Sweet Simplicity Retreat
Relax, Recharge, and Simply be...
in Baja California, Mexico - just north of Cabo San Lucas
with Vanessa Dunn & Amelia Bruff
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“Anybody can breath; therefore anybody can practice yoga.”
– T. K. V. Desikachar
This Spring immerse yourself in the magic of Baja with a week full of yoga, pilates, meditation and sound baths to relax, recharge and simply be. Embark on a journey to reconnect to your true self. Invite joy, fun, and play back into your life. Together we will cherish the beauty of sweet simplicity: with movement, dips into the refreshing ocean, afternoons by the pool, soul food and heartfelt connections.
The Sweet Simplicity Retreat, hosted by Vanessa and Amelia, offers a space to let go of your hectic daily schedule, and immerse yourself into a space where you can simply be, to play, and explore your true self and the beauty that surrounds you.
Start and end each day with intention, deepening your mindfulness practices. Allow your natural state of joy and happiness to emerge as you dive into different practices like yoga, pilates, meditation, breath work, sound healing and much more.
The Sweet Simplicity Retreat will bring you more:
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self-love and self-acceptance
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clarity and confidence
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trust with yourself and your path
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inner peace
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joy, lightness and fun
Join us in Baja California to come back home to yourself.
The Retreat is open to all levels and genders.
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Yandara Retreat Center
The location
Where the mountains meet the Ocean… that’s where Yandara Yoga Institute is located, the facilities for the Sweet Simplicity Retreat.
With its location right at the beachfront, only an hour away from Cabo San Lucas, you will be immersed into Baja California’s outdoors while having all the comfort to fully relax.
Yandara provides chic and comfortable glamping accommodations (all with light and electricity; read more below) so you will wake up with the birds chirping and fall asleep with the sound of the ocean.
The yoga shala has ocean views which means you can see the whales passing by during your yoga practice (whale season is on in March!) For sun baths and refreshments, there is a salt-water pool and a smoothie bar. The local kitchen team prepares three fresh and healthy meals per day. And not to forget: Yandara’s gorgeous outdoor bathrooms! Take showers under the blue sky or even the stars!
WHAT’S INCLUDED?
✓ 6 night accommodations in luxury style glamping tents & cabanas on the beach
✓ Shuttle to & from airport
✓ 3 yogic meals per day (vegan/vegetarian and fish options available)
✓ Coffee, tea and fruit served all day
Note: no alcohol served at retreat center. Enjoy a week sans alcohol to leave you feeling more alive, energized and centered.
✓ Clean Drinking Water
✓ Daily movement & meditation
✓ Local Excursion to the beautiful quaint town of Todos Santos (optional)
✓ All yoga props and equipment (feel free to bring your own props if you prefer)
✓ Evening Soundbaths, Restorative yoga, yin, and deep relaxation
✓ Kundalini Yoga/Workshops
✓ Group Reiki Healing Sessions
✓ Cacao ceremony
✓ Beach Bonfire
✓ Hikes & Adventure
✓ Relaxation time on the beautiful 7 acre retreat grounds, saltwater pool and by the expansive sandy beach
✓ Walking Meditations
✓ Mantra Moves™ Journaling Workshops
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED?
✗ Fights: Fly into San Jose Del Cabo Airport in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (more details in the FAQs below)
✗ Add Ons:
massage
bodywork
acupuncture
private reiki sessions
life coach sessions
astrology readings
smoothie bar
gift shop
✗ Gratuites for the local staff
Sample Daily Schedule
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7:30-8:45am: Morning Movement
9-10am: Breakfast
10:30-12:30pm: Short Walk and Swim to South Beach
1-2pm: Lunch
2:30-3:30pm: Mindfulness Workshop
3:30-6pm: Free Time for Spa Services, Relaxing, Pool
6-7pm: Dinner
7:30-8:45pm: Evening Session
(Sound Bath, Yin Yoga, Kirtan, Cacao Ceremony)
Accommodations + Rates
Fall asleep under the stars while being soothed to sleep by the sound of the ocean waves.
You will be staying in one of the 3 types of luxurious, beachfront, glamping accommodations. All accommodations have electricity.
