Big Magic and Yoga in the Sacred Valley

Cusco, Peru

TC
10 reviews
May 25 - Jun 1, 2019
Group size: 10 - 19
Big Magic and Yoga in the Sacred Valley
Cusco, Peru

10 reviews

May 25 - Jun 1, 2019
Group size: 10 - 19

About this trip

In Peru, one has the unique opportunity to touch the sacred, get a visual into the pre-Columbian world, and experience major shifts in perspective and awareness.  This retreat is designed for the person who wants to have that type of experience in a truly magical place with an incredible group of yogis. As an avid traveler and yogini, I seek to taste and experience a place completely, connect with its culture, and revel in the history--not just be sequestered in a retreat center.  If you are of that mind, I hope you will stretch, breathe, and marvel with me in the Sacred Valley of the Incas.

About the Sacred Valley & Cusco

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is about an hour away from Cusco and two hours from Machu Picchu. This colonial collection of villages has everything the heart seeks--Incan Ruins, Quechua markets, and sacred ceremonies, as well as adrenaline-inducing activities for thrill seekers. 


Amongst all of the otherworldly sites in the area, the star attraction of the Cusco Region is the 15th century Incan citadel Machu Picchu--a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.


Check out a bit of what to expect and our accommodations here.

What to See and Do

 Apart from the what is already included, optional excursions are available and highly encouraged to enjoy alone or with your fellow yogis! 


(Guided excursions range from $50-70 and are arranged directly with the lodge.)

  • Standup Paddleboard in Huaypo Lagoon
    Practicing Stand Up Paddle in the lagoon of Huaypo is to begin with the pleasure of sliding on the water in a playful atmosphere, discovering at the same time a beautiful aquatic site little frequented in the heart of the mountain range.

    This sport adapts to all the people who would like to try it and provides a feeling of freedom and indescribable joy. The SUP relaxes, puts in shape, helps in mastering its balance, give new sensations but always and more than everything gives good mood...!!!
     
  • Cacao Ceremony with Fire Circle
    A medicine woman will hold space to celebrate cacao love energy. You can join in by dancing around the fire circle.
     
  • Coca Leaf Reading with Oracle
    Communicate with the gods through the Andean oracle, the coca leaf and the region’s traditional spiritual masters. Within a reading the participant asks a question, an oracle is engaged, and a Shaman who is gifted and has been trained in these techniques interprets the answers. The answers you receive enable a better understanding of your destiny and inspire positive and constructive action.
     
  • Temazcal Ceremony
    It's a natural therapeutic experience of heat and steam, which is inspired by pre-Hispanic ancient practices of traditional medicine. Its use through history has been therapeutic and as a ritual/ceremony, practice has survived through the years as a tradition of the various indigenous communities in South America. Relaxation that generates experience urges us to a profound state of peace, introspection, reflection and full attention. Temazcal therapy is a well beautiful and powerful moment in our life, an opportunity to reconcile us with ourselves, a unique experience of purification and re-connection with our internal source of wisdom and unconditional love. Closing a cycle and opening a new one in our lives, we release attachments, negative thoughts, fears and mental conditioning, delivering them to the heat of the stones Mama Willka Rumicuna grandmothers of the Earth. 

About the Instructors

Retreat Leader & Yoga Instructor: Tamika Caston-Miller


Tamika is an educator, avid traveler, nature-enthusiast, historian, community-builder, and yogini. She believes that the power of one is not diminished when in community, but rather multiplied. As the world continues to shrink while oftentimes getting more cynical, Tamika seeks a community of yogis who are looking to be a stand for compassion, to dig deeper into their own yoga practice, and to stretch the idea of community beyond state and country borders.  


Tamika has practiced yoga since 2001, but wasn't in a serious, consistent relationship with the yoga until finding her perfect community and styles. She has extensively researched modifications for different body types and situations, including coming back from or working with injuries, as well as using yoga to unlock energy meridians and chakras. She is committed to creating a community through the practice of yoga, and helping others create an authentic, compassionate, and sustainable practice in harmony with the evolution of their bodies and minds. For this reason, Tamika prefers Hatha Yoga, Forrest-inspired & Rocket Flow, Yin Yoga, and Restorative Yoga. Attendees of this retreat can expect thoughtfully curated sequences that inspire deep introspection and growth on and off the mat.


