When did you last receive the care you so freely give?
Perhaps you are the mother, healer, or woman everyone turns to. Yet your own body has been asking for attention. You can come with questions, curiosity, and a willingness to receive.
For seven days in Chumbec, learn alongside Maya wisdom keepers in the home of Nana Rafita, a traditional midwife and herbalist, and her daughter, a sobadora.
Explore Mayan abdominal massage, herbal wisdom, traditional midwifery, spiritual baths, and closing of the bones. Come for your own care or to deepen how you care for others.
With Mama Yaya and Soul Tribe Heals.
Remember.
Respect.
Receive.
Come for yourself.
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You want a more attentive relationship with your body and its changing needs.
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You are ready to receive care after tending to everyone else.
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You are a doula, birth worker, bodyworker, herbalist, or healer seeking foundational learning.
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You feel drawn to ancestral women’s care, herbal wisdom, spiritual baths, and closing of the bones.
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You welcome shared village living, cultural connection, and hands-on practice.
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You come with humility and respect for the Maya women sharing their knowledge.
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No prior experience is required. Come for yourself. Come to deepen how you care.
What's included
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Shared accommodation in Nana Rafita’s home
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Home-cooked village meals, February 21–27
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Course materials and guided learning
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Mérida–Chumbec shuttle; airport transfers for lodging within 10 km of MID
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Ceremonial experiences and closing ceremony
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Private WhatsApp support group
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Certificate of completion
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Mérida hotel nights on February 20 and 27 are paid separately.
Sample Journey
Day 0
Arrive in Mérida + optional welcome gathering
Day 7
Closing ceremony + return to Mérida
Day 1
Travel to Chumbec village + opening ceremony
Day 8
Optional Rest day before departure
Days 2-6
Immersion — Mayan Abdominal Massage technique and hands-on practice, traditional approaches to urinary incontinence, medicinal herbal tinctures for fertility, medicinal plant identification, guided plant walk, ancestral hip-closing ceremony, teachings from Maya wisdom keepers
Investment
$4,000 USD through October 31, 2026
$4,500 USD afterward
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An intimate gathering of nine women
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Application and alignment interview required
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$50 application fee credited toward your retreat if accepted
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$500 non-refundable deposit after acceptance
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Payment plans and financing available upon request
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Application deadline: January 20, 2027
FAQ
How much does this retreat cost?
The retreat is $4,000 USD through October 31, 2026, and $4,500 USD afterward. After acceptance, a $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place. Payment plans and financing are available upon request.
Do I need prior experience in bodywork or healing?
No prior experience is required. Bring curiosity, humility, and a willingness to learn. You will receive a certificate of completion for this foundational experience; it does not confer professional certification.
What airport do I fly into?
Fly into Mérida International Airport (MID). Plan to arrive on February 20, 2027. Shuttle between Mérida and the village, plus airport transfer for lodging within 10 km of Mérida airport (MID)
Are meals and accommodations included?
Yes. All meals during the retreat— home-cooked in the village — are included, Feb 21-27. You'll be staying in shared accommodations inside the home of Nana Rafita in the Mayan village in Yucatán. This is a traditional living community, not a retreat center or hotel. Nights in Mérida on February 20 and 27 are paid separately, at a group rate expected to be under $40 USD per night.
What is Mayan Abdominal Massage?
Mayan abdominal massage, also called Sobada Maya, is a traditional hands-on practice within Maya systems of care. Here, you will explore its cultural context and learn foundational techniques through guided practice with your teachers.
What language are sessions taught in?
Sessions are taught in Spanish and English, with live translation provided throughout the week.