return yoga to its original purpose the awakening of embodied consciousness.
Kyle Brooks
Developer
Quote from us on the main page
Bullet points of what we do on hover
Sasha Medvedovskaya
Developer
Use this space to introduce yourself and share your professional history.
Venus Ray
Developer
Use this space to introduce yourself and share your professional history.
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Full bios Further down in these boxes
Anytime, Anywhere
[Mention that Venus will bring a blend of indigenous wisdom and Shamanic practices - Put link to part of the page that mentions them]
Our Approach: Yoga as Transfiguration
Our emphasis is the transformation of perception, through the body.
In the last 2500 years the word yoga has meant many things.
From it’s roots dating back to before the Buddha, where it referred to rigorous and difficult ascetic practices,
Through the development of the Tantric tradition, where yoga mostly meant forms of visualisation and breath control aimed at controlling the vital energy of the being,
Right through to the modern day, where it has largely come to mean a form of exercise that looks great on Instagram.
This training blends the traditional practices of Hatha Yoga (asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha and meditation) with the non-dual vision of classical Shaivist tantra (embodied, life embracing awakening and experiential intimacy with all of existence).
Learn to Practice and TeachYoga as the Somatic Science of Embodied Awakening.
Study and practice the traidtional practices of Hatha Yoga (asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha and meditation) along with the core practices of classical tantra, including, breath, mantra, visualisation, meditative awareness and more.
Experience the shift from head to heart, from second hand interpretation of life (conceptual thought) to an intimate, deeply felt, living experience of the world, as you feel its arising and passing within you, awareness.
Then learn how to teach it!
Through a meditative approach to yoga asana, pranayama, somatic meditation, inquiry, experiential philosophy and embodiment practices, you’ll learn to embody this realization as lived understanding, something felt, not merely believed.
“When the body becomes transparent to consciousness, the world reflects the radiant, creative light of awareness.”
Embracing theIndigenous Wisdom of Mexico
On the surface, the indigenous traditions of Mexico and India appear quite different. Yet when followed deeply the native, spiritual wisdom of both countries leads to an openness to life, an openness beyond cultural identities and dogmatic views on how things are.
Each in its own way, also leads to an intimacy with the world and life that includes respect and reverence for traditions that may even seem quite different to our own.
We do not propose a blending of native Mexican traditions with yoga. But it is in the spirit of respect and honour for the wisdom traditions of Mexico, that we open to embrace non-yogic practices that support the journey.
You will not become a facilitator of these practices, since that requires years of full time dedicated study and practice within these traditions. However, one of your facilitators has dedicated his life to that study. He will share the medicine of these traditions through offering weekly cacao ceremonies, fire offerings and 2 temezcals.
* A NOTE ON PLANT MEDICINES: The only "plant medicine" used during this training will be cacao. You are asked to refrain from any other kind of psychoactive plant, including tobaco and marijuana for the duration of the training.
How Is This Training Different?
Most YTT's
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21 days or less. Including less than 140hrs of class time *
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Skeletal schedule. As little as 6.5 hours per day *
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As little as 1 x 1.5hr daily practice session *
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Focus on posture, alignment, strength and flxibility.
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Rely mainly on Yoga Sūtra, Bhagavad Gītā, HathaPradipika
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Teach a single system of 7 chakras
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Teach the vedic 5 kosha model of the subtle body
Our Training
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28 day full immersion, offering more than 200hrs of class time
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Complete, intensive schedule. 9+ hours of class time per day.
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4+ hours of daily practice, plus experiential philosophy
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Focus on embodiment, awakening, integration
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Draws teachings from Tantrik and lesser known yogic textual sources
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Teach multiple, different chakra systems and associated practices
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Teaches the Tantrik 5 layered self and subtle body anatomy
* These are not empty numbers, but are based on our research of similar YTT’s, if you are interested, we can share the examples that we used to come up with these numbers via personal email.
