Guatemala
embody the elements
A 7-day elemental immersion into nature, presence, and the full expression of your life.
August 8 - 14, 2026
the retreat:
This is not just a retreat — it’s a homecoming.
Held on the sacred shores of Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and steeped in Mayan tradition, Embody the Elements is a return to what’s real. To the earth beneath your feet, the fire in your heart, the waters that hold you, the air that moves you, and the ether that connects it all.
Each day of this retreat is inspired by one of the five elements — moving in order from fire to ether — and designed to help you come back into deep connection with your body, your nature, and your spirit. Through yoga, movement, Mayan ceremonies, guided self-inquiry, and cultural immersion, you’ll awaken your senses and remember what it means to fully live.
Hosted at Casa Floresta — one of Present Practice’s most beloved retreat centers — this week offers a sacred rhythm of morning yoga, fresh nourishing meals, playful afternoons in the lake, and magical evenings under the stars. You’ll move, breathe, laugh, swim, sweat, rest, and reconnect — with nature, with others, and most importantly, with yourself.
The Journey
Lake Atitlán is the cultural and spiritual heart of Guatemala. Formed in the crater of an ancient volcano and ringed by majestic peaks and Mayan villages, this place holds a unique kind of magic — raw, powerful, and deeply grounding.
Our retreat takes place at Casa Floresta, a lakefront sanctuary with panoramic views, a stunning yoga temple, and luxury finishes throughout. Mornings begin with movement and dips in the lake. Afternoons unfold with intentional workshops, traditional ceremonies, and exploration of the surrounding towns. Nights end in the yoga shala or by the fire, playing games and sharing stories with your retreat family.
The theme Embody the Elements invites you to connect with the wisdom of nature — through daily practices aligned to fire, water, earth, air, and ether. From Mayan fire ceremonies to cliff jumping and cacao rituals, this retreat is an invitation to live fully, feel deeply, and come back to your essential self.
This experience is equal parts grounding and expansive, playful and sacred. It’s about honoring the elements within and around you — and allowing them to guide you home.
What to Expect
Elemental Yoga & Embodied Ritual
Each day is themed around one of the five elements — fire, water, earth, air, and ether — and offers a full-sensory journey into presence and connection. You’ll begin each morning with a dynamic yoga or movement practice inspired by the day’s element, followed by journaling and discussion to anchor your insights. Afternoons include ceremonial experiences, workshops, and opportunities for free expression — from cliff jumping to cacao ceremonies to everything in between.
Nature Immersion
This retreat invites you to live in harmony with the land. You’ll swim in sacred volcanic waters, hike to panoramic vistas, paddleboard across the lake, and explore nearby towns rich in Mayan tradition. There’s also ample time to rest — soak in the lake, nap on the lawn, or sweat it out in the lakefront sauna. Nature is your teacher here, and every day invites deeper connection..
Local Culture & Ceremony
Lake Atitlán is a spiritual vortex where ancient traditions live on. Our experience includes a sacred Mayan fire ceremony, plant bath rituals, cacao ceremonies, and local adventures that help you connect with the energy and ancestry of this powerful place. We’ll also spend time exploring San Marcos and nearby villages known for their art, music, and healing culture.
Nourishing Meals & Community
You’ll enjoy four fresh, seasonal, vegetarian meals (people LOVE the food here!) each day prepared by our private chef — plus filtered water and tea available at all times. Meals are vibrant and filling, designed to fuel your practice and exploration. In the evenings, expect connection, community, and the kind of soul-deep conversations that only happen when we slow down and share space. Most nights end in the yoga temple or around the fire with laughter and presence.
Itinerary overview
Expect powerful practices, sacred rituals, spacious afternoons, and joyful community.
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Arrive at Casa Floresta on Lake Atitlán and settle into your lakefront villa
Explore the property, take a dip in the lake, sip tea on the lawn
Opening circle + intention-setting ritual
Welcome dinner with the group under the stars
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Morning power vinyasa practice to awaken strength and clarity
Brunch at the villa
Free time to swim, journal, and soak in the sun
Afternoon Fire Ceremony with a Mayan shaman
Handstand and inversion workshop to channel your inner power
Grounding dinner at the villa
Bonfire
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Morning vinyasa practice to awaken fluidity and softness
Brunch at the villa
Explore San Marcos la Laguna, paddleboard, and cliff jump (if inspired)
Plant bath and lakeside sauna
Grounding dinner at the villa (followed by an optional game night!)
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Early morning volcano hike with breathtaking sunrise views
Brunch at the villa
Grounding yin yoga practice in the afternoon
Spacious evening to rest, reflect, or share in community
Grounding dinner at the villa
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Brunch at the villa
Boat trip to a nearby village to explore Guatemalan culture and artisan shops
Free time for paddle boarding, swimming, journaling, or connection
Grounding dinner at the villa (followed by an optional game night!)
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Morning yoga to open the heart and integrate the journey
Brunch at the villa
Free time to paddleboard, nap, and reflect on the week
Backbending workshop to invite expansion and space
Closing cacao ceremony with a local shaman
Final dinner with the group, full of joy and presence
Bonfire
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Morning yoga and discussion
Final breakfast, hugs, and heartfelt goodbyes
Depart nourished, embodied, and deeply connected
Note: This itinerary is subject to change based on weather, group energy, and the natural flow of our shared experience. Trust that everything will unfold exactly as it’s meant to.
