When people hear “yoga retreat,” they often picture a group of impossibly bendy humans waking up at dawn, chanting in unison, sharing their deepest feelings with strangers, and surviving on a steady diet of lentils and green juice.
Not exactly everyone’s idea of a vacation.
And that’s not what really happens… at least at my retreats.
There’s a reason people keep coming back to Costa Rica Yoga, Wellness, and Self-Discovery and Belize Bliss. In the quiet of these experiences, away from the constant pull of daily life, you notice how much you need a retreat.
You realize just how tired you’ve been—physically, mentally, and emotionally. The retreat allows you slow mornings, time outside, movement that feels good, and space to breathe without rushing give you a chance to reconnect with yourself.
At the end of last December's Belize retreat, a participant said, “I didn’t realize how tired I was.” Another recently shared about her time in Costa Rica, “That was the best trip I’ve ever taken.” Not because it was the fanciest or most extravagant, but because it reminded her to show up for themselves. And in that space, people find courage—swimming through cave entrances to explore hidden waterfalls, viewing ancient Mayan sites, or standing on the mat trying crow pose for the first time.
You may be unsure if you’ll lift off but you're willing to try anyway.
Retreat bravery isn’t loud. It’s gentle. It’s saying yes when something inside whispers, maybe.
And then there’s the community. Strangers arrive, and something shifts. Meals stretch longer. Conversations go deeper. Laughter comes easier. By the end, you’re cheering each other on—on the mat, on the trail, in life. You don’t just share a schedule; you share moments that stay with you.
People often leave saying they’ve found a place they want to return to again and again. Places that feel like home in a way that’s hard to explain. Places they start imagining bringing loved ones back to someday—not as tourists, but as someone who belongs.
This isn’t about escaping real life. It’s about remembering how wide it can feel.
And no—this isn’t for everyone. Not every season calls for this kind of pause. Even reading this and recognizing the feeling might be enough for now.
But if your body has been asking for space…
If rest, connection, or a little courage have been tugging at you…
If you’re curious what might happen when you say yes to yourself…
No pressure. Just an invitation.
And whether or not this is your moment, I’m grateful you’re listening.
When I plan a retreat, I know it it has to be more than just a getaway. It has to be a place where people can truly reset—stepping out of their routines, reconnecting with themselves, and rediscovering joy. Belize kept calling to me, and once I looked closer, it was clear why.
Accessible but Far Enough Away
Belize strikes that perfect balance. It’s easy to reach with affordable flights, English is the primary language, and the people are incredibly welcoming. This makes travel stress-free. Yet once you arrive, it feels like another world. The pace slows down, the air shifts, and suddenly you’re surrounded by vibrant jungle and turquoise Caribbean waters. It’s “just far enough” to leave daily life behind without the overwhelm of a long-haul trip.
A Rare Mix of Jungle and Beach
Most destinations are either-or, but Belize offers both. The retreat begins tucked away in the lush jungle by the Macal River, where toucans call from the treetops and howler monkeys provide the morning soundtrack. Later, we head to the coast, where hammocks sway between palms and the reef stretches endlessly before us. This mix of wild green and calming blue is the perfect metaphor for yoga: strength and softness, adventure and rest, balance in every sense.
Nature as the Best Teacher
Belize makes yoga come alive in ways a studio never can. Morning sun salutations take on new energy when practiced beside the river, while evening yin becomes deeper under the hum of the jungle. Out here, nature guides every breath—the rhythm of the waves, the pulse of the jungle, the stillness of wide-open skies. It’s an invitation to be fully present.
Adventure Beyond the Mat
Yoga isn’t just what we do on the mat—it’s how we show up in the world. In Belize, that means bringing mindfulness into new experiences: exploring sacred caves, snorkeling among vibrant coral, hiking ancient Mayan ruins, or simply pausing to notice a macaw overhead. Each adventure becomes an extension of practice – you learn presence, practice curiosity, and develop courage.
Community That Lasts
A retreat is never just about the place—it’s about the people. In Belize, we’ll share meals, stories, and laughter. We’ll practice side by side, explore together, and create space for quiet reflection. That sense of sangha—true yoga community—is one of the most powerful parts of retreat life, and it stays with you long after the week ends.
Why Belize? Because It Has It All
This is why I chose Belize. It’s beautiful and welcoming, adventurous and serene, energizing and deeply restful. It’s a place where nature holds you, yoga grounds you, and community uplifts you. More than a trip, it’s an experience that stays with you—long after you’ve rolled up your mat and boarded your flight home.
✨ What will Belize bring for you?
