...waking upon the fertile, lush grounds of a spiritually enriched land that continues to be a sanctuary for humans and animals alike. Your ears quickly perk up to the songs of the native birds, as they create an orchestrated symphony throughout the forest landscape. Upon your first few steps outside of your cozy abode, you cross paths with brilliantly beautiful butterflies that immediately remind you that have arrived in your manifestation.
Your nose perks at the sweet scent of last night's rain upon the earth and the familiar aroma of copal resin wafting, leading you down the serene sun-dappled path toward the morning circle with some new soul friends awaiting your arrival. There is no coincidence you are all here together, choosing to put yourselves first.
You cradle a cup of warm herbal tea with both hands, freshly infused from the organic herb garden from which your body will be nourished. You breathe in the aromas while taking in the anticipation of the soul-fulfilling day ahead. This is the Pura Vida, the pure life. A moment to pause, be present, be in the trusting flow, and surrender to living a dream in which you are held by spirit. This is the healing chapter in your story, that details the moments you said "Yes" to your personal liberation and transformation.
Imagine...
O' the vision that is Costa Rica...
Let me tell you more
Imagine being guided through sacred practices that re-connect you to the wisdom of the elements: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. Each element encourages a shift in consciousness to understand where there are imbalances that keep you from awakening to the divinity in and around you. This healing journey invites you to drop into your own experience of receiving, integrating, and letting go.
You will connect deeply with the land and its native plants that behold wisdom and healing. You will learn how to journey and work with these plant allies to create your own medicine that supports your process. From teas and tinctures, to body care- you will come home having a profound understanding on ways to heal yourself and your loved ones.
Through sacred ceremonies and spiritual rituals, you will have the opportunity to connect to the hidden parts of the self that need attention. These experiences will encourage deep processing to awaken your understanding and truth, allowing you to greatly transform.
This human experience is complex and complicated with many ebbs and flows. With an enriched understanding of how each element plays a major role in our ability to thrive on a physical and spiritual level, we get in touch with the ways to match our nature with nature.
You'll have time to explore the lush land and culture of Costa Rica, while renewing your purpose, enriching your energy, restoring your health, connecting you to your heart's desire, and the spiritual world.
By the end of this retreat, you will go home with a renewed sense of self that understands the power of each element that resides within your being. You will come home with new tools and rituals to work with life's rising tides with a grounded sense of being in the world. You will come home with herbal creations that you imbued with your personal magic.
You will not return as the same person, instead a new version of yourself that is empowered by the notion that you can continue to heal yourself and those around you by continuing to be in your new embodied practice.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Photo By Nalayah healing
This Sounds Amazing, I'm In!
Be held in Sacred space
Through ceremony and ritual, your ability to heal and transform is magnified. Mind, body, soul, heart and spirit restoration
Plant Spirit Connection
Join forces with the spirit of the plants for greater intuitive knowing and herbal support. Learn to make herbal medicine to bring home
PROFOUND INTERRELATEDNESS
Your interdependence with the elements of life and nature will deepen your connection to self, spirit and the earth
Organic Farm to Table Nourishment
Delicious organic farm to table meals prepared by a local private chef
Nature immersion
the "Glamping" style option for your accommodations allows you to soak up natures miracles. sleeping under the stars & waking up to the beauty of
Costa Rica.
"The Elemental Healing Retreat experience was phenomenal.The team did an amazing job and the retreat was so well organized it blew my mind. La Senda was one of the most beautiful and magical places I have ever stayed. One of my favorite parts was that the staff let us into their souls and soon we became family. The grounds are rich with intoxicating energy and you can tell immediately that you have arrived at a place on the planet that is beyond anything material. Although esthetically the glamping tents were beautiful, La Senda embraced you in a way that only nature can embrace you. The lush herb gardens and daily long wilderness walks allowed you to sink deeply into your thoughts and create a sense of freedom that I hadn't felt in years. The Farm To Table meals were one of my favorite parts of the retreat. Never have I ever felt so connected to the food that was placed before me. I am growing each day into the powerful goddess I am meant to be. I feel stronger than ever in myself and my choices and I wasn't like that before July 1st."
