storyteller within
Journey into Sacred Expression
Sunday, April 26 - Friday, May 1, 2020:
Adventure for Your Creative Soul Women's Retreat
Villa Sumaya, Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Join us for this new 2020 spring offering! Take your creative soul on a trip to the exceptional volcanic beauty of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Bathe in the inspiration of mountains and lakeside atmosphere as we gather for a week of multi-faceted creative expression in a women's circle, alongside cultural and active exploration in this spectacular location.
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During this retreat, we’ll loosen resistance, expand awareness and experience the lightness of spontaneous soul play. We’ll practice meditation, yoga and dance. We'll express through writing and visual art and more. We'll gather for diverse ceremonies and enjoy excursions on the lake.
No experience is required and all levels are welcome. Together we’ll re-ignite and embolden the creative spirit that lives within each of us - restoring our sense of clarity, connection, and vitality.
retreat highlights
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Inspiring lakefront location with expansive volcano views
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Daily yoga or movement practices
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Creative circles - writing, visual art, and more
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Co-facilitated with Marianne Richmond, best-selling children’s book author/artist
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Scenic lake-side thatch-roofed yoga temple & writing space
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5 nights stay in shared or private accommodation
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3 delicious organic vegetarian meals/day and juice bar
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Sacred Ceremonies - sound, Mayan fire, and more
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One cultural and one active lake excursion
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Solar hot tub and on-site spa services
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Breaks for swimming, massage therapies, sauna, relaxing
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Intimate Women's Gathering: Maximum of 12 participants
"If you're alive, you're a creative person."
- Elizabeth Gilbert
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“Yes, I believe self-expression is the soul made visible.”
- Marianne Richmond
adventure for your creative soul
How often have we blocked our own expression? Held our tongue? Hushed the muse? How many times have we dismissed ourselves as “not creative”? Or been too intimidated by a creative project to start?
How often do you allow yourself to play in spontaneous creative flow? Have you ever taken a trip solely to reconnect with your inherent creative essence?
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We can easily make — and often do — everything more important than allowing space for creativity. But our creative soul still yearns, beckoning our awareness to be heard, nourished and expressed. When we mute or dismiss our creative longing, we block divine life energy - feeling closed, dull and contracted. When we embrace it, we become more open, bright, curious and expansive.
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In this women's retreat, you will:​
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Gather with a beautiful circle of inspiring women who value truth, vulnerability, laughter and connection.
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Loosen the blocks that have separated you from your creative flow. Invite back the joy of creativity.
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Reconnect with your intuition through presence and play.
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Open your energetic channels to insight, inspiration and freedom through meditation, writing and art.
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Discover how to move with the muse, as you animate your body through yoga and dance.
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Remember your innate and embodied creativity.
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Deepen your connection to your inner space of peace through participation in ceremonies.
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Explore the exceptional beauty of Lake Atitlan by boat, on foot and in kayak, if you like.
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Return to your life inspired by your self-discovery, creative expansiveness and in awe of the magic that unfolds when women circle together.
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your facilitators
Bestselling author Marianne Richmond, creator of more than 50 children's books, and Aimee Hansen, creator of Storyteller Within Retreats, will co-facilitate this inspiring retreat, alongside other guest facilitators that will join through the week.
Aimee reached out to Marianne years ago and we connected through a mutual appreciation for creativity, emotion and heart-led expression. We are excited to co-create magic with you in this place Aimee calls home! Read more about your retreat facilitators.
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Mused by Lake Atitlan
Cradled by rural highlands and lush forests, Lake Atitlan is a breathtaking beauty framed by three majestic volcanoes. The lake is known to attract travelers in search of soulful reconnection. It's also famous as a writer's and artist's haven.
Resting in a secluded lakeside cove, Villa Sumaya is an eco-chic sanctuary dedicated to rejuvenation, holistic practices, and preserving Mayan tradition. Guests will stay in the Lotus House and we will gather to elevated volcano views in Tara Temple.
This gorgeous location offers expansive views, inviting and comfortable accommodation, delicious and nurturing slow-food meals, juice bar cafe, on-site spa, solar hot tub, fair-trade boutique and wood-burning sauna in unparalleled natural surroundings.
Villa Sumaya is an eco-friendly wellness center perfect for self-care, refreshing perspectives and renewing energies.
sample retreat flow
Guests arrive on Sunday, April 26th afternoon to relax and settle in. We'll open our circle in the evening after dinner. Our daily flow will begin on Monday, April 27th.
Here's a sample of what our schedule will be like:
7:00-8:30 Meditation/Yoga or Movement
8:30 Delicious Breakfast
10.00-1.00 Creative Circle (Art, Writing) or Lake Excursion
1:00 Delicious Lunch & Free Time
4:00-6.30 Creative Circle (Art, Writing, or eg. Voice)
6.30 - 7.30 Delicious Dinner
7.30 -9:30 Evening Ceremony or Circle (some nights)
Meals are vegetarian and gourmet. Chicken/fish ($7 extra per meal) and alcohol can be added to meals at your discretion.
Relax in a hammock and enjoy the views, swim in the lake, receive a spa treatment, dip in the solar hot tub & pools on daily breaks. On two days, we'll include a morning excursion and return for afternoon creative circle or ceremony.
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You will also participate in ceremonies with guest facilitators as we deepen our connection to Spirit - such as Sound Healing, Mayan Fire, Cacao and Movement or Dance.
Guests are advised to fly into Guatemala City by 1pm on April 26th and book return flights for late afternoon on May 1st or the following day. We can provide hotel recommendations for stays in Antigua or near the airport before or after the retreat.
planning your trip
Lake Atitlan has beautiful villages to explore (weaving, artisan) and cultural and wildlife tourist activities. It's also a gorgeous place to simply soak up the volcano views and nature. On your way from the airport, the UNESCO World Heritage charming streets of Antigua offer many colorful, cultural treasures.
It's always recommended to stay at the lake and in Guatemala for some extra time and enjoy the beauty, if your schedule allows.
A preview of Villa Sumaya:
Total Retreat Cost (All-Inclusive):
(12 spaces only in total)
(5 nights, 6 days including arrival & departure)
Deposit to Reserve:
$600 USD
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Triple Room (shared x3):
$1495 USD
Shared: Lotus House, Room for Three
Double Room (shared x2):
$1595 USD
Shared: Lotus House, Room for Two
Private Room (upgrade):
$1850 USD
Private: Lotus House
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Retreat package includes:
- Daily yoga or movement practice
- Daily creative circles (writing, visual art, voice)
- 5 nights accommodation at Villa Sumaya
- Delicious vegetarian breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Unlimited tea/coffee service
- Sacred healing ceremonies (eg. Mayan Fire Ceremony, Sound Healing, Cacao, Dance)
- Use of swimming pool & solar hot tub
- Cultural excursion & active excursion
- Base gratuities for the local indigenous staff
- All Taxes
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excludes:
- Additional options:​
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Spa treatments, massages,($75/hour or $100/1.5 hours) or private saunas ($30)
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Meal supplements (fish, chicken $7), alcohol
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WIFI ($20 week)
- Flights & transport to the retreat
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
