IMILOA PRESENTS
A 6-day immersive retreat to awaken, reflect, and grow through movement, connection, and Yoga
May 8-13, 2024
About The Retreat
Awaken your inner power to transform your life with the expert guidance of Susanna Barkataki and Blair Imani. Together, we will get smarter and explore the practice of yoga and healing from a decolonized perspective — creating the space to expand individually and collectively.
Join Susanna Barkataki and Blair Imani on a 5-day curated journey of self-discovery, adventure, and transformation. As creators of change, we will discover how to engage in the ancient practice of yoga from a decolonial, anti-racist, and inclusive mindset.
Through the art of movement, we will engage in mindful practices to expand our awareness, become grounded, and develop a deep curiosity toward understanding and healing the self.
With a yoga practice focused on interbeing, interdependence, and Samadhi, we will discuss how we intend to live in community outside of Imiloa–focusing on the concepts of Ujamaa and Ubuntu: cooperative economics and mutual respect. By understanding ourselves, we will open our minds to more deeply connect with our community and world.
Are you ready to decolonize your yoga practice?
Experience
Day 1 – Arrival
Day 2
Satya and Ubuntu: Truth and Mutual Respect
We will start with a morning yoga practice to ground ourselves at Imiloa and begin to understand the ethics of adopting yoga as a lifestyle. After a delicious breakfast, we will go on a guided nature walk to co-create a mindful relationship with our environment. After lunch and some personal time to relax and reflect, Imiloa's Chef Daniel will lead us through preparing our dinner before we have a mindful silent meal. We'll end our evening doing mindfulness exercises in the open air of the rainforest, listening to and observing nature and exploring our appreciation for the earth.
Day 3
Svadhyaya and Kujisomea: Self Inquiry and Self Study
Our day will start with a yoga practice focused on Svadhyaya: self-inquiry. After breakfast, Blair will lead us through guided meditation and identity mapping exercises to help us understand our place in our worlds and the people who create our community. In the afternoon, we will have a sacred Blue Clay experience at our private waterfall. You will explore communication without words as you enjoy the healing properties of the blue clay followed by a refreshing cleanse in the river. Our evening will be a deep relaxation activity.
Day 4
Samadhi and Ujamaa: Interbeing and Cooperative Economics
Now that we have a better understanding of ourselves, we can understand how we fit into community. We’ll start our day with a practice focused on truth and opening our hearts, followed by examining ourselves in relationships and understanding the ethics of relationships. An afternoon session of restorative yoga will lead us nicely into a relaxing evening watching a film.
Day 5
Building Our World
We’ll start our day with a yoga practice focused on interbeing, interdependence, and Samadhi. Then, explore the beautiful grounds as we look at the land and see them through an Indigenous view. After a delicious lunch, we will discuss how we intend to live in community outside of Imiloa, focusing on the concepts of Ujamaa and Ubuntu. We’ll celebrate our newfound community and the time we’ve spent together in the evening.
Day 6 – Departure
What You Will Learn
- Re-examine how you understand the world and decolonize your mindset.
- Understand yourself and the space you want to occupy in the world.
- Learn how to build deep and impactful relationships with your community.
- Understand your own power in building the world you want to live in.
What You Will Gain
Your Hosts
Susanna Barkataki
Susanna Barkataki, (she/her) is an Indian yoga practitioner and founder of Ignite Institute for Yogic Leadership and Social Change, Known for her work in decolonizing and embracing the roots of yoga, she runs 200/300 Embody Yoga’s Roots Yoga Teacher Training programs that are changing the face of yoga today.
