HEART ALCHEMY RETREAT
Bacalar, Mexico · March 12–16, 2027
Reset • Reconnect • Celebrate
AWAKEN TO THE
JOY OF LIFE
If you’re juggling a full calendar, a busy life, and a mind that rarely stops, this retreat was created for you.
You may be good at keeping everything moving. Work, family, responsibilities, appointments, plans. There is always something that needs your attention and another thing waiting on the list. And even when you finally have a moment to yourself, your mind may still be somewhere else.
This retreat gives you the space to step away from all of that. For five days, you don’t have to manage your usual schedule, take care of everyone else, or think about what needs to happen next. You get to slow down, breathe, enjoy beautiful surroundings, laugh, explore, connect with other women, and simply be present for your own life.
The intention is simple: to help you get out of autopilot and experience more of the life you’re already living. To notice what you usually rush past. To feel more connected to yourself. To make room for joy, curiosity, rest and genuine connection.
Imagine Yourself Here….
It is early morning. The sky is still quiet, the lagoon almost completely still. You are sitting in the open-air shala above the water with your eyes closed, breathing slowly. You can feel the first rays of sunlight warming your skin. The air is soft against your face. You hear the gentle movement of the water beneath you and the sounds of nature slowly waking up around you.
You take another breath. And another. Your body begins to soften. Your mind begins to quiet. There is nowhere you need to be, nothing you need to accomplish, nothing you need to figure out. For once, there is nothing asking for your attention.
And suddenly, there is nowhere else to be. There is only this moment.
You slowly open your eyes. The sun is rising over the lagoon, filling the sky and water with light. You feel the warmth on your face. You feel the air moving around you. You hear the birds, the water, the trees. Everything is happening around you, yet inside, there is a deep stillness. A calmness. A peace that feels almost unfamiliar because you haven’t given yourself the space to feel it in a very long time.
For a moment, it feels as though time has stopped. You aren’t thinking about yesterday. You aren’t planning tomorrow. You aren’t worrying about what needs to happen next. You are simply sitting there, breathing, feeling, listening, and taking it all in.
You feel completely connected to the moment, to the sun, the air, the water, the sounds of nature, your body, and yourself. There is no need to do anything. No need to become anything. You are simply here, enjoying the stillness and peace of the moment, feeling the warmth of the sun, the softness of the air, and the quiet beauty of everything around you, and for the first time in a long time, you are completely here with your life.
This isn’t the only moment you’ll experience that feeling.
Later that morning, you’re sitting around the table with women who, just a few days ago, were complete strangers. Someone says something that makes everyone laugh. The conversation keeps going long after breakfast is over. You realize you don’t know these women very well yet, but somehow it already feels easy.
Maybe later you’ll find yourself floating in the lagoon, walking barefoot, exploring Bacalar, sharing a meal, dancing, watching the sunset, or simply sitting together with nowhere else to be. There will be quiet moments, but there will also be laughter. There will be reflection, but there will be adventure. There will be time to yourself, and time to connect with women who may become friends long after you leave.
Because awakening to the joy of life isn’t only about finding stillness. It’s about being able to feel the whole thing again. The peace. The laughter. The beauty. The connection. The excitement of trying something new. The pleasure of a good meal. The feeling of being surrounded by people you enjoy. The simple joy of waking up somewhere beautiful and realizing you don’t have to rush anywhere.
This is what we want you to take home with you, not just memories of a beautiful place, but a deeper appreciation for being alive and actually experiencing your life.
The Venue-Where Peace & Joy Meet the Rhythm of the Nature
Welcome to Akalki
Imagine waking up surrounded by nature, with the beautiful Lagoon of Seven Colors just steps away.
Our home for these five days is Akalki, an intimate sanctuary set along the Bacalar Lagoon, where the natural surroundings become part of the experience. Here, the pace is slower. The sounds of the water, birds and surrounding vegetation replace the noise and demands of everyday life, giving you space to breathe, rest and simply be.
You’ll practice in an open-air shala overlooking the lagoon, enjoy nourishing vegan meals made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, spend time in and around the water, and have space to rest in the shade, explore, swim, kayak or paddleboard.
