The Relational Way
A retreat for those who long to live in right relationship with Mother Earth, with their own bodies, and with the cultures and lands they travel through.
February 28 – March 7, 2026 · Antigua, Guatemala
At the feet of Guatemala’s volcanic mountains, this 7‑day retreat is an offering to yourself, the Earth, and the children of Project Genesis.
The heart of this retreat
is about how to live in right relationship. Our approach is grounded by four pillars:
Self
Healing the body, mind, and spirit through daily yoga, meditation, and sacred rest.
Service
Service trips to Project Genesis, a local nonprofit that serves a rural community without access to many resources.
Earth
Remembering how to relate to the land, plants, and animals as relatives —through ceremony and reverence.
Culture
Honoring Indigenous wisdom and remembering how to be a guest on sacred land with respect, humility, and listening.
Why this retreat is different
Modern retreats offer us a chance to disconnect from the world, we are inviting you to deepen your connection to it. The heart of this offering is about how to live in right relationship: to ourselves, to the Earth, and to what it means to be a visitor in someone else’s homeland (anywhere on Turtle Island).
A Week in the Relational Way
Our retreat follows a gentle rhythm: each day will include a blend of personal healing, cultural learning, embodied yoga practice, and spacious rest. We will care for our bodies by eating fresh nourishing food, practicing yoga, and hiking an (optional) volcano. Some days will include a visit to Project Genesis — a local educational nonprofit — while others will offer cultural learning experiences or plant ceremony with T’zules, a Mayan Shaman. Below is a sample day:
Morning
Herbal tea & quiet time
Yoga and pranayama (breath practice)
Earth-centered meditation
Nourishing breakfast
Afternoon
Plant teachings (cacao, coffee, native herbs), visit to Project Genesis, or cultural experience
Communal lunch & time to rest
Midday
Mayan ceremony or integration circle
Optional add on: massage, private yoga, foundation training
Exploring the streets of Antigua
Evening
Dinner under the stars
Yoga Nidra or sound healing
Temezcal (Mayan Sauna)
Time for stillness, creativity, rest
Where you’ll rest
Nestled into the north facing mountains of the sacred Panchoy Valley, the land of the Kaqchikel Mayan peoples, here now lives a working organic avocado farm cared for by local villagers who carry the medicine of their ancestral farming practices. Located just outside Antigua, Guatemala, Earth Lodge is an eco-retreat center that will bless us with 130-degree views of the twin volcanos, in a peaceful tropical jungle, nestled into the heart of Mother Earth.
Earth Lodge has beautiful rustic accommodations that are comfortable, natural, and sustainable.
Private or shared accommodations available with private bathrooms and showers with organic local bath products which are safe and friendly for their greywater system which cycles the water into the surrounding plant life and farm
An abundance of nature trails, indoor and outdoor lounge spaces, hammocks, an organic restaurant, yoga shala , spa and ceremonial spaces
Unlimited access to the Temazcal (Mayan sauna)
How you’ll be nourished
Earth Lodge’s restaurant is led by sisters Marta and Nancy who grew up learning to cook from their mother in their family home in the village of El Hato. With their education in wellness and farm to table practices, they created a world-class dining experience, with a focus on bright tropical flavors, local artisan products and plenty of options — whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, or a conscientious carnivore. Marta is also very well versed in local herbalism and is a wealth of native and ancestral information regarding local plants and their medicinal uses!
What’s included:
Three nourishing meals daily
Fresh local Guatemalan coffee sourced from their neighbors Finca Filadelfia - Antigua’s oldest coffee fica. It’s farm to-cup experience
Unlimited purified water and herbal teas
Dietary Options:
Vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore choices
Gluten-free and other special diets
Service as Relationship
A significant portion of your retreat fee goes directly to our friends at Project Genesis, a local Guatemalan non-profit that supports education, nutrition, and vocational training for children in San Andrés Itzapa — one of the poorest neighborhoods in the region. We will take 2-3 trips to Project Genesis to build relationships, learn from this community, and support others in a deep and respectful way. Your presence at the retreat means you directly support the future generations of the Guatemalan San Andrés peoples.
Hakim created this video in 2014 after volunteering at Project Genesis on his gap year. The project has grown a lot since, however we hope this video will begin connecting you with the heart of this project.
Energy Exchange
Your contribution supports not only your personal transformation, but also uplifts Indigenous teachers, local healers/workers, and the children of Project Genesis.
Accommodation Options:
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A beautiful option for friends or those open to sharing space with others. We honor each participant’s identity and will pair you with roommates based on your preferences and how you self-identify. There will be space in your intake form to share what would feel most comfortable and supportive for you.
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Ideal for friends or partners, or for those open to being paired with others. We honor each participant’s identity and will pair you with roommates based on your preferences and how you self-identify. There will be space in your intake form to share what would feel most comfortable and supportive for you.
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For those craving solitude and deep integration, our private cabins, or cabinitas, offer a serene escape from the world.
Please note that availability is limited, and these private accommodations are offered on a first-come, first-served basis so please register asap.