Glamping Tent
FURNISHED CLOTH GLAMPING TENTS MADE FROM BREATHABLE CANVAS
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The tents are well-designed with concrete floors and beautiful furnishings that inspire relaxation. They come with comfortable full size beds.
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ONLY
Total costs: $2100*
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* $600 DEPOSIT due to secure your spot; full balance due 30 days before start date of the retreat (2/10/2024)
Glamping Cabana
without Bathroom
COOL CONCRETE CABANAS w/o bathroom (SINGLE OR DOUBLE OCCUPANCY)
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The Cabana is the same size and style as the Glamping Tent, however it has a solid structure that allows for even more comfort and better temperature control. Cabanas also come with a queen bed or 2 twin beds. It can be booked as single or double occupancy.
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Single occupancy: $2300*
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Double occupancy: $1950 p. p.*
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* $600 DEPOSIT due to secure your spot; full balance due 30 days before start date of the retreat (2/10/2024)
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Glamping Cabana
with Bathroom
CABANAS WITH ENSUITE BATHROOM AND SHOWER
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The Cabanas with private bath gives you the added privacy of your own toilet, sink and shower. This configuration comes with a queen bed only. The bathroom is an open concept without a door. The bathroom is behind a wall. Inquiry about double occupancy.
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Single occupancy: $2600*
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* $600 DEPOSIT due to secure your spot; full balance due 30 days before start date of the retreat (2/10/2024)
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Sweet Simplicity Retreat
MARCH 10TH-16TH 2024
PAYMENT INFO
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DEPOSIT of $600 (non-refundable) required to secure your spot
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Full balance due 30 days before start date of retreat (February 10th)
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PAYMENT PLANS are available. Get in touch with us: sweetsimplicityretreats@gmail.com
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FACILITATORS
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This retreat has been over a decade in the making! We are beyond blessed to join together for this sacred week in Baja to move, flow, breathe, laugh, dance and sing together! Vanessa and Millie have been strutting through life's journey together for over a decade. First on stage in the Las Vegas, longest running show, "Jubilee" - The Showgirl Spectacular. Each night was full of glitz and glam, and every day we took the mat to balance and calm our body, mind and soul. We have always found a sense of home and peace through yoga. Now both of us retired from the stage we have continued to dedicate our lives to sharing the gifts of yoga, movement, and mindfulness. This week will be nothing short of magical!
Come home, and change your life!
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VANESSA DUNN
Vanessa is a yoga, Pilates, and Mindset Coach, celebrity instructor and trusted wellness expert highly recognized in the Los Angeles wellness community. She studied yoga under the lineage of Pramahansa Yogananda and is also a Certified Reiki therapist, personal trainer, breath-work and yoga life coach. She facilitates Teacher Training Programs, and workshops as well as monthly Mindful Circles. She is the creator and founder of MANTRA MOVES, the class and the journals. Her goal is to help others find their joy, follow their feelings, and open their heart through movement and mindfulness.
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AMELIA BRUFF
Amelia Bruff has been a dancer, model and performer in LasVegas for over 20 years. She started yoga in 2001 to help her body deal with the stress of dancing 12 shows a week. Since then her love for yoga grew and she has studied many different styles of yoga including Vinyasa Flow, Hatha & Kundalini. And to top that off she is also a personal trainer and teaches group classes such as cardio kickboxing & Bootcamp. She designed a Hatha set series called “Align & Breathe Yoga” which she has taught at many studios in Vegas for the past 7 years. Amelia believes as long as u show up for yourself and put the work in then that’s all that matters! Regardless the style of class having fun and not taking things too seriously is key!
​FAQs
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​When should I book my flights?
Arrival: Fly into Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) on Sunday, March 10th. If possible, please book your flights to arrive between 11am-5pm. An airport shuttle can be arranged for you ($30). Yandara Retreat Center is about 1 hour north of Cabo.
Departure: Check-out is 11am on Saturday, March 16th. Keep in mind we will have closing/farewell retreat activities on our final morning. If flying out on Saturday try to plan a return flight in the late afternoon (ideally after 2pm) so we have time for breakfast and closing circle.
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How does the shuttle work?
