Sacred Women’s Retreat / Dr. Deb Kern
October 25, 2025 - November 1, 2025
Join us on a sacred pilgrimage to the ancient Mayan stronghold of Lake Atitlan, Guatemala.
Nestled in a landlocked bay on the north shore of this sparkling lake, the Villa Sumaya retreat center is located on 18 acres in the homeland of the indigenous Maya. In this private setting, you will discover a deeply healing environment, an open-air yoga studio, and pristine waters surrounded my majestic landscapes including three spectacular volcanoes. This area is known to locals as “the belly button of the Earth,” and it is in this serene natural setting where yoga can do its best work, grounding your body and uplifting your spirits.
The 5,000 foot altitude of Lake Atitlan and its proximity to the equator offers a semi-tropical paradise often referred to as “the land of eternal spring.” The deep caldera walls of the lake form a powerful inverse vortex to the volcanic mountains and ridges above, creating powerful energies and striking natural beauty in this play of opposites. During your week, you’ll receive daily yoga classes and workshops, healing foods, and sacred Mayan ceremonies. There is plenty of time built in to rest, receive spa services, explore, play, and adventure!
The opportunity to recharge in a natural setting such as this is a true gift from mother earth herself. Let the practice of yoga reflect the vision of your best self in this land of serene mountains and dancing waters.
Deborah Kern
Dr. Deb Kern is a health scientist, visionary teacher and guide who is dedicated to helping women live divinely embodied lives. From the rain forest of Costa Rica to the foothills of the Himalayas to the south of India to the jungles of Bali to the shores of Maui to the interior of Mexico, Deb has traveled far and wide to study and apprentice with master teachers, shamans, yogis, herbalists and healers. Her varied studies and experiences have helped her evolve practices and tools that help women embody the divine feminine and live pleasurable, purposeful, spirit-infused lives.
Dr. Deb’s years of practice as a nurse, health educator, personal trainer, yoga teacher, Nia teacher a yoga therapist combined with her life experiences have given her insights not found in books. She has observed, time and time again, that when we take actions in our own healing and become aware of the patterns that disconnect body and mind, miracles can occur in every area of our lives—and she adores inspiring others to experience these miracles.
She’s the the author of Everyday Wellness for Women and Create the Body Your Soul Desires, creatrix of a healing movement practice called PranaShakti™ Dance and the mom of an amazing young man.
Dr. Kern studied Nursing at Vanderbilt University and holds a B.A. and an M.B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Texas Woman’s University in Denton, Texas. In addition, she has completed teacher trainings in Nia, Integral Hatha Yoga, Pilates Mat Work, Zumba and Tantra Yoga. And holds certificates in Phoenix Rising Yoga, Therapy, Thai Massage, Reiki, Healing Touch and Mindful Change Coaching.