What's Included
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Eligibility to register for the RYT 200 certification with Yoga Alliance. (Upon successful completion of the training)
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28 nights accommodation
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3 meals per day
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9+ hours of class time Monday to Saturday
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Morning practice + free time on Sundays
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Weekly Cacao Circles
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2 Temezcals
The Content Up Close
Up to 4.5 Hours of Yogic Practice Daily
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Meditative Hatha Yoga - Emphasizing intimacy with & sensitivity to experience, subtle body awareness and embodied presence
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Pranayama - Exploring the classical breath based practices of lifeforce control and expansion from the traditions of Hatha Yoga and Classical Tantra
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Breathwork - Complementing classical techniques with contemporary breath practices
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Awareness Cultivation - Contemplative and meditative practices that aim to establish the capacity to recognize and rest stably as the presence of awareness
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Somatic Meditation - Tantrik meditative practices that cultivate awareness of the subtle/energy body
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Embodiment Exercises - Drawing on our training in The Realization Process of Judith Blackstone, we present methods of opening to non-dual awareness based in the body and the senses.
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Somatic Psychotherapeutic Practices - Learn to harness the skills developed through your practice to work directly with dense and challenging emotions and guide your future students to do the same.
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Yoga Nidra - Deep yogic relaxation practices intended to facilitate super conscious sleep.
A Deep Diving Study of Essential Spiritual Topics
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Non-duality
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What is yoga
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What is tantra
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Pure motive
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Death and dying
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and much more
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Surrender
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The role of the mind on the spiritual path
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A number of different chakra systems
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The energy/subtle body
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Living with an open heart
Practical Exploration of Yogic and Tantrik Soruce Texts
Based on the latest, cutting edge scholarship, we will dive as deeply as our time allows us into:
The History of Yoga
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Where, when and how did these traditions develop?
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Who practised them and why?
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How does modern yoga, as taught in yoga studios, relate to the ancient Indian traditions?
Yogic Philosophy
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We will read parts of a great many yogic texts together, teasing out subtlety and nuanced meaning through group discussion and exploration.
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By the end you will understand that Yoga has never been 1 thing and thus escapes any straight forward definition.
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Through knowing what we can know about the roots of Yoga, we avoid dogmatism, naivety and new age misinterpretations.
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You will also understand how your practice is relevant to your modern life, which teachings compliment life in the modern age and which teachings (even if they are popular today) are best left in the past.
Tantrik Philosophy
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Discover Tantra, beyond New Age, sex based workshops.
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We look at some fundamental non-dual tantrik texts to see how the exquisitely refined philosophy has influenced yoga all the way down to the modern age.
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Discover the relationship between yoga and tantra.
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Learn some fundamental tantrik yoga practices and perspectives on reality and how they apply practically to your every day life.
* NOTE: We are not authorized teachers within specific tantrik lineages (although between us, we are dedicated students within some of those lineages), as such we are not offering initiation into tantrik lineages, or empowering anyone to teach Tantra, nor will we be teaching the forms of deity yoga that are fundamental to classical tantrik practice. The purpose of this part of the course is to understand the influence and relevance of Tatra as a modern day teacher of Hatha Yoga/Modern postural yoga and to be inspired by Tantra's wellspring of rich, life affirming philosophy and practices.
“I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.”
- Rumi
What You Will Gain
1. Profound Personal Transformation
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A deeper sense of embodied presence.
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Inner resources to navigate the demands of your life.
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Clarity regarding your spiritual longing and how your life can flow in harmony with your aspiration.
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Tools for emotional integration and growth.
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A new orientation to life. from reaction to responsive awareness, from indifference to awe in the face of the mystery of existence
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Confidence in yourself that emerges from the depth of your practice
2. Practice & Technique
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Detailed study of asana: anatomical, energetic, meditative, such that you feel comfortable teaching and deepening your own asana practice after the training.
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Foundational pranayama and breathwork training based on the Indian tradition of hatha yoga, classical tantra and the modern breathwork movement.