Author of #1 International Bestseller in Yoga, Nov 2020 Embrace Yoga’s Roots: Courageous Ways to Deepen Your Yoga Practice. Susanna’s yoga trainings are currently shifting the paradigm of what yoga looks like in the West, with a commitment to diversity and culture. She educates in Yoga Teacher Trainings and beyond as the founder of Yoga Class Curator, a year long training to deepen beyond YTT. She is an E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT). With an Honors degree in Philosophy from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Education from Cambridge College, Barkataki runs programs that change the world with authentic yoga. Her gift is storytelling from the roots of yoga and making complex philosophical topics down to earth, practical and implementable for students of all experiences. Learn more at SusannaBarkataki.com and join her on social @SusannaBarkataki
Blair Imani
Blair Imani (she/her) is the creator of the viral web series Smarter in Seconds. She is the LA Times Bestselling author of Read This to Get Smarter and Head of Education at Feminist for All. She is also the author of Making Our Way Home and Modern HERstory. Her scholarship spans intersectionality, gender studies, race and racism, sociology, and United States history. As a public speaker, Blair Imani has presented at universities including Oxford and Harvard. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Tegan and Sara Foundation. The New York Times praises Blair Imani’s unique ability to create “progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.” She lives in Los Angeles, California.
Her work centers women and girls, global Black communities, and the LGBTQ+ community. As an educator, influencer, and semi-retired organizer, Blair Imani is dedicated to making the world less terrible and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight.
Learn more about Blair Imani by visiting blairimani.com and joining her on social media @blairimani.
Testimonials
Susanna’s work is a crucial addition for every yoga practitioner.
Ticket Pricing
TRIPLES
$4,595
PER PERSON
DOUBLES
$4,995
PER PERSON
SINGLES
$5,595
PER PERSON
Included
A completely private campus; available to your retreat group only. Access to a private waterfall, nature paths, incredible flora and fauna, and an ocean view infinity pool. Also included is a dedicated team of 20+ local professionals to coordinate everything for your enjoyment, from touch down to take off.
Private transportation from the International airport to our campus; a private driver and transportation to our campus in Imiloa Mountain.
What’s Not Included
Flights to SJO, Spa Services
THE VENUE
You will be immersed in a 22-acre jungle oasis in Dominical, Costa Rica.
This enchanted mountainside jungle venue is ten minutes from the beach and it is the perfect setting to experience deep healing, embraced by nature, yet completely luxurious.
While staying at Imiloa you will enjoy our nature paths, our private waterfall, our salt-water pool, stunning views and delicious and nutritious meals by our five-star vegan chef.
Accommodations
Included in each accommodation is the comfiest mattresses, 850 thread count sheets, storage space and dry rooms as needed, fiber optic internet, daily cleaning service, private en-suite bath, indoor/outdoor design for every accommodation with a focus on nature and being your private refuge, and full service, thrice-filtered private well for drinking water throughout the property.
Clients get to choose their own adventure.
Bali Village
Bali Suites
Our 3 Bali Suites are elegantly situated at the top of the mountain in the 200 year old Bali Village. The suites are located just a few steps away from our shared infinity pool, with gorgeous views overlooking the rainforest and the pacific ocean.
Bali Master: 1 King bed
100 square feet
1 – 2 Guest Capacity
Ocean or garden views
Shared infinity plunge pool
AC
Bali Village
Jogolo House
Perched on the edge of the cliff, at the furthest end of the property, sits a 170 year old home from the Java Islands named Jogolo. Complete with a writer’s desk, outdoor Balinese shower, and unique hand-carved architecture, Jogolo is teeming with history, soul and comfort.
480 square feet
1 – 2 Guest Capacity
Ocean & Rainforest Views
Wrap Around Sun Deck
Private cold plunge pool
No AC | Fans + Open-air construction that allow for natural ventilation
Bali Village
Potoo House
This two-floor imported home from Bali will have you wishing you’d never leave. Complete with a King Bed and a twin in the corner of the 180 year old home, Potoo combines open-air jungle luxury with unparalleled views of the Pacific ocean. On the lower level you will find a plunge pool and private area perfect for spa treatments.
1 King bed and 1 Twin bed
300 square feet
1 – 3 Guest Capacity
Ocean & Rainforest Views
Wrap Around Sun Deck
Private cold plunge pool
No AC | Fans + Open-air construction that allow for natural ventilation
Domeland
Geodesic River Domes
Inspired by sacred geometry, our 6 Geodesic River Domes, sits in the rainforest along the edge of our private river. Enjoy the soothing sounds of the flowing water paired with the vibrant sounds of the jungle.
