About this trip
Dova and Katy met at a Bhakthi Yoga Retreat where they sang and danced and chanted and learned to play the harmonium together. By the end of the trip, they knew they felt deeply called to share this renewed love for song and play and devotion with others, and the Back to the Heart Retreat was born.
We invite you to come on this journey with us. We know our hearts and minds reside infinite bliss. This is the very definition of yoga, and yoga is the way to be reunite with this natural state of being. When we tap into what we love and and what brings us joy, we will rediscover the awe and wonder of being childlike and at home in our bodies and hearts.
On this retreat we will, of course, have a playful and complete daily yoga practice. The daytime will be filled with exploration. Our retreat center is in the magical pueblo of Yelapa, where there are no cars and we arrive by boat. Within walking distance are beachside restaurants, waterfalls, horseback riding, and village walks. We will be surrounded at all times by Banderas Bay, where we can snorkel, swim and kayak right outside our front door. Evening activities including laughter yoga, yin and restorative classes, song, dance and kirtan (devotional singing and chanting) will be offered.
Accessibility is a huge priority for us. The retreat center and the town of Yelapa itself are filled with steps, hills, and uneven sidewalks. We embark and disembark from a small boat on the beach. Because of the nature of our surroundings, please let us know what your mobility needs are, and we will do our best to make the retreat work for everyone.
About Dova and Katy
Dova Lewis is a certified reiki master and laughter yoga leader who has studied music and worked in community settings. After launching her indie-pop singer-songwriting music project, her passion for singing and sharing with others led her to study Bhakti, lead kirtans and circle songs and sing medicine songs. Using her creativity to connect and heal with others is at the heart of her mission.
Katy Cryer is the founder and director of Square One Yoga, a small, independent chain of yoga studios in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is also the author of Yoga for Addiction: Using Yoga and the Twelve Steps to Find Peace in the Present Moment. Katy’s founding mission for Square One Yoga is the same mission for her writing: to present and teach yoga in a way that is accessible and unintimidating for every body.
What’s included
- 6 nights accommodationPura Vida Wellness Retreat is a non-profit, non-denominational, spiritual, health-focused wellness retreat center in a tropical, ocean-front paradise called Yelapa.
- 3 meals per dayMeals are primarily organic and plant-based, and always wholesome and nourishing. Specials diets can be accommodated. Pura Vida also has a juice and smoothie bar (not included)
- Boat transport to YelapaGroup round trip transportation from downtown Puerto Vallarta to town of Yelapa
- Yoga Classes & WorkshopsAn active morning class and evening activities including laughter yoga, yin and restorative, singing, and Kirtan
- Hiking tripA group hiking trip to Yelapa town and waterfall
- Beach gearPura Vida has kayaks, paddleboards, and snorkels available for your use
- Airfare to/from San JoseWe will leave San Jose at 10 AM on April 5. Please plan flights accordingly or arrive one day early. We will arrive back by 5 PM on the 11th.
- Excursions and Body WorkThere are plenty of free activities to enjoy, but if you like, we can arrange guided snorkel trips or horseback riding. Massage and reiki sessions will be available.
- Alcoholic beveragesPura Vida is a sober environment. Drinks off-campus are not included.
- Puerto Vallarta lodgingOur boat will depart on the morning of April 9, so lodging in PV the night of the 8th is recommended.
Available Packages
Share a large, ocean-facing dormitory with up to 5 other trip participants. (If payment plan as set doesn't work for you, please contact us directly.)
Open-air 2 queen beds room with private bathroom and ocean view. Each participant will have a queen-sized bed with organic bedding.
(If the payment plan as set doesn't work for you, please pay the deposit to reserve your space and contact us directly to make other arrangements.)
Enclosed and air conditioned room with 2 queen beds with private bathroom and ocean view. Each participant will have a queen-sized bed with organic bedding.
(If the payment plan as set doesn't work for you, please pay the deposit to reserve your space and contact us directly to make other arrangements.)
Open-air 1 queen bedroom with organic bedding, private bathroom and ocean view.
(If the payment plan as set doesn't work for you, please pay the deposit to reserve your space and contact us directly to make other arrangements.)
Small enclosed room with queen bed, air conditioning with private bathroom and ocean view.
(If the payment plan as set doesn't work for you, please pay the deposit to reserve your space and contact us directly to make other arrangements.)
Open air small single room located above juice bar, with one queen bed, and bathroom outside. Economy singles are extremely limited, book early!
(If the payment plan as set doesn't work for you, please pay the deposit to reserve your space and contact us directly to make other arrangements.)
Open-air 1 full size bed loft with private bathroom and ocean view. Economy singles are extremely limited, book early!
(If the payment plan as set doesn't work for you, pay deposit and contact us directly to make other arrangements.)