Let’s retreat in Malinalco, Mexico!
Thursday March 20 - Sunday March 23, 2024
On this very intimate Ayurvedic retreat for just four to five guests, you and I will have lots of time to connect one-on-one and in our small group to enjoy the joys of sattvic human connection.
We’re staying at a gorgeous villa in the little town of Malinalco, considered one of Mexico’s Pueblos MÁgicos or magical towns.
It’s a charming spot just two hours outside of Mexico City, surrounded by mountains and rich with Aztec history.
“The retreat in Malinalco was just simply beautiful and serene with fresh air to breathe, sounds of the rooster early morning and the birds chirping. For me it was going back to basics and learning how living a simple life, with practicing yoga daily, eating nourishing food prepared by beautiful, kind people and just relaxing within mother nature could be such a blissful experience. To make it even better was connecting with amazingly beautiful and like-minded individuals with whom I could share this wonderful experience. Lastly I couldn’t thank Julie any less with organizing this awesome retreat at such a beautiful location, and also with gaining some much needed wisdom in Ayurveda from her that will help me to continue on my wellness journey and living a more healthy lifestyle.”
Nicole Lonero
We’ll spend most of our time hanging out in the villa, doing our dinacharya, practicing gentle juicy yoga, following an Ayurvedic daily flow, sharing Ayurvedic meals together, swimming in the (heated!) pool, relaxing in the gardens, and cozying up by the fire pit before bed. We’ll also prepare dinner together one night in an Ayurvedic cooking class.
As part of the retreat, you and I will meet for a one-on-one Ayurvedic consultation to assess your constitution and create your personalized health plan. You’ll also receive one of Ayurveda’s most beautiful bodywork treatments, abhyanga, to make your vata happy after the travel.
And on Saturday afternoon, we’ll venture out to town for French pastries, a little shopping, and to explore the ancient Aztec pyramids of Malinalco.
I absolutely love creating experiences where good people can connect in beautiful places and immerse themselves in an Ayurvedic rhythm. There’s nothing more enriching than positive, sattvic human connections! I can’t wait to meet/see you again in person.
“The retreat in Malinalco was really special, the location was beautiful. We were surrounded by nature all the time. The room looked like a movie set or fairy tale setting, it was so pretty and comfortable. The food was made with love, and always so fresh, flavorful and nourishing. Everyone was just loving and caring. The entire experience was so peaceful. It really allowed for relaxation, contemplation and also a fresh start for whatever goals and changes we as participants wanted to see take shape in our lives.”
Raquel Peña
The Location
Malinalco is two hours southwest of Mexico City.
It has a lovely climate: warm during the day and cool at night.
The villa itself is set on 2.5 acres of gardens with 300 trees and views of the surrounding mountains.
You can either fly into Mexico City (MEX) or Toluca (TLC) and I’ll arrange transportation for you directly to and from the airport. MEX is a direct, relatively economical flight from pretty much everywhere in the US.
“I knew signing up for this retreat it would be life changing, but I didn't realize just how life changing it would be until fully immersing myself into the retreat. Julie is an exceptional teacher, with a truly Divine spirit. I look so different from 4 days of this experience. I feel incredibly different, so connected, and relaxed. My skin is glowing, my eyes are clearer, I am so nourished. I feel transformed on a cellular level.”
Krissy H.
The Rooms
SLEEP IN A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED ROOM WITH A TERRACE AND VIEW
Opt for a private room or travel with a friend, partner or your mom! Or, come solo and I’ll pair you with a roommate.
DELUXE PRIVATE OR SHARED ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM
This room can be set up with one king sized bed for one or two people, or with two separate single beds for sharing. It has a large bathroom integrated into the garden with a jacuzzi, an outdoor living space on the terrace, and a hammock. (If you’d like to share this room, you will need to bring your own roommate; I will not be pairing roommates in this room.)
PRIVATE ROOM WITH PRIVATE BATHROOM
Cozy up in your own private room with a queen bed and private bathroom. Lounge in the hammock on your shared terrace with views of the mountains.
Shared Room with private bathroom
Join with a friend or come solo and I’ll pair you with a roommate in this shared room with two single beds and a private bathroom. It’s perched above a canopy of trees with views of the gardens and mountains.