-Greta K.
"It was absolutely fucking phenomenal. Exceeded my wildest dreams :)I loved how close we all were and walking through nature everyday was so grounding. My intention (and all my astrological guidance) was to connect spiritually on a quantum level and I did waaaaay more than that! I feel like a completely different being. I don't think I've connected with the universe and spiritual realm like I did at the retreat. You gave me the best gift and am forever grateful for you all."
-Alisha E.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
"Truly mind-blowing. One of the best experiences of my entire life.Truly incredible -- the herb garden, the plants, the animals (yes, even the bugs), the trees, the labyrinth, the sweat lodge, the food, the people, the connection to the land. All was perfection. To be nourished by food grown so near and created with so much love was such a blessing. I don't have words to adequately describe how much this experience meant to me, so I'll describe the image my body is sending me: the most gorgeous blooming flower you have ever seen, amongst a jungle filled with every color of the most vibrant, beautiful flowers that ever existed. I'm eternally grateful to all of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
-Anni K.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Life changing! I fell in love with myself. Death and rebirth occurred. Releasing everything that was lingering and latched on to me. I’m finally free to be just me! I left my old self and experienced rebirth. I’m floating in the clouds. I’m so in love with my transformation. I loved the off grid minimalist tent stay. No cell service beyond the main house. I felt aware of myself, I connected to with myself fully.
-Cecily W.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
" Overall, it was more than I would have ever expected, asked for, dreamed of.. The medicine making that we practiced everyday was absolutely educational and I am sure we could spend years on learning how to be in practice of making even one of those forms that we dove into every day. The other women in the space saw me so deeply that I didn't even need many words to feel heard or seen. It was a truly life changing experience that I would not have traded for anything else in the universe at any other time. It was full of love, adventure, curiosity, bravery, ancestral connection, spiritual guidance and elemental healing. Truly."
- Aimee H.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
The Venue
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Guanacaste, Costa Rica-bordering the gorgeous pacific coast, home to a vast array of flora and fauna and the most incredible sunsets. A place where beauty is in the ever present moment. Welcome to our home for the week.
We will be spending 7 glorious nights at the expansively beautiful property of La Senda. This is a space where personal transformation, spiritual wisdom, & sustainability are empowered and celebrated.
La Senda is situated on a gorgeous, prime location surrounded by lush hills- only 20 minutes from beautiful beaches in a valley surrounded by green hills, the 74-acre property provides an environment of seclusion and natural beauty. Sheltered by nature and it's tropical dry forest, this is a place for complete relaxation, deep healing and immersion with Mother Earth.
Choose Your Experience
A true way to experience the untamed and completely unique parts of this incredible land is the "glamping" style accommodation at La Senda, which provides modern luxury and nature immersion without having to sacrifice comforts.
Wake up to the sounds of Costa Rica coming alive, star-gaze at nightfall and experience living amongst nature. Immerse yourself in your surroundings and step directly from your door into your new adventure.
$3,699 USD - Double occupancy
Shared Leaf-shaped Glamping Tent at La Senda with one other person with attached bathroom & shower
Includes: 2 spacious double sized beds, private attached bathroom and shower, a fan, seating area, private back patio, lighting, plug-in units
$3,999 USD - Single occupancy
Private space in a Leaf-shaped Glamping Tent at La Senda.
Includes: Extra Large King Size Bed, private attached bathroom and shower, a fan, seating area, private back patio, lighting, plug-in units
$3,399 USD- Drop in Experience
Attend just the retreat and book your own accommodations. Must arrange transfer to c campus daily.
Scroll below for more information on what's included.
If Glamping is not your thing, you are welcomed to book your own accommodations. Please note that shuttles to and from La Senda will not be provided. Taxis or a rental car are all viable options.
Available in Singles & Doubles
While staying at La Senda, you will enjoy nature paths, the world's biggest labyrinth, stunning views and delicious La Senda Farm to table meals. Labyrinth's, which are known as sacred gateways, have only one path, which symbolizes our journey in life, taking us inward, and guiding us to discover who we are.
This is where our experience begins.
