Essential Somatics® Free Your Movement Retreat

About the Retreat

Come awaken your senses to a new possibility for your body, yourself, and your life—surrounded by the stunning beauty of the ocean, white sand beaches, and vibrant sunsets. Essential Somatics is thrilled to return to Mexico for their annual Free Your Movement Retreat, taught by Martha Peterson and Gena Rho.

Immerse yourself in a transformative experience that blends movement, mindfulness, and renewal. During this retreat, you’ll uncover missing-link information that will help you rediscover the joy of movement and reconnect with a deeper awareness of yourself. Whether you’re dealing with chronic muscle pain, limited mobility, a general feeling of “getting old,” or simply want to move and play with greater freedom, you’ll find something freeing and enriching when you join us in the beautiful town of Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico.

This course is for EVERY BODY—no matter your age, activity level, or experience.

Through thoughtful discussions, movement sessions, and interactive participation, you’ll discover critical insights that leave you feeling lighter and brighter, with a renewed sense of awareness of yourself.

We will dive deeply into:

• The root cause of most chronic muscle pain—and how to reverse it
• How to retain voluntary muscle function and fluid movement with gentle, safe somatic movement
• The ways everyday stresses and mindset contribute to pain and limited movement
• How all humans respond reflexively to stress within three full-body reflex patterns
• How to lengthen muscles and reset muscle function without stretching
• A simple, safe, and profoundly effective Somatic Movement routine that, when practiced daily, restores muscle control, eliminates chronic pain, and helps you stay free and mobile for life.

Join us for a rejuvenating retreat where you’ll learn to move with mastery and joy.

Schedule

Arrival: Saturday  by 3pm to Puerto Vallarta airport
Daily Schedule: Sunday–Friday (schedule subject to change)

• 7:30–8:30am | Optional Early Morning Session (Mon/Wed/Fri)
• 8:30–9:30am | Gourmet Breakfast
• 10:00am–1:00pm | Mid-Morning Session
• 1:30–2:30pm | Gourmet Lunch
• 4:00–5:00pm | Optional Afternoon Session (Tues/Thurs)
• 2:30–6:30pm | Free time to explore, swim, take a walk
• 6:30–7:30pm | Gourmet Dinner

Closing Circle: 7:30-8:30pm on Friday, after dinner

Departure: Saturday, after breakfast

Payment & Cancellation Policy

Click here for registration.

Retreat registration fee: US$850 per person (early bird pricing until July 31, 2025)

Retreat registration fee includes: Cost of attendance at the retreat only.

Retreat registration fee does not include: Accommodation, catering, facility fees, travel insurance, incidentals, flights, or airport shuttles.

About the Teachers

Martha Peterson, CCSE

Martha Peterson, CCSE, received her certification from Novato Institute in 2006. She holds a BA in Dance Education from the SUNY, and certification in Massage Therapy from the National Holistic Institute in Oakland, CA. Martha is the founder and CEO of Essential Somatics® and a leader in the field of Somatic Education. Martha has over 30 years’ experience working with professionals in the field of dance, bodywork, and somatics. She discovered Clinical (Hanna) Somatic Education after suffering chronic hip and knee pain due to injuries after years of dancing professionally; it is the only method that taught her to reverse her hip pain and postural imbalances. For Martha, restoring the skill of self-sensing was the key to a life of movement, mastery, and joy.

Gena Rho, CCSE

Gena Rho, CCSE, received her certification from Essential Somatics® in 2017. She has more than 30 years of experience in movement and education as a yoga teacher, former professional modern dancer, and educator. Gena is owner of Emerge Somatics in Maplewood, NJ where she offers both somatic movement and yoga. Gena remembers well her first real experience of what it meant to be in “process”…always, refining, growing, changing, and adapting. Gena’s clients appreciate her ability to help them bring somatic awareness to yoga, athletics, performing arts, and the functional movement patterns of everyday life. Gena’s practice continues to evolve and grow in fascinating way,s and she enjoys working in collaboration with other inspiring teachers to help people further awaken the body and spirit. www.essentialsomatics.com