Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
This is a reclamation.
Through the ancient technology of Kundalini yoga, breathwork, and feminine embodiment practices, we move energy, release blocks, and awaken what’s been dormant. You’ll journey back into your body — not just to inhabit it, but to worship it.
In the heart of this sacred container, you’ll be guided through a sensual boudoir photography session with a celebrated photographer who knows how to see you — the real you — in your rawest, most radiant form.
This isn’t about posing. It’s about uncovering.
It’s about letting yourself be seen, by you most of all.
Come as you are.
Leave embodied, empowered, and exquisitely turned on by your own presence.
About
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Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Boudoir is a step deeper than traditional portraiture — not necessarily nude, but definitely intimate. It’s about softness, connection, and presence. While public-facing portraits are made to be shared widely, boudoir is often made for a private audience — even if that audience is just you.
Participants can be photographed solo or with a partner. Nudity is never required. The only optional level of nudity covered in this retreat is toplessness, and all images are created with deep care and intention.
This is for anyone interested in:
– Celebrating themselves or their body
– Creating something personal and emotional with a partner
– Healing through transition: newlyweds, newly single, post-divorce, postpartum
– Stepping into self-expression and visibility
– Learning how to shoot and direct intimate photography, even just with an iPhone
No camera required — just curiosity and consent.
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Rachel Gray – Photographer
Rachel Gray is a Los Angeles-based photographer who explores the world of intimacy through portraiture. She holds a BFA in Photography from the University of Washington, prior to a production career at Netflix. Rachel is an intuitive and empathic photographer, who captures the essence of a connection through her work photographing the love between people (elopements & couples), and her creative directing work with female sensuality (boudoir). As a recent client stated, “Rachel’s intention to conjure vulnerability without imposition is her true talent.”
She’s inspired by artists such as Rene Magritte, Marina Abromovic, and Imogine Cunningham. When she’s not photographing, she’s making music as a singer/songwriter, and traveling the world.
Includes
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Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Includes :
5 nights beach front accommodations at Utopia : El Cuyo Guesthouse & Yoga Studio
Embodied Kundalini Yoga practices with Monica as per itinerary
Boudoir Photography session with Rachel
Delicious Mexican breakfasts daily + two lunches
3 dinners together by our local chef
75 minute healing massage
Bicycles, Kayaks & SUP boards available all the week
Mexican Mud Ceremony on the beach
All hotel taxes & fees
What’s not Included :
Airfare and airport transfers.*
2 lunches & 2 dinners on your own
Optional group excursion (kayaking or flamingos)
Night out at a local venue for dinner, drinks and dancing
Staff tips (suggested amount between $45usd and $75usd (750 to 1250 Mexican pesos) per person for the house staff & between $10-20usd (200-400mxn) for massage);
tips are preferred in Mexican pesos please
Extra excursions and massages
*We can arrange private or shared airport transfers for you when you forward us your flight itinerary.
Pricing will depend on how many sharing the ride.
Itinerary
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Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Itinerary
DAY ONE :
3:00 PM – Arrival, settle in
6:00 PM – Opening Circle + Gentle Yoga
7:30 PM – Dinner
8:30 PM – Boudoir Talk & Intro (15-minute presentation with slides)
What is boudoir?
Portraiture vs. intimacy
How to build trust quickly
Writing activity: “What excites or scares me about being seen?”
9:15 PM – Connection Exercise
Partnered sharing
Moon observation (no camera — just observe the light)
DAY TWO :
7:30 AM – Morning Yoga
8:30 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Photo Review Discussion
“Photographing Connection”
Light, shadow, and composition
Natural vs. artificial light
Play, intention, and emotion in image-making
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM – Self-Portraiture Exercise
Solo time for exploration
Use your phone or camera — or just sketch or reflect
Explore: How do you see yourself? How do you want to be seen?
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Break + Lunch
1:30 PM – 5:30 PM – One-on-One Boudoir Consultations (15 minutes each)
Who’s in the photo?
