Water is Life
A Retreat to Connect with the Spirit of Water
Journey into the Source of Life
at the edge of paradise
with Isabel Friend
tulum,
mexico
February 3-8, 2023
Mind
Meet the mysteries of water with a totally transformed perspective through hours of invaluable masterclasses.
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Receive the distillation of 13 years of research in fun, engaging water workshops covering modern science, ancient mythology, health & biology, song & ceremony, geopolitics and climate, etc.
Body
Daily yoga, dance, and swimming targeted at youthening your fascia - the hydraulic network of intelligently structured water that channels water, information and electricity through your body.
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Eat a deeply hydrating diet, and drink the highest quality water
Spirit
Water is the physical body of consciousness itself. Meet this sentience in the profound practices of meditation, ritual, and ceremony based on indigenous water practices from around the world.
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All on the shores of one of the most sacred bodies of water on Earth.
Community
Connect with kindred spirits in a container of community and sharing. Groups who learn together, love together!
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Not only will we become empowered as activists for our home and global communities, we will also make a difference for the local land with an opportunity to serve the sacred waters.
Water has the answers!
You only need to understand how to work with her, and she becomes your greatest lifelong ally.
After this experience,
you will never drink a glass of water or take a shower in the same way again.
Do you crave a deeper communion with life,
a scientific and spiritual understanding of yourself,
the earth, and the cosmos?
Have a fun Mayan adventure while empowering your life with a paradigm shift!
We are honored to welcome a local Mayan ceremonialist who will inaugurate our retreat with a traditional water ceremony. We will meet together at our private cenote to take part in an ancient ritual to connect with water and offer our prayers, guided by the inherited wisdom of the Mayan Cosmovision
Fascial Yoga
Daily yoga sessions will focus on fascial & meridian awareness and health. Hydration isn't about how much water you drink. It's also about how well your water can flow into the parts of your body that need it. A key to this process is your fascia - basically your body's intelligent web of structured water and collagen, which acts as a hydraulic system distributing hydration and information throughout your aquatic body.
Ritual & Ceremony
Temazcal is an ancient Mayan form of sauna hydrotherapy, a Mexican sweat lodge, which includes ceremonial prayer and song. It is a cleansing and healing ritual uniting the powers of fire and water for the benefit of your mind, body, and spirit. The temazcal is shaped in a dome-like manner to represent a woman’s womb. And it's believed when a person steps out of a temazcal experience, they are essentially reborn.
Temazcal Hydrotherapy
Reset your autonomic nervous system in a cosmic soup of infinite relaxation. Janzu is often seen as a rebirthing therapy, with the water representing the amniotic fluid of the womb. This healing experience in the water is a meditative journey where the therapist moves you, flowing with the water, as a dance, to enter another dimension, a calming state of being.
It helps release physical tensions and let go of hold emotions to create space for lightness.
Janzu Therapy
Water Alchemy
Each on-site participant will receive a gift bag of water revitalizing tools. We will learn the significance and use of each one of them as a part of your daily hydration strategy. We will also have the opportunity to experiment with many other water revitalization tools and techniques, and to turn regular bottled water into living spring-quality water
Decreased gravity and the embrace of water with the safety of nose-clips offer a dive into the ecstatic three-dimensionality of the dolphin universe, explored with a "human pod" in unfolding ease, joyful play, creative movement, profound stillness, heart-opening intimacy, and soulful connection.
Submerge your entire being into the aquatic realms and allow your expressive, flowing, moving liquid self to emerge. With the support and embrace of the water, we will create, activate, and express our embodiment through the many layers of liquidity. We will explore techniques of self-awareness, breath, dance, water movement/aquatic bodywork and soft receptivity.
Aquatic Dance
Harness and haromonize the dualistic alchemy of fire and water, as you are expertly guided to wield flames in your own hands, while immersed in the ancient and healing waters of a Mayan cenote. This is a transformative intersection of the two most powerful forces in nature. Channel their transformational properties with a range of activations designed to bring out these energies in balance.
Fire Water Experience
We will be expertly guided through a powerful ice bath experience, also referred to as cold water immersion or cold hydrotherapy. It is an ancient practice that tonifies the body, trains the mind, and starts a cascade of health benefits, including the buildup of brown adipose tissue and resultant fat loss, reduced inflammation that facilitates a fortified immune system, balanced hormone levels, improved sleep quality, and the production of endorphins— the feel-good chemicals in the brain that naturally elevate your mood.
Ice Bath Hydrotherapy
"To understand water is to understand the cosmos, the marvels of nature, and life itself."
