Begin Within — Tulum, Mexico is a six-day immersive Ashtanga Yoga experience designed for beginner to intermediate practitioners who feel called to dive deeper into their practice and explore the roots of the traditional Ashtanga method.
Set in the heart of the Mayan jungle, this accessible retreat welcomes students who are curious, committed, and open to learning — not just the postures, but the breath, rhythm, and inner discipline that shape a sustainable practice. This experience is for those ready to reconnect with themselves, deepen their understanding, and experience yoga as a lived practice — far beyond the mat.
Held at the stunning Amaite Retreat Centre in Tulum, this Soul Destinations retreat invites you to step away from daily life and into a space of simplicity, nature, and intentional living. Surrounded by lush jungle, cenotes, and ancient wisdom, you’ll be supported through daily Ashtanga Yoga guided and Mysore practices, pranayama, workshops, and cultural experiences — all carefully curated to nourish both body and spirit.
This retreat is rooted in the Ashtanga tradition as taught at Énergie EnCorps: accessible, respectful, and community-driven. Whether you are newer to the practice or already established in your practice, you’ll be guided in a way that honors where you are — with space to grow, explore, and build confidence in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
Everything is taken care of: accommodations, meals, transportation, excursions, and ceremonies — so you can fully arrive, soften your edges, and focus on what matters most: your practice, your breath, and your inner journey.
Come alone or with a friend. Practice deeply. Rest fully. Reconnect — with yourself and with a like-minded community from around the world. This is more than a retreat. It’s an invitation to begin again. From the inside out.
Be fully immersed in the jungle while enjoying the comforts you love. Sleep in a clear geodesic dome surrounded by lush greenery, birdsong, and stars — without sacrificing beauty or design. Thoughtfully curated Mexican craftsmanship, luxurious bedding, and refined details create a space that feels both wild and deeply comforting. Each day is nourished with incredible home-cooked vegetarian meals prepared on-site by our chefs, made with care, freshness, and intention. Here, nature, beauty, and nourishment come together — inviting you to slow down, soften, and truly become one with your surroundings.
This retreat warmly welcomes beginners, as well as students who are newer to Ashtanga or curious about the Mysore method. The experience is designed to be accessible, supportive, and confidence-building, with plenty of guidance to help you feel at ease — no matter where you are starting from.
For those new to the Mysore method, there will be opportunities to learn and prepare — both online and in person — before we depart, so everyone can arrive feeling informed, supported, and ready to practice.
If you feel called to experience yoga in its most authentic, heart-opening form — to travel, learn, and reconnect — this retreat is for you.
✨ Plant the seeds. Begin Within.
Yogis from all over the world are warmly invited to join us.
An online preparation video demonstrating Sun Salutations and the Fundamental Postures of Ashtanga Yoga will be available for purchase for those who wish to practice from home. This video includes accessible versions of the practice and friendly cues to support your learning. More details to follow.
If you are interested, please fill out the form below. We will be hosting information sessions starting in March, giving you the opportunity to ask questions and explore whether this retreat is the right fit for you.
• Space to Return to Yourself
Stepping away from daily life allows the noise to settle. In the stillness of the Mayan jungle, you reconnect with your inner rhythm and remember what truly nourishes you.
• Seeds for a Lifelong Practice
Daily practice, guided with care, creates lasting foundations. This retreat isn’t about doing more — it’s about learning how to practice in a way that supports you for years to come.
• Yoga as a Living Tradition
Through breath, rhythm, and mindful repetition, yoga becomes more than movement — it becomes something you live, not just something you do.
• Nature, Nourishment, and Presence
Practicing in lush jungle surroundings, enjoying wholesome meals, and stepping away from screens allows the body to soften, the mind to quiet, and presence to naturally return.
• Community That Grounds and Renews
Shared practice creates genuine connection. You’re held in a supportive, human community — returning home steadied, inspired, and deeply rooted in your practice.
This is more than just a retreat. This is an experience of learning and growing and developing a practice for your lifetime.
This journey is an invitation to slow down, show up consistently, and experience what it feels like to be supported in your practice — physically, mentally, and energetically. Over six days, you’ll step into a rhythm that allows learning to unfold naturally, without pressure or performance.
Through guided classes and practical workshops, we’ll establish a clear and sustainable foundation. By day three, students are gently introduced to the Mysore method — a traditional approach to Ashtanga Yoga where each student practices at their own pace, following a structured sequence, while receiving individualized guidance and support from the teacher. This creates a deeply personal yet communal learning environment.
Senior and newer practitioners move and grow alongside one another, reflecting the essence of a true yoga community — shared learning, encouragement, and collective growth.
Imagine waking to the sound of tropical birds, stepping onto your mat as sunlight filters through the trees, and ending your day beside a crystal-clear cenote. Between yoga sessions, you’ll have time to rest, explore, and reconnect — through nature, meaningful connection, and quiet reflection.
Your experience includes:
✅ Accommodations at Amaite Retreat Centre
✅ Daily yoga classes and workshops
✅ Nourishing on-site meals.
✅ Two excursions (Tulum Beach Club and Gran Cenote)
✅ Two cultural ceremonies (i.e. Temazcal, Sound Healing, Mayan Clay)
✅ Two dinners offsite at local restaurants
✅ Transportation to and from airport and all excursions
✅ Coordination and planning of all logistics
Not included:
❌ Flights to Cancun International Airport
❌ Tips
❌ Meals or snacks during excursions
❌ Two offsite dinners
❌ Any additional transportation required for personal outings or independent travel
❌ Any additional services, treatments, or experiences booked independently at Amaite Retreat Centre that are not part of the retreat package
Rozel Gonzales is the founder and owner of Énergie EnCorps, a community-rooted yoga and wellness centre in Montreal, Canada, which she has been leading since 2014. With over 25 years of dedicated practice and teaching, her work is deeply rooted in the Ashtanga Yoga tradition.
