Join Isabel and Heather for their third annual Ashtanga retreat abroad—this year, we journey to the lush Guatemalan Highlands! This is more than a retreat; it's an invitation to use the powerful backdrop of the mountains surrounding Antigua to elevate your practice and elevate your mind.
We will spend the week at Earth Lodge, a beautiful boutique wellness resort nestled at 5,000 feet of elevation, just 15 minutes outside of Antigua. This unique sanctuary offers stunning, elevated views, a commitment to sustainability, and accommodation that includes private tree houses, cabins, and geo domes.
Your stay includes access to:
Farm-to-Table Dining: Enjoy fresh, locally sourced cuisine that fuels your mind and body.
Custom Wellness Rituals: We will help you create a custom self-care ritual utilizing the many services the lodge has to offer, such as the traditional Mayan temazcal sauna, ice baths, massages at the Tree House Spa, nature trails, and shamanic ceremonies.
This week is designed to use the physical altitude to inspire mental altitude:
Ashtanga Yoga: Heather Serna (SYC Authorized L2 Teacher) will guide us through a full week of traditional Mysore-style and Led Primary classes, helping you elevate your understanding and advance your practice on the mat.
Complementary Practice: Isabel will lead relaxing Yin-style classes some afternoons, mixed with pranayama and meditation to restore and integrate the morning's efforts, helping the mind find clarity at this height.
Adventure Awaits: When we aren't practicing, we will explore the area through local hikes, cultural and culinary experiences, and an excursion into the charming, historic town of Antigua. You will also have ample free time to book a massage, relax, or utilize the temazcal on your own time.
Join us in the Guatemalan Highlands to elevate your practice, immerse yourself in culture and tradition, and return home with an elevated perspective.
*Early bird pricing through January 31st, 2026 with code EARLYBIRD
The valley where Antigua Guatemala stands was, for centuries before the arrival of Europeans, the ancestral territory of the Kaqchikel Maya people, a prominent civilization in the Guatemalan Highlands.
Though the capital city itself was a Spanish creation, the surrounding areas were—and remain—strongholds of the Kaqchikel. Their enduring Maya worldview continues to shape the region's spiritual and cultural life, manifesting today in traditional weaving, rituals, and a deep connection to the calendar and surrounding volcanoes.
Fun Fact: For the Kaqchikel Maya, the immense volcanoes surrounding the region are not just geological features, but are regarded as sacred guardians and protectors. They are viewed as living entities and are often called the "respirators of Mother Nature," containing spiritual energy where ceremonies are conducted by the Ajq'ijab' (spiritual guides) to worship and maintain harmony with the cosmos.
Your retreat package includes all necessary group transportation to make your arrival and departure seamless:
Airport Transfer: We provide organized group transportation to and from La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City on the official retreat arrival and departure days.
Final Ascent to Earth Lodge: Please note that Earth Lodge is situated high up on a mountain. The shuttle vans will bring us to a designated drop-off point, and from there, it is a quick but steep 5-minute walk up to the lodge entrance.
Luggage Service: To ensure a smooth arrival, bag porter service is included for one suitcase per person upon both arrival and departure.
Town Pickup/Drop-off: We also coordinate local transport from Antigua town to the Earth Lodge for participants who arrive early or stay later in the city.
Action Required: To organize all logistics effectively, please provide us with your complete flight information as soon as you have it booked.
Heather started her journey in yoga during her last year of college, in 2007. After graduating with a BA in Psychology, she made her first trip to Mysore, India in 2008 to practice at K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute. Ever since, she has continued her travels and studies to Mysore, to practice under her teacher R. Sharath Jois and assist him at the main shala. In 2012, Heather was blessed upon receiving Authorization from KPJAYI, now Sharath Yoga Centre. Over the years, Heather developed three Mysore programs in the United States (Florida), and has taught internationally in Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, Japan, Spain, Switzerland, Cyprus, Turkey, Lebanon, the Netherlands and around the USA.
Isabel is an E-200HR RYT yoga instructor and PADI Scuba Instructor who unites her two passions through a shared philosophy of conscious connection. With experience teaching around the world, she believes that whether we’re on the mat or off, the key to a fulfilling practice is through presence and self-inquiry. Her mission is to help others find wonder in both their inner and outer worlds.
One week at Earth Lodge boutique wellness resort
All meals included from retreat start time to end time. All diets and dietary restrictions or intolerances can be accomodates
Five days of Ashtanga yoga practice and some complementary yin yoga sessions, mixed with pranayama and meditation, included.
The shala space has mats and props included.
One dedicated temazcal + cold plunge. Additional experiences may be booked directly with reception. *Note: temazcal can be used at no additional cost (with 1 hour notice). Cold plunge has extra cost.
A variety of excursions including local hikes, cultural tours, and visits to Antigua city center.
Airport transportation + bag porter services to and from lodge included.
All transportation for designated retreat activities included.
Available all day
Extra food and drinks (including alcoholic ones) can be ordered a la cart at own expense directly from the restaurant.
Not included but can be arranged directly with the lodge.
All purchases, meals, transportation, and activities in Antigua made outside of the scheduled retreat excursions are at the participant's expense.
Transportation into and out of the country of Guatemala.
Additional use of the cold plunge facilities can be booked directly with reception for a small additional cost.
All items not specified may not be included.
✈️ Airport transfer to Earth Lodge
⛰️ Arrival and Check-in
💐 Opening Ceremony
🤸 Ashtanga Yoga Practice
🌋 Local Hike
💆🏽 Free time: massage, temazcal use, cold plunge, relax, etc.
🧘 Yin yoga
🤸 Ashtanga Yoga
🥾 Cultural Immersion into the local village
🧊 Temezcal + Ice bath
🔥 Mayan Fire Ceremony