This retreat center is located on many energy vortex' which is why it's the home of the largest labyrinths in the world.
3.5 hours east sits Costa Rica’s best known volcano, Arenal. Within an hour of La Senda in all directions, you have access to airports, cafes, beaches, waterfalls, biodiversity and joyous people ready to show you their love of Pura Vida.
La Senda is a 60-minute drive from Daniel Oduber International Airport in Liberia (LIR) and a four-hour drive from San Jose International Airport (SJO).
You can arrive easily by local transportation, including Uber from the airport. Renting a car is not necessary but is encouraged if you'd like to explore the local area/beaches in downtime, pre or post retreat.
Glamping At La Senda
Where in Costa Rica is this Retreat?
What's Included
What's NOT Included
Accommodations- "Glamping" style accommodations allow you to soak up natures miracles and wake up to the beauty of Costa Rica.
Sacred Space- All ceremonies, rituals, and on-campus spiritual experiences.
All experiences on the property including nature trails, labyrinth walks, tours, classes and more...
All Meals on Campus- Gourmet organic farm to table meals, teas, coffee, fruit, snacks, elixirs throughout your stay.
Mindful Movement- Daily movement that will represent each element led by Melanie
Herbal Classes- Each elemental day includes a form of herbal education and/or medicine making for you to bring back home. You will gain knowledge of the plants/herbs that are here to help you heal & thrive.
Transfer to experiences- Private transportation to off-campus excursions.
Mini Private Photoshoot- Provided by the incredible Willa Kveta of Nalayah Healing. You will be captured in your true essence at this time in your healing. Memories that you will cherish for a lifetime
Temezcal Ceremony-A temezcal ceremony is a traditional Mexican sweat lodge ceremony led by a shaman. A truly deep spiritual experience.
Elemental Healing- Each day we journey into a new element and experience curated to reflect the power of said element. Led by Ashe.
Explore- A beach day at Tamarindo Beach. Free time during the day to do as you please. Sacred water ceremony and ritual to conclude the day.
Manifestation Mastermind- Speak your dreams into existence during this powerful gathering with your group. Led by Ashe & Christin.
Daily Plant Meditations-A daily tea meditation led by Ashe will be held each morning. Each tea and meditation is specifically tailored to support the days elemental practice.
Guest gift- Each attendee will receive a curated gift bag from Pura Luna Apothecary
Workbook Journal- A retreat workbook will be provided to support our journey together. Full of journal questions, activities, and more…
Flights-round trip flights to and from LIR or SJO airport will not be included in the package
Pre/post retreat stays, arrival early, or a later departure. accommodations are not included yet highly encouraged to drop into the magic of costa rica
All meals are included with the exception of one lunch
1 on 1 sessions- private one on one with Ashe, Christin, Willa, or Mel sessions scheduled during leisure time are not included.
Deep tissue and relaxation massages will be offered upon request but not included in the total price.
Additional adventures outside of the itinerary aren't included. however, any activities can be arranged for you.
-ACCOMMODATIONS*- "GLAMPING" STYLE ACCOMMODATIONS ALLOW YOU TO SOAK UP NATURE'S MIRACLES AND WAKE UP TO THE BEAUTY OF COSTA RICA *unless you are Booking your own Accommodations
-SACRED SPACE- ALL CEREMONIES, RITUALS, AND ON-CAMPUS SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES.
-ALL EXPERIENCES ON THE PROPERTY INCLUDING NATURE TRAILS, LABYRINTH WALKS, TOURS, CLASSES AND MORE.
-ALL MEALS ON CAMPUS- GOURMET ORGANIC FARM TO TABLE MEALS, TEAS, COFFEE, FRUIT, SNACKS, ELIXIRS THROUGHOUT YOUR STAY.
-MINDFUL MOVEMENT- DAILY MOVEMENT THAT WILL REPRESENT EACH ELEMENT Led by Melanie
-HERBAL CLASSES- EACH ELEMENTAL DAY INCLUDES A FORM OF HERBAL EDUCATION AND/OR MEDICINE MAKING FOR YOU TO BRING BACK HOME. YOU WILL GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF THE PLANTS/HERBS THAT ARE HERE TO HELP YOU HEAL & THRIVE.
