Kundalini and Gong Yoga Vacation
with Mehtab, & Laura (Guru Karam)
December 9-15, 2023
Our Gong Yoga vacation retreat begins with Venus and Moon in the Vedic sign of Libra, an ideal position for happiness and enjoyment of worldly and spiritual pleasures. Sun and Mars join in the water sign of Scorpio for transformational experiences in sunshine and ocean locales, while Mercury, the planet of travel, is in Sagittarius for foreign journeys. A perfect astrological time for a week on the beach!
“The sound of the Gong blending with the ocean waves make the morning yoga classes, sunset meditations, and yoga nidra deep relaxation sessions forever memorable. Join us in this perfect time and place for relaxation and recharging before the Winter Solstice.” – Mehtab
– Jennifer (2021 participant)
Wake up with the sunrise for a day of yoga and adventure, or sleep in and laze the day away in a beach hammock with the nourishing sun and the sound of the surf as your companions. All are welcome.
Mar de Jade’s beautiful surroundings and serene atmosphere make for a magnificent travel experience, allowing you to enjoy direct contact with nature. You’ll be situated at the foothills of a tropical jungle, nestled between the mountains and the warm shores of the Pacific Ocean. Wake up each morning to bird sounds and feel your biorhythms readjusting to the swish of gently lapping ocean waves.
Each day, meals are carefully and lovingly prepared from fresh produce provided by a local 17-acre organic farm. Meals are served buffet-style during specific meal hours including many vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The kitchen makes chicken, fish, and seafood dishes, but no pork or beef, only sparingly purchasing ingredients that do not grow locally.
Your week will be an opportunity to unplug if you choose. Free wifi is available in the common areas, but not always as reliably in the guest rooms.
Your retreat vacation includes your lodging, meals, unlimited sun and ocean, plus:
Twice daily yoga and meditation classes
Moon Sign Reading workshop
Gong Relaxations with Yoga Nidra
Love the Gong? Take a training course in Gong Yoga Nidra during the week with Mehtab! Classes are offered after lunch. More information about the training is available at: www.yogimehtab.com
***register now and receive the training for FREE!!!***
Mar de Jade is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, about 90 min. north of the popular tourist destination and international airport of Puerto Vallarta; 3 hours west of Guadalajara; and 2 hours south of Tepic. The best way to reach Chacala is to fly to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which has non-stop and connecting flights from all major US Cities.
The retreat begins on the first day with dinner (possibly a pre-dinner gathering if the majority of participants have arrived), and ends on the last day with breakfast. So please book your arrival and departure for those days unless you have extended plans in Mexico. Arrivals on day 1 can be throughout the day, and lunch is available for early arrivers, however,, rooms are typically not ready until the afternoon. Departures can be any time on the last day, but expect that you will need to be checked out of your room between 10 and noon.
Airport transfers: Mar de Jade can help group people into shared taxi shuttle to / from the airport. Please email taxi@mardejade.com to request this. the cost is $25-$60pp depending how many are sharing (2-10).
Weather: As Chacala is located in the Tropic of Cancer, the weather and vegetation is tropical with warm, with ocean water suitable for swimming year-round. The dry season is from November through May; days are usually warm (around 80 F.), with cooler mornings and evenings (around 65-70 F).
Please plan on bringing cash for the following services which CANNOT be paid with a credit card: Transportation from/to airport, excursions (such as guided hikes, excursions, etc), gratuities and buying souvenirs in town or at the local market. We recommend bringing approximately $300-$500 USD per person, including small bills. Safes are provided in every room for your convenience.
During your stay, charges from the bar, spa, gift shop, laundry or phone service can be added to your room bill to be paid upon check out. Our hosts accept US dollars, Mexican pesos, Visa or Mastercard. They do NOT accept personal or traveler’s checks or Amex.
How to pack: In the dry season (November-April), summer and fall garments are suggested, including a jacket or sweater for cool nights and mornings.
Plan to include in your packing: personal toiletries and hygiene products, a supply of medications you use, sunscreen, sunburn lotion and insect repellent. Sunglasses, sun visor and/or hat, flip-flops and comfortable walking shoes. Camera, flashlight and extra batteries. Water bottle for purified drinking water, small daypack and money belt.
