It was like a dream… Relaxing on the beach, falling off to sleep to the sound of rolling waves. My body was tired but refreshed from the morning's yoga class. My belly was filled, pleased, and digesting the local nutrient rich food. My mind was surrendering to rest underneath a palm tree before the afternoon agenda to walk around town to purchase native artisan crafts. To top off this delightful day I was going to attend a guided meditation with crystal sound bowls. The best part about the whole experience was I did not have to think, worry, plan for anything. It was all already sorted out for me. 

“My mind was surrendering to rest underneath a palm tree…” 

So easy, so free flowing, the right balance of activity and rest. But it wasn't actually a dream, it was my first yoga retreat! I had been practicing yoga for a little while and was really enjoying the community that it generated. From this group, I learned that an instructor I adored was offering an in-depth yoga event in paradise. As a new traveler, I loved the idea of going somewhere I had not been before, with a group of people I enjoyed. It felt safe on so many levels and in turn, I was an immediate “YES”.

Retreats are amazing opportunities to try something new, to get out of your comfort zone but to do so with a sense of security. Yoga retreats offer super yogi immersion to connect with the physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual practices. There is usually a set retreat theme that the group will tweeze through on the mat, in workshops, and in morning tea conversations. Retreating together means working together and separately, to generate a deeper connection to the human experience. 

“Retreats are amazing opportunities to try something new, to get out of your comfort zone but to do so with a sense of security.”

Post yoga retreat there was a sense of deep self-awareness and more peace in my heart. From the lasting impact I felt full inspiration to facilitate retreats with more like minded people. This emotion was the spark that collided Diana Sophia and myself together for ‘A Taste of Baja Retreat’ in 2019. We hosted a group to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe in Baja California,  Mexico. From the positive feedback we have been able to host this as an annual yoga retreat. 

“The yoga retreat was an uplifting experience for the mind, body, and spirit. The yoga schedule and instructors supported all yogi levels. Mindfulness practices were woven in throughout the entire weekend. Layers of adventure and fun filled the gaps between delicious food, yoga, and healing circles. The energy of the participants was truly welcoming and kind. It’s an event I’ll look forward to for years to come!”

- Kristin Green, 2021

Four years since the first retreat, Diana Sophia and the Yoga Lab collective are evolving the approach to our annual retreats. This unraveling inspired an extended yoga retreat that went from 3 days to 5 days guiding in more time for introspection, relaxation, and connection.  We invited Marlene Kamo to join in, offering her unique skill sets and genuine loving presence. 

This year ‘A Taste of Baja Retreat’ is August 24-28 2022 with the destination to Ensenada and Valle de Guadalupe. The itinerary includes daily yoga/meditation classes, water activities, native cuisine, local shopping / town exploration, wine tasting, and a sunset dinner at Cuatro Cuartos. We have decided to make it an intimate-smaller group allowing for deeper connections to develop. We also decided to interweave more luxury time for relaxing near the pool, on the beach, or toying around on the kayaks / sups. 

The Yoga Lab collective would like to invite you to join us this summer to our annual yoga retreat or to any future events. As a growing community we appreciate learning from new faces and sharing together to uplift and support one another. If you are interested in knowing more about our events, workshops, or retreats please send us a message. Or continue following us here as we update, share, and move through the journey of yoga together.