Vibe, emotion, energy
Styling notes, comfort levels, boundaries
Optional: test shots or creative direction
5:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Optional Photo Practice or Rest
7:00 PM – Dinner
DAY THREE :
7:30 AM – Morning Yoga
8:30 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – 5:30 PM – Mini Boudoir Sessions (Solo + Couples)
Assigned time slots
Natural light environments
Quiet, supportive atmosphere
Styling support available
6:00 PM – Yin Yoga
7:30 PM – Dinner
DAY FOUR :
7:30 AM – Meditation & Yoga
8:30 AM – Breakfast
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM – Optional Group Excursion
Integration time: journaling, movement, rest
Optional solo photography prompts for participants interested in shooting
7:00 PM – Dinner
DAY FIVE :
8:00 AM – SUP/Kayaks
9:00 AM – Yoga
10:15 AM – Breakfast
10:30 AM – Optional Mudbath + Portrait Opportunity
A grounding, playful environment for self-expression
Explore texture, sensuality, and spontaneity through the lens
Phones and cameras welcome
Themes: play, surrender, softness, power
11:00 AM – 3:30 PM – Final Reflections + Open Photo Sharing (optional)
What did you create? What did you notice? What are you taking with you?
5:30 PM – Closing Circle
7:30 PM – Celebration Dinner
DAY SIX :
8:30 AM – Light Breakfast
9:30 AM – Farewells & Departures+
+We can arrange private or shared airport transfers for you when you forward us your flight itinerary. Pricing will depend on how many sharing the ride.
*Our itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions and circumstances beyond our control while on retreat. In any case, we will take measures to provide a similar experience of the same high quality. Thank you for your flexibility if it becomes necessary.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS* :
KAYAKING NATURE EXCURSION
2:30pm-5:30pm Optional Kayaking Excursion in nature with guide. Transportation included.
*Minimum participation of 4 guests to host the excursion. Availability subject to water levels.
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PINK LAGOONS & FLAMINGO EXCURSION
11:30am-4pm Optional Excursion to visit the local pink lagoons of Las Coloradas and see the flamingos in their natural habitat. Lunch included at a local fish shack.
Guide & unique transportation included.
*Minimum participation of 4 guests to host the excursion. Availability subject to water levels.
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Stay
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Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Accommodations
Utopia Guesthouse & Yoga Studio : El Cuyo is the 3rd incarnation of a series of retreat houses that we have created to host retreat groups over the years.
The main living area shares a sitting room and a dining area indoors. There are porches both on the front side of the house and the beach side.
Bedrooms are simple and cozy with neutral tones, natural textures from local sources and some with ocean views.
The house has 8 bedrooms (5 privates with a queen bed each and 3 shared with 2 twin beds).
Bathrooms are shared amongst the house. There are three full bathrooms plus a double sink wash area upstairs and an outdoor shower with doors on the beach.
Our yoga studio has ocean views from the second story terrace of the house. Yoga mats, blankets, straps and blocks are available.
Follow along with our adventures on Instagram via @utopiayogaelcuyo
Pricing
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Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Pricing
Shared Double rooms
Interior bedrooms with 2 twin beds and shared bathrooms within steps.
$2,855usd per person
Shared Tower Room
Third floor bedroom with separate entrance. Can be a king bed or 2 twins. Separate dressing area and shared bathroom.
$2,895usd per person
Private Interior rooms
Interior queen bedrooms with shared bathrooms within a few steps.
$2,995usd private room
Private ocean view rooms
Oceanview queen bedrooms with shared bathrooms within a few steps.
$3,065usd SECOND FLOOR ROOMS
$3,125usd BEACHFRONT ROOM
OPTIONAL EXTRAS ON OFFER :
Excursion to Las Coloradas to see flamingos and pink lagoons; dip in a secluded beach & lunch at a local fish joint
$155usd per person
Kayaking in Nature : Sunset kayaking amongst the lilypads & mangroves. Guide and transportation included.
