Sana Sana Healing Arts Retreat
October 10-19, 2024
Oaxaca, Mexico
Experience and Learn Traditional Healing Practices Called Curanderismo.
Join us for restorative healing, indigenous teachings and sacred ceremony in magical Oaxaca, Mexico. The purpose of this retreat is to create a sacred container in which we’ll experience various healing techniques, sit in ceremony and learn from local curanderos (healers). In the ancestral lands of the Zapoteca and Mixteca people, we’ll learn about curanderismo (indigenous healing practices) and experience limpias (spiritual cleansings) and temazcales (traditional steam baths) and make plant medicines. We’ll also explore ancient Zapotec ruins, meet traditional and contemporary artisans, savor exceptional regional cuisine, enjoy creative healing art practices and so much more. This is a bilingual retreat, both English and Spanish will be spoken.
Curanderismo is the practice of traditional healing methods using various treatments, ceremonies and remedies. This ancestral knowledge has been passed down from generation to generation. These methods often use or invoke natural elements to bring healing and balance to mind, spirit and body.
Oaxaca, a UNESCO world heritage site, is a vibrant, welcoming, historical and culturally rich city in southern Mexico. Oaxaca has become a world class destination. Pick up any travel magazine and they will have lists of the 10 best things to do in Oaxaca…from eating unique regional cuisine and mezcal tastings to visiting the ancient archaeological sites and lovely artisan villages. It is home to some of the finest artists in the world and abounds with ceramics, textiles, tin art, woodcarvings, jewelry, and so much more. There is also a prolific contemporary art scene with many murals, printmaking studios, photography and modern art galleries to enjoy. The vibrant atmosphere, fabulous food, and beautiful people make Oaxaca an amazing place to visit.
We’ll be staying at the wonderfully unique Casa Colonial, an old hacienda turned bed and breakfast in central Oaxaca city. With glorious gardens, a fantastic art collection, our own art studio and the warmest, most lovely staff, Casa Colonial is a little paradise in the middle of town. Our hosts are the enigmatic owner, Jane Saxe Robison and charming manager, Amado Bolaños.
We’ll be working with wonderful healers from Oaxaca including Maestro Laurencio López Núñez, his daughter Adriana López Martinez and Maestra Concepción Mayoral of Centro Terapéutico Atzin. We’ll also be accompanied by Rosio Hernandez, a Oaxacan born sanadora (healer) now living in the United States. Your retreat curators are Indrani and Mija, a Mexican American mother & daughter duo, both healers and artists with a passion for gathering people in creative and spiritual connection.
Learn more about our healers…
Laurencio López Núñez
Maestro Laurencio is a Curandero by family inheritance and by knowledge acquired through exchange with other local healers. With 30 years of experience in the field of Traditional Medicine, applying therapies such as the temazcal, massages, limpias, empacho healing, anginas healing, herbal baths, auricular therapy, etc.
He is also a biologist graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Benito Juárez de Oaxaca. Diploma in Traditional Medicine from the Universidad de Tlaxcala. Diploma in Medicinal Plants from the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca. Diploma in Medicinal Plants and the use of Temazcal from the CIIDIR-Oaxaca. Acupuncture by the Oaxaca Acupuncture Project.
He’s developed training workshops including botanical walks to learn about the use and doses of medicinal plants, in the preparation of herbal medicines, in the use of temazcal, in massage application, in the empacho healing, in the anginas healing, on how to do a spiritual limpias and the elements that are used, on aspects of the cosmovision of the universe, etc.
He has worked as a professor at the Escuela de partería de Oaxaca.
Professor to students at the University of New Mexico for the Introduction to Traditional Mexican Medicine course in Oaxaca. Speaker in national and international forums, highlighting those held for 10 consecutive years at the University of New Mexico in Traditional Medicine without Borders: Curanderismo in Southwest Mexico.
Active participation in national and international health fairs, such as those held at The University of New Mexico, at The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, The International Traditional Health Fair and The Paso Texas Wellness Fair, at the Health Fair of the La Plazita Institute in Albuquerque.
