Restore and Explore / Ingrid A. Marcroft and Stephan W. Kolbert

When we first visited Lake Atitlan in 2015, we were stunned by the beauty and quiet of the lake, accentuated by three picturesque volcanos on the far shore. We knew instantly we’d return and our 2020 trip was equally extraordinary. The time has come again, and we are thrilled to show you this heaven on earth.

Our home for the week is at the beautiful retreat center of Villa Sumaya in Santa Cruz La Laguna along Lake Atitlan’s shoreline, reachable only by boat. The profound calm of the setting invites you to rest deeply. The Mayan people believe that Lake Atitlan is their birthplace and it is often referred to as the most beautiful lake in the world. In 2001, our host, Wendy, conceived an extraordinary facility for holistic health, deep restoration, exploration, and self-inquiry. The property is so beautiful that it’s hard to leave, but if you are looking to swim, kayak, hike, go birding, or discover the local artisans, there are plenty of options. The spa/wellness services and numerous hammocks also await! Our favorite activities include walking along the shoreline, relaxing on the dock in the sun, swimming in the lake or dipping in the pool, and enjoying the solar hot tub.

Whether you have a longtime yoga practice or are a yoga newbie, this retreat is an invitation for you to deepen your practice, connect within, visit with old and new friends, or simply relax. We honor that this is also your vacation! We’ll offer a foundations practice (with a chair option if needed) and an amplified practice each day, along with restorative practice and morning meditation. All classes will be led by either Ingrid and/or Stephan and will be crafted to meet the students’ needs. Discover how a week of daily yoga and meditation brings your practice and your life to a deeper level of inquiry and joy. Many lasting friendships are made on these journeys!

OUR YOGA RETREAT INCLUDES:

• 7 nights accommodations (check in 3pm, check out 11am)

• 3 gourmet vegetarian meals per day (vegan & gluten-free options at all meals; chicken or fish is available for lunch or dinner, requested ahead of time with an $8.50 charge per person per meal)

• daily yoga and meditation sessions

• 1 hour-long massage

• Boat excursion to San Juan La Laguna and a women’s textile cooperative

• Free time to explore, hike, swim, lounge, read, connect, sleep, kayak, and just be…

• All resort taxes & gratuities (except for massage tips and personal indulgences)  

IT DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Flights and airport transfers (more on shuttles below).

• Additional excursions, massages, treatments, splurges at the awesome boutique, etc.

Stephan Kolbert

Stephan is a native Upper West Sider, an educator, yoga teacher (E-RYT500) and integrative therapist who uses yoga, Reiki, aromatherapy, nutritional and contemplative counseling, and Thai Bodywork with his clients. He has spent decades working with diverse populations: from the homeless and incarcerated to the economically secure, from children to seniors. Whether a person is in a hospital bed with highly limited mobility, in hospice, or fully ambulatory, brimming with strength and vitality, he loves working with people who, at the very least, are open to learn. He relishes the moment of inquiry that births new action and change. He is grateful to have studied with (and continues to study with) an amazing grouping of teachers, including Rodney Yee, Colleen Saidman Yee, Richard Freeman, Mary Taylor, Richard Rosen, Joan Halifax, Koshin Paley Ellison, Robert Chodo Cambell, Alan Finger, Charles Matkin, Jason Ray Brown, Jenny Aurthur, Chrissy Carter, Jodie Rufty, Rod Stryker, Mark Whitwell, and Ramanand Patel. Apart from yoga, he holds an MA in Counseling and Guidance from NYU and a BS from Ithaca College.

Ingrid Marcroft

Ingrid is a transplanted Upper West Sider by way of Massachusetts, Germany, New Jersey, Paris, upstate New York, and Guadeloupe. Prompted by her own health crisis in the early 90s, she dove headfirst into studying myriad natural healing methods (nutrition, bodywork, mental / emotional / spiritual practices, energy practices, movement) and her main entry points became healthy eating and practicing Reiki. A natural-born klutz, she was also stunned to find that she could feel strong and graceful while doing yoga. Blessed to be under the tutelage of the best teachers she could imagine at YogaWorks, Urban Zen, and elsewhere (alongside Stephan the entire time), yoga became her tool to finally integrate her mind and body. She’s especially grateful to Rodney Yee and Colleen Saidman Yee for their guidance. She’s an E-RYT500, completed and mentored for the Urban Zen Integrative Therapist training, is a Reiki Master in the Usui lineage, an ordained Interfaith Minister, a mom, and considers herself a wellness tour guide. She loves sharing what she’s learned in her yoga and meditation practice to students of all ages, from children to seniors.