$85usd per person
Additional 75 minute massages
$140usd each
(Minimum 4 participants for all excursions. Availability subject to water levels.)
*You must provide your own bed mate for this option. We can pair roommates together but not people sharing a bed together.
We can pair you with other travelers of your preferred gender looking to share a room. If there is not another guest looking to share your room must be taken as a private.
Reserve
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Embodied: A Yoga & Photography Experience
Reserve
MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT HERE :
Deposits of $750usd are due to secure your space in the retreat. Please check availability with us for accommodations before making your deposit.
Roommates should book together. If you would like to share a room and do not have a roommate we will provide one for you if possible. In the case that there is no one to share a room we ask that you take a private room instead.
Please use the form below to submit your deposit.
BALANCE PAYMENTS :
The balance of your retreat (minus your $750usd initial deposit*) is due 90 days prior to arrival. All details with instructions for settling up will be emailed to you three months prior to the retreat.
In addition to credit card payments we also accept wire transfers, Zelle and Bitcoin. Please inquire for more details.
POLICIES
CANCELLATION POLICY
All payments are 100% non refundable and non-transferable. We recommend that you buy Trip cancellation insurance immediately upon making your initial deposit to cover any travel hiccups or complications that may arise between now and the time of your retreat. No exceptions are possible so please cover your trip by connecting with an insurance company that offers the right policy for you. Agents are available online to help with your specific needs. Cover your retreat here!
CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY
The acceptance of a verbal or written confirmation from YOGA & ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE (Y&AWW) constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed herein. Participants are responsible to be adequately insured, therefore Traveler’s Insurance is strongly recommended*. Y&AWW and its staff assume no responsibility nor liability for any delay, loss, damage, injury or accident with regards to persons or property which may be caused by fault or negligence of any third party vendor. This includes hotels, transportation providers, and local operators participating in part for our services. Y&AWW shall be held harmless for any expense caused by injury or accident, to any participants as well as any loss or damage of personal items while on our tours. We reserve the right to make any changes to services and itineraries, with or without notice, which may become necessary.
Yoga & Adventures Worldwide, its affiliates, retreat facilitators, hotels, third party vendors, and tour providers, the ownership, or staff, of course, cannot be held responsible for events that are outside of our control. There are no refunds as per our cancellation policies. We highly recommend that all of our guests secure a quality travel insurance that will cover them for ANY event which may cause for a change of travel plans, or for ANY unfortunate event including but of course not limited to:
– Transportation delays, cancellations or changes due to strikes, labor disputes, or lockouts from airlines, boats, ferries or any type of transportation.
– Any inconvenience or complication caused by bad weather, storms, and hurricanes : a direct hit, near miss, or significant threat of a hurricane strike
– Government/political actions, events or situations; threats or acts of terrorism, acts of war or declared war.
– Personal health issues or personal situations in general which may affect travel plans
– Any loss, theft or damage of personal items at any stage of your trip
– Any accident causing injury during any stage of your trip
– Travel restrictions or illness associated with COVID-19.
All travelers may join our retreats “at your own risk”, but should continue to take precautions such as wearing masks in public, avoiding crowds, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently. Any Covid testing will be determined by the countries through which the traveler must pass. All testing requirements are at the travelers expense and are not included in our packages. Please stay up to date with current travel related requirements.
We require that you are covered with medical insurance while on retreat. Please check your health insurance policy regarding treatment outside your home country in the rare case you would need care while away from home. Most policies have coverage for emergencies and we ask that you submit proof of this coverage when prompted. If you do not have a policy that covers travel medical, we recommend that you speak with an agent to see what is best for you. Insubuy has many options for coverage. Please consult with the agent to make sure the plan you choose covers medical care in the country you are visiting. We will ask for proof of medical insurance prior to the retreat.
By submitting payments toward your retreat you accept these Terms and Conditions.
If you have any questions regarding the details of this retreat please feel free to contact us to set up a call or to receive further info via email.
