Yoga and Ayurveda: Dia De Los Muertos!

About the Retreat

This kid and family-friendly retreat with Rachel Rajput and Jenna Padilla begins with a 5-night stay at beautiful Mar De Jade which combines twice-daily Yoga classes, meditation, Ayurveda, crafting, and lots of R & R. We will conclude our trip with 2 nights in Puerto Vallarta to celebrate Mexico’s Cultural Festival of “Día de Los Muertos.”

Unwind in paradise with twice-daily offerings of yoga, and yoga’s sister science of “Ayurveda”. Feast on healthy and organic buffet meals, take a jungle hike, detoxify in an Aztec Sweat Lodge ceremony, enjoy pampering spa treatments, and much more. Swim in one of the several inviting pools, take a dip in the ocean waters, enjoy a long walk on the beach into town,  or simply relax in a hammock overlooking the sea. We will also have an opportunity to visit and volunteer with local children at the nonprofit school run by Mar De Jade. Then, the group will travel to the city of Puerta Vallarta to experience all that the cultural festival of “Día de los Muertos” has to offer!

Retreat Website

Schedule

Day 1
Arrive at Mar De Jade!

Our journey begins! Fly into Puerta Vallarta International Airport. Meet our group at the designated pickup point and grab the Group Van Shuttle to Mar De Jade. This trip will take around 1.5 hours and is a lovely and relaxing drive. Arrive to the retreat center to settle in, enjoy our first Yoga Session,  and have a dip in the pool before dinner! We will have a group Meet N Greet after dinner.

Day 2-5
Mar De Jade

Wake up early to join us for an energizing Power Yoga session overlooking the sea. After a delicious organic breakfast, you are free to hang at the beach or pools, explore the town of Chacala, journal, horseback ride, snorkel, hike, or have a Sweat Lodge experience. We will have a leisurely mid-afternoon lunch, then some time to relax and digest before our afternoon yoga session. Sunset cocktail hour will follow, then a fresh and healthful dinner. Spend quality time with good folks or soak in your private bath before heading off to bed for a relaxing sleep in your air-conditioned room! Other activities you can sample include stand-up paddleboarding, whale watching, and horseback riding.

Day 6
Travel to Puerto Vallarta!

After yoga and brunch, we head into Puerto Vallarta by van shuttle, and check in to Hotel Roger. Once settled, you are free to explore the town, rest, or take a dip in the hotel pool. It’s Dia De Los Muertos – so you won’t want to miss the altars in the Plaza and all around town, or the “Ballet Folklorico”: free dance performances in the Town Square. Puerto Vallarta is a lovely and safe walking city with beautiful beach views.

Day 7
Explore PV and Sunset Cruise

We will start with a morning yoga session, then students are free to keep exploring PV, or take the water taxi to the local village of Yelapa. We will meet back at Hotel Roger mid-afternoon and walk to the port where we will meet our our sailboat to take us on a Sunset Cruise! From there we will have our closing dinner together at the fabulous Planeta Vegetariano.  Afterwards, folks are free to continue to enjoy the Dia De Los Muertos festivities on foot, or turn in early after a busy day!

Day 8
Farewell brunch and travel home…

We will gather for our last meal together at a local restaurant a short walk away from the hotel. Here, we can share stories of the week, and catch up on the adventures of our new friends! Most direct flights to the Bay leave mid-afternoon… so there is plenty of time to pack up and grab a cab for the 20 minute journey back to the airport. We will see you next year!

About the Teachers

Rachel Rajput

Rachel Rajput (ERYT-500) founded Left Coast Power Yoga in 2013 to bring a challenging, heated Power Yoga studio to the Oakland community. As a yoga instructor, she draws from her dance, theater, and improvisation background. Rachel weaves bits of Yogic philosophy into every class and hopes that students come out of her classes ready to take on the world like urban Warriors! She received her 200 Hr Certification from Laughing Lotus SF with Keith Borden and Jasmine Tarkeshi, her 300 Hr from Yoga Tree with Jason Crandall, Janet Stone, Jane Austin, and Annie Carpenter, and 100 hrs of Continuing Education with Keith Borden and Sean Haleen. Rachel believes that the power of your practice can make any of life’s problems, no matter how big or small, infinitely more manageable.

Jenna Padilla

Growing up playing competitive soccer, softball, and volleyball, Jenna has a tendency to love all things related to strengthening and conditioning the body. She came to Yoga in 2007 while searching for a natural way to heal a back injury. Years later, Yoga has integrated into all aspects of her life. Jenna completed her 200hr yoga teacher training at Yoga Fountain in San Francisco with Bija Pretzel France and her 500hr Ayurveda yoga teacher training with Kameko Shibata. She incorporates elements of Bikram, Iyengar, and Ayurveda into every class and workshop. Jenna’s style of teaching is one that focuses on a flow that gradually opens the body up while maintaining proper alignment. She encourages students to “find their edge”, but also to be mindful in keeping the inner balance and peace that yoga provides!