Radiant Renewal
Living From Eros
A women's retreat for reclaiming your aliveness, desire, and creative power.
November 8-14, 2026
Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, MEXICO
Photo by Alex Kroktov
If you're a soulful woman ready to trade striving for THRIVING, effort for EROS, and exhaustion for ALIVENESS - then join us for a life-changing retreat where you'll reconnect with your body, reclaim your desire, and step into a way of living that feels deeply nourishing, joyfully alive, and soul-led.
Imagine This...
You arrive at Playa Viva, a sanctuary tucked between jungle and sea on Mexico's Pacific coast, where the rhythm of the waves becomes your rhythm, and the warm ocean breeze reminds your body how to soften, breathe, and simply be.
Each morning begins after sunrise - Earth Priestess and Yoga practices that awakens your senses and reconnects you with your aliveness. Then you're nourished with a beautiful breakfast, prepared with local, seasonal ingredients. There is no rush. There is only presence.
Late morning, we deepen into the day’s theme - a rich weaving of soma and soul, where the wisdom of the body meets the intelligence of eros. Through guided inquiry, shared exploration, and embodied exercises, this is where you begin to feel what you’ve been seeking to understand.
Midday brings a long, luxurious lunch and unstructured time. Rest in a hammock. Walk barefoot on the beach. Swim in the warm Pacific. Let the sun and saltwater work their quiet magic. Here, your nervous system finally exhales.
Late afternoon, we gather again - for breathwork, movement, inquiry, or sacred circle. This is where transformation happens, held in the container of sisterhood and witnessed presence.
After dinner, the day softens into restorative and pleasure practices - gentle movement, body connection, or ceremony under the stars. The kind of ritual that helps you integrate everything you've opened to.
This is not just a break from your life - it's a return to yourself.
This is your time. And you are so welcome here.
Living from Eros
A Return to Your Deepest Aliveness
You've been running on effort for so long, you've almost forgotten what it feels like to be guided by desire.
The pushing. The proving. The frequent override of what your body actually wants. You've spent decades achieving, giving, becoming - and somewhere along the way, you lost touch with the part of you that simply wants, desires, and creates from pleasure.
For many women in midlife, the body begins demanding a different conversation. The old ways of pushing through don't work anymore. What once felt like strength now feels like depletion. And beneath the exhaustion, there's a question rising: What if there's another way?
There is. It's called eros.
Not just sexuality - though that's part of it. Eros is the life force that animates everything. It's the intelligence of your desire. The creative current that moves through you when you stop forcing and start feeling. It's what happens when your body leads and your soul follows.
Like the caterpillar dissolving in the chrysalis, midlife asks us to let go of who we've been so something new can emerge. You're not falling apart. You're reorganizing. And in that tender, uncertain space between the old and the new, your erotic life force is waiting to guide you.
This retreat is an invitation to stop efforting and start inhabiting - to live from sensation instead of shoulds, from pleasure instead of pressure, from your body's deep wisdom instead of everyone else's expectations.
This isn't about doing more. It's about learning to be more fully alive.
Whether you're exhausted, disconnected, or simply ready for something truer, this week is your permission to remember: your desires matter, your body knows, and your aliveness is not a luxury - it's your birthright.
You are not broken. You are not behind.
You are ready.
Playa Viva: Your Sanctuary between Jungle & Sea
Tucked at the base of the Sierra Madre Mountains on Mexico's Pacific coast, Playa Viva is a two MICHELIN Key eco-resort - recognized for exceptional service, design, and location - and a place where regeneration isn't a buzzword, it's how everything operates.
This is 200 acres of nature reserve meeting nearly a mile of private beach, where jungle and ocean converge and the land itself invites you to settle. The moment you arrive, something shifts. The air is warmer. The rhythm is slower. Your shoulders drop.
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Built entirely off-grid using bamboo grown on-site and traditional local craftsmanship, every structure was designed to work with the land, not against it.
Solar power. Rainwater harvesting. Farm-to-table food from their 20-acre permaculture garden and local partners. A turtle sanctuary protecting endangered species. It's simple, beautiful, and intentional.