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Meditation and self-inquiry practices. Exploring a full range of meditation techniques and practices that will equip you with both knowledge and experience sufficient to build or deepen your own practice.
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Somatic and subtle-body explorations, working with breath, mantra visualization, energy channels and chakras.
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A guide to proper Sanskrit pronunciation and an optional opportunity to learn some basics of Sanskrit language.
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Basic grasp of the foundations of Thai massage (the course includes a 1 day workshop on Thai massage, plus part of your anatomy classes will be delivered in a hands on way through Thai massage training).
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Introductory exposure to the principles of somatic psychotherapy, which, if practiced and embodied through self exploration, can become a basis for supporting future students through emotionally challenging periods.
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A chance to practice Acro yoga as a fun and connecting way to explore yoga outside of its classical, traditional contexts. (Note: this is not an Acro Yoga facilitator training and you will not be trained sufficiently to teach Acro yoga, just enough to have fun)
3. Philosophy & Context
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Evolution of yoga from asceticism to embodied realization. An exploration of the latest scholarship on the origins and history of Yogic Traditions.
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Classical Yoga: Patanjalayogashastra - In modern times the Pātañjala Yogaśāstra (The yoga sutra of patanjali and its primary commentaries) is known as the primary source text on the philosophy and practice of Classical Yoga. We will study parts of this text to gain an appreciation of its message and to examine its relevance to the modern practitioner.
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Hatha Yoga Texts: The haṭhapradīpikā is a foundational manual on the practice of haṭha yoga. We will study this text and then explore earlier and less known source texts on the practice of haṭha yoga such as: Datatreyayogashatra - Gorakshashatika - Amritasiddhi.
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Tantric texts: Tantrasāra, Pratyabhijñā Hṛdayam, Shiva Sutra and Spandakarika. No modern approach to yoga practice or philosophy would be complete without an exploration of classical tantra, a revolutionary tradition of embodied spiritual practice that, uniquely in its time, did not require asceticism, renunciation or celibacy, instead emphasizing a world embracing path of practice that leads to fully embodied spiritual realization (Jīvanmukti).
4. Teaching Skills
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Guiding students safely and authentically. Leaning on experience where possible, and understanding how and when to refer to theoretical understanding.
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Crafting and delivering talks. Using your own experience and insight born of your life and practice, supported by your studies to deliver short talks that give context and direction to the practice of your students is an important part of teaching.
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Practical anatomy and alignment. Part delivered through multi media presentation and text book study, part through your practice of yoga asana and giving corrections to your fellow classmates and Uniquely to this training, partly through hands on training in Thai massage, you will gain a solid understanding of the basic of the body’s structure and function.
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Intelligent sequencing and when to drop it. Part of teaching a yoga class is about the postures you select and the journey you create. Of course much more than this is the level of deep, meditative awareness you are able to guide your students into.
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Holding space/creating containers for transformative practice. How to prepare for your classes, how to engage your students and create safety and trust and how to share your own practice while remaining attentive to the dynamics and needs of the room are all important skills we will develop.
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Clarity and integrity regarding power dynamics and the teacher student relationship.
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Teaching and practice as seva, service, an essential shift in focus that helps tame the ego on the mat and sustain a meaningful practice off of the mat.
Our Philosophical Roots
This training is informed by the non-dual Shaiva Tantra of Kashmir and early Haṭha Yoga traditions that pre-date the Haṭha Yoga Pradīpikā.
Where most trainings rely solely on the Yoga Sūtra and Pradīpikā, we also draw from contemporaneous Hatha yoga texts such as:
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Dattatreyayogashastra
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Amṛtasiddhi
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Gorakṣaśataka
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Śivasaṃhitā
As well as Tantrik course texts such:
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pratybijna hridayam of Kshemaraja
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Tantrasara of his master Abhinavagupta.
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Shiva Sutra
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Spandakarika
These writings reveal yoga as participation, not renunciation the recognition that the body, mind, and world are expressions of the radiant, living pulsation of awareness.