Mehtab & Guru Karam (Laura) Benton
Mehtab Benton is the originator and author of Gong Yoga, the first book on using the gong in the practice of yoga. He has trained hundreds of yoga teachers, therapists, and musicians in the art of playing the gong. He is a lifelong Kundalini Yoga practitioner and teacher and has trained teachers in Hatha and Kundalini Yoga for over 18 years. He is a certified Vedic Astrologer with an international practice. Mehtab is the author of Gong Yoga, Astrology Yoga, Teaching Gong Yoga, and the DVD course How To Play the Gong for Yoga, Meditation, and Healing. [Read more about Mehtab]
Laura (Guru Karam) Benton began her life-long yoga practice at age 16 at a Kundalini Yoga Ashram in Houston, Texas. She is certified in Kundalini Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Ashtanga Yoga and is a Kundalini Yoga Teacher Trainer. She has presented classes internationally on Gong Yoga Nidra, the art of deep relaxation with the gong, and brings a feminine perspective to the art of playing the gong for meditation and relaxation. She is the recipient of the International Kundalini Yoga Teacher’s Association “Building Communities in Yoga” award and a three-time presenter at the Southwest Yoga Conference. Laura is an Advanced Practice Nurse, an Ayurvedic Educator for medical professionals, and a Clinical Hypnotherapist. With her husband, Mehtab, Guru Karam is the co-recipient of the International Kundalini Yoga Teacher’s Association “Building Communities in Yoga” award. Together they taught yoga, the gong and astrology in over 20 countries.
All rooms are unique and will be assigned in their categories first come first served. Please note the rooms that are on the ground level vs. upper levels if you have mobility issues.
** Some yoga classes may be up a flight of stairs, so if this poses a mobility issue for you, please contact us at info@oneyogaglobal.com prior to booking. **
OCEAN VIEW ROOM
The Ocean Rooms are bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a private balcony with an Ocean view. Comfortable and well appointed, all rooms have en-suite bathrooms with natural bath amenities. We have Ocean View rooms with King bed or 2 double beds. Rooms are on upper floors and require steps to climb.
Please enquire about last minute availability! Laura@oneyogaglobal.com
Double Occupancy: $2795 person
Single Occupancy: $3595
GARDEN ROOM
Garden Rooms are either crafted in a Mexican style, with natural rock walls and hand painted mosaics; or with an airy Mediterranean feel with windows, plenty of natural light and fresh breeze. Each room has a spacious en-suite bathroom with natural bath amenities. Located on the ground floor, they are easily accessed with either a few steps or a ramp, and are appropriate for anyone with mobility issues.
SOLD OUT
Double Occupancy: $2595 per person
Single Occupancy: $3395
GUEST ROOM
Guest Rooms are decorated in bright and cheerful Mexican textiles and colors, providing a cozy and well appointed option for those seeking simplicity and comfort. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms with natural bath amenities. Rooms are located on both ground level and third floors, either jungle or garden facing.
Please enquire about last minute availability! Laura@oneyogaglobal.com
Double Occupancy: $2395 per person
Single Occupancy: $2895
WOMEN’S LOFT HOUSE
This lovely accommodation offers space for 4 women. The bottom level has two twins and a bathroom; the loft is accessed by a spiral staircase and has two twin beds. Some rooms feature an additional futon bed on the bottom level. Rooms are either facing the gardens or jungle.
SOLD OUT
Cost: $2095 per person
Prices include: Lodging, taxes, meals, and all yoga sessions
Not included: Flight to Puerto Vallarta, shuttle to the center, optional excursions or healing sessions, travel insurance (recommended), or center staff tips (suggested:$12-$15 pr day which is shared amongst all staff)
Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($595) before August 1, 2023. No refunds after August 1, 2023. In case of cancellation, you may transfer your deposit or your reservation to another person as long as you notify One Yoga Global 21+ days in advance. Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.
If you place a deposit, the balance due will be set to charge in equal installments starting the month after deposit through September 2023, unless other arrangements are made. Participants will be required to sign the application and liability waiver to participate on this trip.
We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like TRAWICK INTERNATIONAL and TRAVEL GUARD offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical. Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.
We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Trawick International and Travel Guard are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.
