Not Your Guru’s Yoga Retreat
Tulum, Mexico | February 3rd - 7th 2027
Not Your Guru’s Yoga Retreats were born with a profound ambition to offer a closer look into the intricate and deep rooted wisdom of yoga. Many yogis barely graze the surface of what this complex map to inner peace has to offer. These trips are designed to stretch both mind and body while also offering the rare opportunity to take radical rest - ground into nature in breathtakingly scenic locations, indulge in decadent nourishing meals, and receive tools to study the self with sharp insight and tender compassion. Harper’s teaching method emphasizes the necessity of individuals becoming their own greatest advocate and teacher. Over years of teaching and practicing independently, she has developed her own creative and unique Vinyasa/Hatha fusion. Emphasizing alignment and joint health as top priority, while spicing up traditional yoga with a fluid, dynamic twist. Each day will be blended with expression through movement, conversation, and creative artistic activities. Join us to take it easy, eat, move, and play! Read more about Harper at alignedness.com
The Vision
Relax in the Quintana Roo Jungle
Meet your hosts
Not Your Guru’s Yoga Retreats are dynamic and each trip is one of a kind, shapeshifting as a part of location and the authentic expression of your two hosts. We will put our backgrounds, passions, and expertise together to highlight and contextualize the myriad transformational aspects of yoga and holistic healing. And we greatly anticipate the ever-present inner light that you will contribute by being a part of this experience.
Harper Ness
Founder“As a creative and free spirit, I believe life can be a work of art. I seek to invite others into the playful joy and devoted intention that leads my heart, in everything that I teach in retreat and yoga studio class settings. Not Your Guru’s Yoga Retreats are where I get to breathe life into and share the tools that have given me the courage to not only find myself, but be myself. And to pursue peace above all else.”
Harper believes that yoga can and should be accessible to every body and her hope in building retreats is to reach and offer creative devices to inspire every person in the room, wherever they find themselves in life, mind, or body.
In the asana, or postural practice, Harper considers herself an alignment enthusiast, focusing on slowing down movements and explaining postures to highlight precision within the body. She is also known for striving to integrate uniqueness and expression in her instruction, with stylistic and creative sequencing. The asana flows that you can expect will encourage and leave room for exploration and informal movements so students can get to know and can find freedom in their own bodies. All of Harper’s guidance is meant to yield playfulness and joy, clearing the path for discovering wonder in the journey home to the self.
“Curiosity has given me a colorful array of experiences. In pursuit of greater knowledge & purpose, I’ve tried my hand at many crafts. But I’ve always found my way back to cooking. Alchemizing foods into nourishing and euphoric experiences is my favorite form of divine creation and self care. Food and nutrition can be a touchy subject, and I’ve felt and witnessed the anxiety it causes where it should be celebrated. Creating safe, communal spaces where food is shared and enjoyed is an art form that ignites my spirit. Sharing a vision with Harper for Not Your Guru’s Yoga Retreats brings my passion to life, and offers an opportunity to connect with our bodies in a more intentional way.”
Jordyn began cooking as a labor of love for those she cared for, starting with simple ingredients and a humble approach, and overtime building a soulful relationship with the exploration of the way that we nourish ourselves. As her passion evolved, she pursued a career in the culinary industry, eventually becoming the head chef at a City Weekly Top Rated vegan restaurant. Jordyn delights in broadening the horizons of people’s taste buds - with nutrient dense vegetables central to her recipes, she entices the appetites of even the most selective eaters by infusing her meals with sensational flavors.
Private ChefJordyn Leigh
FAQs
-
All accommodations feature king bed suites with a private bathroom.
Double occupancy (shared room & bed): $2,300
Single occupancy (private room & bed): $4,200
There is a $500 deposit required to confirm reservation regardless of accommodation selection.
All costs are included in these prices outside of your travel to Mexico. Airport transfers will be included as apart of accommodation.
Payment plans are available to you.
-
No! This retreat is designed to be suitable and welcoming at any stage of your yoga practice — even if you’ve never stepped foot on a mat. There will be a wide variety of styles and levels offered so whether new to yoga or devoted to the practice, everyone should find themselves fulfilled.
-
Q: Is transportation from the airport to the venue included?
A: Airport transfers will be included as apart of accommodation.
Q: Which airport do I fly into?
A: TBD - Tulum or Cancun
Q: Is this retreat co-ed?
A: You will not be sharing a room with someone of the opposite sex unless you sign up together but all genders are welcome to attend if room arrangements allow for it!
Q: Will there be time to explore the area?
A: There will be the option to utilize a transportation service and book an excursion of your choice one day during the trip, the options can be provided upon request. Keep in mind the cost for these activities is not included in retreat tuition and will be an additional charge.
Q: Will there be drinking/substances at this event?
A: There will be the option to have a glass of wine with dinner or a beer at a brewery but otherwise we are going to keep it super mellow and be ready for early bedtimes and wake-ups.
-
Here is a general overview of the daily itinerary. Keep in mind that the first and last days will be half days with only one meal served and the other three full days will include three meals.
7am : philosophy + coffee/teatime
8:30am : yoga practice
9:30am : breakfast
10:30am : journal session + free time
12pm : lunch
1pm : facilitated rest
2pm : creativity exercise / arts n’ crafts
3pm : alignment workshop
4pm - 6pm: time outside or activity
6pm : dinner
7:30pm : gentle yoga / guided meditation
8:30pm : wind down
-
Of course, as long as they are specified beforehand.
Investing in a retreat is intentionally setting aside a handful of days to reset the nervous system and indulge in radical rest. In and of itself, this has the potential to enhance the quality of our lives for longer than we might think. A big part of these trips will always be indulging in gorgeously prepared meals, relaxing, and exercising creativity and playfulness through movement and journaling. And this is just scraping the surface of what’s waiting for you here. Not Your Guru’s Yoga Retreats are my heart’s work, sharing with you everything that I know to make existence a happy place to be.
Subscribe to my newsletter for information about upcoming retreats and other news.
Follow me on Instagram to view my full art portfolio @alignedness
& check out a bit of my personal yoga practice @harper_madeline