We’re still basking in the full-on glow we got at our first-ever Wellness Retreat in Nuevo Vallarta. From November 1-4th guests indulged in endless nourishing food, ancient Mexican cleansing rituals, juice bars, wellbeing workshops, and a magnificent keynote speech from wellbeing guru Deepak Chopra.
YOGA
This was a full-body experience. In order to delve a little deeper, let’s start with some of the master classes our guests got to experience, like Silent Savasana. On the first day of the retreat, guests found their way down to the pristine Grand Luxxe beach in their yoga attire to get onto the mat and sweat a little. While tropical beats greeted everyone, a relaxed-looking DJ and four others including Dray Gardner (the creator of Silent Savasana) lined up custom tracks for the special event. Next everyone got to their mat equipped with a towel, eucalyptus spray, personal headsets, and water. During the whole 90-minute yoga flow Dray cheered everyone on as the music either sped up or slowed down.
“Don’t let anyone take your peace away from you…” and “Loving yourself is loving the world!” among some of his favorite affirmations.
A view of the Silent Savasana experience.
“The whole Silent Savasana team was a joy to experience, beaming and radiating healing energy the entire time,” said one guest after the event.
The next big workshop came the next morning where guests got to experience a deep breathing and yoga flow with ayurvedic master Mas Vidal. Through meditation techniques and poses guests traveled inwards to meet and greet each other in a sacred inner space. A deeply spiritual and relaxing experience left guests feeling lighter and more in tune with their true purpose as Mas Vidal encouraged everyone to dig deep and cleanse mind and body.
And these were only two of 6 slotted yoga workshops aimed at meditation, osteopathy, and high-intensity yoga workouts!
Deepak Chopra shares a moment with guests while at Santuario.
DEEPAK CHOPRA
We were honored to have world-renowned mindfulness teacher Deepak Chopra as our main speaker for the extended weekend. Founder of the Chopra Foundation and co-founder of The Chopra Center for Wellbeing, Deepak Chopra is a pioneer in integrative medicine and personal transformation.
During his special conference at Vidanta, Chopra talked about how our bodies are constantly reacting and adapting to the environment around us, as well as how technology can be used as a powerful tool to help us upgrade our minds and bodies. “I’m pro-anything that helps my body operate at its peak,” he mentioned.
He’s currently working to make a VR experience that shows people how enlightenment feels. As he explains, “then you can always remember the experience. There are techniques now that give you important bio-feedback through VR, which reinforces the meditation experience…I think augmented immersive VR is the next evolution for medical technology for overcoming and healing things like phobias, anorexia, anxiety, depression, weight loss, treating inflammation, treating chronic illness.”
After a guided meditation to help the crowd rediscover their true souls purpose, he left everyone with a mantra to ponder over:
“To be aware of being aware is the goal. Ask yourself: Am I aware?”
FOOD
During the weekend, there were more than a few culinary highlights that went beyond everyone’s imagination. Besides the daily juice bar and nourishing Mexican breakfasts laid out carefully on the beachfront, there was a special welcome dinner that kicked off the event. Six tables filled with vegan and vegetarian finger foods inspired by Mexican cooking made the space at La Cantina feel like a feast for the senses. Everyone mingled pleasantly as Instagram influencers and health coaches were introduced and healthful tonics and wine was served. Some of the guest’s favorite foods were: marinated cauliflower tortas, mock pork tacos, vegan brownies, and activated charcoal falafel burgers.
The next feast was Saturday night, where guests first witnessed a Day Of The Dead Nahuatl ceremony. As the sun dipped behind the horizon guests gathered on the beach around an aisle set with flowers and plants. At one end stood a shrouded catrina, wordless, her hands held in prayer. In front of her an aisle of sand, flowers, candles, and a giant center ofrenda set with food and beyond that, a stage. Music began and a parade painted shaman entered the space. First, everyone was blessed by fire and water and then was ushered to a sensorial dinner experience where each table was laid with dried rice, beans, and herbs to give thanks for the bounty and the circle of life we all get on this earth.
Accompanied by didgeridoo, drumming, and rain machine music to match each course, the sensorial dinner honored many pleasures of the palate. Guests were greeted with drinks – activated charcoal lemonade, mezcal mules, red and white wine, and fresh squeezed juice. The first course was a delicate scallop dish with shaved zucchini ribbons and flowers in a tender sea broth. The second course was mushroom compote scented with heavy herbs and spices. The third was a slow-cooked short rib with potato puree and vegetables. Each course was meant to enliven and titillate the senses as the timbre and rhythm changed—meant to make guests feel alive and indulge each of their senses.
WORKSHOPS
From the shaman-led Temazcal sweat lodge ceremony to the technologically advanced Natura Bisse oxygen bubble, guests could meditate in with a VR headset, our workshops had something for everyone.
Vegan cooking classes, seminars all about skincare, and hands-on juice preparation class are among only a few of the offerings we had this weekend. On top of these offerings, guests could make appointments for two personal massages to relax away and all residual stress. One of our favorite classes was the mud therapy class led by Rosanna Ortube. Guests were completely entranced by this sacred ceremony.
After the final dinner with closing remarks given by Deepak Chopra, the 4-day long weekend drew to a close as upbeat wellness-goers all made their way back to their hotel rooms. Everyone left feeling renewed, refreshed, and inspired to take on their own personal calling in the world.
Stay tuned to social media and your inbox for updates on future Vidanta Wellness events. Namaste.