But what makes this place special isn’t simply how beautiful it is, it’s the feeling of being somewhere where nature sets the rhythm.
Where you can wake with the sun, practice overlooking the water, eat slowly, spend an afternoon in the lagoon, watch the colors change across the sky, and realize that you haven’t thought about what you need to do next for hours.
For these five days, Akalki becomes more than where we’re staying. It becomes part of the retreat itself, a place to slow down, experience your surroundings, connect with yourself and with the women around you, and make room for both peace and joy.
Nourishment for the Body, Mind & Soul
Every meal at the retreat is going to be part of the experience.
Not just something to keep you fueled between activities, but something to look forward to. Something beautiful, fresh, nourishing and full of flavor to nourish your body, mind and soul. Something that you can be fully immersed on and enjoy in serene surroundings and beautiful company.
Imagine sitting down to breakfast after Sadhana with the lagoon and nature around you. Fresh seasonal fruit. Beautifully prepared food. Fresh juices or smoothies. Coffee or tea. Everything colorful and inviting, and nothing rushed.
Lunch might be enjoyed after a morning in the water, when you’re hungry and relaxed, sitting around the table with the women you’ve been sharing your days with. Dinner might be a long, leisurely meal as the sun goes down, when the conversation keeps going and nobody seems to be in a hurry to leave.
There is something about sharing good food that brings people together. Conversations start. Stories come out. Someone makes everyone laugh. And before you know it, the women sitting around the table are no longer strangers.
Also, there is something especially beautiful about knowing where some of that food begins.
Akalki grows fresh ingredients in its own regenerative garden, where the garden becomes part of the kitchen and the kitchen becomes part of the experience. Their cuisine is built around locally sourced ingredients, with bread, tortillas and sauces prepared in-house. They describe their approach as a ritual of presence, honoring the freshness, natural rhythm and purpose of the food, and bringing care to every detail.
We’ll have the opportunity to experience that garden ourselves to walk through it, see what is growing, and discover the connection between the earth, the ingredients and the food that eventually arrives on our table.
Every meal will be vegan, fresh, colorful and thoughtfully prepared for our group.
But more than anything, I want you to remember the feeling.
The first sip of something cold and fresh in the morning. The taste of ripe tropical fruit. The warmth of a beautiful meal after a day in the sun. The sound of women laughing around the table. The feeling of being completely present while you eat, because sometimes the joy of life is found in something as simple as sitting down to a really good meal and having nowhere else you need to be.
Awaken to the Joy of Life
Each experience is designed to bring more awareness, presence and connection into your days while leaving plenty of room for laughter, adventure, rest and simply enjoying being alive.
SUNRISE SADHANA
Each morning begins before sunrise with Kundalini Yoga, breathwork and meditation in the open-air shala overlooking the lagoon. As you move, breathe and meditate, you’ll gradually awaken your body, settle your nervous system and bring your attention inward while the first light begins to appear over the water.
The combination of movement, breath, meditation and the beauty of the natural surroundings creates a quiet space to become more aware of how you’re feeling physically, mentally and emotionally, and to begin each day feeling grounded, present and connected to yourself.
HEART ALCHEMY SESSIONS
Through guided Heart Alchemy sessions, you’ll explore the patterns, beliefs, habits and emotional responses that can quietly shape the way you think, feel and experience your life. We’ll also look at the foundation of a healthy body — including nourishment, detoxification, digestion, movement, rest and the daily habits that influence how you feel physically and mentally.
By bringing awareness to the relationship between your body, nervous system, emotions, thoughts and patterns, you’ll have the opportunity to understand yourself more deeply and see what may be affecting your energy, mood and ability to feel well. These sessions create space to slow down, ask different questions, become more aware of what your body is telling you, and make choices that support greater health, self-trust and clarity.
LAGOON, WATER & ADVENTURE
The lagoon becomes part of your retreat from the moment you arrive. You’ll have the opportunity to swim in the crystal-clear water, kayak or paddleboard across the Lagoon of Seven Colors, and explore the beauty of Bacalar from the water. There will also be time to slow down, feel the sun on your skin, watch the colors of the lagoon change, and simply enjoy being outside.
