Missed The Retreat in Guatemala?
I Have Some Great News For You!
Last month, I was invited to Guatemala to join Yuval Samburski’s retreat. There were a lot of participants joining, and Yuval needed some help with retreat coordination. So he invited me to over.
What a fantastic opportunity! Not only to travel to Guatemala and Lake Atitlan, which I had heard so much about, but also to attend Yuval's Yoga and Sound Healing retreat and meet the 20 individuals joining him there. I already pictured myself there and thought of all the transformations I would go through.
Unfortunately, due to private reasons, I was unable to attend. So I made sure my very dear friend Jovana, who attended it shares her experience in all the details!!!
And the greatest news of all is: this was a retreat run by Yuval Samburski, who is also running a Yoga and Sound Healing Retreat in Croatia this Fall, planned and organised in collaboration with Purple Aura!
So I was thrilled to talk to Jovana about what was the retreat in Guatemala like, but also what to expect from retreats with Yuval!
We decided to put it in the form of an interview, and this is what she shared!!
For those interested in getting to know how does it look like to be a part of Yuval’s experience, keep on reading!
Retreat with Yuval Samburski in Guatemala: Jovana’s Experience
Maria: Hi Jovana! You just came back from a retreat in Guatemala, the one I wanted to attend so badly but was stopped for private reasons! We both know Yuval from his one-day workshops. I am wondering if you ever attended any of his retreats before? What led you to attend this particular retreat in Guatemala?
Jovana: Hi Maria, happy to share with you and your readers more about Yuval’s retreat. This was my first time attending his retreat, and I had been eagerly awaiting it for almost a year! My husband and his friend attended Yuval’s retreat the same time last year, and they both returned completely different people. They have changed some behavioural patterns that did not serve them any longer, and there's no question that they both had impacts on their lives. Their experience made me want to do the same. So this year, my husband and I were not only excited to explore Guatemala, a destination we had long desired to visit and immerse ourselves in its culture, cuisine, and way of life, but also to really go on a healing journey under Yuval’s organisation. It was all around yoga, sound healing, and relaxing activities in nature. Everything I was looking for in one spot.
Maria: As someone who was supposed to join the retreat, I’m curious about the highlights. Can you guide us through how the whole week looked like?
Jovana: Our week was meticulously organized, with every day offering a variety of intriguing excursions that allowed us to experience local life. These experiences were seamlessly blended with healing activities such as yoga, meditation, and sound healing, along with ample time for relaxation and introspection. It was the first time in a while that I had so much free time and the opportunity to reconnect with myself. When coupled with the exceptional plant-based cuisine and the company of like-minded and open-hearted individuals from the group, the week exceeded our craziest dreams.
Maria: What was your favourite part of the experience? Was there one or all of them? ;)
Jovana: The highlight for me was the time spent immersing myself in the breathtaking natural surroundings and enjoying the beauty of the lake. Yuval kept saying this lake was his teacher, and now I could understand it. There is something so special about it. Also, each morning began with yoga, leaving me feeling rejuvenated and invigorated. On the final day of the retreat, I said to my husband, "My body feels as though it's seven years old again – light, without tension or discomfort. Shouldn't we always strive to feel this way?"
Maria: Yoga retreats often have a unique atmosphere, but my theory is that the host makes all the difference, would you agree?
Jovana: Undoubtedly, the host plays a pivotal role in shaping the retreat experience. Those drawn to Yuval's retreats are attracted to his authenticity and the positive energy he exudes. His fun-loving personality adds to the overall atmosphere, with daily doses of humor and laughter that uplifted our spirits. Yuval's encouragement to embrace our authenticity and fullest expression resonated deeply, creating a supportive environment for personal growth and exploration.
Maria: Knowing me, and knowing I love sound healings and deep meditations, what do you think I would love the most from that week? I feel super sorry I couldn’t attend!
Jovana: Given your nature, I believe you would discover your unique way to derive enjoyment and benefit from the retreat, tailored to your current needs. The schedule was thoughtfully organized to cater to diverse interests and, most importantly, energy levels, allowing participants to select activities that resonated with them! Yuval himself encouraged us to listen to our inner voice and give ourselves what we need the most, a message that particularly resonated with me as I often overlook my own needs in everyday life.