📅 Join me December 6–13, 2025 for Belize Bliss: a week of yoga, adventure, and renewal.
Spots are limited and rooms are going quickly—reserve yours today and give yourself this gift of transformation. Just a few spots remain.
Spots are limited and rooms are going quickly—reserve yours today and give yourself this gift of transformation. Just a few spots remain.
Traveling with someone can be magical. You share the excitement, build memories together, and often deepen your bond. For some, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a retreat. But if you don’t have a travel buddy—or even if you do—don’t let that stop you from going. In fact, traveling alone might be the best decision you make.
A yoga retreat is the perfect environment to try it. You’ll arrive to a ready-made community of like-minded people, with built-in activities and space for both connection and solitude. It’s the best of both worlds—you can join in, make new friends, and share experiences, but you can also retreat into your own quiet moments when you want them.
When I was in college and graduate school, I traveled alone often—especially through Eastern Europe: Hungary, Poland, and what was then Czechoslovakia. I’d connect with one group, share some adventures, and then part ways to find a new circle. It was empowering. I always felt safe, I learned to trust my instincts, and it gave me a deep confidence I still carry.
Over the years, people have told me, “You’re so adventurous—I could never do that.” But here’s the truth: I didn’t set out to be adventurous. I simply followed what I was curious about and trusted that I’d figure things out along the way. You don’t have to be fearless to travel alone—you just need to be willing to take one brave step at a time.
Traveling alone offers something you can’t always get when you’re with a companion—you move at your own pace, follow your own curiosity, and explore without the weight of shared history or expectations. You’re not leaning on someone else to affirm your choices or direct your path. It’s just you, trusting yourself, making the call on what matters most to you in that moment.
I’ve had retreat guests for whom Costa Rica was their first international flight or their first time traveling without a partner, kids, or parents. They arrived with a mix of nerves and excitement, bravely trusting the path ahead. By the end of the week, they left glowing—lighter, more confident, and deeply proud of themselves.
So if the idea of traveling alone makes you hesitate, I want you to know: you’re not alone in that feeling. But it might just be the thing that transforms your retreat from a vacation into a truly life-shifting experience.
Ready to see what’s possible when you say yes to yourself?
Whether it’s your first time traveling solo or you’re a seasoned adventurer, my retreats in Costa Rica and Belize offer the perfect balance of community, yoga, and nature—designed to support you moving at your own pace.
Join us to explore vibrant landscapes, deepen your practice, make new friends, and discover just how brave and confident you really are.
Reserve your spot today and start your unforgettable retreat experience. Just send me a DM on IG at @yogawithandreab or @andreabyogaandwellness or head the retreat section of this site for info and next steps!
What if you could vanish for a week — not to escape your life, but to remember what it feels like to be deeply alive, fully relaxed, and completely you?
Tucked into the lush hills of Alajuela, Costa Rica, this retreat isn’t just a vacation — it’s a reset for your soul. Set in an unbelievably energetic sanctuary surrounded by green mountains and open sky, the space alone invites you to breathe differently. The minute you arrive, you’ll feel it: you’ve landed somewhere powerful, peaceful, and pure.
✨ Spa Like You’ve Never Known It
Here, spa treatments aren’t about surface-level pampering — they’re about transformation. From deep tissue massage to herbal body rituals and soul-nourishing therapies, each treatment is rooted in nature and tradition. You’ll walk out not only glowing, but feeling lighter, clearer, and deeply restored.
🍽️ Food that Heals
Every meal is a celebration of real food — made without processing, additives, or artificial anything. Freshly prepared with love and local ingredients, the meals nourish you from the inside out. You’ll eat mindfully, joyfully, and maybe even rediscover a way of eating that feels good in your body and soul. Enjoy fresh coconuts, pressed juices, and ginger tea.
🧘 Yoga for Every Mood
Whether you’re craving the discipline of Ashtanga, the softness of Yin, the clarity of Hatha, or the flow of Vinyasa, you’ll have access to a full spectrum of yoga practices guided by me, a 500-hour E-RYT teacher and experienced wellness coach. We'll play with partner practices and inversions, too! Every session is tailored to support you — no pressure, no comparison, just practice that honors your body and energy.
🧠 Daily Meditation & Mindful Workshops
Each morning begins with a grounding meditation, helping you set the tone for the day ahead. You’ll also explore deeper inner work through workshops on EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and advanced meditation practices — tools that empower you to reset patterns and come home to yourself.
End your days with yin, meditation or the deep rest of Yoga Nidra, a guided journey into the most restorative layers of consciousness. It’s like a full-body exhale.