MEET YOUR RETREAT LEADERS
Bailey Wesselman
Retreat Leader | 500-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher
Bailey is a longtime member of the Present Practice community and a favorite among our retreat guests. She first joined us on retreat in Kenya — where she got engaged! — and has since co-led experiences both locally and abroad, bringing her radiant energy and intuitive teaching to everything she touches.
With a background in ballet and a love for dynamic movement, Bailey’s classes are designed to awaken your body, ground your mind, and connect you to your breath. Her signature style blends strength, fluidity, and intentional transitions — helping you move with clarity and presence both on and off the mat.
Bailey has visited over 40 countries, speaks four languages, and believes deeply in the power of travel to transform and connect us. She completed her 500-hour training in 2024 and brings a beautiful balance of joy, depth, and freedom to her teaching.
Embody the Elements is the kind of retreat Bailey was born to lead — elemental, expansive, and full of aliveness. You’ll move with intention, connect with nature, and awaken every part of yourself through embodied practice and playful presence.
On retreat with Bailey, expect powerful flows, thoughtful journaling, deep connection, and the kind of laughter that echoes off volcanoes.
Retreat Coordinator & Photographer
Bailey will be joined by one of Present Practice’s trusted retreat coordinators and a dedicated photographer to ensure your journey is seamless, well-supported, and beautifully.
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Not at all. All yoga, meditation, and journaling practices are beginner-friendly and designed to support your unique journey. Whether this is your first retreat or one of many, you’ll be guided with care and encouragement every step of the way.
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Absolutely. Most of our guests come on their own and leave with new soul friends. If you’re staying in a shared room, we’ll pair you with a same-gender roommate to ensure a warm, comfortable experience.
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You’ll fly into La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. From there, we’ll help coordinate your transfer to Lake Atitlán. The scenic journey includes a 3–4 hour private shuttle followed by a short boat ride across the lake to our retreat center.
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We’ll provide detailed travel guidance and help arrange trusted private shuttles and boat transfers. A group transportation doc will be shared closer to the retreat to help coordinate arrivals and ride shares with other guests.
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Vibrant, nourishing, and absolutely delicious. Our private chef at Casa Floresta prepares two large vegetarian meals per day plus two snacks / smoothies using fresh, local ingredients. Filtered water, teas, and coffee are always available. Dietary needs can be accommodated — just let us know after booking.
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Curious, adventurous, and open-hearted. This retreat draws nature lovers, creatives, yogis, and seekers craving connection, simplicity, and aliveness. It’s capped at 28 guests — mostly solo travelers looking for something meaningful, real, and refreshingly fun.
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Retreat deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. All other payments are non-refundable due to the nature of international travel. We recommend purchasing your own travel insurance in case Life happens.
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Absolutely. After booking, we’ll ask for your dietary needs.
FAQ
Investment & Room Options
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Our home for the week is Casa Floresta, a lakefront sanctuary nestled in the heart of Lake Atitlán’s volcanic crater — one of the most spiritually charged and naturally stunning locations in Central America. We’ve hosted multiple retreats and trainings here, and it remains a community favorite for a reason.
You’ll stay across two neighboring private villas: Casa Floresta and Casa Colibri, which we’ll have entirely to ourselves. Each room is uniquely designed with natural textures, cozy beds, and beautiful finishes. The property includes:
A spacious open-air yoga shala with panoramic lake + volcano views
Private lake access with paddleboards and a swimming dock
A sauna, fire pit, and plenty of indoor and outdoor lounge space
A peaceful lawn for stargazing, journaling, or sunbathing between dips in the lake
Rooms are available as single or double occupancy, and most include ensuite bathrooms. A few double rooms share a bathroom with one other room — these have been thoughtfully designed and will be assigned based on booking order and availability.
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Early Bird Pricing Double Room (2 guests, mostly ensuite with a few shared bathrooms): $2,200 per person
Private Room (1 guest, guaranteed ensuite bathroom): $2,900 per person
After October 10, prices increase by $200.
Retreat deposits remain the same and are included in your total investment.
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A $500 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is required to reserve your spot
(or $800 for a Private Room)
Remaining balance can be paid in full or split into monthly payments
We’re happy to create a custom payment plan that works for you
Full retreat balance is due 60 days before the retreat begins by June 8, 2026
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7 days / 6 nights of curated retreat programming on the shores of Lake Atitlán
Lakeside accommodations at at our retreat center (private villa with full retreat exclusivity)
Boat transport to and from Casa Floresta from Panajachel (we’ll help coordinate!)
Daily yoga and guided journaling in a breathtaking open-air yoga temple overlooking volcanoes
Elemental workshops aligned with Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether
Fire ceremony with a local Mayan shaman to ignite transformation
Sunrise volcano hike with panoramic views over the lake
Lake adventures including paddle boarding, swimming, and cliff jumping (optional)
Cultural town visits and artisan market exploration by boat
Traditional Guatemalan sauna and plant bath experience
Closing cacao ceremony and heart-opening ritual with Mayan shaman
All meals included — vibrant, fresh, and nourishing vegetarian cuisine
Unlimited access to lakefront sauna, paddleboards, and retreat spaces
Present Practice retreat journal
Other elemental surprises along the way!
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Flights to and from Guatemala City (GUA)
Transport from GUA to Panajachel (town on the lake - we will help coordinate taxis!)
Additional meals or snacks outside of those provided
Alcoholic beverages or drinks from local cafés during outings
Souvenirs, personal shopping, or optional local excursions
Massage or spa services
Travel insurance (recommended)
Optional staff gratuities
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