~Dr. Masaru Emoto
Learn to balance your breath underwater as you relax and surrender into an experience of beauty in this underwater photo ritual expertly guided by a masterful underwater photographer. She will guide you in a meditation practice to connect with the water of this ancient cenote, and allow it to hold you and guide your body into elegant forms for otherworldly images. Capture these memories to last a lifetime.
Underwater Photo Ritual
”A drop of water, if it could write out its own history,
would explain the universe
to us.”
– Lucy Larcom
Water Is Life
and allying with water
is Life Changing
According to the ancients, water is the mediator between the physical and the divine, between the human and the heavenly.
Knowing how to work with the element of water can facilitate communion, manifestation, and deeper states of prayer and meditation.
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It's time to embody the true empowerment of being a body of water living on a body of water.
“Not only the thirsty seek the Water, the Water as well seeks the thirsty.
Wash the dust from your heart and soul
with Water's wisdom”
– Rumi
overwhelmed by world events, out of touch with your spiritual center, thrown into whirlwinds of fear or doubt when faced with political, environmental, or social tides, disconnected from the Earth amid the frenzy of modern life...
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No worries, there is a liquid calm amid the storm. We'll re-establish a solid inner foundation of peace so that we emanate positive change in the world, from a place of guardianship and stewarding what is most sacred.
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If you are intelligent, curious and passionate about the links between health, ecology and spirituality, ready to dive into the places where mysticism and science meet, to uncover the blueprint for greater vitality, and eager to put all of that wisdom into service to make a difference and be of benefit in the world, then this retreat is for you. You may feel like you are missing a key aspect of communion with Source, or perhaps you're simply not well hydrated, and experiencing the mental and physical suffering that results from a dry body and dry mind. Whether you suffer the effects of disconnection from water physically or spiritually, this retreat is for you.
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When we are disconnected from water, we are cut off from our own vitality. When we reconnect with water, we discover not only greater physical health, but more mental and emotional wellbeing as well. In modern times we are disconnected from ancestral wisdom. But ancients of EVERY culture revered water. Reconnecting with water grounds us into the legacies of our lineages in an empowering activation. And science is revealing that WATER holds the answers on a quantum level to the mysteries behind the secret, the law of attraction, manifestation, and more. So it’s URGENT for anyone who wants to supercharge their prayers AND their body.
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At this retreat we delve DEEP into the ancient myths and modern science of water. It completely, radically and irrevocably shifts peoples relationships with the primary element of life. Hours of masterclass study plus deep experiential therapies and water-based bodywork, plus exploring beautiful sacred sites and bodies of water for ritual and ceremonial practice are PROFOUND.
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By the end of this retreat, you will feel juicy, hydrated, connected, empowered and activated so that you can LIVE more fully through every water molecule of your aquatic body and make the difference in this world that you came here to make - from a place of deep connection and turned-on aliveness!
Perhaps You've Been Feeling...
Luxury and Simplicity in the Mayan jungle
This amazing property is uniquely designed for sustainable eco-tourism with accommodations to explore the Mayan Jungle in perfect comfort.
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Private and shared rooms are available in a villa, or separate from the villa, and one apartment is also available. All options have air conditioning for your comfort, plus daily housekeeping and wifi, and optional spa and massage services.
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We will be only a quick 10 minute drive to the incredible site of Dos Ojos Cenotes and if that is not enough, 4 cenotes are within walking distance of our property. And a protected nature reserve with a pristine beach of perfectly clear blue water is close by.
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We will have a fire circle, pool, and secret cave on the property as an oasis for our transformational group expriences.
Home Away From Home
tulum
Tulum has been recognized internationally for its gorgeous Caribbean beaches and fascinating archaeological sites. This coastal town is one of the nine municipalities that compose the state of Quintana Roo, and it is located in the tourist zone and heart of the Riviera Maya.
In 2019, Tulum was voted as the best beach destination in the world.
Tulum is part of a marvelous Mayan history with magnificent sights, art, music and ancient Mayan magic. People that visit this town are amazed by all the hidden history behind this beautiful coastal city.
For many years, Tulum has been the most famous town in the Riviera Maya for tourists attracted by aquatic and other activities such as kite surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling, diving, and other attractions. Caves, cenotes, and other alternative treatments such as temazcal, are other popular attractions in Tulum.
I recommend booking a few days to explore this enchanting region of the Yucatán before and after the water retreat.
Knowledge is Power...
Let's Dive Deep...
We’ll explore how to biohack your BODY ECOLOGY for mega-hydration, super vitality and ultimate longevity, learning specific ways to hydrate that KEEP YOUR GENES YOUNG!
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We’ll cover the cutting edge new science of water as the key to our future as a species, including: how WATER CAN SAVE THE WORLD - ending climate change, generating free energy, ending world hunger, preventing natural disasters, remote communication, levitation & MORE! All backed by groundbreaking research.