Some experiences will take you a little farther into the lagoon, giving you the chance to see places you wouldn’t experience from shore. Whether you’re moving through the water, exploring together or laughing with new friends along the way, these moments bring a sense of play, curiosity and adventure — reminding you that rest doesn’t always mean being still.
MOTHER EARTH TEMPLE & REGENERATIVE GARDEN
TAMAZCAL
The Temazcal is a traditional steam ceremony held in a warm, intimate space where heat, herbs, breath and ritual come together. Guided by a traditional Temazcal practitioner, you’ll be invited to slow down, turn your attention inward and experience the powerful simplicity of sitting with yourself in a completely different environment.
For some, the experience may feel deeply grounding. For others, it may bring up emotions, sensations or reflections that they weren’t expecting. There is no particular experience you need to have. It’s simply an opportunity to step away from the outside world, listen to your body and experience a tradition that has been part of Mexican culture for generations.
WATER DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY
CONNECTION, LAUGHTER, CELEBRATION
YOUR EXPERIENCE:
What’s Included:
- 4 Nights/ 5 Days at Akalki
Your choice of shared or private Manglar accommodation. - All Vegan Meals
Dinner on arrival through breakfast on departure. - Retreat Experiences & Sessions
All scheduled retreat practices, workshops and experiences. - Traditional Temazcal
- Water Mandala + Drone Photography
- Lagoon Activities
Complimentary kayaking and paddleboarding, plus our planned group water experience. - Mother Earth Temple & Regenerative Garden
- Private Retreat Shala
Reserved exclusively for our group during scheduled retreat practices.
What’s Not Included:
- Airfare
Flights to and from Mexico. - Transportation
Transportation to and from Akalki. Private airport transfers can be arranged separately. - Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. - Spa Treatments & Personal Services
Massages, treatments and other personal services are available separately. - Alcohol & Personal Purchases
- Anything Not Specifically Listed Above
ACCOMMODATIONS
Your home at Akalki
For four nights, you’ll stay at Akalki in one of the property’s intimate Manglar rooms, surrounded by nature and just steps from the lagoon.You can choose a private Manglar room for your own space, or share a Manglar Double room with another retreat guest. Both options give you a comfortable place to rest, recharge and enjoy the beauty of Akalki between experiences.
Your intimate luxurious retreat experience begins with a deposit of $1,000
PRIVATE MANGLAR KING
With views of the mangroves and close proximity to the lagoon, these suites offer a serene setting immersed in natural beauty.
King bed · Private room
Your own private space to rest and recharge between the experiences of the retreat.
This is single accommodation
$3,850
Deposit $1,000
SHARED MANGLAR DOUBLE
Overlooking the mangroves and just steps from the lagoon, these suites are surrounded by the vibrant energy of nature.
Two queen beds · Shared room
Share your room with one other woman from the retreat.
This is double accommodation
$2,750
Deposit $1,000
You Wish To Experience Life Differently By
- slowing down and being more present
- understanding the patterns that influence how you think, feel and respond
- paying attention to your body and what it may be telling you
- creating healthier habits around nourishment, movement and rest
- spending time in nature and on the water
- meeting new women and form genuine connections
- laughing, dancing, exploring and having fun
- challenging yourself to experience something outside your normal routine
- making space for both inner awareness and joy
if.....
for you
This retreat is
Frequently Asked Questions
IS THIS RETREAT FOR ME?
This retreat is for you if you’re ready to step away from your usual routine, slow down, experience something different, and give yourself the space to really be present.
You don’t need to be experienced in Kundalini Yoga, meditation or any of the practices we’ll explore. You don’t need to come with a specific goal or know exactly what you want to get out of the retreat.
You simply need to be open to exploring, learning, moving, resting, laughing, connecting and experiencing five days in a beautiful place with a group of women who are there for many of the same reasons.
You don’t have to arrive knowing exactly what you need. You just have to be willing to give yourself the space to find out.
WHERE IS AKALKI?
Akalki is located on the shores of the Lagoon of Seven Colors in Bacalar, Quintana Roo, Mexico, about 15 minutes from downtown Bacalar.
HOW DO I GET TO AKALKI?
