New Trip Launch: Yoga Retreat
We had big news this week with the launch of our first Ocean x Yoga Retreat 2023! This is the first trip Shawn and I have created since we relocated from Florida to Playa del Carmen, Mexico. This yoga trip is packed with activities, including a boat trip to Cozumel, freediving in the cenotes, daily yoga sessions, and a traditional Mayan cacao ceremony.
Our goal was to host the ultimate yoga retreat for people that are looking to deepen their practice while experiencing the culture and natural beauty of Mexico. I may be a little biased, by I think we knocked it out of the park, because this is going to be one of the best yoga retreats you could embark on.
Sustainable Tourism in Playa del Carmen
Our goal at WyldVentures is to create small-group sustainable travel expeditions that can have a positive impact on the places we visit. This means that we aim to include educational aspects on the local environment, cultural experiences, and contributing to local nonprofits.
On this Mexican retreat, we have incorporated cultural aspects like a traditional Mexican cooking class + a Mayan traditional cacao ceremony to set intentions and soul-search. We're also going to be working with a local scientist that is studying the ecology of the cenotes and a coral reef restoration nonprofit to introduce some information about the environments we will be exploring.
Whether education and conservation is something that motivates you when you book a trip or not, you can rest a little easier knowing that your travels are supporting locals that are working to protect the natural world. All the best trips I've ever taken have included meeting local people and learning about their culture, as it gives me a greater since of respect for the land I visit. Sustainability will always be something that I incorporate into our WyldVentures expeditions, as I've spent the last few years getting my Masters Degree in the field. I know that tourism can be as harmful as it can be helpful, so I strive to make our impact as positive as possible.
Yoga and Diving Retreat: Learn to Freedive
Freediving and yoga are deeply linked as both practices require a strong mind-body connection as we seek to deeply relax our bodies and move with our breathing.
Learning how to freedive may seem intimidating, as we all see the crazy Instagram reels of people diving down hundreds of feet and holding their breath for minutes on end. I'm here to tell you: freediving is what you make of it. I got into freediving because I wanted to learn techniques to hold my breath longer so I could have better interactions with wildlife when I snorkeled. There's also a deeply meditative aspect to breath-holding. Many therapists recommend breathing techniques for anxiety, panic attacks, or just to feel grounded in the moment. These are all the same techniques we learn in freediving.
We wanted to offer the Level 1 SSI Freediving certification on this trip to encourage our adventurous yogi friends to try something new, fun, and beneficial! You will learn techniques to dive down to 30 feet and feel more comfortable underwater. The cenotes surrounding Playa del Carmen are breathtaking, with crystal-clear visibility to train in and take photos (professional photo + video is included on the trip!). This freediving course will also benefit you as we journey to Cozumel the next day for an ocean safari. Think of it as a little boost to your snorkeling capabilities!
Best Yoga Retreat for Solo Travelers
My favorite way to travel was always to find a meaningful yoga, dive, or adventure expedition to book onto alone, while including a few days (or weeks!) on either end to explore completely solo. I loved the freedom of doing what I wanted, when I wanted, and the added connection of meeting new people on the expedition that I could travel with if I wanted!
So, if you are hesitant because none of your friends want to book with you, no worries at all. Whether you are looking for a couples yoga retreat or booking on solo, we guarantee you will have an amazing time.
Every person/couple gets their own bungalow with a double bed and private bathroom, so no awkward bunkmate situations here!