FAQ and A: Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What will I gain from this yoga retreat?

Who is the yoga instructor?
Gretchen Spiro is She understands from personal experience how to optimize energy and maximize flexibility and strength in people of all ages. Gretchen has been teaching yoga since 1987, and has solid experience in the practice and teaching of Iyengar yoga and Ashtanga yoga. Primary yoga mentors include extensive training with Judith Lasater, Donna Farhi, Angela Farmer, Nancy Gilgoff, and others. She draws from her experience in somatic psychology and mind-body therapeutics to create a well-rounded and transformational program. She is a long-time Women’s Quest guide, and participants consistently find her presence to be supportive and inspiring.

In addition to teaching yoga and adventuring with Women’s Quest, Gretchen also teaches Gyrotonic®, a system of core strengthening with a focus on circular organic movement. She also teaches dance, and finds fun ways to inspire rhythm and flow in expressive movement. Gretchen has an MA in Somatic Psychology, and supports of people of all shapes/sizes/ages to cultivate self-understanding and discover their unique way to experience the mind/body connection.

What other Women’s Quest staff will be present?
Colleen Cannon, the founder of Women’s Quest, will be on hand for lectures, hikes, runs, and excursions. (Colleen is an expert at teaching women to delight in playing in the waves, creating delightful enthusiasm for our annual Maya Tulum bodysurfing extravaganza!) She will also present chi gong (gentle flowing sequences of ancient movements and imagery) specifically designed for women’s health. Julia Ingersoll will be the yoga assistant and will offer water color clases in our free time. Other staff will be present to offer their unique gifts and perspectives.

What style of yoga will be presented?
Gretchen's unique style of teaching invites each student to discover postures that will most benefit her. She blends the alignment details of Iyengar yoga with the flow of Vinyasa styles. A solid foundation in biomechanics underlies the practice, and each class will have a theme for getting to know a part of the body, or type of action. A week of daily yoga is a powerful way to promote lasting changes in the body. Both active (strengthening) and restorative (restful, meditative) aspects of yoga will be practiced. The contemplative and mindful focus is guaranteed to calm your mind and nourish your spirit. Gretchen incorporates great music, poetry and contagious delight in discovery!

It is our goal to provide you with the knowledge and tools you will need to continue yoga practice beyond the retreat. Gretchen will offer suggestions to each individual for a type of yoga practice that will support their goals and unique personality.

What level is the yoga?
Gretchen will present a practice that is accessible for all. In the past, there have been fresh beginners at the retreat, as well as seasoned long-time yoga practitioners—Gretchen attends to everyone’s interests by providing a variety of suggestions and encouragement to work to one’s edge of learning. She provides challenges and support for those brand-new to yoga, as well as those with an established yoga practice. She is also available for consult outside of class time—she enjoys answering questions and loves to hear how others are integrating the practice. Gretchen will offer personal feedback for each student, including gentle hands-on assistance to discover balance and correct alignment.

Do I need to bring yoga props?
All props will be provided. You are welcome to bring your own yoga mat.

Besides the yoga classes, what sort of excursions will we go on? Will there be talks or other activities?
Maya Tulum is an incredibly nourishing resort—the ultimate in simplicity and beauty. Besides yoga, healthy meals, and time relaxing on the beach, you can explore snorkeling, swimming, and taking long walks on the beach (you can go for miles). The reef is an invitation to discover an underwater paradise of colored fish, coral, and other marine life. The waves right out your door are perfect for easy body surfing. Just west of the resort is a National Park, with miles and miles of white pristine beaches.

On Tuesday we will go on an exceptional group eco-tour organized by the experienced Maya Tulum staff: The Sian Kaan Muyil Journey. This excursion goes to the Muyil ruins and you learn about the importance of these ancient Mayan ruins and the significance of the Excl moon goddess in this city. Climb past the highest point of Sian Kaan on the way to the Muyil lagoon and enjoy a breathtaking view of the nature preserve. Jump in an ancient canal and float in translucent fresh water during a 2-hour boat trip across the wetlands and jungle--the current will steer you past mangrove forests and colorful birds. At the end of the day, sit back and exchange tales of your adventures over complimentary wine and cheese.

