Honoring Your Light - A Retreat for the Spirit
Oaxaca de Juaréz, Oaxaca Mexico
October 24th-31st 2025
Join us for seven transformative nights of ceremony, community, and nourishment in Oaxaca from October 24th to 31st, 2025. This retreat is an invitation to ground, reflect, and grow together during the season leading up to Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a sacred time deeply rooted in honoring ancestors and connecting with the spirit of the land.
Set amidst the vibrant beauty of Oaxaca City and its surroundings, this 8-day, 7-night journey weaves together yoga, breathwork, and meditation with profound indigenous ceremonies and traditions. You will be invited to participate in sacred rituals, guided by local stewards of this ancient wisdom, that will help you connect deeply to yourself, the land, and the timeless energies of this season.
In addition to these soul-stirring ceremonies, savor the richness of Oaxacan culture with exquisite cuisine, hands-on cooking classes, market explorations, and outings to nearby sights. Oaxaca holds a special place in our hearts, and we are honored to create a space where its sacred traditions can guide us into deeper healing and connection.
Expect live music, the magic of mezcal rituals, stunning landscapes, vibrant markets, and the warmth of community. This retreat is a feast for the senses and a journey for the soul—a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the sacred traditions of this land and experience their transformative power. CEREMONY. CONNECTION. HEALING. MEZCAL. MOLE. STEP INTO THE SACRED.
what’s included*
Accommodations at Lila Downs home in San Francisco, Tutla (7 nights)
2 meals daily (vegan options always)
Daily optional yoga/movement/meditations and workshops
Cooking class
Daytrips, including harvesting of marigolds for Muertos altars, local markets, and natural mineral springs
Limpia and Temazcal ceremonies
Time to explore Oaxaca
60 minute healing massage
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare Transportation to and from the retreat location from arrival point
Travel Insurance (all participants are required to purchase travel insurance)
**offerings subject to change due to availability**
sample itinerary
7am - Sunrise Yoga Asana Practice
8am - Sadhana Meditation + Journaling Gathering
9am - Breakfast
10am - Real Minero Palenque Tour + Lunch+ Herbal Limpias
5pm - return to Lila's Estate
Evening~ Free time for dinner and rest/ exploration in Centro
STAY
WHERE WILL WE STAY?
The home of the legendary Oaxacan singer Lila Downs. This house is in a beautiful country setting, 20 minutes by car to the historic center of Oaxaca and located on the way to the village of El Tule and the "Ruta de Mezcal". The house is the home of the legendary Oaxacan singer Lila Downs and her mother Anita Sanchez de Downs. It has a wonderful garden, swimming pool, private temazcal, ample space to relax and 6 spacious bedrooms each with its own bathroom.
Your Facilitators Mariyam and Kayla
Mariyam Nayeri
Mariyam Nayeri is a chef and movement teacher who is passionate about empowering others to live their most vibrant and full lives. Her connection to food stems from a childhood spent in her grandmother’s kitchen learning how to make tortillas and gathering around a table with her large Mexican family. Her exploration of her passions took her into several restaurants and kitchens in New York City and London, and through a 200- hour Yoga certification at her beloved yoga studio Sacred in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. She finds the most connected version of herself while creating food, teaching classes or dancing with her children. She is an accredited health coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, and teaches weekly yoga and cooking classes locally, in her hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
For as long as she can recall, movement has been her magic balm. Whether in a dance class or on a yoga mat, there's nothing that she finds more powerful, transformative and healing. It is where her soul resides. As a teacher, she endeavors to share this passion wholeheartedly. Expect a class that gently leads you to your edge with an alchemy of precise physical guidance, intuitive sequencing, with space to breathe, grow and find your rhythm.
Kayla Gonzalez
Kayla is a dedicated yoga and meditation teacher, sacred space holder, facilitator, and lifelong learner passionate about restoring balance through liberating movement and breath. Committed to walking alongside others on their journey of remembering and embracing autonomy and joy, she creates environments where healing and growth flourish.
Kayla’s diverse experiences reflect her dedication to her Dharma—her true calling. From teaching high school biology in Liberia and working in nonprofits across Milwaukee, to facilitating yoga trainings and hosting international retreats, her unwavering dream has been to build meaningful relationships and provide spaces for joy and healing.
Her journey led her to earn her RYT-500 certification with a focus on Intuitive Wisdom and Holistic Psychology, and embark on travel to the Himalayas, Andes, Caribbean, and Central America. These transformative travels were guided by a profound call to healing through intuitive, ancient, and ancestral wisdom.
