WE ARE SO BACK!

Our 5th annual EQUINOX retreat returns September 19th-23rd after a year of intentional pause—What returns is not the same experience in a new location, but an evolved offering.

This is a gathering for those who know the power of pause. For those called to slow down, shed old skins, and listen.

The Fall Equinox marks the moment of balance —equal light, equal dark.

A portal for reflection, release, and intentional recalibration.

This experience is rooted in afro-indigenous, land based wisdom, and open to all identities who are called to show up with reverence, and an open heart.

STEP INTO YOUR RENEWAL

Nikan-ka, located in Cuernavaca—just south of Mexico City and nestled in the Tepozteco mountains—is one of those places that feels like a deep exhale the moment you arrive. Known as the City of Eternal Spring, it’s lush, warm, and wildly alive, with vibrant greenery, birdsong, and that steady, soul-soothing calm that makes you slow all the way down. Our retreat home sits on a full acre of tropical gardens with hidden paths, streams, ponds, and exotic birds, completely gated and private so once you’re here, the world falls away. The space blends sacred and luxurious with nine bedrooms across four buildings, multiple indoor and outdoor kitchens for long communal meals, a rooftop yoga studio and yoga chalet, ceremony and gym spaces, a traditional Aztec temazcal, plus a heated pool and jacuzzi for deep rest and integration. It’s the kind of place where your body softens, your spirit opens, and clarity shows up without being forced.

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS SHOW UP IN MEXICO CITY.

WE HANDLE THE REST.

WHAT ~

5 days, 4 nights • September 19th-23rd 2026 • Cuernavaca, MX

WHY & WHERE~

Cuernavaca, Mexico —because this year, elevation is everything. The air is clearer, the energy is higher, and the container is deeper.

WHO IS THIS FOR ~

For the seekers, the dreamers, the doers—and anyone ready to slow down without missing a beat. You’re ready to feel the season, honor what’s ready to be released, and step into what’s next.

WHAT WE'‘LL DO~

A fully curated experience so you can show up fully:

  • 4 nights in a mountain sanctuary built for rest and reflection (single/double room accommodation avail)

  • Daily rituals, masterclasses, and movement sessions

  • Communal meals designed to nourish body and soul

  • Guided reflection, integration sessions, and creative activations

  • Sacred excursion to Xochicalco— walk among the ancient pyramids during the Fall Equinox, feel the alignment of the sun, and connect with the ancestral energy of this historic site.

  • Roundtrip ground transportation to/from Mexico City airport (AICM)

YOUR ITINERARY

  • Arrive, breathe, and step into the space made for you. Shuttles bring you from the airport or CDMX location. Check in, enjoy a light lunch, and explore your surroundings.

    Gather for a welcome dinner and grounding circle to open the retreat with intention.

  • Wake with movement and a mindful breakfast. Enter the Temezcal Ceremony, a sacred space for cleansing and rebirth. Lunch, then indulgence: choose a 90-minute massage session with skilled local therapists. Afternoon is yours—rest, reflect, or wander. Close the day with dinner and sacred sound bath, letting your body and spirit align.

  • Fuel up with breakfast, then set out for a full-day private excursion. Walk the ancient ceremonial grounds of Xochicalco, on the Fall Equinox where history, astronomy, and sacred architecture converge. Then shift gears at Las Estacas—crystal-clear spring waters, lush nature, and time to float, swim, and restore. The day is fully guided and thoughtfully catered. Return to in the evening, refreshed and full.

  • Move, breathe, meditate, and journal—start your day with presence. Integration time flows into a intimate alchemy activation and a group photo dressed in all white to capture your journey. Evening unfolds with a closing dinner and dance party—celebrate, connect, and release.

  • Breakfast, check-out, and shuttles back to the airport or CDMX. Leave nourished, restored, and transformed.

Step into 5 days of sacred rhythm. Each day balances ceremony, exploration, healing, and joy to support deep restoration and embodied presence.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:

  • A few things to plan for on your own: roundtrip airfare to Mexico City, (be sure to select AIFA airport NOT NCLU), tips, and personal spending money.

    We will share preferred departure and arrival times but if it doesn’t align you’ll also need to arrange for your own ground transportation to Cuernavaca.