Maria: Be super honest, did you have any expectations of the retreat, and were those fulfilled?
Jovana: I expected to take a break from everyday life and discover a new destination - which I did. Of course, my expectations were exceeded because I couldn't even dream of such a destination, service, activities, food, and people I met. I would recommend it to everyone. This is actually why I love retreats as a form of traveling. Because you get to know a new destination, but still, the main focus stays on you – and connecting strongly to your core.
Maria: Yuval is known for his teaching style. I wonder how his approach to yoga, sound healing, and mindfulness contributed to your experience?
Jovana: Yuval's sound healing is magical, and his yoga style felt very restorative. I loved the way he provided the opportunity to be fluid, move freely, and even dance in some of his classes. It added a fun twist to an otherwise very mindful practice. Honestly, you cannot not have fun being around this guy. And I think this is what adds more relaxation to our nervous system – lots of laughter and good times.
Maria: Was there an activity or workshop that left a lasting impact on you?
Jovana: I really enjoyed Yuval's yoga dance, as well as the sound healing sessions. The yoga dance is always so liberating and fun, allowing me to let go of inhibitions and express myself freely through movement. It was a joyful experience that left me feeling uplifted and energized. Additionally, the sound healing sessions always hit differently, immersing me in waves of healing vibrations that resonated deeply within. Each session provided a profound opportunity for relaxation, inner exploration, and renewal.
Maria: For those considering future retreats with Yuval Samburski, what advice or insights would you offer based on your experience? What would you tell them about Yuval’s retreats?
Jovana: For those considering future retreats with Yuval Samburski, I would offer the following insights based on my own experience. During one of the final days of the retreat, we asked him to fulfill our wish and hold a retreat in a certain exotic location. He shared with us that it's in his plans for a couple of years but that he's been searching for the perfect location, much like Villa Sumaya in Guatemala. He expressed his genuine desire for the experience to be beautiful for us. His words, along with the entire experience I had, instilled in me a deep trust that he approaches everything he does at the highest level possible, and that’s the reason his retreat surpassed everyone’s expectations. In addition to his many years of experience, Yuval is truly oriented towards the guest experience and brings a genuine desire for his guests to leave the retreat feeling deeply nourished and transformed, carrying with them memories of an extraordinary journey.
Thank you for sharing, Jovana. Now, after reading all of the answers, I am even more excited about his arrival to Croatia this fall!
The Next Retreat: Journey Through the Senses in Croatia, organised by Purple Aura
From day one, we will embark on an indulgent sensory journey: sights, smells, sounds, touch and tastes, all will be awakened and engaged.
The Inner Journey:
Yoga (Vinyasa, Restorative, self-massage) and movement sessions will be offered daily, sharpening your sense of touch, and your connection to deep listening into your own self. The sessions will give you what you need (each one different) at the specific time and day.
Sound Healing and Pranayama (breath) sessions will aid in deepening your connection with your own inner voice, your deep vibrations. You may connect to parts of your mind that may have been unconscious or blocked. This journey is profound and is your own, you will go at your own pace, with Yuval’s support, of course.
The Outer Journey:
Fun and indulgent local activities, will assist in captivating the full spectrum of the senses (including the ones of taste and smell). Terra Magica - as the Region of Istria is referred to, is the perfect place to eat, drink, indulge, laugh and dance in between all the deep and personal inner work.
We'll visit an olive farm and explore the brilliant tastes of local made olive oil, we will enjoy a locally sourced dinner and taste handmade cheese to a brilliant sunset on an organic goat farm.
For sights, we will visit the most breath-taking cliffs of the peninsula: Rt Kamenjak – Premantura, as well as one of the most magical Croatian national parks - Brijuni, consisting of fourteen islands and a safari park. And those are just some highlights.
This will be a retreat of a lifetime, full of high-end, yummy experiences, inside and out.
For anyone interested in joining his retreat in Croatia, “Journey Through The Senses” – make sure to check it out and book your spot here.