Your room is open to the elements - ocean views to the front, Sierra Madre mountains rising behind you. Bamboo walls, ocean breezes, and the sound of waves as your constant companion. It's minimal in the best way - everything you need, nothing you don't.
During free time, you can walk the beach barefoot, swim in the Pacific, rest in a hammock, or simply sit and watch the pelicans dive. Visit the turtles. Wander the gardens. Let the sun and saltwater do their work. Here, your nervous system finally gets to exhale.
Playa Viva doesn't ask anything of you. It just holds the space while you remember what rest actually feels like.
Guest Facilitator ~
Natalie Friese
Natalie Friese lives in Guanajuato, Mexico, where life flows naturally among winding cobblestone callejones, historic fountains, flowers spilling from balconies, and romantic music drifting through evening plazas. Surrounded by art, symphonies, vibrant markets, and the gift of slow living, she has devoted her life to exploring what it means to live from eros rather than effort - allowing desire, imagination, and creative life force to guide the unfolding of one’s path.
Her work unites naturopathy and homeopathy (Heilkunst) through the Dynamis Institute and the Inner Piece Project. For more than two decades she has mentored women in recognizing and gently dissolving the patterns shaped by fear, helping them rediscover clarity, freedom, and a deeper sense of faith & trust.
At the Living From Eros Retreat, she will share her Inner Piece teachings on the relationship between our inner and outer worlds, the cultivation of pure thought, and the understanding that love and desire are directional forces that can guide the evolution of a life lived in truth.
For more about Natalie visit: www.thedynamisinstitute.com
"This work has been a lifesaver for me. I am so amazed at how much I can restore, heal and balance, body, mind and soul. Carla's work is the best medicine for me" ~ Kathy Hart
The Cuisine
Nourishment is woven into the fabric of this retreat - body and soul alike.
Each day you'll be fed with fresh, farm-to-table meals rooted in traditional Mexican cuisine, prepared by Playa Viva's talented kitchen team. The food honours the land: seasonal vegetables, tropical fruits, sustainably sourced proteins, and vibrant ingredients harvested from the property's 20-acre permaculture farm and local producer partners. Think colourful salads, handmade tortillas, fresh-caught seafood, nourishing soups, and traditional Mexican desserts that are both grounding and delicious.
Every meal is crafted to energize and restore your body, with care given to a range of dietary needs - vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, and more. The kitchen works directly with the food sources, so you're eating as close to the earth as possible.
Meals are served in open-air palapa settings overlooking the ocean and jungle - a space where eating becomes more than sustenance. It becomes a moment to slow down, to receive, and to let yourself be nourished not just by what's on your plate, but by the beauty, intention, and care that surrounds it.
This retreat is designed to fill up your entire being!
Take a look at each tab to see what I have planned for you.
The body is the first gateway to eros. In midlife, it speaks in new rhythms, shifts, and sensations - all signalling that you're ready to move from effort into aliveness, from managing into inhabiting.
Living from eros involves full body integration. This day is about dropping into yourself, feeling safe to feel it all, and remembering that your body holds wisdom often forgotten by the simple mind.
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Begin each morning with somatic practices and breathwork overlooking the ocean, designed to awaken the erotic current, restore safety in sensation, and bring you home to yourself.
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You'll be nourished with fresh, vibrant meals crafted to support you - food that honours your biology and your pleasure.
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Rest is not a luxury here. It's a sacred practice. Whether you're napping in a hammock, floating in the natural pool, or walking slowly to the sea, you're invited to let your body decompress, rewire, and heal.
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Everything we do is designed to support your return to embodied aliveness - so you can live from sensation and desire rather than discipline and override.
When you stop efforting the body and start feeling it, everything shifts. This is your permission to slow down - and listen. Your body knows the way.
"The retreat and especially the practices were amazing ...interwoven with the whole warm, peaceful, tropical environment they were sublime. Lots of new learnings as well as comfortable standbys and interesting challenges. You are such a gifted teacher dear Carla. I couldn't have asked for more in the practices." ~ Beth Workman
"I spent a wonderful week with Carla in Mexico, practicing yoga outdoors, breathing fresh air and eating great local food. Carla's beautifully grounded and spiritual presence enhanced the practice, making it a self challenging and joyful experience. I would absolutely love to experience this again!" ~ Susan Cohen
"Thank you for all you did to bring us this most incredible retreat.
