Dreams Manifest in the Jungles of Tulum, Mexico
Manifesting the Dream
It finally happened. After years of contemplation, I led my first Soul Destinations Retreat in the jungles of Tulum, Mexico. And now, as I look out at the snow, I find myself smiling and still glowing — thinking, thank goodness we went!
This first mini retreat was a small, intimate journey with students from my Sadhana Continuing Education Program — some of my closest students, yoga teachers themselves, committed to ongoing learning, practice, and personal development.
Each morning, we awoke to the songs of tropical birds and practiced Mysore-style Ashtanga Yoga and pranayama in a shala nestled deep within the lush jungle. Our days unfolded with inspiring workshops, nourishing home-cooked meals by the cenote, explorations into the vibrant town, and afternoons basking in the sun at the beach. We opened our hearts to Mayan traditions, experiencing sacred rituals like a Mayan Clay Ceremony and a cleansing Temazcal — truly immersive cultural experiences.
It was everything I had envisioned and more — a week of deep practice, laughter, connection, and transformation.
But to understand how meaningful this experience truly was, you need to know where this dream began.
The Vision Behind Soul Destinations
For years, I’ve been telling myself I wanted to do it — Soul Destinations Retreats. Yoga retreats for the soul: a place of connection, where people from all over the world could come together with open hearts and find refuge among like-minded souls who share a passion for yoga.
An experience where the teachings of yoga go beyond the postures — where philosophy and tradition are shared. For over 20 years, I have been a practitioner and teacher of the Ashtanga Yoga tradition, a practice that grounds me and has honestly made me a better person. This is the style of yoga we teach at Energie EnCorps, and it’s the practice I strive to share in an accessible way — to inspire growth and positive change.
I envisioned a safe and effortless way to travel — where you could come with a friend or alone and still feel completely at ease. Everything would be taken care of: your accommodations, meals, transport, and logistics. No need to worry about speaking the language or navigating a new country.
All you have to do is show up, practice yoga, and allow yourself to reset and relax.
A Decade of Retreats Close to Home
Organizing and facilitating yoga retreats is nothing new for me. For the past twelve years, I’ve been hosting two annual retreats at the beautiful Centre de Vie, about an hour from Montreal — each one unique and full of heart.
March – The Farewell Winter Retreat: Celebrating the end of winter with yoga, snowshoeing, art, chanting, sauna, and yes… rolling in the snow! A true polar bear–loving experience.
September – Autumn Yoga Teacher Training Retreat: Yoga surrounded by golden sun and auburn leaves, the sweet smell of autumn in the air, and nourishing meals made with eggs and wheatgrass from the farm next door.
Over the years, I’ve learned how to create meaningful, safe, and welcoming retreats — spaces where participants can relax, share openly, and grow together. The next step was clear: it was time to bring everyone to a sunshine destination.
Seems like a natural progression, right? So why did it take me so long?
Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone
Why did it take me so long? Well, a couple of things… the pandemic, for one. It set Energie EnCorps back a good three years. During that time, it was all about survival. The years that followed were about rebuilding — being patient, reconnecting, and helping our community feel safe to return and let go of fear. It was rough… but we made it.
Even though I’ve hosted retreats before, there were so many new factors to consider: finding a venue with reliable owners who communicate clearly, securing trustworthy collaborators for transportation and excursions, and navigating the language barrier. And for me personally — I needed to see it all with my own eyes before bringing anyone else along.
Then there was the budgeting. Finding a place that fit both the experience I envisioned and the right price range for my students, while still ensuring sustainability. That’s the business side of me talking. People often think yoga and wellness are all about chakras and good vibes — but truthfully, I’m also a businesswoman. If I want to maintain a space where my community can gather, practice, and grow — a health and wellness centre and shala (school) that endures — I have to make decisions that make sense financially too.
I have deep respect for teachers and entrepreneurs in this industry who are also smart businesspeople. Without proper planning, even the most heartfelt projects can’t survive. So I sat with this dream for a couple of years, wondering if I had the time and energy to take it on.