Tamika is an RYT500 hour certified yoga instructor with additional training and development in Hatha, Yin and Restorative styles of yoga. .


-------------------


Yoga Instructor: Kiva L. Davis, DC


Dr. Kiva L. Davis graduated from Texas Southern University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Art History. While working in sales and marketing after graduation, she took yoga classes which led to an interest in Reflexology. She received a certification as a Reflexologist in 2003. Dr. Davis obtained a Doctorate of Chiropractic from the Texas Chiropractic College. In 2007 while pursuing her doctorate, she received a certification to teach yoga.


Dr. Davis has completed 200 hours in Hatha Yoga, 200 hours in Kermetic Yoga, 100 hours in Rocket Training and is currently working in the Lead to Inspire Program with Yoga One. Her mission is to get people practicing yoga and becoming active participants in their healthcare. She wants to dispel the misconception that yoga is to be practiced for flexibility only; she shares that it is a physical practice on the mat and a way of life off the mat.


Dr. Davis has a zest for learning and received certifications in Kinesio taping, Graston tools. She is an Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist, and a Designated Doctor for the State of Texas. She is currently pursuing a certification with the Department of Transportation. Her vision is to introduce a healthy, holistic lifestyle to patients/students. She wants to remove the mystery of yoga and teach that body shape, age, gender or race does not matter. Yoga is about universal love of self and others.

What’s included

  • Retreat & Machu Picchu
    7 Night Yoga Retreat located at Yoga Mandala with guided excursion to Machu Picchu
  • Meals
    3 Healthy, Vegetarian Meals Daily
  • Twice Daily Yoga
    AM Vinyasa Flow / PM Yin & Restorative Yoga
  • Guided Meditations
    Indoor and outdoor meditations to connect to the sacred, healing energy within and in this special place.
  • Mother Earth Ceremony
    Andean ceremony of reciprocity between the material and spiritual worlds.
  • Sound Healing Circle
    A magical experience that you will deeply enjoy with crystal bowls, ancient Peruvian instruments as well as other native instruments around the world.
  • Salt Mine & Moray Tour
    Tour of some of Cusco's most interesting Incan sites.
  • Pisaq Ruins & Market
    Tour the hilltop ruins and explore the colonial Andean village.
  • Bilingual Retreat Leader
    Co-Adventurer & Certified Yoga Instructor
  • Airport Transfers
    Transfers from the Cusco airport to the retreat center.

What’s not included

  • Flights
    Please arrange flights to Cusco, Peru.
  • Incan Trail
    The 5 day hike of the Incan Trail is not included in this retreat or pricing, but can be arranged.

Available Packages

Full Retreat / Paid in Full

8 Days / 7 Nights | May 25 - June 1, 2019


Due to the proximity of the retreat, pricing in full must be paid in order to reserve your spot.

$1,950
Retreat / $500 deposit + manual payments

**NO LONGER AVAILABLE**


8 Days / 7 Nights | May 25 - June 1, 2019


$500 deposit plus payments on your own timeframe. Must be paid in full by April 1, 2019.


Be one of the first 5 registrants to receive $200 off of the regular retreat price. Use discount code: EARLYBIRD

$1,950
Deposit: $500
Retreat / $250 deposit + monthly payment

**NO LONGER AVAILABLE**


8 Days / 7 Nights | May 25 - June 1, 2019


Book by September 1 to pay a reduced deposit of $250 deposit plus monthly payments over 5 months. Total must be paid by April 1, 2019.

