Gaia Sisterhood in conjunction with
Freedom Folk and Soul presents:
a couples retreat in oaxaca
Experience the Magick of Dia de Los Muertos!
october 27 through november 3, 2024
dance with the ancestors!
You are invited to join Jeremy Pajer and Stephanie Urbina Jones of Freedom Folk and Soul and Jennifer Harvard of Gaia Sisterhood for our first ever Couples Retreat and exciting journey to the birthplace of the Toltecs in Oaxaca, Mexico, as they prepare for its most celebrated time of the year, Día De Los Muertos.
This journey is filled with adventure and once-in-a-lifetime moments. From wandering the streets and stores spilling with art, color, passion, and sounds to climbing the steps to the sacred sites and pyramids of Monte Alban and Mitla to experience initiations, ceremonies, and a vortex of transformation.
We’ll rest at the roots of the Tule Tree and drink in its wisdom, wander the streets, churches & art galleries of Oaxaca City, and be inspired by the magic of weavers in Teotitlan del Valle. You’ll experience some of the most unique art forms in the world while honoring your ancestors.
We’ll be staying at Casa de Las Bugambilias – one of the highest-rated and most beautiful bed and Breakfast locations in Oaxaca. We’ll feast on the sights, sounds, tastes, and experiences of this cradle of creativity in Mexico.
We’re so deeply honored to be working with a family who’ll teach us how to build a Día De Los Muertos altar, and we’ll build an altar of our own to guide and invite the spirits of our ancestral loved ones to dance with us. This is a rich and very meaningful ritual. Favorite culinary dishes and the most treasured items of the ancestors are placed at the altar for the souls to enjoy during their return visit. You are invited to bring a photo or a small treasure that belonged to your loved ones.
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Continue to read all the juicy trip info or click below to skip down to the details!
your journey includes
Temazcal ceremony & Healing Massage with an Indigenous Healer
Temazcal bath purifies your mind, body, and spirit in an extraordinary garden setting. Ancient ceremonies combine a cleansing sweat bath with herbs and flowers. Music and a soothing massage will renew and energize you.
An adobe building set in an enchantingly beautiful garden holds the Temazcal bath chamber and an area for massage, meditation and rest afterwards. The special bath chamber is centrally heated by rocks and holds a process to create a richly scented steam to allow the sweating process necessary to relax and purify the body and to release toxins. The bath is attended by the Temazcalera. During the ceremony she may gently beat the bather’s body with the herbs and brush the steam around the head, encouraging deeper breathing and relaxation. A warm water bath may be given in the chamber, both to quickly cool the body or to encourage greater sweating. This is followed by a rest until all sweating has ceased and the body has dried on its own. During the relaxation period an indigenous massage is offered.
Monte Alban
Discover the pyramids of Oaxaca in Monte Alban, located on a vast mountaintop expanse with spectacular 360-degree views of Oaxaca Valley. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the pre-Columbian archaeological site is one of Mesoamerica’s earliest cities, founded around 500 B.C.On this day-long adventure, we’ll be exploring the sacred sites and engaging in powerful healing rituals. Much like the pyramids of Teotihuacan, Monte Alban holds a similar vibrational energy of transformation.
teotitlan del valle
Walk the streets of Teotitlan and step into the creative energy of an ancient weaver’s village. Teotitlan del Valle is known for its textiles, especially rugs woven on hand looms, from wool obtained from local sheep and dyed mainly with local natural dyes.
The name Teotitlán comes from Nahuatl and means "land of the gods.” The original Zapotec name of the village was Xaquija, which means “celestial constellation.” According to research done by Manuel Martínez Gracida, there was a large stone split in half with the name of "the Stone of the Sun." It was the first idol of the Zapotecs here. It was believed that a god came from the heavens in the form of a bird, accompanied by a constellation of stars, to found the temple here. In this colorful village, be inspired by traditional artists of life and great dream weavers.
the tule tree
Sit quietly for a guided meditation, then drink in the wisdom from one of the largest trees in the world, the Tule Tree. Dream into the heart of this Arbol del Tule, Mexico's most famous tree, and some say the world's largest single biomass. The Tule tree and its environs comprise a unique natural monument and must-see experience, where we will share ancient mystery teachings around the Tree of Life.
Mitla
Mitla is the second-most important archeological site in the state of Oaxaca. While Monte Albán was most important as the political center, Mitla was the main religious center. The name Mitla is derived from the Nahuatl name Mictlán, which was the place of the dead or underworld. Its Zapotec name is Lyobaa, which means “place of rest.” At this holy site we’ll travel into the underworld and surrender all that no longer serves our path, requesting the earth receive and transform the energies we release.
We’ll plant new seeds in our hearts, recognizing the underworld as the womb of origin and rebirth, out of which we cultivate the growth and resurrection of our hearts and dreams into new life.
a truly once in a lifetime experience!
Registration:
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Cost per couple: $7,599
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A $1500 non-refundable deposit holds your space!
This includes:
​• Shared room accommodations with your beloved for 7 nights at Casa de las Bugambilias,
• Breakfast Every day plus 2 lunches and 3 dinners included
• Teachings, Temazcal & massage,
• Excursions and entry fees to Monte Alban, Mitla, Tule Tree, Teotitlan del Valle, and the Magic Tour
• Ceremonies and ritual experiences
• Día De Los Muertos altar experience,
• Ground transportation for airport and tours
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Not included: Airfare, additional meals, gratuities, personal expenses.
We strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance (www.travelguard.com). Space is very limited. Your $1500 per couple non-refundable deposit will hold your space.
For questions, email: wisewomenretreat@gmail.com
Lodging
While in Oaxaca, Mexico, we will be staying at Casa Las Bugambilias. This unique bed and breakfast is home to the Cabreras family and is in the heart of Oaxaca and the perfect location to begin and end our journey each day. The Cabreras family shares their home and their traditions generously, providing visitors with a unique vision of the culture of Mexico through its art and food.
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Voted one of the top B&Bs in the historic district of Oaxaca, you’ll relax and revive in luxurious rooms filled with vibrant colors and fabrics reflecting the heart and soul of Mexico. Wake each morning to a decadent, delicious, and healthy breakfast prepared with loving care while wandering out into the courtyard.
You are invited to learn more about this special lodging and gourmet breakfasts along with our hosts as you participation in this amazing retreat.
Walk Between the Worlds Breathwork Journey
Not just another tour.....
Your couple's retreat is not simply a tour of the amazing sites of Oaxaca. It is a deeply mystical tour of the traditional marigold fields and includes the transformative experience of breathwork as well as a Cacao Ceremony, all led by your retreat leaders
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Experience a spiritual journey in the way of the Toltec shamans by entraining to the rhythms of drums, rattles, and music combined with a unique way of breathing. Much like traveling to sacred places, this practice can be used to enter altered states of consciousness and awaken to your indwelling wisdom. Breathwork can also be used to resolve traumas and shapeshift unproductive modes of thinking in order to move beyond them and into our wild creative hearts. This is a highly experiential and transformative process that inspires individuals to remember and reconnect with their own inner healer. It functions as a bridge between worlds and leading us to a deeper place within. As a shared experience, it forges a powerful connection between the people attending. We’ll open our hearts, minds, and spirits to honor, celebrate, and connect to our ancestors.
The Magic Tour
Tour the vast Marigold Fields that supply the flowers so important to the Dia de Los Muertos traditions. These fields have been planted with the intent to light the pathway from heaven to earth for the ancestors to travel. Then we’ll visit the Alebrije Village where we’ll witness and hear the stories of colorful hand-carved wooden creatures representing spirit guides and learn what the native culture believes about them. These creatures are carved and painted with devotion by the families who have carried these traditions for generations. We’ll wrap up the tour with a visit to the village known for its black pottery and learn about the richness of this tradition and its meaning for the people of the earth.
cacao ceremony
The history of Cacao Ceremonies dates back to ancient civilizations, particularly the Mayan and Aztec people, who considered caca a divine and sacred substance. They believed the cacao tree was a divine gift from the gods and used the bean in rituals, religious ceremonies, marriage ceremonies, and burial traditions. Today the essence of the ceremony and its consumption is a means of fostering connection, healing and personal growth. We cannot wait to experience this ancient tradition with you.
MEET YOUR COUPLE'S RETREAT LEADERS
Jennifer Harvard, Stephanie Urbina Jones, Jeremy Prajer
Jennifer Harvard
Jennifer Harvard, founder of Gaia Sisterhood is a Nashville, TN native. Jennifer has spent a lifetime educating herself on the principals of natural health and healing. Founder of the Wise Women Full Moon Retreats, Gaia Circles and the Goddess Craft Markets, she has cast a wide net of openness and inclusivity, welcoming as many women as possible into her Divine Feminine work. "Much of my work today involves using Ritual and Ceremony to create Safe space for women to gather in community and honor each turn in the Celtic Wheel Of the Year." [read more...]
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stephanie
urbina jones
Stephanie Urbina Jones, co-founder of Freedom Folk and Soul, is a Toltec teacher, dreamer, seeker, minister and mid-wife shamama leading journeys of transformation in the US and all over the world . She brings joy everywhere she goes and guides folks on their journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation, empowering those who seek to live a life of passion, purpose, and personal freedom. Stephanie is an an author, an award winning songwriter and artist with her history making Honky Tonk Mariachis. [read more...]
are you ready for the journey of a lifetime?
to reserve your space, fill out the form below and follow the instructions on submitting your deposit.
To reserve your space on the Couple's Retreat in Oaxaca fill out the form below and send your deposit of $1,500 via check to Freedom Folk & Soul, 1213 Fernbank Ave. Madison,TN. 37115. We cannot wait to experience Oaxaca with you!
Want to chat with Jennifer or Stephanie prior to registration? Send an email and one us will call you to answer all of your Oaxaca questions!
Cancellation policy:
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Refunds may be granted on a limited schedule. See Terms and Conditions.
Freedom Folk and Soul Cancellation: We reserve the right to cancel this trip for any reason. The refund of payments received shall release Freedom Folk and Soul, Jeremy Pajer, Stephanie Jones, Jennifer Harvard and any of their staff or colleagues from any further liability.
Other Cancellations: In circumstances where trip cancellation results from the inability of the trip to depart as scheduled, such as cancellations due to acts of war and/or terrorism, God, nature, or for any reason beyond control, Freedom Folk and Soul, Gaia Sisterhood, Jeremy Pajer, Stephanie Jones, nor Jennifer Harvard are not liable for restitution.