Caribbean Yoga & Embodiment Week on Vieques Island

Sylvia De Marco developed her teaching style over 30 years, drawing most heavily from Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow, then refining it through study with Matt Giordano's Chromatic Yoga method. The result is classes that 'foreshadow' peak poses — mobility drills and targeted preparations build muscle memory before the main flow sequences. She calls this approach the SDM Method, and it's designed to help students move into challenging postures with more confidence and less risk of injury.

Vicky Cooley, who trained in Ashtanga at Ashtanga Yoga Puerto Rico in 2017, assists with hands-on adjustments and co-leads 'Yoga Factory' workshops covering alignment, muscle activation, pose variations, and transitions. These midday sessions go deeper into the mechanics of specific movements.

Kano Mai brings a different dimension. A professional musician who found his path through addiction recovery, he now leads transformational coaching, shamanic practice, and men's work. On this retreat, he opens the week with a ceremony, guides a 'God form' breathwork embodiment practice, and closes with a sacred shamanic ceremony. These sessions use shakti shakes, breath work, and visualizations to move energy and release blockages.

Finca Victoria sits high on Vieques, catching steady trade winds and offering views of both sunrise and sunset. The property includes a pavilion with 24/7 tea and coffee, a boutique shop stocking local jewelry and natural products, herb gardens that supply the kitchen and spa, and a sweetwater pool. The Maloka — a large open structure with ocean views — hosts daily yoga and the week's ceremonies.

Vieques itself is a 30-minute flight or 45-minute ferry from mainland Puerto Rico. The island has around 2,000 free-roaming horses, some of the Caribbean's least-developed beaches, and Mosquito Bay, one of the brightest bioluminescent bays in the world.

What's included

- 6 nights accommodation in your chosen room type - Airport/ferry pickup and drop-off on Vieques - 3 daily meals (Ayurvedic brunch, snacks, themed dinners) - Water, tea, and coffee throughout the day - Daily yoga classes with live music during savasana - Midday workshops (alignment, circadian health, cacao, sound healing) - Afternoon yoga lectures - Opening ceremony - 'God form' breathwork embodiment practice - Sacred shamanic ceremony with integration circle - 1 complimentary spa offering from menu - Dinacharya kit for morning routine - Vapor baths access - Beach rides with transport - Yoga pamphlet - Pre and post retreat support from the team - Free parking - Luggage storage - Wifi

What's not included

- Flights to/from Puerto Rico - Transfers from San Juan airport to Vieques ferry/airport - Travel insurance - Visa fees (if applicable) - Additional spa treatments beyond the one complimentary offering - Personal expenses - Boutique shop purchases