Spaces held by Kayla are infused with ceremony and shared from a deeply embodied place. Her yoga and meditation classes gently guide participants into their bodies, balancing challenge with ease and breath. Trainings, workshops, and sacred gatherings offer profound opportunities for connection, learning, self-reflection, and spiritual growth.
As Kayla continues her own journey of healing, learning, and evolution, she hopes to support others in embarking on their own paths of love and expansion.
PRICING
Cuarto Lila
Double or Triple Room
King bed and queen bed in lofted accommodation with private bathrooms on each level.
$3200 per person for double occupancy
$2850 per person for triple occupancy
*You must book with your bedmate. We can not assign a bedmate for you at this rate.
Cuarto Paul Sax
Private or Double Room
King bed accommodation with private bathroom.
$3350 for private accommodations
$2850 per person for shared king bed
*You must book with your bedmate. We can not assign a bedmate for you at this rate.
Cuarto Matilde
Double/Triple Room
King bed and single bed accommodation with one bathroom.
$2750 per person double
$2550 per person triple
*You must book with your bedmate. We can not assign a bedmate for you at this rate.
Cuarto Anita
Double or Private Room
King bed accommodation with private bathroom and balcony access to courtyard
$3350 for private accomodations
$2850 for shared king bed
*You must book with your bedmate. We can not assign a bedmate for you at this rate.
Cuarto Koo
Double or Private Room
King bed accommodation located within garden space with private bathroom.
$3250 for private accomodations
$2750 per person double
Book Today
A deposit of $400 is due today to secure your spot at the retreat.
The remaining balance for your stay can be paid in full or via a payment plan.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made within 90 days or less of arrival are 100% non refundable. All initial deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Testimonials
“The trip to Oaxaca was breathtaking and incredibly nourishing. Mariyam, and the bevy of big-hearted, spiritual, sensual, FUN women who were called to the journey made the most wonderful company for experiencing this gorgeous little corner of the world. The colors, smells, flavors, landscapes, and yoga were so inspired and inspiring. It was a sensual feast! Oaxaca, especially alongside Mariyam and through her adoring eyes, brought me so much heart and mind expansion, and I’m SO grateful for the experience. ”
-Tamara Hamdan (Oaxaca Retreat 2018 attendee)
“Going to Oaxaca Mexico was life changing! The universe suggested this trip and going against my usual character I took a leap of faith and booked it! I’m so grateful for the experiences, the memories made, the women and men I connected with, the food aye dios mio.. the food! Going to Oaxaca left an impression on my heart, my soul, my palette - I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity. Gracias!”
-Jenny Rodarte (Oaxaca Retreat 2018 attendee)
“Mariyam was such a gracious host who guided us through movement, abundance and connectivity. This was a trip to help expand our hearts and senses! Getting to see this magical city through Mariyam’s lens was so special and authentic. We not only had so many incredible experience, but we also got to make lifelong friends. Would go do it all over again!”
— Su Beyazit (Oaxaca Retreat 2018 attendee)
Gallery
Participant Responsibilities
As a Participant in the yoga retreat, the Participant agrees to the following responsibilities. The Participant acknowledges that participation in yoga and related activities involves physical exertion and affirms that they are in good physical condition to participate safely. The Participant agrees to inform the Host of any medical conditions, injuries, or other concerns that may affect their participation in the retreat. Additionally, the Participant agrees to follow all instructions given by the Host and retreat instructors regarding safety procedures, yoga postures, meditation techniques, and any other activities during the retreat. Respect for others is paramount; the Participant agrees to respect the rights and privacy of other retreat participants, instructors, staff, and local residents. Any disruptive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated and may result in expulsion from the retreat without refund. The Participant acknowledges that participation in the retreat carries inherent risks, including but not limited to physical injury, illness, or property damage. The Participant assumes all such risks and releases the Host and retreat instructors from any liability arising from participation in the retreat.
Health and Safety
The Participant acknowledges that the Host will take reasonable measures to ensure the health and safety of all participants during the retreat. However, the Participant understands that the Host cannot guarantee a risk-free environment and agrees to take personal responsibility for their own safety and well-being.
Insurance
The Participant is responsible for obtaining adequate travel insurance, including coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellation, and personal liability, prior to participating in the retreat.
Agreement to Terms
By purchasing this Deposit, the Participant acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions outlined herein. The Participant further acknowledges that they are voluntarily participating in the yoga retreat and assume all risks associated with such participation.
Media
We respect your space and privacy during this retreat in Oaxaca. While photos may be taken, you are welcome to opt out at any time. Please rest assured that ceremonies will not be photographed, and sacred spaces and moments will be honored with the utmost care.