🌿 Explore the Magic of Costa Rica
When you're ready for adventure, Costa Rica offers some of the most awe-inspiring excursions in the world — and we’ve picked the best:
- Blue Falls Hike: Hike through pristine jungle trails and take a dip in some of the bluest waterfalls you’ve ever seen — untouched, unspoiled, unforgettable.
- La Paz Waterfall Gardens: A breathtaking journey through waterfalls, wildlife sanctuaries, and vibrant flora.
- White Water Rafting: Feel the thrill in one of the top-rated whitewater locations in the world.
- Jungle Hot Springs: Soak in natural thermal pools surrounded by tropical trees and the hum of the forest.
- The Ark Botanical Gardens: A living sanctuary of rare plants, hummingbirds, and healing energies that will leave you speechless.
💫 Make This Journey Yours
This retreat is designed so you can tailor your experience: rest when you need it, explore when you crave it, and heal on every level. You’re never alone — your guide is a seasoned yoga teacher and holistic wellness coach who holds space for you to grow, unwind, and reconnect.
June 2026 is already on the calendar. Join me the 6th-13th...send a message to get your spot today. All the rooms are fabulous, but the best rooms go fast!
I’ve recently had some tough conversations—ones where I knew my words might disappoint or frustrate people I care about. And yup, they did. It’s never easy to be the one to draw a line, speak up, or ask for change. I am the first to say – I’m kind of terrible at it.
But here’s what I have to remind myself over and over again: clarity is kind.
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash Not just for others, but for me too.
When we avoid the truth, things get murky. Resentments grow, boundaries blur, and we end up exhausted from carrying emotional weight that was never meant to be ours long-term. Whether it’s a relationship that needs redefining, a job that no longer fits, or a personal truth that’s been quietly simmering—avoiding it only prolongs the pain.
Yoga, in its own quiet way, reminds us of this every time we step onto the mat. It asks us to listen. To stay present. To stop pretending. It teaches us that truth is not about being blunt or brutal—it’s about acknowledging how you are showing up.
So let’s talk about what it really means to choose clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable—and why it might just be the most compassionate thing you can do.
Clarity is kind.
Clarity is healing.
Clarity is necessary.
Clarity is healing.
Clarity is necessary.
You Can’t Heal What You Pretend Isn’t There
The moment someone finally names what they’ve been holding in is the moment something shifts. That tension in their shoulders softens. The tightness in their chest loosens. They can breathe more easily.
Because when we speak the truth, we give ourselves permission to move forward.
You don’t have to yell, blame, or tear it all up. But if you want change—in your relationships, career, or your own patterns—it starts with clarity.
Not vague hints. Not passive-aggressive comments. Not waiting for the “perfect time.” Not avoiding the whole situation.
Just clear, honest, heart-centered truth.
Avoiding the Conversation Doesn’t Protect Anyone
We think we're being nice when we avoid the hard stuff. But yoga reminds us: Kindness isn't the same as comfort.
In fact, sometimes the kindest thing you can do is to say what needs to be said. Even if it feels awkward, even if it goes against your natural people-pleasing tendencies.
Saying it out loud is brave. It’s vulnerable. But it’s also a huge act of self-respect.
Your Mat Is the Practice Ground
Yoga gives us the tools to sit with discomfort, breathe through resistance, and get clear on what’s real. When you’re sitting in Utkatasana (Chair) for what seems like a million breaths and your legs are screaming…what do you do?
Yoga reminds you: You don’t run. You stay. You breathe. You listen.
That’s exactly how we handle hard conversations off the mat.
Clarity doesn’t come from rushing. It comes from stillness, from presence, and from listening to your inner voice—the one that always knows the truth, even when your mind tries to talk you out of it.
Speak Up with Love (Yes, You Can)
You don’t have to be perfect at this. You just have to be honest.
And when you speak clearly, you’re not being harsh. You’re being real. You're creating space for something new—whether that’s a healthier boundary, a more fulfilling job, or a deeper relationship with yourself.
So if there’s a conversation you’ve been avoiding, ask yourself:
- What am I afraid will happen if I’m honest?
- What could open up if I speak my truth?
- How can I show up with both clarity and compassion?
Because truth isn’t selfish and it isn’t mean or dramatic.
It’s kind.
And it might be the exact thing that sets you—and everyone involved—free.
Remember, yoga isn’t just what happens in a pose. It’s how we live, how we relate, and how we love. So next time you feel the pull to be quiet when you know you need to speak, remember:
You are allowed to be clear.
You are allowed to ask for more.
You are allowed to change.
You are allowed to be clear.
You are allowed to ask for more.
You are allowed to change.
That’s yoga, too.
