HEALTH & HEALING
MIND & BODY
SUBTROPICAL FOREST RETREAT
STARTS: Jungapeo, Michoacan
ENDS: Jungapeo, Michoacan
DATES: March 2-7, 2025
5 Nights / 6 Days
PRICE FOR 10-14 WOMEN: $36,000 MXN
(Approximately $1700 USD per person)
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Please Note: Due to limited space at the resort, we have booked rooms that have two beds for double occupancy. This is an all-women's group.
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RETREAT OVERVIEW
Retreat from your busy schedule to the sub-tropical jungle resort of Agua Blanca in Michoacan Mexico. Seated on 28 hectares of lush nature, Agua Blanca Resort features hypothermal medicinal mineral pools, tranquil gardens, a temazcal sweat-lodge, healthy restaurant featuring organic ingredients from their own vegetable & fruit gardens and a spa offering relaxation services such as bamboo massages, facials, mud baths and more.
This 5 night / 6 day experience is led by Sylvotherapy Practitioner Astrid Senior, who originates from Germany but has lived and worked internationally throughout her career. (Learn about sylvotherapy below).
ENGAGE IN BEAUTIFUL & HEALING EXPERIENCES TO BALANCE YOUR MIND AND CONNECT YOUR BODY AND SPIRIT WITH YOUR NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
* Setting Intentions Welcome Ceremony
* Create a symbolic installation
* Sylvotherapy Experience
* Neurographic Painting to unlock your brain paths
* Mandalas from Nature
* Tea Ceremony (from our local region)
* Writing Exercises
* Meditation
* Creating 3 symbolic art projects
* Visit the UNESCO protected Monarch Butterfly Biosphere
* Closing Ash Ritual Ceremony
WHAT IS SYLVOTHERAPY?
INTRODUCTION TO SYLVOTHERAPY
Sylvotherapy combines a walk in the forest with the practice of mindfulness, inviting us to remember that we are part of nature, and that nature is part of us. This knowledge, when truly integrated, promotes balance and contributes to healing. It can be a long process, and that's fine. Everyone needs to take the time to go their own way at their own pace. So, it's essential that we refrain from trying to force or speed things up, to convince or control. We are simply there to humbly accompany those who have placed their trust in us.
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The transformation will unfold naturally, in its own time, revealing profound changes. Those who engage in Sylvotherapy not only shift their perspective on the environment but also tend to modify their lifestyle systematically.
It often begins with a desire for a more natural and vibrant diet, and then extends to other aspects of their lives. Developing a deep understanding of plants, especially those in the forest where Sylvotherapy is practiced, is crucial to supporting individuals through this transition.
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BENEFITS & ADVANTAGES OF SYLVOTHERAPY
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The physical proximity or direct contact of humans with trees as well as the linkage of people to the energetic vibration that trees emit supplies a general emotional, physical and energetic overall well-being.
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Enhancing and reinforcing immune functions
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Control and maintenance of mood disorders as well as those linked with depression. It puts the person to a normal state of serenity and increase of positive hormones.
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It helps fight against premature cell aging for people with a significant decrease in dopamine and noradrenaline which are essential vectors of stress. It also helps reduce anxiety.
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Significant enhancement in the activity of NK lymphocytes which is more commonly known as natural killer cells or null lymphocytes. These types of cell are made in the bone marrow and are designed to produce chemicals that destroys cancer cells.
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Decrease blood pressure and the adiponectin level in the blood which means reduce heart risks.
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Increase threshold of concentration for kids with attention deficiency and positive effects on creative and cognitive function.
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Strengthening of focus, concentration, efficiency and productivity in adults
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Truly indeed, the magic of the forest and the trees in particular, can do wonders to one’s health. In can definitely aid people in going back to the right shape. There are a lot of benefits that wooden forests can give not only for sustenance or construction but also for human well-being.How a typical Sylvotherapy session in the outdoors works
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A TYPICAL SYLVOTHERAPY SESSION IN THE OUTDOORS
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It can take from 2-4 hours or even longer
Meet and greet all participants
Introduce yourself and your intentions for the day
Guided meditation
Walk through the forest
Engange with all senses
Sharing circles
Make Mandalas from found objects in the forest
Tea Ceremony
WHAT IS NEURGOGRAPHIC ART?
Neurographic art is a therapeutic art form, which has gained vast popularity ever since Dr. Pavel Piscarev first coined the term in 2014. Neurographica has been scientifically validated and proven, and it is one of the most widely used psychological techniques in art therapy today.
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Also known as doodling, neurographic art is a technique, which comprises drawing freeform lines or ‘neuro lines.’ These are meant to enable the connection between the conscious and unconscious, gaining access to the inner self by using a specific algorithm or method. It’s an art form that also engages both our aesthetic and emotional intelligence, eliciting positive changes in our reality as it has been observed to create these changes in people experiencing chronic pain and anxiety, as well as helped people gain clarity and peacefulness.
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Neurographic art creates a mindful, meditative, yet aware state through the creation of new neural connections when engaging in this art form. The word neurographic encompasses two concepts within it: neuro, referring to brain cells and connections between them and the body, and graphic, as in depictions of images, shapes and ideas in art. Neurographic art allows for vast creative freedom, free of inhibition and positive changes due to its simple but positively impactful technique that requires no previous art experience or age limit.
WHAT DOES THIS RETREAT INVOLVE?
This retreat is an inner-pilgrimage to healing and self-awareness through various channels, commencing with an interactive exchange for setting intentions. This exercise is a powerful introduction to one another that includes creating an installation that will remain in the garden for the duration of the retreat. As this is a travel day, we will conclude our first meeting with an introduction to our activities, including a few creative projects that you can work on over the course of the coming days. We will break for free time so you can choose an activity for the late afternoon, which could include jumping into a creative project, soaking in the medicinal pools, or exploring the lush gardens on the property, journaling or reading a book.