Adriana López Martínez
Laurencio’s daughter, Adriana, is 27 years old and graduated from the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, with a degree in Culinary Arts. Participant in the “Therapeutic digestive detox workshop and empacho cure through Traditional Mexican Medicine.” Participant of Traditional Medicine Without Borders of Mexico and the Southwest summer class at the University of New Mexico. Currently studying the diploma in “Traditional Mexican Medicine” at the Kualli Ren Center in Oaxaca city. Chef and creator of “Remedios, cocina medicinal” a space where medicinal plants are applied in the kitchen and their uses are taught.
Itinerary
Oct 10, Wednesday
Arrival day in Oaxaca. It takes all day for the various flights to arrive so we don’t have any big plans. We’ll have a lovely cena (light dinner) at the Casa and get to know each other.
Oct 11, Friday
Breakfast at the Casa. Welcome Ceremony with Maestro Laurencio. Talk on Curanderismo with Maestro Laurencio.
Lunch at the Casa. Individual limpias (spiritual cleanses) with Maestro Laurencio. Dinner at the Casa
Oct 12, Saturday
Breakfast at the Casa. Walking tour of Oaxaca Centro with Mija and Indrani. We’ll see colonial architecture, beautiful cathedrals, cultural centers as well as textile and art museums. Lunch and nieves (ice cream) in town. Intuitive art experience with Mija and dinner at the Casa.
Oct 13, Sunday
Breakfast at the Casa. Visit the home of Maestro Laurencio. Medicinal cooking class and lunch with Adriana.
Temezcal ceremony with Maestro Laurencio. Cena (light dinner) with Adriana and Laurencio.
Oct 14, Monday
Breakfast at the Casa. Flower Essence workshop with Indrani. Travel to the village of Santa Maria Atzompa and visit the studio and gallery of fabulous ceramic artist Angelica Vasquez. Lunch at her home. Return to the Casa. Dinner in town.
Oct 15, Tuesday
Breakfast at the Casa. Visit the Zapotec spiritual site of Mitla. An archeological treasure.
Next we head to Tierra Antigua in the Zapotec weaving village of Teotitlan del Valle where we’ll enjoy a delicious Zapotec meal and learn about traditional dyeing and weaving methods with the beautiful Santiago Montaño family.
Return to the Casa. Dinner on your own tonight.
Oct 16, Wednesday
Breakfast at the Casa. Empacho and traditional massage workshop with Maestro Laurencio.
Lunch at the Casa. Cacao ceremony with Maestro Laurencio. Dinner on your own
Oct 17, Thursday
Today w head to San Mateo Sosola to Atzin Centro Terapeutico to work with curandera Conchita.
Herbal walk and workshop about medicinal plants. We’ll make lunch together. Limipias with Conchita.
Dinner at the Casa. Full moon ceremony with Maestro Laurencio.
Oct 18, Friday
Breakfast at the Casa. Free day. You’re free to do as you wish on this day. Visit Monte Alban, more artisan villages or local galleries.
Optional trip to Ocotlan village market available. Farewell fiesta at the Casa.
Oct 19, Saturday
End of retreat. Thank you for sharing this sacred healing space with us.
- Itinerary is subject to change
- Airfare is not included. When searching for airfares the Oaxaca code is OAX.
- Included: All workshops, healings and day trips, hotel, and most meals.
- Alcoholic beverages are not included
Price
Single $3,595
Shared Double $3,195
Deposit
$750 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot
Balance due September 10, 2024
Cancellation Policy
$750 deposit will be forfeited for cancellation.
No refunds (unless we are able to fill your space) after September 10, 2024.
If the retreat is canceled you will receive a full refund.
Hotel Information
Casa Colonial
Calle Miguel Negrete 105 Apdo 640
Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68000 Mexico
www.casa-colonial.com
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Check out Rick Steves for recommendations and advice on types of coverage.
www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travel-insurance
To Enroll
Complete and submit the form below to reserve your spot. Mija will then contact you regarding deposit and payment options. If you have any questions email Mija at mija.matriz@gmail.com