Surrender: A Reflection from Our El Salvador Retreat
Surrender — that was my word for the week while hosting our retreat in the beautiful landscapes of El Salvador. The experience felt like a divine gift from the universe, filled with profound lessons, deep connections, and moments of pure presence. It was a journey back to myself — a remembering of who I am.
Surrender, for me, also became a much larger contemplation during this retreat. I found myself reflecting on a teaching from the Bhagavad Gita — that we have a right to the work, but not to the fruits of our labor. As someone who tends to fall into the rhythm of a "workaholic," I often get entangled in expectations of what the results should be. This retreat was a powerful reminder to release attachment to outcomes. It beckoned me to practice presence, to trust the unfolding, and to immerse fully in the journey itself — because that’s where the real magic happens. It was an invitation to surrender control and to be fully alive in each step of the process.
Each morning began with leading a vinyasa practice as the sun slowly rose, casting its golden light over the ocean. The rhythmic sound of waves and surfers riding through the morning swell became the perfect backdrop to our breath and movement. We explored our way through the chakras each day, building inner connection through mindful awareness of our energy centers.
After practice, I would meet the ocean in a different way — on a surfboard. Every session was a lesson in humility, courage, and flow. Learning to duck dive and paddle beyond the break demanded presence and resilience, reminding me to let go of control and trust in the process.
Following breakfast, we would gather for yoga philosophy and deep discussions on the chakras. These conversations opened doors to inner work, supported by meditations that encouraged reflection and clarity. We then took this internal exploration into our bodies through daily workouts in the shala or gym, moving with intention and grounding the inner work in physical form.
The community rituals of cold plunges and sauna sessions became sacred spaces for release and renewal. We would gather for lunch, share laughter by the pool, and reconvene in the afternoons for yin, restorative, or meditative practices — softening into the art of being.As the sun set, we often found ourselves back in the ocean or savoring moments of levity and connection over dinner.
One of the most transformative experiences of the retreat was our group Temazcal ceremony. It was my first, as it was for most of our group. We were each cleansed with incense, sat with the intense heat, and dropped into deep layers of mind, heart, and body. It was challenging, heart-expanding, and deeply purifying. I truly felt reborn — and I believe we all did.
We emerged lighter, more aligned, and deeply surrendered.
Yoga, at its core, is far more than what meets the eye. It is a beckoning back into being. It is awareness, courageous presence, deep conversation, and authentic reflection. It is community, laughter, tears, and release. It is connection — to ourselves, to each other, and to life.
Enjoy this practice recorded during the retreat focusing on the Third Eye and Crown Chakras. This session is designed to help you build intuition and deepen your connection to higher consciousness.
The entire experience is one I will treasure for a long time! If you are feeling the nudge to dive deeper into your practice, build more intentional connections and healthier habits I highly recommend joining us for NYE Retreat: Dec 28, 20025 -January 4, 2026 in Tulum, Mexico!