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For those craving solitude and deep integration, our private cabins, or cabinitas, offer a serene escape from the world.
Please note that availability is limited, and these private accommodations are offered on a first-come, first-served basis so please register asap.
Support the Scholarship Fund
Our hearts desire is for this retreat to be accessible to often-excluded groups, particularly BIPOC individuals. If inspired, please consider contributing to our scholarship fund to help others benefit from this work. Every dollar supports our mission of reciprocity.
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6 nights accommodation at Earth Lodge
• 3 nourishing meals per day
• All retreat programming, Cacao ceremony, and workshops
• Transportation to/from Guatemala City (on arrival and departure days)
• Daily yoga, meditation, and healing sessions
• Guided service immersion with Project Genesis
• Cacao & coffee farm visits
• Indigenous wisdom teachings and cultural exchanges
• Integration support and post-retreat resources
Airfare to Guatemala is not included.
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We are committed to economic justice and honoring the diverse realities of those called to this work. Payment plans are available for everyone (select payment plan at check out). We also welcome BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks to reach out if cost is a barrier.
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This retreat is rooted in mutual support— therefore we are offering 1 partial scholarship ($1,000 off) for a shared occupancy room for our BIPOC relatives. The total you will need to pay is $895.
To apply for the scholarship please click below.
Note: There is a scholarship fund so in the chance we raise enough funds we may be able to offer more scholarship opportunities.
For those who are seeking:
A deeper way to travel beyond tourism
To engage with Indigenous wisdom and social justice through real experiences
To embrace wellness, healing, and personal growth
To remember their connection with Mother Earth & Plant Spirits
Rest and meaningful action, recognizing wellness extends beyond self
To serve others without engaging in saviorism or extractive tourism
To challenge old paradigms and step into a new way of relating to the world
Community healing, collective liberation, and reciprocal service.
Optional Add-Ons
Facilitator Led:
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A custom 1:1 experience to support your nervous system, integration, and spiritual alignment. Choose between sound healing or intuitive movement & yoga therapy.
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Receive grounded, intuitive support through the lens of Indigenous herbalism and Earth-based wisdom. Choose between a personalized herbal consultation or a custom flower essence therapy session to support emotional and spiritual integration. Each session includes a mini take-home remedy crafted with care.
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Work one-on-one with Hakim in Foundation Training—a powerful movement method to relieve pain, build strength, and ground your energy through aligned posture and breath. Especially supportive for chronic pain, fatigue, or back/neck tension.
Local (Supporting the Community):
Other local wellness and cultural options may be available closer to the retreat date.
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Led by local Mayan Healer, Tz’ules-the Temazcal Ceremony is a powerful ancient therapy tht works through heat, natural aromatic medicinal plants, natural mud and exfoliants, and herbal baths. The 4 cardinal elements, chakra activation, drumming, and chanting are used to help eliminate toxins from the body and spirit at all levels. Recommended for groups of 6 or less at a time, due to the capacity of the Temazcal (mayan sauna).
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Experience deep rest and recalibration with a massage from one of the incredible Guatemalan therapists we work with. Your session supports the local economy and helps sustain traditional healing practices.
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A shared experience for couples, partners, or close friends who wish to receive side-by-side healing sessions. A beautiful way to drop in together during the retreat and support the local massage therapists.
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A powerful somatic reset guided by experienced facilitators. The cold plunge supports your immune system, circulation, and mental clarity.
Your Facilitators
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T’zules
Mayan Spirituality and Indigenous Ceremonies
T’zules is a local Mayan Spiritual Guide who was raised in a family with a strong spiritual lineage of Shamans. She was guided from a young age to listen to her intuition and embrace her sacred path. As a spiritual guide, she has transcended darkness and now serves as a warrior of light, protecting Mother Earth and defending Indigenous traditions. Her mission is to ensure the legacy of her ancestors is respected and preserved. T’zules offers Mayan ceremonies and spiritual guidance, helping participants connect to ancestral wisdom and the deeper purpose of their journey.
We are blessed to be able to learn and uplift Indigenous peoples of this land. We are honored to have T’zules lead a Cacao ceremony, and Fire ceremony and leading indigenous wisdom talks. -
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Ricardo Oscar Armas Castellano
Founder of Project Genesis
Ricardo is a Guatemalan author, educator, and activist who has dedicated his life to the children of San Andrés Itzapa. Despite having very little himself, he has given his time, resources, and energy to creating a better future for underserved youth. Ricardo is a passionate storyteller and a visionary leader, and it is our hope to one day support his dream of becoming a successful writer. He will share his story and his mission with participants during our visits to Project Genesis.
Hakim has been working with Ricardo and Project Genesis since 2014. Jesse Rose and Hakim trust you will feel Ricardo’s passion and love for our future generations. -
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Jesse Rose
Co-Facilitator: Indigenous Spirituality, Yoga Teacher & Plant Medicine Woman
Jesse Rose is a member of the Schagthicoke Tribal Nation (Indigenous American) and has a deep connection to the spirit of plants, animals, and Mother Earth. She will guide the group in honoring the Indigenous wisdom and building meaningful relationships with the native plants and people of Guatemala, as well as our Earth Mother. Through ceremonies, plant teachings, and immersive experiences, Jesse Rose is sharing the remembrance of how to relate to our Earth in a sacred way. She will also be guiding our Yoga classes, mediation, movement, and sound healings.