-TRANSFER TO EXPERIENCES- PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION TO OFF-CAMPUS EXCURSIONS. DAILY SHUTTLES FOR FOLKS STAYING AT CALA LUNA TO OUR RETREAT CAMPUS
-MINI PRIVATE PHOTOSHOOT- PROVIDED BY THE INCREDIBLE WILLA KVETA OF NALAYAH HEALING. YOU WILL BE CAPTURED IN YOUR TRUE ESSENCE AT THIS TIME IN YOUR HEALING. MEMORIES THAT YOU WILL CHERISH FOR A LIFETIME
-TEMEZCAL CEREMONY-A TEMEZCAL CEREMONY IS A TRADITIONAL MEXICAN SWEAT LODGE CEREMONY LED BY A SHAMAN. A TRULY DEEP SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
-ELEMENTAL HEALING- EACH DAY WE JOURNEY INTO A NEW ELEMENT AND EXPERIENCE CURATED TO REFLECT THE POWER OF SAID ELEMENT. LED BY ASHE.
-EXPLORE- A BEACH DAY AT TAMARINDO BEACH. FREE TIME DURING THE DAY TO DO AS YOU PLEASE. SACRED WATER CEREMONY AND RITUAL TO CONCLUDE THE DAY.
-MANIFESTATION MASTERMIND- SPEAK YOUR DREAMS INTO EXISTENCE DURING THIS POWERFUL GATHERING WITH YOUR GROUP. LED BY ASHe & CHristin
-DAILY PLANT MEDITATIONS-A DAILY TEA MEDITATION LED BY ASHE WILL BE HELD EACH MORNING. EACH TEA AND MEDITATION IS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED TO SUPPORT THE DAYS ELEMENTAL PRACTICE.
-GUEST GIFT- EACH ATTENDEE WILL RECEIVE A CURATED GIFT BAG FROM PURA LUNA APOTHECARY
-WORKBOOK JOURNAL- A RETREAT WORKBOOK WILL BE PROVIDED TO SUPPORT OUR JOURNEY TOGETHER. FULL OF JOURNAL QUESTIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND MORE.
What's Included
FLIGHTS-ROUND TRIP FLIGHTS TO AND FROM LIR OR SJO AIRPORT WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGE
PRE/POST RETREAT STAYS- ARRIVAL EARLY OR LATER DEPARTURE ACCOMMODATIONS ARE NOT INCLUDED YET HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO DROP INTO THE MAGIC OF COSTA RICA
1 ON 1 SESSIONS PRIVATE ONE ON ONE WITH ASHE OR WILLA SESSIONS SCHEDULED DURING LEISURE TIME ARE NOT INCLUDED.
DEEP TISSUE AND RELAXATION MASSAGES- WILL BE OFFERED UPON REQUEST BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE TOTAL PRICE.
ADDITIONAL ADVENTURES OUTSIDE OF THE ITINERARY AREN'T INCLUDED. HOWEVER, ANY ACTIVITIES CAN BE ARRANGED FOR YOU.
ALL MEALS ARE INCLUDED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF two LUNCHes OFF CAMPUS
Welcome to beautiful Costa Rica and your anticipated retreat! Today you will get settled into your new home for the week, drop into the lush landscape around you and meet new soul family.
We will gather for our Welcome Ceremony to get acquainted, set intentions, and get excited for the week ahead.
Following our gathering, we will indulge in a delightful farm to table meal expertly prepared to nourish and enliven us from a day of travel.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Day 1- Arrival
Next DAy
For our first official day together we call in the element of Fire. The element that calls in strong energy associated with the divine masculine that we all possess within.
Fire is the bringer of warmth and light. It carries the power to fuel our visions and transmute them into physical manifestations. Fire is the ultimate transformation tool — nothing comes back the same once it’s faced fire.
Today we will call forth the things that ignite our passions while releasing what we want to leave behind and let go of for our healing journey ahead.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
DAY 2
Fire Element
Next day
The unseen force of nature that serves as a spiritual symbol for intellect, communication, and knowledge. It’s air that carries the wise whispers of the winds through trees and to our ears. It’s air that spreads sacred smoke through the spaces, clearing and cleansing the energy around us.
