FALL EQUINOX RETREAT
September 19–23, 2026 | Morelos, Mexico
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.
FOUNDER WELCOME
Dear one,
You feel it, don't you? The whisper to stop. The ache to shed what no longer fits. The quiet knowing that before you can move forward, you must first stand still.
I created this retreat for people exactly like you — people who are tired of performing, of rushing, of carrying what was never theirs to hold.
Here, you will not be asked to be interesting. You will be asked to be present.
Over five days in Morelos, we will gather, sit in the womb of the temazcal, move our bodies, and let the equinox teach us what balance really means: not perfection, but listening.
I cannot wait to receive you.
With reverence,
Zakiya
Founder, SYL
PRE-CARE / AFTER-CARE
This retreat is an investment in your presence. To receive its full gift, start preparing before you arrive.
Before you leave home (Pre-Care):
- Clear unnecessary meetings from the week before September 19th.
- Arrange childcare, eldercare, pet care, and work coverage so you are not mentally tugged home.
- If possible, give yourself at least 24 hours after returning before you jump back into work or major responsibilities.
- Cook and freeze a few meals for the week after — coming home to a warm, easy dinner is an act of self-love.
You are not "leaving life behind." You are choosing to meet yourself fully. That starts with logistics.
After you return (After-Care):
- Block your calendar for integration: journal, rest, walk, sleep.
- Resist the urge to immediately share every detail on social media. Let it land first.
- Keep a small altar or token from the retreat as a reminder: you can live this slowly anywhere.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Fly into: Mexico City International Airport (AICM) — Benito Juárez
Arrival Day – Friday, September 19th
Please book a flight that arrives before 1:00 PM CST if possible.
Why? Traffic in Mexico City builds quickly. An early arrival means a calm, spacious transfer to the retreat center.
Departure Day – Tuesday, September 23rd
Book your flight after 10:00 AM CST from the same airport (AICM).
Complimentary airport pickup is included in your fee.
We will do our best to accommodate everyone within a reasonable window. If you book a flight significantly outside our group transfer times, you may need to arrange your own transportation (private driver or taxi).
Book your flights no later than July 1st.
Email your flight details to: admin@sh8peshiftyourlife.com
ABOUT MORELOS & MEXICO
Central Mexico is vibrant, alive, and deeply welcoming. The people here are warm, generous, and proud of their traditions. You will feel that the moment you step off the plane.
Are you safe?
Yes. Treat Morelos as you would any new place: with awareness, not fear. Use basic street smarts — keep valuables close, stay aware of your surroundings, and move with the same respect you would at home.
You are a guest on ancestral lands once stewarded by the Tlahuica and Nahua peoples. Come with humility. Leave with gratitude.
LANGUAGE
Most people you will interact with — drivers, hotel staff, guides — speak English. But language is an offering. Learning a few words is a small but powerful way to honor the place that is hosting you.
Hello = Hola
Good day = Buenos días
Good afternoon = Buenas tardes
Good night = Buenas noches
Thank you = Gracias
Even a shy "gracias" with a smile opens doors. A little Spanish goes a long, long way.
PESOS (CASH + TIPS)
You will want some cash on hand for tips, small purchases, and spontaneity.
Recommendation:
Have at least 1,000 Mexican Pesos (approx. $57.81 USD) in cash for the week.
Where to get pesos:
Use the ATM at the Mexico City airport upon arrival.
When the ATM asks if you accept the exchange rate, decline — that is a hidden fee. Let your bank do the conversion.
Cards:
Most places accept standard ATM/debit cards. Call your bank before you travel to ask about international transaction fees.
PACKING LIST
Weather in Jiutepec, Morelos (September)
Daytime: 75-82°F
Evenings: 55-65°F — yes, it cools down. Bring a layer.