Getting to Bacalar is easier than it may seem, and you have several options depending on where you’re flying from and how you prefer to travel.
The closest airport is Chetumal International Airport (CTM), which is approximately 40–50 minutes from Akalki. This is the most direct option if you can find a flight that works well with your travel plans. From Chetumal, you can take a taxi, arrange a private transfer, or rent a car.
Cancún International Airport (CUN) is another option and may offer more convenient international flight connections. From Cancún, Bacalar is approximately 4.5–5.5 hours by road, depending on traffic and stops. You can travel by private transportation, rental car, or other ground transportation options.
You can also arrive in the area from Tulum or other destinations in the Riviera Maya and continue south by car or bus.
WHAT ABOUT TRANSPORTATION FROM AIRPORT?
You don’t have to figure out the entire journey on your own.
We’ll have organized transportation available for the retreat, so you will have the option to join a group transfer to and from Akalki. The details, meeting points and cost of the organized transfer will be provided to you before the retreat.
If you prefer to arrange your own transportation, you absolutely can. You may choose your own flight, arrive earlier, stay somewhere else before or after the retreat, rent a car, arrange a private transfer, or make your own way to Akalki.
The choice is yours. The organized retreat transportation is there to make things easier—not to limit how you travel.
Once you arrive at Akalki, you can leave the logistics behind and settle into the retreat.
Important: Transportation to and from Akalki is not included in the retreat investment. Organized transportation will be available separately for those who would like to use it.
DO I NEED PRIOR EXPERIENCE WITH KUNDALINI YOGA?
No. No previous Kundalini Yoga experience is required. All practices will be guided, and you will be encouraged to work at a level that feels appropriate for your body.
DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN EVERY ACTIVITY?
No. Everything on the retreat is an invitation.
You are welcome to participate in the experiences that call to you and take time to rest, swim, journal, explore or simply enjoy Akalki when you need some downtime.
Please note that choosing not to participate in an individual activity does not reduce the retreat price, as the experiences are part of the group package.
I HAVE A JOB AND FAMILY. HOW CAN I TAKE FIVE DAYS AWAY?
This reason alone is why you should come on the retreat. ✨
Learning to create space and make time for yourself to renew and regenerate is exactly what this retreat is all about. Putting yourself first doesn’t mean putting others second, it means returning home as the best version of yourself.
If it feels hard to do it for you, do it for your family and your work, because when you’re restored, everyone around you feels that ripple of renewal.
I NEED A ROOMMATE. HOW DOES THAT WORK OUT?
If you choose Shared Manglar Double accommodation, you’ll share your room with one other woman attending the retreat.
We’ll coordinate roommate assignments before arrival so you’ll know who you’re sharing your room with.
WHAT SHOULD I PACK?
A detailed packing guide will be sent after registration.
For now, plan for comfortable clothing for yoga and warm weather, swimwear, sandals, sunscreen, insect repellent and a reusable water bottle. You may also want a journal and anything else you enjoy having for personal downtime.
WHAT IS CANCELATION POLICY?
All retreat payments are non-refundable.
Because your accommodation and retreat experiences are reserved specifically for this group, we are unable to offer refunds for cancellations.
If you are unable to attend, your reservation may be transferred to another person with prior approval from Inspire Yoga & Wellness, provided that all required payments have been made and the new participant meets the retreat requirements.
Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect your investment in case of illness, travel delays, emergencies or other unexpected circumstances.
Meet Your Guide
Stasha
Hi, I’m Stasha, founder of Inspire Yoga & Wellness and creator of Heart Alchemy, is a Kundalini Yoga teacher and holistic health practitioner who has spent more than 20 years exploring the connection between the body, mind, emotions and the way we experience our lives. Her work combines Kundalini Yoga, breathwork, meditation, nutrition, Ayurveda and emotional work to help people understand their patterns, feel better in their bodies, and live with greater peace, self-trust and intention.
The Lagoon Is Calling You
What if you just say YES to awaken to the joy of life?
Yes to exploring.
Yes to laughing.
Yes to trying something new.
Yes to being fully here.
Five days in Bacalar.
Five days to step away from your usual routine and make space for both peace and joy.