She is deeply grateful for her close, ongoing mentorships with Kino MacGregor and Tim Feldmann, whom she regularly assists at the renowned Miami Life Center.
Rozel is the lead instructor of Énergie EnCorps’ Yoga Teacher Training programs, having trained hundreds of teachers within her community. A bilingual teacher (English and French), she is known for offering accessible, inclusive yoga for all ages, abilities, and bodies, and for regularly hosting international-level teachers to support continuous learning and growth.
Warm, precise, and grounded, Rozel creates spaces where students feel supported in building a sustainable, meaningful practice — on and off the mat.
Several yoga teachers — senior students of Rozel — will be assisting during the retreat. In the spirit of paramparā, and of passing down the tradition, they will share their experience, presence, and energy with all participants. This supportive structure ensures that beginners receive the quality attention and guidance they need, while all students benefit from personalized support within the Ashtanga tradition.
Shared geodesic domes and a shared villa are thoughtfully placed throughout the jungle to preserve privacy, quiet, and harmony with nature. Each space features air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, handcrafted furnishings, and carefully considered details designed to support comfort and rest. 👉 Click here to view full accommodation details on the Amaite Retreat Centre website.
Capacity: The Amaite Retreat Centre has 13 domes available. Spaces are limited, therefore book now to reserve your spots.
The ideal capacity for this retreat is approximately 16-20 participants. This intimate group size allows for hands-on teaching, personalized instruction, and individual attention, creating a supportive environment for deeper learning and connection.
Retreat pricing varies based on the selected accommodation package. Prices for the different options are listed above. Additional costs may apply for special considerations, including specific dietary requirements or special accommodation requests. Canadian sales taxes (GST/QST) do not apply, as this retreat is held outside of Canada.
Final retreat pricing will be confirmed in writing prior to processing your deposit, to account for any requested additions or special considerations.
Payment Schedule
By registering, you agree to complete full payment according to the schedule outlined above, regardless of attendance.
All payments made toward the retreat are non-refundable, including the $1,500 deposit.
If you are unable to attend, you may request to transfer your registration to another participant. If a replacement participant is found, approved by the organizers, registered, and has paid in full, a refund of payments made excluding the non-refundable deposit may be issued, at the organizers’ discretion.
If no replacement participant is found, no refunds will be issued, including for cancellations, no-shows, or early departures.
In the event that the retreat must be cancelled by the organizers due to unforeseen circumstances beyond our control, participants will be notified as soon as possible and available options will be communicated accordingly.
By registering for this retreat, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these cancellation terms.
This retreat is offered as a wellness experience and does not constitute a travel package under Quebec law.
International and domestic flights are not included and must be arranged independently by each participant.
Airport transfers to and from the retreat centre are organized and provided directly by the retreat centre, not by Energie EnCorps. Energie EnCorps does not act as a travel agency and does not provide travel services such as airfare booking, travel documentation, visas, or travel insurance.
Participants are responsible for ensuring they hold valid travel documents and appropriate insurance coverage for the duration of the retreat.
Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend purchasing trip cancellation and travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of illness, injury, travel disruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
This retreat is open to beginner to intermediate practitioners, as well as experienced students looking to deepen their practice in a supportive, non-competitive environment. You do not need to be “advanced” to participate — curiosity, openness, and consistency matter far more than flexibility.
The retreat takes place at Amaite Retreat, a peaceful jungle eco-resort designed specifically for retreat experiences, located just outside Tulum, Mexico. The retreat center is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours from Cancún International Airport,
For more information: https://amaiteretreat.com/en/home/
This retreat is open to beginner and intermediate practitioners of Ashtanga Yoga. Together, we’ll explore the foundational building blocks needed to develop a sustainable Mysore-style practice. No previous Mysore experience is required — just an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Participants should feel comfortable moving through a vinyasa-style practice, including transitioning between standing and seated postures and practicing Sun Salutations.
Yes of course. Many people go alone. It is a wonderful way to meet people and to connect with like-minded people.
If you select a shared room, you can share with a friend, otherwise, you will be paired up with another participant.
Women are paired with women. Men are paired with men.
The retreat centre has an on-site chef, with all meals freshly prepared and home-cooked each day. Guests will enjoy locally sourced vegetarian cuisine, thoughtfully prepared to nourish and support practice. Special dietary considerations can be accommodated for allergies or intolerances with advance notice.
A daily brunch will be served following the early morning practice, around 10:30 a.m., and dinner will be offered each evening at 6:00 p.m.
During off-site excursions, snacks and meals are not included.
Yes. Our teachers are trained to offer thoughtful modifications and individual guidance. You are always encouraged to honor your body and rest when needed. This is a supportive, respectful environment — not a push-through-pain culture.
The style of yoga is Ashtanga-inspired, taught in an accessible and supportive way that welcomes all ages, abilities, and bodies.
This retreat explores yoga as a complete practice — not only through movement, but also through philosophy, breathwork, and meditation — offering space to deepen both understanding and self-connection.
Yes, travel insurance is strongly recommended. This ensures coverage for unexpected travel changes, health needs, or trip interruptions.
Please fill out this form if you would like to book our 2026 Begin Within Retreat . If you have any questions prior to booking. We will answer you within a 24-hour window.