Peaceful Waters : Tulum Summer Retreat Ramblings

Amansala is named in Sanskrit after Tulum's peaceful, crystal-clear waters. We're headed there in July 2026 and would LOVE for you to join us. In this episode, Brian and I talk all about the details....feel free to reach out with any questions by emailing us at inlightenretreat@gmail.com 

Retreat Info: https://inlightenretreattulum.com/

Amansala Website: https://www.amansala.com/about

Book Club Book (we'll send it to you when you register): "How To Read Water" by Tristan Gooley

Transcript

SPEAKER_01 0:01

Hey you guys, we decided to film film record this podcast um to talk about our upcoming retreat to Tulum. And Brian and I were just chatting about it and thought it would be best to just record it and have you all a part of the conversation as well. So welcome to all of you.

SPEAKER_00 0:23

Um and a wonderful day.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

And a wonderful day. We've been up to a lot of creative things in Colorado the past couple months, but this retreat is something that we've really been looking forward to. So back a couple months ago, we came across this retreat space in Tulum. And a friend of mine from the yoga community in Wilmington, Marissa, she was leading a retreat there. And we kind of just like were looking around, trying to find a place to go, and this place really aligned with everything in that moment, and so we knew it was a yes. Um, it's a place called Amonsala in Tulum. And Brian, what do you like about Amonsala? What do you think was like good about this choice?

SPEAKER_00 1:14

I think the attraction to the water was one of the most ambiguous ones. Right. Yeah. In ourselves, so water.

SPEAKER_01 1:27

Yeah, water. So we we're talking about like what's our theme, and we really would love for water to be the theme. Water is such a symbol of strength and flow. Also, the cenotees, I'm probably gonna say that wrong, but the water in the sea caves that we're gonna explore. Um, the way that water is such a part of the landscape in Tulum, and we're landlocked, so honestly, I'm into the water theme.

SPEAKER_00 1:56

Um some kayaking happening too.

SPEAKER_01 1:58

Oh right, gonna be mad. Kayaking in the mangroves, not the mangroves. The mangroves. Yeah, I say that wrong sometimes. Um yeah, so water, that's a cool one.

SPEAKER_00 2:12

I think also what attracted us was the um the quality of the space and the appreciation of the not only the space, the food, and the people that run it.

SPEAKER_01 2:26

Yeah, and we watched that documentary um about the lady who opened it, which I'll try I'll find it and link it to the show notes because I cannot remember what it's called. It was on their website though, um, so you might be able to find it there, but like how that space was created was so cool to know sort of the history of that um project. And every time I call Amonsala with a question, literally every time, all two times, they there's other people there that are on a retreat, and they're literally like bubbling over wanting to share how amazing it is there. So I feel good about it.

SPEAKER_00 3:09

Yeah, I feel great about it, you know.

SPEAKER_01 3:11

Um, we absolutely loved the retreat to Panama. I'm just gonna go ahead and say that with Megan and Ryan, and we definitely will go back one day, I feel like the smoothness, the beauty, the adventure, the connection, and the delicious food. And so food was another thing I remember like learning that all this fresh, delicious food is included in the retreat is a plus. Um, the pictures that I've seen they've sent look amazing. And it's always nice when you don't have to like think about okay, what am I gonna eat? What am I gonna pack? Do I have to go out to a restaurant? It's just included. And it gets you kind of in this flow, I feel like when you're done at the retreat, like, wait, is delicious, beautiful, colorful food just gonna be made for me every meal?

SPEAKER_00 4:03

Am I gonna get to do yoga every day?

SPEAKER_01 4:06

Right? Yeah. If you want to. And remember, yoga and more than just asana. So, you know, your yoga might be breathing deeply or offering compassion, right? But yeah, the shala is really awesome. Um, I think we said we're offering the Reiki sessions again. If not, if you mention this, you'll get a Reiki session included. I think Panama Bryan and I both did private one-on-one Reiki sessions with people um if they wanted to, and that was really special, didn't you think?

SPEAKER_00 4:44

Mm-hmm. I think that was one of the biggest releases for some people in the experience to be like, yes.

SPEAKER_01 4:53

Right. This is good. There's also some events that are being led by the people there, like salsa dancing, even though you might have thought Brian's teaching it, but no. He's teaching chips and salsa dancing. No, just kidding. Um, there's a cooking class. That'll be so fun. So yeah, we're just trying to get like, I don't know, we want to get the word out organically um and authentically. And so I just thought we would chat about it. So hopefully you're enjoying this chat.

SPEAKER_00 5:26

I'm over here just coloring as we're chatting.

SPEAKER_01 5:29

The deadline to sign up, although we talked about how we don't like the word deadline, so we're gonna call it the l the living one, the lifeline, to sign up is April 30th, which is coming up real soon, 2026, in case you're listening to this in the future. Um and then reach out if you want to go on a retreat. But yeah, April 30th, 2026. Um if you know you need a payment plan or like we want to make it work out for you, yeah, so let us know.

SPEAKER_00 6:02

Um don't worry, flights are easy.

SPEAKER_01 6:05

Flights are easy. You know that? He knows that. I don't think you'll have to get on a little tiny plane, which that's always a plus for me. Um, those who went to Costa Rica in whatever year that was, uh, we lived, but we did almost die. But we lived.

SPEAKER_00 6:23

So Jackie loves you for that.

SPEAKER_01 6:26

There's 18 people, and because of all of us, we lived. Synergy. It's my word for the day. Um, okay. Synergy. I don't know if that colored pencil is very loud.

SPEAKER_00 6:38

Can you explain synergy?

SPEAKER_01 6:41

Synergy. Yes, collective effervescence, which I did not coin that myself. Synergy is uh the when a bunch of different people together combine their auric fields to care bear stare, basically. That's what synergy is. It doesn't mean good or bad, it means like it's a shift in the collective energy. I used collective twice now. It's just a shift in the energy that can be held stronger because every piece of the puzzle is there. Synergy.

unknown 7:20

Wow.

SPEAKER_01 7:20

S-Y-N-E-R-G-Y. Synergy. I think that's right.

SPEAKER_00 7:25

Don't worry, I'm just up here drooling. He's drooling water.

SPEAKER_01 7:31

Water theme. So yeah, we're gonna be leading. Oh, and last but not least, there's a book club. Some of you might not like book clubs, some of you might love them, some of you may have never been in them.

SPEAKER_00 7:46

But ours is different. Welcome at the real different interact you with a book.

SPEAKER_01 7:52

You don't have to read ahead of time. No, and you don't even have to be a part of it, but we did it in Panama, which I feel like is kind of like back in Panama. But before the Panama trip, we read a book called The Creative Act, and it was just so meaningful to meet up with the people that were going on the retreat. This time it'll probably be virtually, but in person if you're near Denver. Um just a few times, and like it's such a good way to connect and have good conversation. Um, we did pick a book out. I don't know the title of it. Brian might. I'll link it to the show notes. That's gonna be the just check out these show notes. I got homework to do after this. Yeah. Okay. So yeah, we'll plan on doing that in the month of May and June, and we'll read some chapters or some passages together out of it and chit-chat and maybe do some creative processing, whatever that might mean for you. Maybe it's a poem, maybe it's an experiment, an adventure. Yeah, we'll let you know. Hey guys, so we ended up actually editing um the conversation because we realized we got a bit rambly, we meaning me. And um just wanted to connect back before this podcast episode ends to thank you for tuning in and listening. Thank you for your friendship. Um, thank you for spreading the word about the retreat or joining us if it feels like you're following inspired action. And um I hope our paths cross sooner than later. Ciao.