Photo: Mayan Fire Ceremony

Mayan Culture, Nature & Yoga Retreat
​with Michelle Chua
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
​April 18-25, 2026

From many paths, we gather at Lake Atitlan, revered by the Maya as an energetic center of the world.  Embraced by sacred volcanoes and shimmering waters, root into harmony with the Earth and our inner nature through yoga, meditation, breathwork and Mayan wisdom.  Balancing rest, learning and play, this week offers cultural, somatic, mindfulness, nature and community explorations to rekindle our remembering of our shared earth song.  
These polarizing times urgently call for sacred gatherings that celebrate diversity, honor ancestral wisdom of cherishing the Earth and ripple peace through our inspired ways of living and connecting daily.  May this journey amplify love as the source of our actions and deepen our commitment to inner and outer harmony.  - Michelle Chua
Photo: The retreat center that we'll call home for 8 days
Lago de Atitlán, in the western highlands, is known as an energy vortex. You’d think that would make it an active, swirling place, but the main thing I notice is a deep, infectious peace...   - Rachel Zurer, Yoga Journal Magazine (about her stay at the retreat center)

What This Retreat Includes:

Photos: (left) Michelle visiting Dominga, head of a Mayan Weaving Coop in San Juan La Laguna, (right) Mayan elder sounding the shell during a Mayan ceremony
  • 7 nights, 8 days accommodation at eco-chic holistic wellness retreat center in Lake Atitlan
  • Private group transportation to and from Guatemala City Airport and the retreat center (You must coordinate your flight to one pick-up and drop-off time, to be given after registration. Individuals can pay additionally for private transportation at other times.)
  • 3 daily plant-based meals, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8 (additional meals and chicken or fish are available at additional cost.)
  • Daily unlimited purified drinking water, tea and coffee at the retreat center
  • Retreat Center facilities, which include a pool, communal hot tub, yoga shalas with props and basic internet in the courtyard
  • Yoga, meditation, breathwork and group Reiki sessions with Michelle Chua, founder of Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki (Hatha Flow in the morning and Yin at night)
  • Authentic sacred Mayan Fire Ceremony with local indigenous elder for purification, renewal and remembering our interconnection with all life--physical and spiritual, present-day and ancestral, near and far
  • Guided Tour and group transport to the famous Chichicastenango Market and Gumarkaaj Mayan Ruins ceremonial site and cave
  • Guided Tour with private boat ride to San Juan La Laguna to explore Mayan art and medicinal garden
  • Materials for Planting a Gratitude Offering in the Garden and Guided Forest-bathing, a nature connection practice
  • Cacao Ceremony with local facilitator for heart-opening connection
  • Mayan Astrology Expert Lecture about the significance of the Mayan Calendar in our daily lives
  • Creative Arts Playshop with Michelle to support retreat integration through multi-modality processing, play and conscious conversation
  • Special Retreat-only discount for a private 60-minute Reiki session with Michelle
Photos: The indoor and outdoor yoga shalas we'll be practicing in

What's Not Included:

  • Travel insurance - highly recommended for unforeseen circumstances
  • Airfare to/from Guatemala City Airport, La Aurora International
  • Private airport pick-up/drop-off outside the designated group times given after registration
  • Staff tips ($65-95 suggested for the week)
  • Spa treatments, specialty drinks or additional tours (available at additional cost)
I deeply value Michelle’s vision, creativity, and her rare ability to bring people together in a way that nurtures connection, peace, and inner stillness...   - Mita Patel
Photo: Daily meditation in our indoor yoga shala

Your Retreat Facilitator

Photo: Michelle Chua, Founder of Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki
Michelle Chua is a 500-hr Yoga Alliance Registered Teacher and Certified Reiki Practitioner, who has been designing and facilitating retreats since 2011.  She sees international travel as an opportunity to deepen our lived wisdom of our shared belonging to this Earth and each other.  She is grateful for the inspiration that comes from traveling with soulful intention to understand and connect, and she guides retreats in this spirit.  Read her bio here.