“[This] was my second Mexican retreat with Julie…she always attracts a warm and thoughtful group who quickly feel like friends (if that’s something you’re interested in; Julie makes space for everyone to keep to themselves, also). Julie is truly a rare and perfect blend of grace, sunshine, wisdom, and humor, and I look forward to our next retreat with her. Also – she always finds beautiful retreat venues / places which I never would find on my own.”
Joan P.
The Food
ENJOY DELICIOUS, HOME COOKED AYURVEDIC MEALS.
In line with the principles of Ayurveda, we’ll be eating our meals on time and eating well! All food will be as fresh as it gets, made from scratch, and prepared with love by our Ayurvedic chefs Cecilia and Rosi of Masala Malinalco.
We’ll also cook dinner together one night so that you can experience Ayurvedic cooking in action and learn a few fun dishes to make back at home.
“This retreat was honestly everything that I needed to reset & reconnect with myself & my body. Julie is so knowledgeable & her approach to ayurveda is so gentle. She truly has a gift for facilitating beautiful experiences & attracting the loveliest souls into her orbit. Will never forget this experience & the connections that I’ve made.”
Mackenzie Devlin
Whether you’ve been my client or student for years, a few months, or if we’ve never met and even if you don’t have any experience with Ayurveda, I know you’ll get so much from this experience.
This retreat is for you if…
You're in need of a little reset or time away from the day-to-day
You could use a nourishing, grounding experience
You like to adventure to new places and find yourself again when you travel
You look forward to quality human connections
You’re curious to see how Ayurveda can help to improve your health and wellbeing
“This is the 3rd retreat I have taken with Julie – each one has restored my soul in ways I couldn’t have imagined prior to the retreat. I always depart the retreats revitalized and refreshed. It’s the self care I need for me – and I’m looking forward to the next one.”
Ann S.
The Schedule
THURSDAY
3pm - Arrival, Check In & Snack
5:30pm - Welcome Circle
7pm - Dinner
FRIDAY
7am - Yoga
8am - Breakfast
Consultations, Treatments & Free Time
12:30pm - Lunch
Consultations, Treatments & Free Time
4:30pm - Ayurvedic Cooking Class
6:30pm - Dinner
SATURDAY
7am - Yoga
8am - Breakfast
Consultations, Treatments & Free Time
12:30pm - Lunch
2pm - Adventure to Malinalco Town & Aztec Pyramids
6:30pm - Dinner
Sunday
8am - Breakfast
9-10am - Closing Circle
11am - Checkout and Lunch To-Go
Meet Your Host
This is the 9th retreat that I’m hosting here in Mexico! I’ve been living here for 4 years and had made about 40 trips here before that. I love this country, and I’m thrilled you’re coming here to visit. There is something so energetically special about this land. You can feel an ancient and even India-like depth, and at the same time a lovely laid-back vibe and cultural warmth that lets you slow down and feel like a human again.
One of the main reasons I moved here was to bring more joy into my life. I’m happy to say I found it, and now my goal is to spread it to my clients and students! We can be spiritual, we can be dedicated to ancient practices, we can eat our healthy food and sleep early, and still, we can and should be joyful. It’s even noted as one of the main aims of a healthy and happy human life in Vedic tradition! Expect to tap into some of that joy as well as wellbeing on this retreat.
I’ve been intensively studying Ayurveda for 12 years now and last year graduated as a Doctor of Ayurveda. I’ve been helping clients through Ayurveda for 10 years, and started teaching yoga that I learned in India 13 years ago. India is somewhere I visit often, and I’m dedicated to sharing this ancient wisdom with you so that you too can find health, happiness, longevity, and joy. See you in Mexico.
“The retreat with Julie was exceptional! Everyday detail was well thought out and each day brought a new experience. Julie created a loving and warm atmosphere of community. The chance to be with like-minded women was fabulous. There was such an expanse of emotion and support at all levels.”
Jean Vaughn
The Details : Please Read!
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Please wait to purchase your flight until I have confirmed that I have filled this retreat.
You can either fly into Mexico City (MEX) or Toluca (TLC). MEX is a direct, relatively economical flight from pretty much everywhere in the US.