Now that we've called in the energy of fire to clear the way and be able to feel and see more clearly, may we bring in this element of air to call in new visions and expressions. Today we call in air to support our throat and third eye chakra. May we speak in clear communication knowing that each breath, word, and sentence is a spell that will be carried through the wind.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Day Three
Air Day
Next Day
The beautiful planet created through love, hope, and divinity. She reminds us of our fertile power to birth our visions into existence. All it takes is an intentional observation of her seasonal cycles to help us find solace in the inevitable deaths and rebirths that occur throughout our lifetime.
Being spiritually connected to the earth grounds us in gratitude. We understand that none of her beauty and magic is owed to us. We remember to treat her well so she will continue to provide for us. We tread respectfully on sacred lands that we are temporary stewards of. We learn to see healing potential in plants and can access their wisdom through spirit medicine.
Today, we go forth with intentional gratitude for the element that keeps us rooted to all that is.
Day Four
Earth Day
Next day
Water is the river that runs through life and connects all beings together. She is one of the world’s greatest healers and wisest teachers. Water supports physical life in the external world and emotional regulation in our inner world.
Today we are deeply calling in the purification and cleansing power of water in our quest for healing wisdom. We are checking in with our emotional flow and allowing what needs to come to the surface to be released through our personal waters.
From this place, renewal awaits.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Day five
WAter Day
next day
What messages become louder when you become more silent?
Welcome to Day 5 of our time together. We hope this day of silence finds you familiar with the lay of the land, understanding of the flow of the days, and eager to design your own day of healing. We encourage you to tap into your intuition and flow where the day (and the Ether/Spirit) takes you.
If your intuition calls you to take more rest, rest. If your heart feels called to take your morning plant meditation into the elements, do that. If a certain plant ally has been tugging at your heart all week, venture to the herb garden and connect deeper. Allow yourself to see time and structure as illusions...
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Day six
Ether Day
next day
To integrate is to unite several seemingly unrelated parts together and create wholeness. As we integrate the teachings of each element together, it's imperative to switch from the narrative of strict "balance" to that of loving "harmony."
All it takes is one humble gaze into nature to witness the abundance that can flow when all elements work together. This is our practice as we carry the teachings of elemental healing forward; to recognize when one is out balance and call in support from the others to return to harmony within ourselves. This is the practice of integration.
Photo By Nalayah Healing
Day seven
Integration Day
next day
Farm To Table Food
Our food is a direct harmonious correlation between each element. In order for the seeds to grow there is a delicate dance between the soil, the sun, the water, and the breeze. The spirit is in the details of how our meals will be prepared. In alignment with this, La Senda strives to honor this reverence in its farm to table dining. You will literally dine next to the perfect rows of delicious organic foods growing from the abundant earth. Each delectable bite will command your attention to the here and now, as you take in all that it took to create the masterpiece on your plate.
Most of the fruits and vegetables we will eat are organically grown in gardens on the property. What they cannot grow they always seek from reliable local suppliers. Thanks to this, most of the ingredients required for our menu for the week are grown locally here in Guanacaste .
We want you to experience and benefit directly from the energy of life , provided by the ingredients used to prepare our meals. True appreciation and respect are given to every ingredient you will ingest, whether it be an animal, a vegetable, a wild herb or a leaf.
In addition to purified water and our herbal tea offerings, wine may be provided at an additional cost. Their wine menu consists of only organic and biodynamic wines, which is an opportunity for an exciting exchange of pairings and findings.
We are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions.
ABOUT Us
I'm an herbalist, spiritual guide, entrepreneur, and powerful visionary that practices the Wise Woman Tradition of Healing. I own/operate Pura Luna Apothecary & Pura Luna Botanicals LLC in Santa Barbara, CA.
My passion is to create healing spaces and experiences for humans to heal, especially BIPOC folx.