$1,950
Deposit: $250


Your Organizer


TC
Tamika Caston-Miller
10 reviews
RYT 500, E-RYT 200, Spiritual Director, Historian, Educator Yoga styles taught: Hatha Yoga, Somatic Flow, Yin Yoga, Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra

Reviews

I absolutely loved this retreat! I had the pleasure of meeting Tamika when I did my first Yoga Nidra class and The Ranch in Houston and from that point on I fell in love with her classes. I hadn’t been practicing my yoga as much as I would like these past… 10 years (haha) - but the minute I saw Tamika was offering a retreat in IRELAND I signed up right away as it was a great excuse to travel and get some yoga in. Whenever I take a trip, my identity is very much “traveler” vs “vacationer” so this was the perfect trip for me. Although I had been to Ireland previously and had already seen many of the major sites we were visiting, I was very excited to see Cliffs of Moher and Giant’s Causeway again. Whereas in my normal life, I am very much of a Type A person I appreciate when I travel to a different country I am able to relax and remind myself to “go with the flow”. The ‘considerations’ and ‘what’s included’ on the WeTravel website provided me with all the information I needed to know prior to the trip. A quick Google search of where we would be staying in comparison to the different places we would be visiting made me excited for the day trips we would have, perfect for the adventurer in me. Even though some of our day trips prevented us from doing yoga every single day - those trips and experiences outweighed the day or two when we didn't get yoga twice a day. I only wish we could have spent more time at these locations. However, as an experienced solo and group traveler - I understood how I never have enough time in a group setting as I want to see everything :). I appreciated how much we were able to see in such a short period of time and I’m already making plans to return to some of my favorite places (I see you, Belfast). Even with our adventures, I enjoyed the days when we had time to ourselves. I fully took advantage of this downtime by spending time laying in the sun with the sheep, and reading in the surrounding fields. My absolute favorite day was taking a 2-hour hike from our estate in Táin Way to the city of Carlingford where we were able to enjoy the scenery, views of the coast… and of course… sheep. Our hosts were extremely gracious and worked very hard to make sure we were well fed with delicious homecooked meals and considerations made for the many allergens our group had. As a meat eater, the vegan and vegetarian cuisine was very different compared to my “normal” but I enjoyed each meal and even got some ideas of meals for when I returned home. The daily yoga was exactly what I needed for my body and soul, and it helped jumpstart me into continuing my practice once I returned to the States. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip and cannot wait until my next yoga retreat with Tamika! Thank you so much for all the care and love you put into creating this experience for us <3
By Kathryne d for The Ultimate Ireland Retreat on Aug 26, 2023
Such a beautiful experience! Ireland has been a dream destination for me, so I was thrilled when Tamika posted The Ultimate Ireland Retreat for Summer 2023. Having been on several of her previous retreats, I had high expectation for an experience that would be packed with memorable experiences and I was not disappointed! The week we spent at Eagles Rock Yoga retreat in the lush countryside near Carlingford was truly special. It was the perfect "home base" for the week with comfortable accommodations, fresh delicious vegetarian/vegan food, and a divine yoga shala with a breathtaking view of the green hills and the ocean in the distance. Daytrips to iconic destinations such as Dublin, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher, ancient Brú na Bóinne, and more were led by our charming and knowledgeable host, Stuart who provided educational and cultural interest. Adventures were balanced with delicious no-travel days in which we were able to enjoy our retreat home, ramble the breathtaking countryside, explore the nearby medieval town of Carlingford, or just curl up by the window with a cup of tea and a book or journal. And throughout, we were treated daily to Tamika's blissful yoga practices ~ restorative and spiritually renewing. It was the perfect first time Ireland experience for me and was over all too quickly, but the memories I carry will last a lifetime. I look forward to many more global experiences with my beautiful friend.
By Julie T for The Ultimate Ireland Retreat on Aug 11, 2023
Words are not enough to properly articulate how wonderful this entire retreat was to me. Yoga is an integral part of my life and I had always wanted to visit Ireland. This retreat was the best of both worlds. There is nothing quite like visiting spectacular sites in Ireland and returning to our lodgings to process our experience through move on the mat. Tamika and our hosts worked together to ensure we got the best weather (Ireland summers are tricky) even if it meant tweaking the itinerary. Such thought and care was definitely noted and needed to ensure an amazing trip. There was also something truly magical about being in a group of like-minded individuals. I am beyond grateful for Tamika for holding space for us and coordinating this entire experience. I am just as grateful for our delightful hosts Martina and Stuart who not only provided the perfect home for this retreat but also prepared superb meals throughout. Erin go bragh!
