The Essential You Annual Retreat
7 days & nights in Mexico for a soulful dive into your Essential Self through transformative practices, movement, meditation, sound healing, and immersion in nature.
Are you feeling the call to slow down, connect with your intuitive self, bring harmony to your nervous system, and reignite your levity and joy? Retreat to the jungle-ocean paradise of Haramara (“Mother Sea”) and immerse yourself in a nourishing environment where you can show up as you are and embrace the vibrancy of your essence. Join us for a uniquely curated program designed to help you cultivate your Essential Self and emerge feeling more YOU than ever.
”It is hard to put into words how life changing The Essential You retreats are for me. I have returned from each one lighter, and more me.”
What awaits you:
Each day we will gather in the elegant eco pavilions for a variety of activities including movement, meditation, breath work, sound healing, and Essential You workshops. There will also be ample free time to peruse the gorgeous retreat grounds, enjoy the views from the saltwater infinity pool and hot tub, walk the private beach, swim in the healing ocean waters, rest deeply, eat delicious meals, explore the nearby town of Sayulita, and make new friends. (Optional excursions available at an additional cost.)
Using the tools of embodied practices in the setting of our natural environment, you will nourish and strengthen your relationship to your Essential Self through 4 main components:
- Movement: Yoga, qigong, improvisation & play, authentic movement
- Meditation: Breathing techniques, mindfulness, guided self-reflection
- Healing & Intuition: Sound baths, intuition building practices, experiential learning
- Connection to Nature: Earth-based practices, cacao ceremony, immersion in our peaceful surroundings without the distraction of screens or wifi
The retreat programming is carefully designed to offer a balance of space for inner stillness, reflection and healing, as well as opportunities to connect, play, learn, and grow amongst a sweet community of curious and open-hearted people.
All activities are optional and nothing is mandatory. Come as you are, bring all of you, and discover the joy in following the rhythm of your inner nature. You will be supported and celebrated in all the ways!
”Dana’s Essential You retreat was exactly that – essential! I felt so open and free during the whole experience, at a much needed time in my life.”
”Dana simultaneously leads the individual and the group through a transformative process while developing a harmonious community of heart and soul. I walked away from this retreat with clarity, direction, insight, new friends, and a better person.”
Packages include:
- All lodging and meals (including a 19% Mexican tax)
- 7 nights accommodation in beautiful, naturally constructed casitas with private bathrooms
- 3 delicious, organic, locally crafted meals per day (vegan, vegetarian, and fish/seafood options)
- Access to retreat grounds infinity pool, hot tub, common spaces, and private beach
- All retreat programming including classes, workshops, sound healing, and traditional cacao ceremony
Not Included:
- Airfare to Puerto Vallarta & airport transfer
- Off-site excursions
- Private spa services
- Alcohol, specialty drinks
- Staff gratuities
Pricing:
Early Bird Tier 2*
- Private Single Casita: $4395 p/person (limited availability)
- Double Shared Casita: $3195 p/person
- Triple Shared Casita: $2895 p/person
- Female Dorm: $2695 p/person
*Prices above are Early Bird Tier 2 tickets, valid through October 11th, after which prices will increase by $200.
Pricing Specials:
- Sign up by August 19th to access the tier 1 early bird pricing and save $400 off regular ticket price!
- Sign up by October 11th to access the tier 2 early bird pricing and save $200 off regular ticket price!
- Sign up with a friend or family member and receive $100 savings each!
Type of Retreat: Creative, Wellness, Yoga
Style of Yoga: Vinyasa Flow
Additional Information, Questions & Registration:
Contact Name: Dana Hersh & Andrew Cox
Contact Email: dana@fieldofcolors.com (*please CC andrewcoxyoga@gmail.com to ensure the quickest response)
Contact Phone Number: Dana: 404-903-2759 / Andrew: 203-448-6403 (*text both numbers to ensure the quickest response)
Online Registration: https://www.danahersh.com/the-essential-you-2025
Website: https://www.danahersh.com
About the Instructors:
Dana Hersh (Facilitator)
Dana is thrilled to welcome you on this special journey to self. One of her gifts is to offer doorways into inner wisdom. As a professional intuitive, teacher, and healer she helps people like you gain clarity, release blocks, become self-empowered, and shine from within.
Dana draws from a variety of experience and training that informs her life work. She has been dancing and playing music since she was little, and exploring her connection with energy and spirituality since age 20. For more about her background and training, visit Dana’s page here.
Andrew Cox (Assistant Teacher)
A lifelong learner and true devotee of yoga, Andrew helps people stabilize sensitivity and awaken deeper aspects of their true self. His gentle and focused teaching weaves together a fusion of Qigong, Vinyasa yoga, Kundalini yoga and meditation.
Each class has a unique approach depending on the moment and group needs. Some classes lean on an abundance of breathwork techniques and meditation, while other classes are more movement centered to get the qi flowing through the channels and open up the body. People often walk away from Andrew’s classes feeling centered, grounded, and clear.
Testimonials:
”This retreat has been life changing for me. Dana held an amazing space for inner connection and brought together an incredible community. I loved the breath work, energy, sound healing and aura practices, and got so much insight. This has been a great catapult for me to bring this new found clarity and balance into my life. Thank you Dana – please keep sharing your light and love with all – it’s contagious.” —Brad Bemis
”The sense of support and community we were able to build with each other is one of my biggest takeaways from the Essential You retreat. I loved feeling so open to share my triumphs and difficulties, because we were all feeling open, thanks to the authentic container Dana held. And I absolutely loved my private reading with Dana! It was validating, reaffirming, and highly accurate without feeling like I was being told what to do. This retreat was a total reset!” —Erin English
“I highly recommend Dana! The energy work that she offers is truly incredible. I’ve had the pleasure of taking yoga classes with her, having my aura read by her, and also had the opportunity to take a meditation course taught by her. All experiences have been heart-expanding, inspiring and uplifting! The wisdom and kindness Dana offers in her work is something I will forever deeply cherish.” —Lydia Stern
”The Essential You Retreat is truly a delight to the soul, mind, and body. It combines grounded intuitive instruction, free time to explore oneself and the ocean, beautiful collective experiences, and a sensational daily menu. Dana holds space in such a beautiful, powerful way, and I felt inspired and supported by her presence. She is certainly meant to be leading these retreats.” —Andrew Cox
”Words cannot express the gift Dana has given me by designing The Essential You Retreat. Each day had its own theme and activities that brought me into deep connection with the other attendees, the earth/divine, and self. So quickly the group became a family, holding each other in our most vulnerable moments and celebrating each other in our joys and triumphs. We enjoyed so much laughter, conversation, the sound of both silence and beautiful music. The spirit of the land calls to those who are ready to listen. The staff is there with sweet smiles and generous hands. The healers are out-of-this-world. I went into the retreat ready to change my life, and I came back more deeply rooted, connected with myself, and having broken free from certain bounds and attachments that held me for years.” —Tanya Markle
”Dana’s ‘Essential You’ retreat was exactly that – essential! I felt so open and free during the whole experience, at a much needed time in my life. I found a lot of SELF. Dana is a remarkable being and I’m beyond satisfied for meeting a woman like her. Thank you Dana!” —Tkeyah Cook
“Dana delivers a unique experience for all, offering many gifts through her own vessel of beauty, grace, love, understanding, fun, and humor. She simultaneously leads the individual and the group through a transformative process while developing a harmonious community of heart and soul. I walked away from this retreat with clarity, direction, insight, new friends, and a better person. 5+ stars for Dana.” —Sandy Adamski