Daily Schedule
06:30-08:30 Morning Practice
08:30-10:00 Breakfast Break
10:00-12:00 Lecture, Group Discussion, Q&A
12:00-13:00 Embodiment and Movement
13:00-15:30 Lunch Break
15:30-17:30 Anatomy/Teaching Methodology/Practicums
17:30-18:30 Afternoon Practice
18:30-19:30 Dinner
19:30-20:30 Study Groups & Sharing Circles
20:30-21:00 Evening Practice
Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
― Lao Tzu
FAQ's
Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico/to Your Centre?
Mexico’s reputation regarding safety, while not entirely untrue, is often exaggerated by the news media, especially in neighbouring countries where opposition to Mexico/Mexican people supports political agendas and dramatic media coverage drives clicks, views etc. There are certain areas of Mexico where there is a high rate of crime. These areas are thus less safe for foreign travellers. However, millions of travellers and holiday makers pass through Mexico each year without incident. This particular area had seen a little instability in 2024, surrounding the presidential elections in Mexico, however the situation has stabilized considerably and the area is generally safe. A huge movement by local authorities has recently removed hundreds of known cartel members from the area and made big steps in increasing general safety in San Cristobal de Las Casas and Chiapas in general. Additionally, our centre is nestled in a mountain valley outside the historic city of San Cristobal de Las Casas, an area protected by native peoples and indigenous laws. Regarding travel here, we have a long standing relationship with a particular taxi driver and his brother. They provide safe and reliable airport and local shuttle services for guests coming/leaving the centre.
What is the easiest most direct way to get to the retreat?
There are generally 2 main airports that you can fly into. Of these, by far the most popular is MEX Aeropuerto Internacional de la Ciudad de México (Mexico City airport). The other is CUN Cancún International Airport. (There are other international airports in Mexico, into which you may find cheaper flights from your specific location from time to time, but these are the most convenient and common) From either of these airports you can catch a connecting flight to TGZ Aeropuerto Internacional Ángel Albino Corzo. This flight takes around 1.5hrs from Mexico City. From this airport we can arrange a taxi to pick you up directly from the airport and bring you either directly to us, or to San Cristobal de Las Casas (around 1000MXN). Or you can take an airport shuttle (you will need at least some basic Spanish) into San Cristobal de las Casas (around 300MXN). Either option takes around 1.5hrs From San Cristobal de Las Casas, we arrange a shuttle to our centre on the day that your retreat is schedule to begin, at 13:30. The cost of this suttles service is 150MXN per car, shared between however many people are in the car. the ride is about 20 minutes to arrive at the centre.
I have previous experience with Yoga &/or meditation will this retreat be to basic for me?
Years of feedback from participants have shown clearly that this retreat is well adapted to suit both beginners and experienced practitioners. The first few days will start slowly, and if you have quite a bit of sitting/retreat experience you will find this to be a gentle warm up and lead into longer sitting. You will also likely find that the attitude towards and theoretical aspects of the practice of meditation to be quite fresh and very profound. While the retreat embraces the visions of classical yoga, Advaita Vendanta and early Buddhism within it’s philosophical framework, our approach to practice draws heavily on the tantric traditions, in which an incredibly all-embracing and embodied approach to spiritual practice is emphasized. For experienced meditators this comes as a very welcome, complimentary and sometimes evolutionary deepening to their practice.
I’m new to yoga &/or meditation will I be able to keep up?
We start the retreat at a very beginner friendly level. We start with shorter sittings and build up over the first couple of days, we have found that even the most restless of people are able to adapt to the sitting practice after about 3 days and that many/most of the beginners that come for retreats both appreciate this graduated approach to learning to sit, and are surprised that within a few days they can sit for an hour without struggle. We have also found that our approach to teaching meditation, which is quite practical with guidance offered during the first 10-15 minutes of each practice sessions before we transition to simple silent sitting together, plus our emphasis on an attitude of acceptance and simplicity during meditation both make great conditions for learning, even if you have never sat before.