By Carolina L for The Ultimate Ireland Retreat on Aug 11, 2023
Thank you so much for such a joy-filled experience. I especially appreciated your dancing in Drogheda! Haha! So much of what makes a retreat worth doing is the people. 🙏🏾
By Tamika Caston-Miller on Aug 11, 2023
TC
First of all, Ireland is so beautiful and green you won't believe it's real! Our accommodations were a delight - simple and homey, a few quirky things (you're sharing a home retrofitted to house yoga retreats) but charming, nestled in a serene valley filled with wandering sheep singing their sheep songs (one was hilariously off-tune) and surrounded by gorgeous rolling hills with spectacular view of the Irish Sea. We were staying with a wonderfully accommodating and kind yoga family whose sweet and shy child would play parachutes from the windows or rockets in the garden (if he warmed to you, he'd show you some of his drawings and tell you of his little boy adventures). Elaborate Vegan meals were cooked in their kitchen and shared around two tables, one in the kitchen and at the top of the stair. Tamika curated a full exploration of Ireland from Belfast to learn about their years of serious "troubles" and religious persecution to ancient ruins to the most breathtaking geological landscapes you could imagine. There was something for everyone! I love that she and her wife Lenie take great pains to research options for the trip and are sharing the best of what they have discovered in their previous travels. In between excursions by private bus, we would bask in the landscapes around our homestay (my favorite day was being led by the father and child on a lush hike across the mountain to the closest town, medieval Carlingford on the sea to eat the freshest oysters and savour Guiness in a local pub) or enjoy yoga experiences led by Tamika ranging from Yoga Nidra, somatic movement and Yin Yoga. She's a gifted teacher and each class leaves you "yoga stoned" in a near bliss state. Because we had many excursions all across the country, there were less opportunities for yoga asana but we experienced other forms of yoga like the joys/patience of traveling and meeting new folks, singing karaoke on the bus together and telling stories over chocolates and tea. You get community, deep conversations, a chance to practice yoga on and off the mat and an authentic and nourishing experience of another country. All in all a grand trip and I've already booked my next retreat with Tamika Caston-Miller. See y'all in Guatemala!
By Katy T for The Ultimate Ireland Retreat on Aug 08, 2023
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I love co-creating these tender moments of beauty with you all around the world. ❤️🙏🏾
By Tamika Caston-Miller on Aug 08, 2023
TC
My love and admiration for you and your extraordinary skill teaching Yin and Restorative yoga made signing up for your Ireland retreat a no-brainer. In your classes, I have felt truly held, and have left feeling restored. I’ve been practicing for over 20 years and rate you among the top caliber of yoga teachers I’ve experienced, so I was very excited to have a week of classes with you in-person. I signed up for the retreat anticipating the peaceful, restorative environment you so beautifully offer in class. Unfortunately the retreat was very different. I expected a restful retreat with a focus on yoga. Instead I experienced an agenda-packed tour which did not allow enough time for quiet reflection, rest, or even to practice yoga daily. I also expected to know all the details of the tour, including a packing list and the retreat location to inform loved ones, before our departure. Though these things were promised, they were not delivered. Once the retreat began, and it became clear that we would be covering a lot of ground around Ireland – rather than local/nearby day-trips – I couldn’t help but wonder why we were staying at such a remote location. The site as well as the hosts, Martina and Stewart, were less than ideal to handle a group our size. The food was also problematic. It is unclear whether all the dietary restrictions and allergies – common among yoginis – were not communicated to the hosts or if the hosts ignored them, but at least two people were fed allergens. The hosts did not run the retreat professionally, giving attitude if I did not eat the food. Being pressured to eat food that was not appealing and which was covered by our registration fee was bizarre. Being coerced to stay for the final meal was particularly offensive to me. I was not an invited guest. I paid for the meal, I should not have been obligated to eat it, after a week of having to eat that food served with a hostile, begrudging attitude. If I order and pay for a meal at a restaurant, the restauranteur doesn’t give me any guff if I don’t eat all the food. Frankly it felt as if everyone responsible for running the retreat and coordinating the logistics for our group were over-taxed, leading to long waits, miscommunication about how long we had at each stop, too little time to see what we drove long ways to see, etc. Running