Somatic Wellness and
Adventure Retreat


Yelapa, Mexico
March 24 - 30, 2024
Somatic Wellness and Adventure Retreat™
Join James Knight, founder of Gentle Somatic Yoga®, for a Somatic Wellness and Adventure Retreat™ for seven days and six nights in Yelapa, Mexico. Yelapa is home to beautiful beaches, river with waterfalls, a quaint authentic mexican seaside village (with no roads or cars), and plenty of beautiful trails to hike, wander and explore.

We've chosen a peaceful, eco-friendly retreat center south of Puerto Vallarta only accessible by a short boat ride (which we arrange for you). This tranquil resort has breath-taking ocean-front rooms, open-air yoga studio, a salt water pool & jacuzzi overlooking the ocean, easy access to the beach, the most delicious cuisine, the kindest, caring staff…  and so much more!

This restorative yoga retreat will allow you to connect with what is truly important to you as you take time to unplug, peel away the layers of the everyday hustle and bustle, and settle into a slower rhythm of life. Practicing somatic movements and meditation daily (with an exception of a free day to explore on your own) will also set the stage for personal and collective transformation, as each participant is invited to drop into embodied states of peace and wellbeing. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to de-stress, make new friends, and try new things… with options for:

  • Swimming in the infinity edge salt water pool, or relaxing by the shaded organic juice bar
  • Laying on the beach and swimming in the warm Pacific Ocean 
  • Tours to nearby islands for snorkeling and beach picnic
  • Massage and other nourishing spa treatments on-site
  • Nearby excursions with jungle hikes along a pristine river (with waterfalls). A Vision Quest is offered mid-week upriver
  • Flower foot bath, cacao and other ceremonies
  • Group sound healing with crystal bowls
  • Sweat lodge (Temazcal)
  • Sunset dinner on the beach, followed by a bonfire and live DJ for dancing 
  • Cooking lessons, and much more! 

Because there are no cars or traffic in Yelapa, it is the perfect place to unwind and connect with the natural beauty of the jungle meeting the sea. This is also a beautiful opportunity to eat delicious, organic vegetarian/vegan cuisine, although there will be chicken and fish options included on the menu. Rates are in USD $ and include accommodations, minimum of 2 meals a day, yoga and other somatic movement practices, and taxes. Airfare, land and boat taxis, gratuities for staff and other service people, and some of the actvities listed above are not included.

*** Please feel free to bring your friend, spouse, or family member with you. All of the activities, every day (including yoga & meditation), are optional for every participant. We want you to come and enjoy a pace that feels comfortable for you and your loved ones! ***

Special note: James Knight has been to this part of Mexico for over 30 years and shares that it has always been a consistently safe place to travel. 


Enjoy watching this beautiful short video highlighting Pura Vida Wellness and Retreat Center

Pura Vida
ABOUT THE RETREAT CENTER and Yelapa

One of Mexico's top Wellness Resort & Yoga Retreats that is secluded & private.

This peaceful, secluded oceanfront resort is located a 10-minute scenic walk from a small Mexican Pueblo named Yelapa. Pura Vida is located in a small bay within the bay of Banderas, where Puerto Vallarta is located. To get to Yelapa, you fly into international airport of Puerto Vallarta, a 2–3-hour direct flight from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Getting to Pura Vida is an easy, safe and very picturesque journey. From the International Puerto Vallarta Airport, you take a 20–25-minute land taxi to the Playa Muertos pier. From here, it is a 40-minute boat taxi ride to Yelapa (since the last boat taxi is at 3pm, many people like to arrive at Puerto Vallarta and spend the night before travelling to Yelapa). Somebody from Pura Vida will be meeting you upon your arrival in Yelapa at Playa Isabel.

Yelapa is one of the few remaining places on Earth where the original inhabitants still reside on, own, and control their own land. As a "comunidad indigena", Yelapa is a land grant or reservation legally set aside and protected for its indigenous people. The land is held collectively by the community. 
DETAILS

Pura Vida is a retreat center oriented on meditation, healing, spiritual awakening and personal transformation. Staying here is an experience unlike any other. The rooms are located in a jungle and a tropical garden situated on the hill just at the ocean shore.

Most of the rooms have breathtaking views of the ocean and Yelapa Bay. Many are an open-air style with only three walls allowing for a view of the ocean and jungle - offering security, privacy, and fresh unpolluted air.

Their beds are fitted with organic metal-free mattresses, organic, hypoallergenic pillows, organic bed sheets and mosquito nets.