As a cancer survivor and womb-less warrior, my fortitude to continuously heal from life's obstacles has made me compassionate to the challenges that many experience in their lifetime. Because of these health challenges and triumphs, I pull from my personal experience to help guide humans into their own ability to heal themselves. My intention is to help humans rise above and love themselves through their adversities to step fully into their practice. I have also made it one of my missions to help be a mirror and/or a bridge for herbalism and western medicine to work together to achieve wellness harmony.
As an avid traveler, I believe in the power of sacred experiences in other countries that have helped me personally transform and heal. I have studied the medicinal herbs of Costa Rica for over 9 years. I am passionate about space holding, creating holistic experiences, and sharing my herbal wisdom for others to heal and thrive.
Lead Facilitator, Herbalist and Spiritual Guide
Photo By Nalayah Healing
About Ashe
I grew up in a family where cooking is love, so I aspired to be the first professional chef in my family. After graduating from my alma mater Le Cordon Blue Culinary Institute, I began pursuing my lifelong passion of being a chef in restaurants as well as for private clients.
Along my path, my partner Ashe and I created an on-location beauty service but one-half of the business still needed a professional. This calling was the hair and more specifically curly hair. Knowing that I could fill this demand, I made a vast pivot from the culinary industry to the world of beauty and have created a name for myself within the hair industry and am now a world renowned curly hair specialist.
I now travel the world for my craft of working with natural textures, teaching on platforms nationwide, and holding sacred space for my clientele at my salon
Full Spiral in Santa Barbara.
On this retreat, for the first time, I will be merging two worlds in one passionate week. Holding space by co-facilitating with my wife, providing both hair ceremonies for participants wanting a one-on-one session where you’ll be able to experience my artistry while releasing through a personalized haircut. I will also be holding optional classes on how to care for your hair.
In addition, I will also be curating some of the dining experiences that you will be tasting throughout the week that involve my first love of the culinary arts.
Co-Facilitator, Artist, & Space Holder
About Christin
I'm an intuitive healer, a photographer, a mother, and an alchemist, who transmutes everyday moments into magic.
As a sacred guide, I help women tap into their inner wisdom, and through photography, capture the healing and empowerment that emerges from this place of knowing. Naturally drawn to mother earth magic since childhood, my work is held in nature and in resonance with the elements and spirit realms supporting us. I believe we are all our own healers and through my own healing and empowerment journey, I have become a conduit for others.
It is such an honor to be doing this work in Costa Rica, my home away from home for over 20 years and future place of residence when my daughters, (who are currently 15), fly the nest. During our retreat, I will be photographing all of the magic as it unfolds throughout the week, as well as holding space for individuals through private offerings.
Retreat Photographer and Space Holder
About Willa
Melanie has been leading and assisting women through deep soul transformational
work for over a decade. She passionately started her business Essence'tially You 11 years ago with a fire in her belly to guide and assist women home to their own liberation, expression, and true nature. To embody who they truly are at their core and
liberate themselves from old stories, boxes, and labels that don’t fit their full expansive nature, and create a whole new orientation for life that feels true and supports their essential nature.
Melanie tunes into clients' needs to personalize offerings for their transformational journey. She pulls from a wide range of healing modalities to ensure each woman gets what she needs and is supported on her journey home to herself. This unique and out of the box way of transformation is especially centered in somatic body intelligence coaching, ritual, feminine embodiment practices, yoga, meditation, visualization, breathing techniques, and so much more.
Her background and training consists of thousands of hours of study over the past 13 years including a 200 hour and advanced 300 hour yoga trainings, Somatic Body Intelligence Coaching with the Hendricks Institute, 10 + years of mentorship with Joanna Lindenbaum of Applied Depths Institute and Sacred Depths Coaching, hours of apprenticeship for yoga, and hours of study and workshops along the way. Over the
time since she first started her business she's assisted hundreds of women through a
multitude of offerings including signature private programs, 9 years of leading women’s
circle group programs, many overnight women’s retreats over 9 years, day retreats and
events, and so much more.
As women she feels we are being called to wake up, rise up, and break free from the ways we have hidden who we really are, and she’s so excited to be a part of Elemental Healing, and to meet you.
Yoga/ Mindful Movement Teacher, Embodiment Coach, and Space Holder