into gas stations for urgently needed food was stressful and unpleasant. The lack of proper planning led to skipping yoga and rushing through tour stops. The result were long, stressful, and exhausting days. It would have been far more edifying and enjoyable to do less, but more slowly and deliberately, allowing time for reflection, and most of all – yoga. And finally, our parting communication regarding the additional fee for staying in the cottage ended the experience on a particularly sour note. I had asked you the day before if it would be ok for me to stay at the cottage on the final night, because I had made arrangements (at my own expense) to return to the airport with Kathy and Libby. You told me in no uncertain terms that it was fine. I told you I was asking because I didn’t know what the rules might be. You responded, “you paid for the retreat, so you should do what you need to enjoy it.” I could not have been more shocked to receive your message moments before I was leaving for the airport that I would owe an additional $35. I reminded you that I had asked for and received your permission to stay at the Cottage and I had made my own departure plans, but that did not move you to take responsibility for your actions. You approved my move to the Cottage, so you were responsible for the additional cost. I offer this feedback in love and want your retreats to be amazing for you, your financial health, and for all the participants. I hope you will take time to understand why many of the participants did not have the retreat they anticipated.
By Melanie H for The Ultimate Ireland Retreat on Aug 07, 2023
Thank you for your detailed review as it is excellent in showing what is to be expected and what is not on a retreat with me. Expect the retreat to stay within its titular integrity and description. If the description says we are exploring a country, going on day hikes and day trips, expect that to be true. Expect that if you are doing miles long hikes the day of or day before a day trip, you will likely be exhausted for the excursions. It is incredibly unfortunate that you missed the day of the most profound experiences due to the prior day's optional hikes. It is my expectation that when the details of destinations are provided in the "what to expect" section, that travelers will heed that information to make the best decisions for themselves. Nothing will be a surprise when that happens. Please do not expect me to opt you out of excursions. Every person is operating under agency to enjoy an excursion/practice/experience or forgo it for a day of leisure. Expect for me to hold space for your experience through yoga, community, and exploration of sacred sites. I am a yoga educator and somatic abolitionist -- not service personnel. Note that traditional power dynamics come out when people are operating within those expectations and that will never be received well by me who has done a lot of my own spiritual abolition. Do not expect me to act as 'the manager' when you change your order changes and it has a ripple of unexpected effects. Last minute changes are not a problem for me, but they might be for you. Expect yoga on and off of the mat. Yoga is more than a set of shapes--it is meditation, abolition, and transcendence. This might look like tears on the mat, having profound experiences in sacred locations, expansion within community, and it could be being agile when things go differently than you expected. If you want a retreat in which yoga is portrayed as a reductive set of shapes and on-the-mat practices, I am not for you, nor are my retreats. Expect that if your departure is weeks ahead of the groups and you do not have a method of communication while off-grid, you might miss some things. Never fear, though, the most important things will always be communicated, like minimal needs of what to pack, in the description. Expect that dietary restrictions and allergens will always be communicated. Also expect that the humans who are doing the yoga of food service might err, especially in international locations and/or with international cooks. Note that restaurants also commit errors and their only job is one meal -- not 18. Expect that hosts might not show their care and concern through your expectations, but might through the loving care and concern of food preparation, comfortable accommodations and opening their space to you. They might also get offended if a guest consistently scoffs at their food and this might be an opportunity for self examination. Expect that yoga retreats are at retreat centers -- not big box hotels. The hosts are usually an intimate team of well-meaning people who want to offer their best to you. Expect that luxe experiences come with luxe price tags and will be indicated as such. Please never, ever expect for me to pay your expenses for you, nor to do the emotional labor of explaining why. Not even $35. Changes to group transport, meals, experiences, accommodations can result in an expense that will be passed on to you. Sometimes those can be foreseen, and other times no. To avoid this, communicate any itinerary or accommodations changes before travel so that all parties have that information. I receive your well wishes and wish you the same.
By Tamika Caston-Miller on Aug 08, 2023
TC
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