Malinalco is a 2 hour drive from MEX and once you’re out of the city itself you’ll enjoy beautiful views of the forest and countryside. It’s about a 1.5 hour drive from Toluca. I don’t recommend flying into Mexico City’s newer airport, NLU, as it adds an extra hour or two to Malinalco.
We’ll arrange a private or shared taxi to bring you directly to and from the airport—just send us your flight info and we’ll take care of the details! We use our favorite known taxi drivers and send you their photo and license plate before they pick you up for your peace of mind.
The taxi cost each way is 1500 MX / about $78 USD from MEX and 900 MX / $47 from TLC.
If other retreatees have similar flight times, you can share the taxi and taxi costs.
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I know that you’ll book this retreat with the intention of attending, but the unexpected does happen, which is why I HIGHLY recommend purchasing international travel/medical insurance for you trip, flight cancellation and interruption, emergency medical expenses, and emergency evacuation expenses.
The most comprehensive insurance is generally a Cancel for Any Reason policy, which needs to be purchased within a few days of your first trip payment. Insuremytrip.com has several options but please be sure to read their cancellation policies carefully before purchasing.
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All bookings will be processed through WeTravel. A $600 nonrefundable deposit will secure your spot. You can pay the remainder in full or with a payment plan. Final payment is due February 20, 2025.
All deposits are 100% non-refundable. You may cancel your reservation up to December 20 and receive a full refund of the amount paid, less the $600 deposit. There will be no refunds thereafter for any reason.
While I try to be as compassionate as I can in my cancellation policy, as a retreat leader I have to protect the financial and time investments that I make to create these experiences and so, the deposit and cancellation policy are black and white.
Hence, I encourage you to book with the full intention of attending, and highly recommend purchasing a cancel-for-any-reason travel insurance policy to cover your costs in case you can’t make it.
In the event that the retreat has to be canceled due to a force majeure, I will reschedule the retreat and your payments will be applied toward the new retreat date.
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Americans do not need a visa for Mexico—just a passport with at least 6 months validity at the time of travel. Please check the requirements for your country.
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You might want to arrive early or stay after the retreat ends to explore Malinalco or Mexico City, which is what many of my retreatees do.
Malinalco is precious and you’ll find many great places to stay in town. And Mexico City is famous for its food, art and vibrant energy with abundant options for hotels. It’s worth tacking on an extra night or two in either of these cities before flying home.
“Thank you Julie for hosting another beautiful retreat, for sharing your incredible knowledge, and for bringing together such a wonderful group of people. So much fun, and so enlightening, as always. I left feeling so much lighter.”
James W.
Room Options & Pricing
Come solo or bring a friend or partner. Couples welcome! If you’re a solo traveler and would like to share a room, I’ll pair you with a roommate.
I invite you to be open minded about sharing with someone you haven’t met before. People who attend Ayurveda retreats tend to have very sweet and wholesome vibes.
Deluxe Private Room - $2800 USD
Deluxe Shared Room (2 people) - $2400 USD per person
Private Room - $2500 USD
Shared Room (2 people) - $2250 USD per person
Reserve your spot with a non-refundable $600 deposit. Payment plans available.
Please carefully read the Payment Policy above before booking, as the deposit is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Questions? Contact Julie at hello@trueayurveda.com.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
*Pre-journey travel support + Ayurvedic travel tips
*3 night / 4 day stay in a beautiful villa
*All meals and drinks: wholesome, vegetarian, and Ayurvedically aligned breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack
*A one-on-one Ayurvedic diet & lifestyle consultation with Julie
*1 abhyanga treatment, with the option to book additional Ayurvedic bodywork treatments (udvartana, pinda sweda, or craniosacral therapy)
*Morning gentle, juicy yoga classes for all levels
*Ayurvedic cooking class
*Adventure into Malinalco town and Aztec pyramids
*Ayurvedic dinacharya kit
NOT INCLUDED
*Airfare + private taxi to/from the airport
*Additional bodywork treatments beyond the 1 included abhyanga
*Tips for bodywork treatments, staff and taxis (at your discretion)
“This retreat was a five star experience. Julie is a wonderful host, teacher and practitioner and made everyone feel at home and comfortable. Our schedule had a good flow with enough personal time for individual interests. I left feeling relaxed, connected, centered and creating space for myself to heal and grow.”
Betty S.