Retreat: Rancho La Puerta, Mexico
Image by Cameron Sand
Why Retreat?
Do you ever feel like a retreat could be life-changing, but don’t know how to choose?
There are so many places and things to consider: what environment, what kind of schedule or classes to take, what kind of food, and what other people will be there…!
(Cover Image by Bob Sharman)
I’ve experienced a handful of diverse retreats. Out of all these,
Rancho La Puerta is a prime top spot, worth it.
The retreat is in the heart of Baja California and is easy to get to which makes it appealing in its own right. Here are the three pros that make this retreat exceptional.
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3 Pros
Quality of teaching of the classes and workshops
Beauty and vibe of the environment
Ease of travel there
Image by Mary Allison Tierney
Image by Russ Walker
Image by Bob Sharman
Accommodations & Environment
The ranch is on a big expanse of land that feels like a luxury secret plopped down in well-taken-care of desert. It feels like a pro painter’s estate in Mexico. The nature of the grounds is uplifting and is whimsical in architecture.
The accommodations themselves are maximally comfortable, roomy, and private. You’ll stay in individual casitas that feel like a resplendent adventure on their own. They’re cozy but spacious, lavish, and with their own outdoor portico.
The ranch itself is ginormous with 11 gyms, hanging hammocks throughout the landscape, pools, there’s a labyrinth, tons of hiking trails, there’s even a running track. There’s strong attention to detail in the flowers and flora that decorate all over. If that can’t be topped, there’s also an organic farm and cooking school.
Food
The food is healthy and focuses on a lacto-ovo diet that is central to grain, fruit, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts, dairy, and eggs. It definitely feels like healthy food, but that’s a good thing. There’s a wide array of buffet-style mains, salads, and various smoothie and juice options at each meal.
Classes and Teachers
Image by Kate Bello
Aside from the environment, the classes that are offered are a total range. Unlike some retreats that focus exclusively on one type of yoga or one type of regenerative meditation, at Rancho La Puerta there is a scope of kinds of classes. This provides a rich experience physically and mentally. You get exposure to a range of styles of physical exercise, as well as mental focus and spiritual well-being.
Styles include vinyasa yoga, Nia, Feldenkrais, group morning and evening hiking, guided meditations, and other courses throughout the day schedule.
The ranch also offers weekly specials and shows what’s uniquely there week-to-week on their events calendar as well as with particular workshops. It’s worth keeping an eye on, if there’s something you resonate with you can plan the immersion at that time of particular focus.
Spa
With 3 whole spas on site, Rancho La Puerta offers a slew of relaxations to choose from. There’s a sauna, steam room, hot tub, massage, hydrotherapies, and salon treatments. The technicians are well-trained and provide a peaceful experience for what is juxtaposed with days full of physical rigor.
The ranch is also committed to a holistic approach to sustainability which is visible in the tiers of its environment from the way the land is managed to the organic farm-to-table practices. The ranch itself has a long-established history of providing holistic uplift and well-being. It was incepted in 1940 by a couple who were seen as pioneers in the wellness movement and in terms of promoting whole systems thinking.
Image by Ilana Nachoum
*Safety tip
There are dedicated areas for WiFi around the campus. However, the ranch emphasizes minimal usage of digital items like your phone and laptop. While there is WiFi, it isn’t the best, even phone reception is spotty. However, these add to the practice of detox that the immersion encourages.
Bottom line
The environment of Rancho la Puerta is lovely. But the real bottom line to going is the classes. They’re steeped in a longstanding establishment of the ranch and its community and they choose an excellent selection.
Further, Rancho la Puerta is a hospitable environment that encourages wellness on every level. You’re easily empowered there and it feels like a vacation at the same time. This immersion is a place that will rev your yoga practice and quick-start a wellness renewal.