It was so incredible in every way possible, I actually felt that I was placed in a bubble of pure bliss and having an outer body experience.
Then there is you Carla, you are a gift to each and everyone and know in your heart what everyone needs and they feel safe to let it out." ~ Bonnie Duchscherer
Your Retreat Benefits
You honoured the call to live from eros rather than effort - and said yes to the woman you're becoming.
You gave yourself the space to slow down, breathe deeply, and inhabit your body - without guilt, apology, or the need to override yourself.
You allowed yourself to be seen, held, and celebrated in sacred circle - and rediscovered how powerful it is to be witnessed in your raw, radiant truth.
You reconnected with your body as a source of intelligence, your desires as directional, and your heart as the bridge that holds it all coherently - ready to create from aliveness, not pressure.
You learned how to stay open without collapsing, feel deeply without fragmenting, and trust your inner signals - not from forcing, but from coherence.
You remembered that your pleasure, your intuition, and your desires aren't indulgences - they're the guiding forces of your life.
You came back into relationship with your body, your eros, and your creative power - and left with the tools, practices, and inner conviction to keep living from this place.
And maybe most importantly, you put yourself at the centre of your life - where you belong.
This transformation touches everything - your relationships, your creativity, your leadership, your joy.
The woman returning home is not the same one who arrived. She is wiser, braver, softer, clearer.
She is you.
“I highly recommend Carla's retreats. Radiant Renewal was the best retreat I've ever been on. The retreat was well structured, well organized, good balance of time together and time alone, and SO RICH IN experiences supporting us in finding truth within ourselves, setting healthy intentions and commitments, great connection with women in a healing, supportive and beautiful environment, and created and led by an amazing facilitator” ~ Debra Sherry
Your Retreat Bonuses
Because you deserve to be supported and celebrated every step of the way, I’ve added a few special touches to help you feel connected, held, and deeply seen - before, during, and after our time together.
Pre-Retreat 1:1 Connection Call (30 minutes)
I want to know you. Before we gather in Mexico, we’ll spend time together so I can learn about where you are on your journey and how I can best support your experience.
Private Retreat WhatsApp Group
We’ll stay connected with a private WhatsApp group for retreat participants - a place to ask questions, get trip updates, and begin to build community. After the retreat, it becomes a space for continued support (and sharing those gorgeous photos!).
Pre-Trip Group Zoom Call
We’ll meet as a group before departure - a fun and spacious call to share intentions, connect with your retreat sisters, and begin weaving the container for our time together.
Post-Trip Group Zoom Gathering
This is where we close the circle together - sharing what’s unfolding, what’s rising, and how we’re continuing to embody what we received.
What's Included
Your retreat experience is intentionally designed to support every layer of your transformation - body, mind, heart, and soul. Here’s what’s waiting for you:
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6 days of sacred experiences led by Carla and guest facilitator Natalie, including Earth Priestess practices, sacred circle, coaching, ceremony, guided meditations, and embodied connection. Expect depth, laughter, tears, and joy - all held in a powerful container of sisterhood.
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6 nights of stunning accommodations at Playa Viva, a regenerative eco-luxury resort on Mexico's Pacific coast. Each palapa-style room features natural materials, ocean breezes, and breathtaking views of the sea or jungle.
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Fresh, sumptuous, vibrant farm-to-table meals daily, lovingly prepared with seasonal ingredients from Playa Viva's 20-acre permaculture farm and local producers. Think colourful salads, handmade tortillas, fresh-caught seafood, and traditional Mexican flavours that nourish body and spirit.
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Morning, afternoon, and occasional evening sessions - including movement, breathwork, inquiry, ceremony, and deep rest - all paced to match your energy and honour your body’s natural rhythms.
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One spacious “day off” to follow your flow - book a massage, rest on the beach, enjoy a long hammock nap, or explore the magic of Playa Viva at your own pace.
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Sacred Cacao Ceremony led by a special Playa Viva facilitator - a heart-opening ritual to deepen your connection to yourself and the group.
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Access to Playa Viva's pristine beach, pool, yoga deck, and jungle trails - where rest, beauty, and stillness are always available.