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Hakim Noah
Co-Facilitator: Social Justice and Service Work, Massage Therapist
Hakim has been working with Project Genesis since 2014 and brings over a decade of experience in ethical service work. His approach to service is rooted in mutual learning and exchange, rejecting the traditional model of “volunteerism” and instead focusing on relationship-building and reciprocity. Hakim facilitates guided discussions on wealth, privilege, and global inequities while helping participants engage in service with humility, gratitude, and intention.***
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Jossue Armas
Transportation & Guided Activities
José is an experienced and trusted tour and adventure guide who will be providing transportation and leading our guided adventures throughout the retreat. We absolutely love Jose’s joyful, passionate, and aware nature—a truly special human. José ensures that participants have safe and meaningful experiences while exploring the beauty of his homeland in Guatemala… we know from experience!
Together, we will honor the Indigenous traditions of Guatemala, engage in meaningful service with Project Genesis, and tend to our relationships with Mother Earth and the plant spirits through Cacao, Coffee, and healing rituals.
FAQs
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🛏️ 6 nights of lodging at Earth Lodge (single, double and triple occupancy options each with private bathroom and shower)
🌿 3 organic meals daily (vegan/vegetarian/pescatarian options from vibrant locally sourced food)
☕ Unlimited herbal teas, local coffee and purified water
🧘🏽♀️ Daily yoga & meditation, including Vinyasa, align, Yoga Nidra, gentle and restorative, etc. taught by Jesse Rose (optional)
🌸 Mayan Cacao Ceremony with T’zules (optional)
👣 Movement classes, including Animal Flow, Foundation Training taught by Hakim and Jesse Tose (optional)
🎵 Sound Healing co-created by Jesse Rose and Hakim (optional)
🌈 A portion of proceeds donated to Project Genesis
🚐 All scheduled journeys, including farm tours, ceremonies (optional)
🌋 Guided volcano and/or nature hike with moderate to advanced level (optional)
🔥 Unlimited access to the Temazcal (Mayan sauna)
📍 Transportation to and from all travel activities, including airport pick up and drop off, visit to downtown Antigua, etc.
🌺 Take home Flower Essence (optional)
✨ Group integration & reflection circles -
❌ Flights to and from Guatemala City (GUA)
❌ Airport transfers outside the designated group shuttle time
❌ Alcoholic beverages, specialty drinks, or additional snacks
❌ Massages, sound healing, and private ceremonies (available as add-ons)
❌ Extra activities beyond what’s listed in the itinerary
❌ Travel insurance (highly recommended) -
Most participants will fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. We recommend arriving between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM, as we will have a group shuttle departing around 2:30 PM. If you arrive earlier or later, we can help arrange alternative transportation. The drive to Earth Lodge is about 1-1.5 hours.
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🛂 Passport (valid for at least 6 months from arrival date)
🥾 Comfortable walking/hiking shoes. Hiking boots if participating in the advanced level hike
🌧️ Raincoat + Pullover Jacket (for volcano hike & cooler evenings)
💧 Camelbak and reusable water bottle
☀️ Sunscreen & bug spray
📖 Notebook or journal for reflections
💊 Any personal medications or first aid essentials
👕 Light, breathable clothing for warm days
🧥 Layers for cooler evenings
✨ A sense of openness and curiosity -
This retreat is accessible to most fitness levels. While some activities, like hiking and yoga, involve movement, they are optional. You may choose a gentler hike instead of a challenging one, or opt for a slower-paced day in Antigua rather than an excursion.
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February is part of Guatemala’s dry season, meaning warm, sunny days and cool evenings. Expect temperatures around 75°F (24°C) during the day and cooler evenings (50-60°F / 10-15°C).
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Due to the intimate nature of this retreat and the advance planning required, all deposits are non-refundable. However, we do allow transfers—meaning if you can’t attend, you may gift or sell your spot to another participant. More details on the cancellation policy will be provided at the time of booking.
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We feel strongly about creating an intimate space for this retreat. Therefore, we have a limited number of spaces available with a max of 12 and a total of 14 including the facilitators.
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Although not required, we recommend purchasing comprehensive travel insurance to cover potential flight delays, cancellations, medical emergencies, or unexpected trip interruptions.
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While Spanish is the primary language spoken in Guatemala, you do not need to be fluent to attend this retreat. We do however highly encourage learning basic phrases or using translation tools to enhance your experience and honor the language of the people. This action towards understanding the basics of the language align deeply with the intention of this retreat. We recommend:
📱 Downloading the Google Translate app for easy communication
📖 Learning a few key Spanish phrases before arrival
🗣️ Engaging with locals with curiosity & respect—even small efforts in Spanish are appreciated
🤝 Knowing that co-facilitator Hakim is fluent in Spanish and will assist with translations as needed