We will welcome you to the hotel and gather for our first meal together. This will be a time to introduce each other, set our intention for the retreat and answer any questions you may have.

SEE: Visit one of the oldest lithography presses, which was manufactured from steel, cast iron and bronze by J. Voirin in Paris in 1909. Originally used commercially, the press was later frequented by a range of artists, including Edgar Degas, Auguste Rodin, Alfred Sisley, Eduard Munch and Alexander Calder. Over the decades, the press attracted new generations of artists from Mexico and around the world, including the renowned Oaxacan artist Francisco Toledo. 

We’ll also do a studio visit with local artist, Sabino Guiso, known for his bold sculptures and paintings that incorporate a diverse range of materials — from honey and tortillas to smoke and neon light. He will share his process and the inspiration he draws from living and working in Oaxaca.  

HEAR: Our afternoon will be dedicated to a healing immersive sound experience, led by sonic artist Erick Ruiz Arellano. Erick will introduce us to “Sonoterapia Binaural” which utilizes binaural beats along with sound recordings from nature, as well as ancestral instruments used in rituals and ceremonies. Through prolonged exposure to specific sound frequencies, the brain tunes itself to the harmonic vibrations, reducing stress, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, migraines. It helps increase creativity, concentration, awareness, self-esteem, and communication. 

SMELL: We’ll venture out of the city and into the countryside for a day in nature. We’ll visit the "Cuajimoloyas Common Villages." Located in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, these villages are known for their unique, self-governing and interconnected system and strong community organization, working together and sharing resources. 

Guided by the local Indigenous community, we’ll learn about the local plants and forage wild greens and mushrooms. 

TASTE: We’ll utilize our foraged herbs, greens and mushrooms to prepare a Oaxacan meal, learning the traditional culinary methods. We’ll then savor our delicious creation together. 

TOUCH: We’ll visit the village of Teotitlán del Valle, home to the traditional craft of carpet weaving. We’ll learn how to create natural pigments for coloring fabrics and fibers by using local and seasonal plants, fruits and insects.

BALANCE: We’ll participate in an Indigenous cleansing ritual to help us heal, rejuvenate, and gain clarity for our daily lives. 

In the evening, we’ll visit a “mezcal library” and relish a flavorful and invigorating mezcal tasting

ENVISION: Our last morning will be dedicated to an integration of the sensorial retreat. We’ll guide a group meditation, spend some time writing, and share individual insights from our time together. We’ll have a last breakfast as a group before you head to the airport for your returning flight.