The theme of this year's retreat is The Healing Work of Women's Hands
Combining trips to Oaxacan women's pottery and textiles cooperatives with journalling and healing ceremonies on the beach and at waterfalls.
We will begin a journey of self-exploration and healing the best way I know how: with a laying on of hands by women healers.
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January 16-January 22, 2024
January 16
Arrival Morning: Fly into Oaxaca City airport 12pm Check into Hotel 3pm Meet & Greet Introductions, review itinerary 6pm Dinner Traditional Oaxacan Meal 8pm Rest, Recovery & Relaxation January 17th The Work of Women's Hands 8am Breakfast at hotel 9:30am The Morning Ritual journalling, meditation and gentle stretching into the day. 11am. Weaving a & Textiles Workshop Travel to the beautiful artisans valley outside of Oaxaca city We'll spend the afternoon learning about traditional weaving techniques that create gorgeous one of a kind Oaxacan rugs and tapestries at Teotilan del Valle Women's Weaving Cooperative. 6pm Rest, Recovery & Relaxation January 18th The Magical Black Pottery of Oaxaca at San Bartolo Coyotepec 8am Breakfast at hotel 9:30am The Morning Ritual 11am Visit to the Artisan Village of San Bartolo Coyotepec We'll spend the afternoon learning about the black pottery that Oaxaca is famous for. A craft that goes back thousands of years and is collected around the world. We'll learn the process in an afternoon workshop at the San Bartolo Coyotepec Black Pottery Town 6pm Dinner 8pm Rest, Recovery & Reflection January 19th Travel from the Oaxaca Mountains to the Beach 8am Breakfast at hotel 9:00am Transfer to Puerto Escondido We'll hop into our private van for a journey through the mountains towards the pacific coast. Our destination is the beautiful beach town of Puerto Escondido 3pm Check into Villas Carizzalillos 4pm Tour the estate and visit Carizzalillo Beach 6pm Dinner 8pm Rest & Recovery January 20th Spa Day 8am Breakfast 9:30am Morning Ritual 11am Spa Day in your private villa We'll spend the day experiencing a personalized menu of healing regimens. With the help of the staff, we'll turn your villa into a personalized spa where self-care experts will visit your villa for mani/pedis, massage, facials, stretching and relaxation. 6pm Dinner 8pm Rest & Recovery January 21st Afro Mexican History and Healing Waters 8am Breakfast 9:30am The Morning Ritual 11am Visit the Afro-Mexican Village of Chacahua and the Healing Waters Ceremony Explore the Chacahua Lagoons National Park. Drive along the Oaxaca coastline through the towns of Zipolte, Mazunte, Puerto Angel as our guide teaches us the history of Afro Mexicans in Oaxaca. 12pm A boat ride takes you to all five lagoons of the park, a maze of mangroves, a bird sanctuary, and Corral island. Get to know the village of Chacahua and the history of the Afromestizos culture. The trip also includes a trip to a lighthouse, a beach campfire, and a swim in a bio-luminescent lagoon. Hotel transport included. En route to Chacahua Lagoons National Park, sail across the five lagoons of the park and into mangrove forests. 2pm Healing Waters Ceremony With music, flowers and ancestral song, we'll participate in a healing waters ritual by the beach. In the tradition of Oshun & Yemaya, singer, Tamara Wellons will guide us in a ritual of flower, songs to the ancestors and altar building by the sea. 5pm Sunset at the Chacahua lighthouse. 6pm Campfire Dinner by the sea in the Village of Chacahua with fresh fish & mezcal. 7pm Moonlit boat ride through bioluminescence waters as Tamara sings us home. 8pm Return to hotel January 22nd The Return 8am Breakfast 9:30 closing Morning Ritual 12pm Check out Flight out of Puerto Escondido airport |
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What Folks Are Saying About
Global Retreats with April Yvette Thompson
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SHOP
Early Bird Prices Apply until May 31st
There is a $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your space.
Early Bird Prices Apply until May 31st
There is a $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your space.
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Payment Policies
The first $500 is a non refundable deposit which secures your spot.
Any cancellations later than 1 month from the first payment and your deposit can be credited for a future trip exactly one year from the date of initial purchase.
All payments are non-refundable after the first two months of the payment cycle.
If an automatic payment is skipped for insufficient funds, you will be charged $50 late fee and the entire balance of the trip will be due immediately.
The first $500 is a non refundable deposit which secures your spot.
Any cancellations later than 1 month from the first payment and your deposit can be credited for a future trip exactly one year from the date of initial purchase.
All payments are non-refundable after the first two months of the payment cycle.
If an automatic payment is skipped for insufficient funds, you will be charged $50 late fee and the entire balance of the trip will be due immediately.
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The DreamingOutLoud Retreat in Oaxaca s the brainchild of actor, writer, coach & Tony-winning producer, April Yvette Thompson. That would be me. I've always loved the aesthetics of indigenous culture and choose to visit places that are defined by the brown people of that region. Since Oaxaca is not only the home of indigenous culture in Mexico, but also where the historic Afro-Mexican town of Chacahua thrives, choosing a retreat location was a no brainer.
As a coach, I have tons of clients who come to me to get unstuck in their careers, to take the bull by the horns and stop working for others and work exclusively for themselves doing what they dream of doing. I've hosted retreats in Morocco, New Mexico, Harlem, Miami, Brooklyn, Hartford, Lausanne, upstate New York...I believe in order to find a new rhythm, one must give urself permission to unplug and establish a new one that prioritizes you. Something women find particularly difficult to do...which is why I create that space.
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Safety PrecautionsIdeally, I'd like to have a retreat where food is delivered to our villas and the only time we wear mask is when we're doing events outside of our core group. So that everyone feels safe, the following things will be things the group agrees upon and signs a letter of agreement at least 45 days prior to the start of the retreat:
- Purchase travel and travel medical insurance at least 30 days prior to the start of the retreat just to cover any possible COVID delays or emergencies. - Insurance Get a COVID test 2-3 days prior to the retreat. And text/email a copy of the results to April - Self-Isolate 10 days before the start of the retreat which means totally mask up if you have to be around anyone (even family members) the 10 days before the retreat unless they are isolating with you. - Anytime, we are in public spaces without the group, we are all double masked or masked with a visor (which is preferable) |
What to ExpectMake sure you find an ATM in the Mexico Airport and take out a solid stack of cash. ATM reliability gets less and less as you leave cities. To be safe, I'd say, take out $100 per day.
-Buy a Mexican SIM card in Mexico City Airport Breakfast is covered. I'd suggest $25 a day for meals and that's really reaching. Things are cheap in town and the restaurant on site is very affordable. Here's the menu: - Bring swimsuits, shorts, bug spray, sunblock/hats, sneakers, flip-flops, a water filter bottle would be a great idea |