During your stay, we will have one full day dedicated to sylvotherapy, including the creation of a mandala and tea ceremony. We will enjoy daily meditation, writing, and Astrid will guide you through three different neurographic painting sessions. We have three symbolic art projects for you that are perfect for both novice and experienced artists. All of these projects are easy to finish at home, if you are not able to finish them over during our retreat.
We have reserved one special day to ride horses (or hike) into the oyamel forests of the UNESCO protected Monarch Butterfly Biosphere, where we will observe these ethereal winged-creatures before they prepare for their journey north. The resort will pack us a picnic lunch unless you prefer to break tortillas in a traditional Mazahua kitchen at the reserve, where there are regional foods on offer.
Our schedule includes ample free time for you to engage in your art projects, soaking in the pools, journaling, and resting. There is also a temazcal on the property, so if you would like to join a sweat lodge, this is also optional. We have not included this experience simply because not everyone feels comfortable in enclosed spaces or saunas.
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We have a special activity for our closing ceremony that directly connects with deconstructing our installation before we head to the fire-pit for a relaxing and conversational bonfire, so guests can unwind before a deep sleep.
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QUESTIONS?
Please contact Jennifer for more information about our logistics at coppermoontravels@protonmail.com​ or Astrid for information about sylvotherapy and meditation at asenior@embraceyournutrition.com
ABOUT AGUA BLANCA RESORT
GROUNDS AND FACILITIES
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Agua Blanca sits on 28 hectares with its own organic vegetable and fruit gardens that provide for their menus. If you have allergies or special preferences, please et us know in advance.
Agua Blanca also features a temazcal, zip line, juice station, conference rooms, bar, herb garden, hammock platform, farm, library, board game room and more.
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MEDICINAL POOLS
The hypothermal pools at Agua Blanca Resort register at 88°F, so are more temperate than typical hot springs, but are not cold either. These are some of the properties found here, along with their benefits:
Carbon dioxide
It stimulates good breathing, dilates the arteries and increases blood circulation. Frequently used for heart and circulation conditions
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Bicarbonates
Helps relieve gastro-intestinal, diabetic, and recurrent pancreatitis problems. Improves blood circulation, reduces hypertension and arteriosclerosis. It has a very calming effect.
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Calcium
It regulates the permeability of cell membranes, regulates liver function and helps muscles contract and the heart beat better.
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Magnesium
Reduces the risk of heart attacks. It regulates more than 300 enzymes in the body, including those responsible for the production of proteins, energy and the proper functioning of nerves and muscles including the heart.
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Potassium
It helps better transmission of nerve impulses, regulates the balance of fluids and minerals in the body and keeps blood pressure low.
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Lithium
It serves to combat depression and stabilizes emotional waves.
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SPA OPTIONS
Agua Blanca Resort offers a large number of Spa services, including facials, hot rock treatments, reflexology and more. Please let us know if you would like to book any of these sessions ahead of time, and we will set-up appointments during our free time.
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PRICE INCLUSIONS & RESERVATIONS
The price for 5 nights/6 days is $36,000 MXN (approximately $1700 USD) and includes:
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​LODGINGS: Agua Blanca has limited rooms, so everyone will be assigned a roommate, unless you are coming with friends, in which case you can let us know who you are rooming with! We will be here with other guests, but the property and facilities are large enough for us to enjoy the tranquil spaces and good company, Please click here to see their website, which is available in Spanish, English and German.
MEALS: Lodgings include 3 healthy meals per day. If you would like to eat in the reserve when we visit the butterflies, please let us know ahead of time so we don't order a picnic lunch from the resort.
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ACTIVITIES: Sylvotherapy session, neurographic paintings, meditations, mandala-making, tea ceremony, ash ritual, writing exercises, symbolic art projects, tour to the monarch butterfly sanctuary and a special gift.
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FUNDRAISER: This retreat includes a $200 MXN / person donation to an educational program for kids in the region, to teach them about the environment. This project is run by Estela Romero of Angahuan, who is well known and respected among scientists who study the Monarch Butterflies. Please contact us if you would like to increase your donation for this worthy cause.
The price does not include alcoholic beverages, optional spa treatments or temazcal sweat lodge. Please let us know if you would like to book spa treatments or join a temazcal so we can arrange this for you.
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GETTING HERE AND HOME
IF YOU LIVE IN MEXICO
Please confirm your location so we can advise you about transportation options. If there are enough of you coming from one area (such as San Miguel de Allende or Mexico City), we can arrange a shuttle for convenience and cost-sharing.
IF YOU ARE ARRIVING INTERNATIONALLY
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The Benito Juarez International Airport in Mexico City connects us with everywhere in the world. If you would like private transport from the airport to the resort, we can arrange this. If there are a few of you arriving to the airport, we will arrange a shuttle.
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EXTEND YOUR STAY FOR AN ADVENTURE
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From Jungapeo, we can arrange a wonderful tour for you to do something exciting before you leave (or before you arrive.! We can arrange a trip to Mexico's famous silver town, Taxco de Alarcon with a stop at the UNESCO protected archaeological site of Xochicalco, or arrange a tour through the enchanting Lake Patzcauro art region, with final resting spot in Zihuatanejo, where you can release turtles to the sea. Other interesting places to visit include San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro City and Mexico City.
When you confirm your retreat, ask us for recommendations based on your interests prior to finalizing your flight plans.
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