All rooms are spacious and individually designed with soft white LED lighting – good for the eyes and health. Each bathroom comes equipped with a waterfall shower, hot water, and natural stone and artisan tiled walls. 


EXPLORE 

SLEEP - 7 choices of room accomodations:
*One Queen bed, open air palapa, shared bathroom, and ocean view

*One Queen bed, open air palapa style loft, private bathroom, and ocean view

*One Queen bed, open air room, private bathroom, and ocean view

*One Queen bed, air conditioned room, private bathroom, and ocean view

*Two Queen beds, open air room, private bathroom, and jungle & ocean views

*Two Queen beds, air conditioned room, private bathroom, and jungle & ocean views

*Four queen beds, open air palapa with large terrace, private bathroom, and gorgeous ocean view
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Save your room accommodation
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HANG SPACE
A poolside smoothie bar offers delicious smoothies, juices, and other options - all made with fresh, organic ingredients. 

Swim in a refreshing salt water infinity-edge pool, and afteward relax in the lounge chairs, under the shade from the palm trees, and relax...
EAT & DRINK
Eating is an act of celebration at Pura Vida. They cook with love, and believe that every meal should be an opportunity to nourish both body and soul. After all, food is one of the main sources of prana: the vital life energy that fuels our physical and mental wellbeing.

Meals are primarily organic and plant-based, and always wholesome and nourishing. Their food is gluten-free, sugar free, and vegetarian, always with vegan options. Also, Fish and chicken will be offered.
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LIFESTYLE BY DESIGN
ADVENTURES
WATER SPORTS
SNORKELING
SEA LIFE
WHALE TOURS
SELF-CARE
MASSAGES
OUTDOORS
JUNGLE HIKES
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Somatic Wellness and Adventure Retreat
Yelapa, Mexico ~ March 24-30, 2024
About Your Facilitator:


James Knight has been an E-RYT, CHSE (Certified Hanna Somatic Educator by the The Novato Institute for Somatic Research and Training), and Integrative Therapist for 30+ years. He is one of the early pioneers to bridge yoga with Somatics (1990's). His passion is to inspire and encourage others to live a fulfilling life of physical, emotional and spiritual freedom.

From his combined experience as a lifelong yogi, intuitive bodyworker, psychotherapist, and movement educator, James founded a method of integrating what he discovered to be the most progressive, life-enhancing techniques into an embodied practice of mindful movement. Gentle Somatic Yoga® (GSY) was born out of years of exploring means of connecting with the deepest aspects of himself.


 This Retreat INCLUDES:
  •    Selected accommodation
  • 2 - 3 healthy meals a day (some days/nights we are in town or on excursions)
  • Coffee and tea all day
  • Gentle Somatic Yoga and meditation classes
  • Qigong on the beach or by the pool, early morning
  • Flower foot bath
  • Sound healing with crystal bowls
  • Cacao ceremony
  • Vision quest upriver
  • Bonfire and DJ (dancing) at the beach
  • And a few other surprises along the way... 

This Retreat does not include:
  • Smoothie bar (open 8am - 6pm) by the pool
  • Concierge service to arrange transportation (land and boat taxi's) to and from airport to Yelapa
  • Overnight in Puerto Vallarta - before and after the retreat - highly recommended (we can help arrange this for you)
  • Meals when away from the retreat center
  • Spa treatments: Watsu, holistic/clarity breathwork, massage, Reiki, ozone therapy, body scrubs, facials
  • Temazcal ~ sweat lodge
  • Guided waterfall hike up the main river surrounded by lush jungle
  • Boat trip to Majahuitas Beach - great snorkeling, walk and rest on a pristine beach
  • Boat trip to Marietas Islands - great snorkeling, swim to Lovers Beach, ceviche on the boat
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DAILY SCHEDULE (can change based on the groups needs)
7:00 to 8:00

Morning Coffee / Tea
8:30 to 10:00

Morning Movement Class
10:00 to 11:00

Breakfast
11:00 to 4:30

Free Time/Planned Excursions
2:30 to 3:30

Lunch
5:30 to 7:00

Early evening movement class or ceremony 
7:30

Dinner
Planned Activities

Sunday through Friday

  • Sunday: Flower foot bath and opening circle
  • Monday: Cacao Ceremony
  • Tuesday:  Temazcal - sweat lodge
  • Wednesday: Vision Quest upriver, or guided waterfall hike
  • Thursday: Sound Healing with crystal bowls
  • Friday Evening: Dinner celebration and bon fire on the beach, closing circle, & DJ (dancing!)