Eventually, I realized what I needed: an exploration trip. A test run. And then it hit me — maybe my Sadhana students would be open to joining me. What harm could there be in asking? After all, if you don’t ask… you’ll never receive.
The Test Run in Tulum
When I first shared the idea with my Sadhana students, to my delight, they said yes without hesitation. It turned out I didn’t have to convince them at all! After all, a week of yoga and meditation beneath the sun, surrounded by the sea, amazing food, and the magic of the Mayan jungle — who could resist?
Together, we spent a week living in the jungle — sleeping in clear geodesic domes under the stars, waking up to sounds of the jungle, and practicing each morning in a beautiful open-air shala surrounded by nature.
The Amaite Retreat Centre was everything I hoped for and more. With luxurious eco-accommodations, boho-inspired decor, and the most welcoming staff, it offered the perfect balance of nature, comfort, and beauty. Meals were fresh and nourishing, our excursions were seamless, and the energy was pure magic.
My mission was to experience everything firsthand — the logistics, the partnerships, the flow — to ensure that future retreats would be as smooth and soulful as possible. Mission accomplished.
I left Tulum feeling deeply inspired, confident, and ready for what’s next.
A heartfelt thank you to my Sadhana students — Sylvie Ouellette, Val Maurer, Isabelle Girard, and Nancy Houlahan — for helping bring this dream to life. Your trust, energy, and support meant the world to me.
Manifest Your Desires
I’ve always believed in manifestation — that when you can truly see something, you can make it happen. I see a gathering of yoga practitioners from around the world, coming together out of curiosity and love for the Ashtanga tradition. A community of seekers, drawn by a quiet yearning for something deeper.
I will be in Tulum, Mexico, from November 6–11, 2026 — holding space for this vision to come to life. I hope you’ll be there with me — practicing, growing, and creating memories we’ll carry for a lifetime.
The Journey Continues: Begin Within — Tulum, Mexico 2026
If reading this makes your heart stir — if you’ve ever longed to deepen your yoga practice, reconnect with yourself, and truly understand the wisdom behind the tradition — then I invite you to join us for Begin Within: A Soul Destination Retreat in Tulum, Mexico – November 6-11, 2026.
This is more than just a retreat.
It’s a six-day immersive journey designed for beginner to intermediate Ashtanga practitioners who wish to experience the Mysore method in a nurturing, community-driven environment — surrounded by the beauty and healing energy of the Mayan jungle.
We’ll begin with guided classes and workshops to build a solid foundation, and by day three, students will confidently explore their own Mysore-style practice — a space where senior and newer practitioners support one another, reflecting the true spirit of Energie EnCorps: sharing, encouragement, and collective growth.
Imagine waking to the sound of tropical birds, stepping onto your mat as sunlight filters through the trees, and ending each day beside a crystal-clear cenote. Between yoga sessions, you’ll have time to rest, explore, and reconnect with yourself through nature, community, and reflection.
Your experience includes:
✅ Accommodations at Amaite Retreat Centre
✅ All yoga classes, Mysore sessions, and workshops
✅ Nourishing on-site meals
✅ Excursions and cultural ceremonies
✅ Transportation to and from airport and all excursions
Not included:
❌ Flights to Cancun International Airport
❌ Tips
❌ Meals or snacks during excursions
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 confident and supported.
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. Spots will be limited to 22 participants. Yogis from all over the world invited to join us!
👉 Stay tuned — Registration details coming soon!
If you are interested, please fill out the form below. We will be hosting info-sessions starting January so you will have the chance to ask all your questions.
Interested in Begin Within Retreat, Tulum Mexico 2026?
Rozel Gonzales
Rozel Gonzales is the founder of Energie EnCorps, a Holistic Health and Wellness Center located in Montreal’s West Island. A devoted Ashtanga yoga practitioner, teacher, massage therapist, entrepreneur, and mother of three, Rozel left a successful corporate career in 2014 to follow her passion for wellness. Teaching since 1997 and deeply rooted in the Ashtanga tradition, she now leads the Energie EnCorps Yoga Teacher Training program, inspiring the next generation of instructors.