The Alchemy of Living is Shamana's seven-day yoga retreat on the shores of Lake Atitlan: a week of daily yoga, meditation, Ayurveda and transformational work designed to nourish body, mind, emotions and spirit. It is open to all levels, and no previous yoga experience is needed.

Each day begins early with yoga and meditation practice, working on awareness, concentration and relaxation, helping to rebalance the nervous and hormonal systems and cultivating a sense of peace and contentment. Morning and afternoon sessions open up Ayurveda: its philosophy and the body-mind constitutions, health and well-being, diet, lifestyle and seasonal routines, digestion and 'kindling the inner fire', simple ways to detox and rejuvenate at home, and how to recognise imbalances. Yoga Nidra before lunch and a long rest in the middle of the day keep the pace nourishing rather than demanding.

Alongside the practice comes the transformational work that Shamana is known for, woven together with Mayan tradition: a cacao ceremony, a temazcal (Mayan sweat lodge) and a Mayan fire ceremony, together with voice activation, ceremonial dance, movement, breathwork, guided visualisation, journaling and group sharing.

You stay at Shamana Healing Center & School of Yoga in San Marcos La Laguna, a homely guesthouse among gardens with views of the lake and volcanoes, with three vegetarian meals a day and a shuttle from Guatemala City Airport on the first morning. It is a week to slow down, reconnect with yourself and take home practices that last well beyond the retreat.

What's included

6 nights' accommodation at Shamana (shared room or private room with shared bathroom, depending on package); Three vegetarian meals a day; Daily yoga and meditation practice, suitable for all levels; Daily Yoga Nidra / deep relaxation; Ayurveda sessions: constitutions, diet, lifestyle and seasonal routines, digestion, home detox and rejuvenation; Cacao ceremony; Temazcal (Mayan sweat lodge); Mayan fire ceremony; Voice activation, ceremonial dance, movement, breathwork and guided visualisation; Group sharing and journaling sessions; Shuttle from Guatemala City Airport at 9:00 on the first day

What's not included

Flights to Guatemala; A hotel night in Guatemala City before the retreat; Private shuttles at other times (USD 115); Travel insurance