We will arrange for your transportation to and from Los Cabos International Airport (SJD.) The cost is $30 each way for the shared shuttle which is available for flights arriving and departing between 11am and 5pm. One of the Yandara staff will meet you at the airport where we will put you into groups so you can share shuttles to the resort. It takes about an hour and fifteen minutes by car to get there from the airport.
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For any arrivals outside of designated days/times, please contact us to make arrangements: sweetsimplicityretreats@gmail.com
Please remember to send us your travel details as soon as possible after you register. If you are driving, please contact us for directions.
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Should I book my own travel insurance?
Due to unforeseeable air travel delays we strongly recommend our guests to purchase travel insurance, including medical, for the duration of their trip. There are several companies that offer this at reasonable rates. We recommend:
www.allianztravelinsurance.com
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Is the water safe for drinking or do I need bottled water?
We supply safe, bottled drinking water (also used for cooking and sink water for teeth brushing).
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I have food allergies/diet restrictions. What kind of food will be available?
The Retreat Center mainly serves vegetarian cuisine. Mostly beans, grains and fresh vegetables. They serve fresh local caught fish twice a week and organic food as much as possible. The kitchen is able to accommodate allergies to gluten, lactose and nuts. As Yandara is a small facility they are not able to accommodate Paleo, Raw, or other extreme diets. Please consider your dietary needs and contact us if you have a concern. Some popular dishes are Pad Thai, Vegetable Enchiladas, Sweet and Sour Tofu with Broccoli, Grilled Mahi Mahi (fish) with Herbs, Coconut Curry, Samosas with Cilantro Chutney, House designed Gourmet Pizza, Quinoa, Basil Pasta and Lentil Soup.​
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Do I need to bring my own yoga mat?
Our yoga pavilion is fully equipped with everything you may need. Mats, blocks, straps, bolsters, blankets etc. Of course, you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer.
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What do the shared bathrooms look like?
The shared bathrooms are all outdoor – and that’s exactly why we love them so much! Only a few steps away from your accommodation you’ll find there safe drinking water to brush your teeth, sinks with mirrors, toilets and beautiful outdoor showers with a view into the blue sky and the palm trees. There is also a shelf where you can put all your toiletries if you like. For us, the outdoor bathrooms are even one of the highlights at Yandara! If you still prefer to have your own bathroom, then our cabana with ensuite bathroom is the right choice for you.
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Do I need to have yoga experience?
No yoga experience is required, just an open mind, and open heart. All activities are optional. Beach time and naps are encouraged!
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Do I have to stay the whole time?
We strongly encourage you to commit to the entire duration of the retreat but understand sometimes schedules do not allow for this. If you are needing to leave early or arrive late you will still be responsible for covering the full cost of the retreat. We are unable to pro-rate your stay.
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Is there Wifi/cell service?
We encourage you to take this opportunity to digital detox. Although wifi and cell services are available in designated areas.
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What will the weather be?
The average temperature in March for a typical day ranges from a high of 83°F (28°C) to a low of 63°F (17°C) at night. Some would describe it as pleasantly warm with a gentle breeze.
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Is the area safe?
Yandara Yoga Institute & Retreat Center is located within the state of Baja California Sur just outside of the town of Todos Santos. It is not on mainland Mexico. Baja is a peninsula similar to Florida, and feels somewhat separate from mainland Mexico. Baja has a much lower crime rate per capita compared to Mexico as a whole. The Cabo San Lucas area receives 2.8 million tourists annually and has some crime but still is safe overall. Todos Santos is an hour north of Cabo San Lucas, and is a large town where violent crime is almost non-existent.
Yandara has been in business for 23 years as a Yoga Teacher Training School & Retreat Center graduating over 6000 students and guests. Never in their history has anyone been harmed, nor have they experienced threats of violence towards their staff, or their guests. If you are planning a trip to Mexico, please consider the specific locations where you plan to go, take basic precautions to stay safe, such as avoiding travel to dangerous areas, and be aware of your surroundings.
GET IN TOUCH
Please reach out with any questions comments, concerns, we are happy to schedule a phone call or Zoom chat to talk further!
E-mail: sweetsimplicityretreats@gmail.com
Phone: Vanessa (646)247-6366 or Amelia (702)809-4192
Instagram: @flowwithvanessa & @ameliabruff