    We will also have one shuttle picking up/dropping off in a central Mexico City location for those already in town.

    Everything else? We got you.

LODGING DETAILS

EARLY BIRD ENDS

March 16th!

I know times have been heavy for some, and I know pricing can feel like a wall when what you really need is space to breathe. That’s why I didn’t raise retreat prices this year — this is my most affordable retreat yet, not because it’s any less valuable, but because I want more folks to be able to join.

With early bird pricing and flexible payment plans, it’s easier than ever to show up. And for my folks who’ve been living in Mexico for at least a year, we’ve got a local rate, so more of us can step fully into what we need most.

*Proof of Residency Required.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

  • Full refunds are available within 72 hours of booking as long as your booking was made at least 14 days before the retreat begins.

  • After that 72-hour window, all payments are non-refundable and will be forfeited.

We appreciate your understanding and your commitment to the circle.

Energy, space, and preparation are real investments—and so is your seat. 🖤


Edificio Fuego: Itztli: Premium Suite 2 - Downstairs
$2,350.00

Single King bed + cozy sitting area. Spacious, private, and perfect for reflection. 

Also has a really comfy sofa bed to convert into a double room for an additional $1,500. Contact host before booking to confirm double option.*

Late Bird: $2,700

Edificio Fuego: Xōchipilli: Premium Suite 1 - Upstairs
$2,500.00

Single King bed + outdoor patio & garden view. Wake up to lush greenery and epic sunrise vibes.

Late Bird: $2,875

Edificia Agua: Tlaloc + Chilmalma: Full Suites
$2,000.00

Full Suite 1 TLAOC-

Full sized KING bed. Down Pond View, Deluxe ensuite with desk, large living room, large bathroom, private balcony overlooking the lily pond with beautiful garden view.  

Simple, peaceful, and ready to cradle your retreat experience. 

Full Suite 2 CHIMALMA
Full sized KING bed. Simple, peaceful, and ready to cradle your retreat experience.

UP pond view, upper bathroom with bath, living room, desk, beautiful garden view.

Late Bird: $2,300

Edificia Agua: Cipactli: Queen Suite 1
$2,150.00

Queen bed. Intimate, comfortable, and filled with serene retreat energy.

Down Pond View, Luxury Suite with Desk, Living Room and Beautiful Pond View, Private Terrace,

Late Bird: $2,470

Edificio Tierra: Tepeyollotl: Double Suite - LOCAL RATE
$1,650.00

Two twin beds, a well-equipped mini kitchen with all the appliances and utensils necessary for cooking.

Perfect for friends or travel companions, with room to breathe. 

For our community members residing in Mexico 1+ year. Enjoy full comfort at a special rate. Proof of residency required.

Late Bird: $1,800

Edificio Tierra: Mayahuel + Omacatl: Double Suites
$1,850.00

Two twin beds, a well-equipped mini kitchen with all the appliances and utensils necessary for cooking.

Perfect for friends or travel companions, with room to breathe. 

Late Bird: $2,100

Edificia Agua: Cipactli: Full Suite-LOCAL RATE
$1,850.00

Full sized bed with private bath. For our community members residing in Mexico 1+ year.

Enjoy full comfort at a special rate. Proof of residency required.

Late Bird: $2,100

Meet Your Guide

Zakiya Harris, aka Sh8peshifter, is a wellness visionary, futurist, and educator whose work bridges spirituality, creativity, and collective liberation. For over seven years, she has designed and produced transformational retreats across the U.S. and Mexico, guiding purpose-driven leaders through embodied practices rooted in ritual, rest, and ancestral wisdom. A practitioner of IFA for more than 20 years, Zakiya was initiated as a priest of IFA in Osogbo, Nigeria, in 2023, grounding her work in the Isese tradition.

Through coaching, facilitation, and ceremony, she has supported hundreds of leaders, creatives, and nonprofit visionaries in reconnecting to their inherent gifts and leading with clarity and sustainability. She is the author of Sh8peshift Your Life and the founder of Sh8peshift Society, a global wellness community offering masterclasses, sound healing, and integrative modalities.

More About Zakiya

Still got questions, unsure or want to set up a free discovery call with Zakiya directly?

Email us at admin@sh8peshiftyourlife.com and lets vibe, discuss your goals and see if this retreat is a good fit.