Later in the week, release stress and emotional “baggage” as you are guided through the rejuvenating Temazcal, an ancient Mayan purifying ritual involving heat and steam.

If the water is calm enough we will swim or kayak out to the reef to snorkel

We will gather for talks and discussions about mind-body health, exploring and manifesting your “hearts desire,” and balanced physical training. The Women’s Quest staff has been leading motivational and informative retreats for over 18 years, and loves to pass on valuable and practical tips for women of all ages.

How much yoga class time will there be? What is the schedule?
We will have 2 yoga sessions per day. The morning class will be dynamic and invigorating. The afternoon class will focus on deepening themes from the morning, and will also include restorative yoga postures, breathing exercises (pranayama), and gentle “yin-style” yoga. Students leave each class feeling naturally grounded and vibrant.

Variations will be offered for those with different levels of experience and other needs. These are no-pressure yoga classes! You will be encouraged to challenge yourself only as much as feels right to you. Gretchen is skilled in pacing each class, and the week in general, so that you will gain strength without feeling depleted, and feel recharged in mind and body.

In addition to the physical practice, classes will also incorporate yoga philosophy, discussion, personal reflection (journaling, creative exploration), and sharing.

Sample daily schedule:
7-7:30 Walk on beach, meditation
8-10 Yoga
10-11 Breakfast
11-4 Free time—spa treatments, beach play, excursion, lunch, siesta…
3-4 Talk, art activity, etc
4-5 Walk on beach and Qigong
5-7:30 Yoga
7-8 Dinner
8-10 Lectures

It takes time to unwind from our busy lives, and we will pace this retreat with spaciousness and calmness. You will have time to walk on the beach, swim in the healing ocean, take advantage of Maya Tulum's indigenous spa treatments, read, and sleep. AHHHHHH….

What time does the retreat start and end?:
The retreat will start at 5:00 pm on Saturday Feb 20th and end after our late breakfast on Saturday, Feb 27th.

ABOUT MAYA TULUM
Accommodations
Guests sleep inside one of Maya Tulum's simple, yet chic, thatched-roofed cabanas that look as if they could have sprung naturally from the earth. Each cabana comes with a sitting area for relaxing, tiled bathroom with an open shower area, and a generous supply of fresh bottled water. Maya Tulum Resort offers a choice of 3 types of rooms: garden, ocean-view, or beachfront. We provide double accommodation in the Ocean View Deluxe.

If you would like to upgrade your accommodation:
Single in Garden is $435 extra
Single in Ocean View is $540 extra
Single in Beach Front Deluxe is $785 extra

Food
Guests celebrate meals in an exquisite huge round cabana built with marble floors and white limestone walls. Through the windows you have an exquisite view of the coastline and white sand beach. The restaurant serves vegetarian and fresh seafood fare. The food is healthy, fresh, delicious, and prepared as works of art! Special care is taken in the cleaning of all fruits and vegetables so that guests stay healthy and happy.

Maya Tulum Beach
Maya Tulum resort is located on the beach of the Rivera Maya. The ocean is pristine and aqua blue, and the green tropical forest borders the other side—nature in all its splendor! Relax on the beach to the ever-present rhythm of the waves. Explore the miles of beach on long walks. Adventure to the cenotes—transparent lagoons and mysterious water springs with landmarks and vestiges of the thousands of years old Mayan culture.

What kinds of spa treatments are available?
Visit the Maya Tulum website for a full listing of healing and luxurious treatments available.
visit www.mayatulum.com. You can make appointments for almost any day except Tuesday because we go on our excursion that day. We will do yoga in the morning and have the early afternoon free for spa treatments before we do yoga again around 4:00 pm most days. Once you register we will get you a schedule so you can make spa appointments early if you would like.

How do I get to Tulum?
Fly in and out of the Cancun airport and then we will arrange the shuttle for your 2-hour drive south. Once we know your flight schedule we will partner you with women coming in around the same time.
The Maya Tulum shuttle is $80 round trip