Our Itinerary

Photos: (left) Mayan Fire Ceremony, (right) Norma serving up a delicious breakfast buffet in the dining hall
I feel everyone needs this to reflect, recharge & reconnect with themselves and Mother Nature. You are an inspiring light worker and I am truly grateful to have experienced your retreat!   - Jackueline
Photo: Chichicastenango Market, the world's largest open-air handicraft market, specializing in Mayan foods, art, ceremonial items and more 

Our Sanctuary for 8 Days

Photo: Rooftop view at the retreat center's accommodations
​Thriving since 2001, this eco-chic yoga retreat and wellness center is dedicated to holistic practices and preserving Mayan traditions.  Elevated on the hillside shore of Santa Cruz La Laguna, the center is a 15-minute boat ride from Lake Atitlan's main port village, Panajachel. 

It boasts expansive views of the majestic lake and volcanoes from multiple indoor and outdoor yoga shalas, comfortable and luxury accommodations, spa, pool, vegetable garden and trails.  The retreat center supports the local community by collecting donations for the Mayan Mothers' Fund, which distributes fresh fruits and vegetables to families in need.  The staff is largely comprised of local Maya.

This center was featured in Taschen's 2005 book, Great Retreats. Yoga and in The Excelligent's issue of Best Yoga Centers Across the Globe in 2021.

Accommodation Choices & Pricing

Limited accommodations are available for either a single, shared double or shared triple room, each with a private bathroom and shower.  When choosing a shared room, you are responsible for securing your own roommate prior to registration.  ​Pricing is per person and depends on room type and the order in which you register.
Photos: (left) Triple shared room, (right) Double shared or single room
Note: Additional rooms not pictured here may be added if we exceed our currently reserved minimal room number.

VIP & Early Bird Pricing

All VIP & Early Bird spots are now FULLY BOOKED.

VIP $200 OFF for the first 6 to register:

  • Triple Shared Room (has 3 beds) - $2,370 USD
  • Double Shared Room (has 2 beds or a couple's bed) - $2,480 USD
  • Single Room (has at least 1 bed) - $2,990 USD

Early Bird $150 OFF for the second 6 to register:

  • Triple Shared Room (has 3 beds) - $2,420 USD
  • Double Shared Room (has 2 beds or a couple's bed) - $2,530 USD
  • Single Room (has at least 1 bed) - $3,040 USD

Regular Pricing:

  • Triple Shared Room (has 3 beds) - $2,570 USD
  • Double Shared Room (has 2 beds or a couple's bed) - $2,680 USD
  • Single Room (has at least 1 bed) - $3,190 USD

Finding a Roommate

If you'd like to be connected with other potential guests seeking roommates, please email me, and I can share your contact info if I receive requests.

3 Steps to Register:

STEP 1: Fill out the form below to inquire about availability of your room choice and pricing.  The date you request to register determines the pricing, only if you complete the registration process within 3 days of receiving confirmed availability.

    Request to Register for Guatemala Retreat 2026:

    To request a registration form for this retreat, please fill out the information below, and you'll receive an email to let you know if your requested accommodation is still available.  (Please add [email protected] to your Contacts to ensure our email doesn't fall into your junk folder.) You may also receive a phone call if you're new to our Root 2 Rise Yoga & Reiki community, so that Michelle can connect with you personally first.
    To subscribe to our eNews, please select below:
STEP 2: After receiving email or phone confirmation of price and availability for you to join the retreat, complete the registration form that was emailed to you within 3 days after confirmed availability. 

STEP 3: Submit at least your $500 non-refundable non-transferable deposit via Zelle to Mary Chua at [email protected] or request a credit card invoice by email here. Your available spot and pricing will be tentatively saved for you for up to 3 days after confirmed availability of your room choice.  

After receipt of your registration form and initial deposit, you'll receive email confirmation and details to prepare for traveling to the retreat.  

Payment Schedule

  • During registration, submit at least $500 non-refundable non-transferable deposit.
  • No later than December 5, 2025, submit at least 50% of your remaining balance.
  • No later than February 6, 2026, submit your remaining balance.

Payment methods include Zelle and credit card, the latter adding a 3.5% fee.  

Cancellation Policy

Cancellations received in writing by December 1, 2025 will receive a refund of all payments minus the $500 non-refundable deposit and any processing fees incurred for their payment method.  Any cancellations made after December 1, 2025, will not receive a refund.  No exceptions can be made.  Consider purchasing travel insurance for unforeseen circumstances.​
Photo: View from our retreat center