2 King beds or 4 twins
480 Sq. ft. Living Space
Bungalow Hill
Jungle Bungalows
Our 6 Jungle Bungalows are in close proximity to our common area, and right on the pathway to our own private waterfall. Bali inspired, the interiors feature natural finishings and beautiful details. Spacious bathrooms with a shower and soaking tub looking out to the rainforest.
Sky Forest
Mountain, Jungle, and Ocean View Suites
Sky Forest is on 8 contiguous acres to Imiloa, making the campus feel like a 30-acre wonderland. The home is 350sq/m with three expansive bedrooms, two downstairs and one up, with mountain, jungle, and ocean views respectively.
Each room can be 1 King bed or 2 twins
3,500 sq/ft of space + 500 sq/ft outdoor space
3 – 6 Guest Capacity
Private campus within the campus
Infinity pool with magnificent views to the Pacific
Only available for contracts that sign for 21 or more people
GOURMET PLANT BASED CUISINE
At Imiloa, we take pride in being a conscious comfort food campus. That means we serve healthy, locally-sourced, gourmet vegan meals that are as artistically plated, scientifically nourishing and delightfully crafted for all of our retreat guests.
SPA & WELLNESS BAR
The Spa
Treat yourself to the ultimate relaxation and wellness experience amidst our lush jungle surroundings. Our signature 60-minute massage treatments, offered by skilled local specialists will leave you feeling relaxed rejuvenated. Unwind and embark on a blissful journey of tranquility, surrounded by the serenity and soothing sounds of the rainforest.
The Wellness Bar
At Imiloa we have developed a healthy and tasty menu for our Wellness bar which includes an amazing assortment of signature beverages ranging from superfood smoothies, detoxifying elixirs, freshly pressed juices, custom crafted mocktails & delicious specialty coffees.
For more details on our wellness bar and spa please inquire with our customer care team at welcomehome@imiloainstitute.com
ALL INCLUSIVE TRANSPORTATION
Included in your retreat ticket is a privately charted plane from SJO to Imiloa as well as luxury ground transportation to from the airstrip. For more details and information on transportation please email our team at welcomehome@imiloainstitute.com
Team
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Imiloa has taken the extra step to ensure your peace of mind by partnering with a trusted and comprehensive travel insurance provider. Our chosen provider meets the entry requirements for Costa Rica and offers “cancel for any reason” plans that provide maximum coverage. With this additional option available through www.globalrescue.com/imiloa, you can travel with confidence, knowing that your retreat experience is safeguarded against unforeseen circumstances. Discover the true essence of worry-free travel where every detail is carefully curated to enhance your journey of wellness and adventure.
Location
Nestled in the heart of the jungle, atop a mountain with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, Imiloa offers a truly immersive nature experience. Adjacent to the second most biodiverse land on the planet, our location is a nature-lover's paradise. Just a quick 15-minute drive away, you'll find Dominical, a vibrant beach town with surf, excellent coffee, and local shopping opportunities.
To the north, you can explore Quepos, and to the south, discover Ojochal and Uvita, famously known as the Whale's Tail.
But that's not all. Imiloa's convenient location also provides easy access to other attractions. Just 45 minutes to the east lies San Isidro, Costa Rica's second largest city. Within an hour's drive in all directions, you'll find cafes, beaches, waterfalls, biodiversity, and friendly locals eager to share the beauty of our lush, lovely area that we proudly call home.
Your journey to Imiloa is made even more convenient with our private plane, ensuring a smooth arrival. During your stay with us, your group will enjoy unlimited transportation to and from the beach, airport, and throughout your retreat, making your experience seamless and stress-free.
Come, immerse yourself in the wonders of nature and experience the warm hospitality of Imiloa. We can't wait to meet you!