Clothing – loose, comfy, breathable
- 3-4 simple, stretchy, movement outfits
- Light pants or shorts for daytime
- Long sleeves or a light jacket for evening chill
- All-white cute outfit for our final day and photoshoot
Footwear
- Comfortable sneakers or walking shoes (excursions)
- Flip-flops or sandals (water, pool, shower)
Essentials
- Swimsuit (pool + temazcal)
- Insect repellent (natural preferred — rosemary or citronella)
- Reusable water bottle
- Journal + pen
- Sun hat, sunglasses, natural sunscreen
Optional
- Small flashlight or headlamp
- Earplugs (light sleepers)
Leave at home
- Heavy winter clothes
- Unnecessary valuables
- Expectations of "doing" (this is a being retreat)
THE TEMAZCAL
Temazcal (Nahuatl for "house of heat") is a pre-Hispanic purification ritual. You will enter a small, dome-shaped clay structure with hot volcanic stones at its center. Shaman Sergio, pours water infused with herbs over the stones, releasing steam, prayers, and intention.
This is not a sauna. It is a rebirth.
You will sit in darkness, in heat, in community. You will be invited to release what no longer lives in your body — grief, fear, old stories. The womb of the earth holds you. When you emerge, you are washed clean.
How to prepare — 24 hours before arrival:
- No alcohol
- No recreational or non-prescription drugs
- Stay hydrated (water, herbal tea)
- Eat light: fruits, vegetables, broths
If you are pregnant, have uncontrolled high blood pressure, or severe heart conditions, please consult us before participating. The temazcal is powerful — we will honor your limits.
MEALS
All meals are lovingly prepared by a Chef Ivan.
- Plant-based breakfast buffet each morning (hearty, nourishing, local)
- Plant-based dinner each evening (communal, ceremonial, delicious)
Dietary accommodations available. Please let us know by August 1st.
TECH INVITATION
You are invited — gently, firmly — to clear your calendar of meetings during the retreat.
We ask that you try to be as screen-less as possible. No laptops. No work emails. No notifications.
Take photos if you wish. But let your phone live in your bag, on airplane mode, or tucked away in your room.
The land, the fire, the temazcal — none of them need your attention. They only need your presence.
**VENUE DETAILS: NIKAN KA**
Address:
Calle de los Doctores 25, Lomas de Jiutepec, Jiutepec, Morelos, Mexico, 62550 ...-you may need to share this when crossing immigration at the airport for your tourist visa.
Fun facts about Nikan Ka:
- The name Nikan Ka means "here/there is" in Nahuatl — a reminder that everything you need is already here, in this place.
- The property sits in the foothills of the Morelos mountains, surrounded by avocado groves and volcanic stone.
- There is a pool, an open-air yoga shala with a view, and a dedicated temazcal lodge.
- The venue was designed with ancestral building techniques: adobe walls, clay floors, and thatched roofs — modern comfort, ancient soul.
- You will hear more birds than cars. That is by design.
**COMPLIMENTARY 1:1 CALL WITH ZAKIYA**
Your retreat booking includes one complimentary 45-minute private session with Zakiya — to anchor your intention before you arrive or integrate after you return.
You must book your session in the month of July 2026.
AGREEMENTS
To create a safe, reverent container for everyone, we ask you to commit to these simple agreements:
1. Consent — You will ask before touching another person's body, mat, belongings, or energy. "No" is received with grace.
2. Confidentiality — What is shared in circle stays in circle. Do not repeat another person's story outside this space.
3. First names only — We do not use titles, credentials, or hierarchies here. You are simply you.
4. Your process is yours — You are not here to fix, save, or hold space for anyone other than yourself. Trust others to walk their own path.
5. Respect the land, the elders, and each other — This includes arriving on time, cleaning up after yourself, and speaking with kindness even in disagreement.
Violating these agreements may result in being asked to leave without refund.
CLOSING WORDS FROM ZAKIYA
You have already said yes to something brave.
Pausing. Listening. Shedding. Returning.
Do not let the noise of preparation drown out the quiet call that brought you here. Book your flight. Pack your white clothes. Learn to say gracias. And trust that the land will meet you exactly where you are.
I will see you in Mexico.
With fire and water,
Zakiya