I have some physical injuries, will I be able to join the yoga/sit for meditation?
The style of yoga that we practice is primarily meditative and therefore very gentle physically. We emphasise awareness of the body/sensations and eventually the flow of subtle energies within the body. For this to be effective we must be able to find a balance of effort and relaxation in the poses, which means we generally keep them quite simple and therefore accessible to beginners. Advanced practice here refers more to the subtlety of attention and capacity to feel than it does to complicated postures. If you have any physical injuries please let us know in advance and we will adapt the practice sessions to suit your ability.
I’m Interested in this retreat primarily for psychological healing, will the contents and practices be appropriate for me?
Generally speaking, meditative, contemplative and spiritual practices can be incredibly beneficial for psychological health, stability, well being etc. This is especially true when those practices and teachings are body oriented and encompassing of a life guided by a genuine spiritual search and longing while living a well adjusted life in society, including making money, having relationships, jobs, projects, families etc. The teachings and practices of this retreat fit 100% in that category of spiritual teachings and practice. (This is certainly not always the case as many approaches in spirituality directly emphasise or are drawn from a cultural context in which genuine spirituality is seen as something incompatible with such a lifestyle. In such cases the practices and teachings may be entirely unhelpful, even damaging to someone seeking to heal deep traumas and psychological disorders). If you are passing through a difficult moment in life, like a loss, breakup or major change in life direction and circumstance, or if you have a history of trauma or psychological disorder that is well managed through therapy and previous personal development work, we know from experience that this retreat can be massively beneficial. Having said this, this retreat is not specifically designed to address people or situations of extreme psychological need. While everyone is welcome here, regardless of background and psychological state, if you are actively seeking to heal from traumatic life events or seeking alternative forms of treatment for diagnosed psychological disorders (such as bipolar, schizophrenia etc.) we would not recommend you attending this retreat. The reasoning behind this is that while we can help (Sasha is a licensed and practising psychotherapist and we both have years of experience working with people in quite extreme situations), in the context of this retreat (which is silent and by definition avoids direct personal contact and interaction between participants and/or facilitators) we are not able to provide the specific 1:1 support that is required in such delicate situations.
Cost Breakdown
10-Day Retreat:
Course Fee: 8,940 MXN
Meals: (3/day per 10 days + dinner on the arrival day) - 4,780 MXN
Accommodation per 11 nights:
Option #1: a single bed in a dorm (1 bunk bed - max. 2-4 people per room): 5,940 MXN
Option #2: a single bed in a twin room/triple spacious cabin with a private bathroom &terrace:8,580 MXN
*Check below for the Low Income discount
TOTAL:
Option #1: 19,660 MXN
Option #2: : 22,300 MXN
6-Day Retreat:
Course Fee: 6,720 MXN
Meals: (3/day per 6 days + dinner on the arrival day) - 3,585 MXN
Accommodation per 7 nights:
Option #1: a single bed in a dorm (1 bunk bed - max. 2-4 people per room): 4,130 MXN
Option #2: a single bed in a twin room/triple spacious cabin with a private bathroom &terrace:5,670 MXN
TOTAL:
Option #1: 14,435 MXN
Option #2: 15,975 MXN
3-Day Retreat:
Course Fee: 3,780 MXN
Meals: (3/day per 3 days + dinner on the arrival day) - 2,390 MXN
Accommodation per 4 nights:
Option #1: a single bed in a dorm (1 bunk bed - max. 2-4 people per room): 2,760 MXN
TOTAL:
Option #1: 8,930 MXN
* ! LOW INCOME DISCOUNT !
If you current income is less than 1300 USD/ month and your savings are not more than 5000 USD (we count very much on your honesty) we are happy to offer you a special Price for the 10-Day Retreat so you can join us : 14 350 MXN (about 700USD). Please, fill out this form to apply for the scolarship.
You can also find us on Bookretreats.com