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.

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.

 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. 

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. .

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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.