We’ll traverse anthropological history and cosmological discoveries revealing Water’s Myth & Mystery - Countless ancestral origin stories & indigenous wisdom traditions tell similar tales of our primal connection to water & its role in the Universe, and those legacies reveal the most profound truth about water that you’d never guess.
We’ll become Voices of the Waters, Learning ancient & modern MEDICINE MUSIC for healing waterways. Become a sacred SONG CARRIER, lift your voice to resonate, vibrate & pray with the source of life.
We’ll explore the practices of antiquity, and dig up the rituals of our ancestral connection to Water Witchcraft. Embodying our archetypes of Hedge Witches, mermaids & sea priestesses, we’ll Connect with indigenous European shamanic practices for water RITUAL, ELIXIR-CRAFT, POTIONS and SPELL-WORK.
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What's included...
What's not included...
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5 nights accommodations in gorgeous Tulum Villas
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Airport transfer from Cancun Airport (CUN)
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3 healthy, fresh cooked meals a day from local, organic ingredients
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Daily Yoga & Meditation
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Group aquatic dance session (underwater contact improv)
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Water Workshops with the Water Ambassador, Isabel!
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Group Excursions to Cenotes (Sacred Mayan Water Holes)
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Group Excursion to pristine Beach Sanctuary and Preserve
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Traditional Mayan Temezcal (Sweat Lodge)
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Sound Healing in Private Cave
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Water Ceremonies
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Surprise water alchemy gifts you will LOVE!
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Transportation To / From Cancun Airport (CUN)
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Extra Spa Services
Optional...
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Private Janzu Water Therapy Sessions
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Massages or Spa Services
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Underwater Photography Sessions
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Gratuities
Travel Insurance...
Travel Insurance can protect you in case:
• you cancel your participation in the retreat
• retreat is cancelled due to weather, natural disaster, or not enough participants to run the trip
• lost baggage
• medical expenses and the cost of repatriation should you become ill or injured
We recommend TRAVELGUARD, which offers a variety of travel insurances, including the option for a comprehensive “cancel for any reason” policy. If you cancel your retreat – for any reason – your airfare, hotel, retreat costs, etc. up until 48 hours prior to travel, will be covered. You must contact Travelguard and purchase the policy within 15 days of buying your airline tickets or incurring any costs for any part of your travel. You can also just insure your air tickets.
Cancellation Policy...
Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness. If you cancel your participation in the retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy below will apply, with no exceptions. We wish we could compensate people for unforseen circumstances (injury, family emergency, etc), but we have costs already incurred when reserving the location, caterer, etc. We have designed our cancellation policy to be as compassionate as possible in the case that your plans change. But to protect yourself further, we strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance
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Cancellation:
• $500 deposit will not be refunded.
• If you cancel more than 90 days in advance of retreat start date, a full refund, minus non-refundable deposit will be given.
• If you cancel within 60 days of the retreat start date, a 50% refund minus non-refundable deposit will be given.
• If you cancel with 30 days or less of the retreat start date, no refund will be given.
IF WE CANCEL THE RETREAT:
We have never had to cancel a retreat, however, if we do cancel a trip due too few participants, we will refund to you all deposits and payments you have paid. We cannot however compensate you for airfare or travel costs incurred.
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FORCE MAJEUR:
If Bella Retreats or Jen Isabel Friend are prevented from performing any of their obligations by acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, fire, weather, breakdowns, interruption of transport, government or political action, acts of war or terrorism, acts or omissions of a third party or for any other cause whatsoever outside Bella Retreats or Isabel's reasonable control, Bella Retreats and Isabel will be under no liability whatsoever and may either cancel or postpone the retreat.
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Covid:
Your health and safety is of the utmost concern.
Due to COVID-19, travel conditions and restrictions are unpredictable.
We highly recommend purchasing Travel Insurance https://www.travelinsurance.com.
We follow all International country entry requirements.
• No refunds can be made even in case of:
• Participants receiving a Positive Covid Test prior to departure.
• Participants general concerns, anxieties related to COVID19.
• Local city or state virus conditions that prohibit participants travel.
• Regional quarantine requirements that may apply to participants return (early or otherwise).
• Participants failure to comply with country entry requirements.
Click Here to Access Mexico International Travel Information
Isabel
Friend
Riviera Maya has profoundly sacred water, and I'm honored to share this experience with you in these beautiful beaches and sentient cenotes.
Isabel is a water advocate and public speaker who has been studying water’s mysteries for 13 years and teaching them for 6. A passionate servant, steward and student of nature, she balances wisdom and reverence in her writing and teaching of ancient water spirituality and cutting edge water science..
Contact Us
Any lingering questions?
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