Guided Personal Retreat – Heart Wisdom: Yoga & the Sacred Mayan Calendar / Michelle Margaret

This 7-night guided personal retreat program is offered Saturday-Saturday, based on availability. Please contact us for scheduling.

Ready to step into a journey of heart wisdom, sacred connection, and profound renewal? Join us at Villa Sumaya and let the magic of Lake Atitlán and the ancient Mayan traditions guide you home to yourself.

Picture yourself gazing across shimmering waters, embraced by the towering volcanoes that cradle the lake, as you embark on a deeply immersive retreat guided by seasoned yoga teacher and writer Michelle Margaret Fajkus and revered Mayan Elders (Tatas and Nanas). 

This guided personal retreat harmoniously blends ancient wisdom with modern practices, creating a unique journey into self-discovery, connection, and renewal.

Why Choose This Retreat?

• Expert Guidance: Led by Michelle Margaret Fajkus, a yoga teacher with over two decades of experience, and local Mayan Elders who carry ancestral wisdom passed down through generations.
• Exclusive Setting: Villa Sumaya, an eco-friendly retreat center, provides a peaceful and luxurious environment designed for holistic healing.
• Holistic Approach: A thoughtfully curated schedule combining yoga, guided meditation, Mayan ceremonies, writing, and the exploration of the sacred Mayan calendar.
• Cultural Immersion: Deepen your understanding of Mayan cosmovision through personal Mayan astrology readings, fire ceremonies, and meaningful connections with local spiritual guides.

During this week-long workshop, you are invited to:

• Five 1.5-hour yoga classes (5 mornings of the week)
• Two Mayan Fire Ceremonies (one opening circle, one closing circle)
• A 1.5-hour personal Mayan day sign reading with Michelle
• 7 nights of deluxe, single accommodation
• daily vegetarian meals and beverage service
• all taxes

Not included: transportation costs, tips to Villa Sumaya staff, optional tours & activities

The Heart of the Experience

Each morning begins with a gentle yoga practice and guided meditation, inviting you to connect with the day’s energy as interpreted through the sacred Mayan calendar. This ancient timekeeping system, still used by certain Indigenous communities in Guatemala, offers profound insights into the cyclical nature of life and personal destiny.

Throughout the retreat, you will explore how the 20 day signs (nawales) and the 13 numerical tones influence your energy and purpose. Through personalized Mayan astrology readings, you will uncover your own “Mayan Cross,” gaining clarity about your gifts, challenges, and path.

The integration of daily journaling and creative writing exercises provides a space for reflection and inner dialogue. These practices invite you to slow down, listen deeply to your intuition, and let your authentic voice emerge. No previous writing experience is necessary; this is an invitation to explore your inner landscape without judgment.

Sacred Ceremonies and Connection with Nature

Central to the retreat are two Mayan fire ceremonies—one to open the circle and set intentions and another to close and integrate the experience. Led by experienced Ajq’ij (Mayan spiritual guides), these ceremonies are profound opportunities to offer gratitude, release what no longer serves, and receive blessings from the spirits of the land and ancestors.

Mid-week, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a traditional sweat lodge (temazcal) ceremony. As you sit in the warmth of the earth womb, surrounded by steam infused with medicinal herbs, you will be invited to sing, pray, and release. The experience culminates with a refreshing plunge into the cool waters of Lake Atitlán, symbolizing rebirth and renewal.

Nature connection is woven throughout the retreat. Villa Sumaya’s lush gardens, vibrant birdlife, and panoramic views offer countless opportunities for peaceful walks, quiet contemplation, and spontaneous moments of awe. A guided forest bathing experience invites you to slow down and savor the simple pleasure of being present with the natural world.

Daily Rhythm

While each day carries its own unique flow, a typical schedule may include:

• 8:00 AM: Welcome the energy of the day with morning yoga
• 9:00 AM: Nutritious vegetarian breakfast
• 10:00 AM: Mayan calendar workshop or personal Mayan reading
• 1:30 PM: Delicious vegetarian lunch (with options for dietary preferences)
• 2:00 PM: Free time for rest, spa treatments, or lakeside journaling
• 4:30 PM: Writing and yin yoga or mindfulness workshop
• 6:30 PM: Group dinner & free time

Meet Your Guides

Michelle Margaret Fajkus brings warmth, wisdom, and authenticity to her teaching. With over two decades of yoga practice and teaching, a deep love for writing, and 15+ years of living in Guatemala, Michelle is passionate about creating safe, supportive spaces for transformation. Her approach is rooted in mindfulness, compassion, and the belief that everyone is their own guru.

Michelle is a seasoned yoga teacher, mindfulness facilitator, and retreat leader with over a decade of experience guiding groups at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala. She has practiced yoga since 1993, taught since 2002, and led retreats since 2010. Michelle’s approach blends the ancient wisdom of yoga and the sacred Mayan calendar, creating a unique and transformative experience for her retreat participants.

As a 6 Kej (Deer) in the Mayan calendar, she embodies the energy of freedom, connection with nature, and spiritual leadership. Michelle has interpreted dozens of Mayan fire ceremonies alongside local spiritual guides and offers personal Mayan readings to help participants understand their soul path. Through yoga, guided meditations, dynamic workshops, and sacred ceremonies, she supports others in cultivating mindfulness, joy, and a deeper connection to themselves and the natural world.

Mayan Elders (Tatas and Nanas) are respected spiritual leaders who generously share their ancestral knowledge and connection to the land. Their guidance offers a rare and precious opportunity to experience living traditions of the Maya, learn about the cosmovision, and honor the interconnectedness of all life.

Benefits of Attending

• Reconnect with your body through nourishing yoga and mindful movement
• Cultivate inner peace and clarity through meditation and breathwork
• Deepen your understanding of yourself with personal Mayan astrology readings
• Experience profound healing through sacred Mayan fire and sweat lodge ceremonies
• Awaken your creativity with guided journaling and expressive writing sessions
• Enjoy nourishing, lovingly prepared vegetarian meals
• Immerse yourself in the beauty and tranquility of Lake Atitlán
• Form meaningful connections with like-hearted individuals
• Return home feeling refreshed, inspired, and aligned with your heart’s wisdom

Who Is This Retreat For?

This retreat is open to all levels of yoga and writing experience. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful escape, a spiritual deepening, or creative inspiration, you will be welcomed just as you are. Solo travelers, couples, and friends alike will find community and support within this intimate group setting.

What to Bring

• Comfortable yoga and casual wear
• A journal and pen
• Swimwear for lake dips and spa facilities
• Walking shoes for nature walks and village visits
• An open heart and curious spirit

Rates & Registration

Pricing: $2695 single in deluxe accommodation / $2499 per person in deluxe double accommodation

To learn more or sign up, please email reservations@villasumaya.com.

Testimonials

“This retreat was life-changing. Michelle’s gentle guidance and the wisdom shared by the Mayan Elders opened my heart in ways I never imagined. The setting at Villa Sumaya is pure magic.” — Sarah K.

“I came seeking rest and left with so much more—clarity, inspiration, and a deep sense of connection. The combination of yoga, writing, and Mayan spirituality was truly transformative.” — Daniel M.