Akasha and Xoxi: New Years Bhakti Yoga Retreat

Celebrate the New Year and your “New Beginning”

Yoga & Meditation Retreat Dec 28 2024 - Jan 4 2025 

This winter journey with us to the highlands of Guatemala and let the long winter months of darkness drift away as you play along the shores of Lake Atitlan, “the most beautiful lake in the world” as quoted by novelist Aldous Huxley. The climate is fantastic. Warm during the day and cool at night. It’s the “closest thing to Eden on Earth” (Lonely Planet). 

Villa Sumaya on Lake Atitlan is an ideal setting to reflect, heal, rejuvenate and welcome in the New Year together. Our days will be filled with yoga, non dual teachings, connection and laughter and other wonderful activities.  We will draw our awareness inward revealing our true essence of peace and joy.  And in turn experience love and healing within ourselves, those around us, and mother earth.  

We start our days with a morning practice including Mindfulness Meditation, Breathing Exercises and Kundalini Yoga followed later by a led influenced Ashtanga session that will leave you feeling enriched and re-energized.                            

During the day we will explore and enjoy the amenities of Villa Sumaya and local Mayan villages or just relax and enjoy our surroundings. The center offers a solar hot tub, sauna, pool, places to hike, a beautiful lake to swim, kayak & paddle-boards and villages to explore on a nice day trip by foot or by boat. You will have access to a broad range of talented and wonderful healers. Their expertise includes intuitive energy healing, reiki, massage, tarot reading, feldenkrais, ayurveda and more. There are also plenty of serene places to nap, relax or read a book. 

Most afternoons we will meet once again to practice a restorative yoga set, mindfullness guided meditation, or explore Somatic Yoga. The evening session will leave your muscles relaxed, hearts open and mind and body ready for a restful night.

This retreat is open to all levels. No experience is necessary and we typically have a wide range of experience levels from beginner to lifetime practioners. 

Akasha and Xoxi, together have over 40 years of teaching yoga: Akasha became a student of Kundalini Yoga at the age of 11.   In his twenties, he was introduced to Ayurvedic teachings and while living and working in India, he began studying Ashtanga yoga.  Xoxi was introduced to yoga as a child, deciding later in life to go through Yoga Teacher Training.  She is currently studying to become a Yoga Therapist.  Akasha and Xoxi also incorporate Somatic Yoga and Yoga Therapy practices along with Non-dual philosphy into their teachings.  Both Akasha and Xoxi offer classes, workshops, retreats and teacher trainings.  Akasha is the Founder and Co-owner of Birmingham Yoga studio in Birmingham, AL.  Their classes will include the traditions of Non Dual Teachings, Kundalini, classical Ashtanga and Somatic Yoga for a heart-centered experience that will leave you toned, stretched, centered and open. To learn more about this retreat email [email protected]

To learn more about Akasha’s background click here

Scheduled Activities: This is a tentative schedule. All sessions are optional.

Morning:
5:30 - 7:30 am Morning sadhana (kundalini yoga, pranayama, meditation & chanting)
8:30 - 9:30 am Breakfast
11:00 - 12:30 pm Led Ashtanga-inspired physical Yoga class

Afternoon:
1:00 - 2:00 pm Lunch
2:00 - 5:00 pm Free time

Late Afternoons and Evening:
5:00 - 6:00 pm Yoga Talks, Meditation, Somatics
6:30 - 7:30 pm Dinner

We will also schedule at least one half day excursion and have the opportunity to visit some of the local villages in the area, as well as a Mayan Fire Ceremony and a Sweat Lodge (Temescal).

There are 16 villages mostly accessible by boat. 

Space is limited and we expect to sell out! Each room will be assigned based upon registration on a “first come” basis. You can request your roommate or we are happy to pair you up with someone.                                                                                                                                                                 

Payment options: Pay in full or pay in two installments.  First installment due at registration and remaining balance is due Sep 1. We will continue to accept reservations until all rooms are full, however if registering after Sep 1 full payment is due upon registration.

Getting to Villa Sumaya:

Which airport should I fly into?  Guatelama City Airport, La Aurora International Airport.

When Should I arrive?  Please arrive in Guatemala City by 3pm on 12/28/24 and Depart from Guatamela City ideally after 11am 01/04/25 so that we can organize the 3 hour ground transportation & boat taxi.

Ground Transportation:  We will organize a shuttle to pick you up from Guatemala City airport, transport you to Lake Atilian (approx 3 hour journey) where will you be greeted by your boat taxi, who will take you to Villa Sumaya;  cost of transport will be dependent upon the number of guests that share the shuttle.  Once we receive your flight info we will make transportation arrangements. 

We can also organize to pick you up from your hotel if you plan to arrive prior to Dec 28th.   

Price includes:

• Lodging for 8 days and 7 nights.


• 3 gourmet vegetarian meals a day (chicken and fish available at additional charge)


• All yoga classes


• Unlimited tea and coffee service


• Filtered water


• Tea and Coffee

Whats not Included:

• Flights & Airfare


• Bus Shuttle and Boat Shuttle 


• Travel & Insurance


• Spa Services 


• Additional Activities & Off-Site Excursions


• Special Meal Requests, Extra Snacks & Drinks


• Gratutities for on-site staff

Our retreat begins after 3pm Dec 28th with dinner and ends Jan 4th after breakfast.

Passports are required for travel to Guatemala for international travellers.  A visa is not required for travellers coming from the US.