PLEASE NOTE: These are the all-inclusive prices for single and double occupancy. It is recommended that you book your stay with a friend/partner for double occupancy.

If you want to be put on our "match list" book single occupancy and select, "I would like to share a room if possible - please match me" below in checkout form.


Below, you will be able to secure your space on the retreat with a $500 deposit. If you want to ensure a particular room reservation, please know that you can make a full or partial payment on the exact room you would like to reserve at checkout.

5 of the units below are enclosed with air conditioning. These will be offered on a first come, first served basis with room reservations. The photos below are examples of the accommodations offered with the various amenities in each room-- they are even more magical in person!

Email CustomerCare@gentlesomaticyoga.com of you have any questions about our updated reservation process.
If you want to save your room preference, please select the box in the green section above the room you want -- specifying SINGLE (left side) or DOUBLE (right side) occupancy based on the number of participants you will be sharing your room with. 


If you would like to proceed with just securing your space on the retreat without your room preference guaranteed, you can scroll down to pay your deposit only and we will put you on our roster. We will send a confirmation email and follow up with your retreat reservation and details.
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Room #2: $2,299 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $900 after $500 deposit)
Open air, 1 queen bed, private bath, ocean view.  Photo shown below is Rm. #11 (Rooms #'s 2, 11, and 13 are similar, but unique. Photos avail. by request.)
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Room #2: $1,924 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $712 after $500 deposit per person
Open air, 1 queen bed, private bath, ocean view. Photo shown below is Rm. #11 (Rooms #'s 2, 11, and 13 are similar, but unique. Photos avail. by request.)
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Room #4: $2,539 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $1,020 after $500 deposit)
**Enclosed, w/AC, 2 queen beds, private bath, jungle and ocean views (Other photos avail. upon request)
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Room #4: $2,044 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $772 after $500 deposit per person
**Enclosed, w/AC, 2 queen beds, private bath, private bath, jungle and ocean views (Other photos avail. upon request)
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Room #5: $2,299 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $900 after $500 deposit)
Open air, 2 queen beds, private bath, jungle and ocean views
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Room #5: $1,924 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $712 after $500 deposit per person
Open air, 2 queen beds, private bath, jungle and ocean views
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Room #10: $2,539 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $1,020 after $500 deposit)
**Enclosed, w/AC, 2 queen beds, private bath, jungle and ocean views (photo below shows Rm. # 10. Other photos avail. upon request)
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Room #10: $2,044 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $772 after $500 deposit per person
**Enclosed, w/AC, 2 queen beds, private bath, private bath, jungle and ocean views (photo below shows Rm. # 10. Other photos avail. upon request)
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Room #11: $2,299 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $900 after $500 deposit)
Open air, 1 queen bed, private bath, ocean view.  Photo shown below is Rm. #11 (Rooms #'s 2, 11, and 13 are similar, but unique. Photos avail. by request.)
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Room #11: $1,924 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $712 after $500 deposit per person
Open air, 1 queen bed, private bath, ocean view. Photo shown below is Rm. #11 (Rooms #'s 2, 11, and 13 are similar, but unique. Photos avail. by request.)
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Room  #13: $2,299 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $900 after $500 deposit)
Open air, 1 queen bed, private bath, ocean view.  Photo shown below is Rm. #11 (Rooms #'s 2, 11, and 13 are similar, but unique. Photos avail. by request.)
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Room #13: $1,924 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $712 after $500 deposit per person
Open air, 1 queen bed, private bath, ocean view. Photo shown below is Rm. #11 (Rooms #'s 2, 11, and 13 are similar, but unique. Photos avail. by request.)
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Room #14: $2,071 Single Occupancy
Open air small loft, 1 full size bed, private bath, ocean view, small terrace
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Room  #18: $2,479 Single Occupancy (2 payments of $990 after $500 deposit)
**Enclosed, w/AC, small room, 1 queen bed, unique private bath, ocean view (photos show room #18)
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Room  #18: $2,014 per person (Double Occupancy) 2 payments of $757 after $500 deposit per person
**Enclosed, w/AC, small room, 1 queen bed, unique private bath, ocean view (photos show room #18)
Please enter your information below to secure your room and spot in the retreat. We will inquire if there are rooms available.
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Our cancellation policy is as follows:  Deposits are due upon registering.  In-person event deposits are non-refundable. If the event you are registered for is more than 90 days out, partial refunds for the remaining payment may be considered, on a case-by-case basis, based on our retreat/training venues policies.  There are no refunds if you want to cancel if your event is scheduled in less than 90 days.
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