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Group transportation to and from the airport (Zihuatanejo) at designated times: arriving November 8th and departing November 14th.
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Your tip for the Playa Viva staff
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A special welcome gift, curated with intention and a few nourishing surprises.
What's Not Included
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Your round-trip airfare to and from Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH)
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Personal, medical, or trip cancellation insurance (strongly recommended)
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Alcoholic beverages
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Additional tips and gratuities for any extras you book
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Spa services, taxis, laundry, souvenirs, or personal purchases
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Entry fees or transport for any individual or optional excursions
Please plan to arrive at Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) on Sunday, November 8th, no later than 5:30 PM, in time to join us for our welcome dinner and opening circle.
Your return flight should depart no earlier than 1:00 PM on Saturday, November 14th to allow time for our closing and group transport back to the airport.
Please do not book your flights until you receive a confirmation email from Carla. Once your spot is secured, she will share exact timing and travel coordination details.
This retreat is for you if...
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You're navigating the shifts of midlife and feel the call to stop managing yourself and start inhabiting yourself - to live from aliveness rather than effort.
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You long to step out of your daily roles and responsibilities to rest, feel, and reconnect with your body, your desires, and your creative power.
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You're craving sacred space - not just time off, but time in - where your body, your emotions, and your soul are all welcomed and honoured.
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You're ready to soften old patterns of override and control and explore what becomes possible when you trust your inner signals instead of forcing outcomes.
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You're curious about how to live from eros - letting desire guide you, coherence ground you, and creative intelligence move through you.
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You want to be in honest, heart-led connection with other women who are walking a similar path - no competition, no pretending, just realness and reverence.
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You sense that something is ready to shift - and you want to step into it with clarity, coherence, and community.
“I began Carla’s Radiant Renewal Retreat a “hot mess”! Truly. However, as each day unfolded with all of the bonding and beautiful practices, I found myself slowly and effortlessly emerging. In the end I was able to leave behind parts of myself that no longer served me and found myself stepping into my most authentic and empowered self ever! Thank you, Carla, for being our guide!” ~ Paula Afonso
Investment
This is an intimate, high-touch retreat experience - and space is limited to just 15 women. We'll have a private section of Playa Viva reserved exclusively for our group, creating a sacred container for deep transformation.
Room options are available on a first-come, first-served basis:
Single Occupancy (private room) - Queen Eco or Deluxe Suite rooms
Double Occupancy (shared room, 2 women) - Dune Manta Treehouse or King Eco Room
Triple Occupancy (shared room, 3 women) - Wing Treehouse
View room details and photos on Playa Viva's website
Pricing Tiers
Early Bird (full payment by July 8, 2025):
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Single Occupancy: $6,295 CAD
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Double Occupancy: $5,295 CAD
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Triple Occupancy: $4,795 CAD
Standard Pricing (after July 8, 2025):
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Single Occupancy: $7,295 CAD
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Double Occupancy: $6,295 CAD
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Triple Occupancy: $5,795 CAD
Save $1,000 by securing your spot with full payment by July 8.
All prices are in CAD. USD payment is also accepted - contact Carla for the current exchange rate. There is no tax.
Note: In order to be eligible for any early pricing, the applicable full amount must be paid by the end of the special (i.e., Early Bird must be paid in full by July 8th).
Payment Details
A $500 non-refundable deposit secures your place (regardless of room type)
50% of your remaining balance is due by August 15, 2025 (or immediately upon registration if after August 15)
Full payment is due by October 1, 2025
Payment plans are available based on standard pricing - just reach out if you'd like to explore options.
Note: Should the CAD/USD exchange rate fluctuate by more than 5%, a small adjustment may be applied to cover increased retreat-related costs. If this occurs, you'll be notified in advance and given a clear breakdown of any changes.
Once you register, you'll receive a welcome email with next steps, travel info, and access to our private WhatsApp group.
“Journeying with Carla has opened up a whole new dimension to my life -- offering a set of practices that allow me to dive deeper into my experiences, inviting me to explore the power and wisdom of the physical body and connect with the deep currents of the soul at the same time. Carla is truly an inspired teacher and guide, gifted with the ability to create safety and comfort with practices that tap into the divine to access healing where we need it most. I'm so grateful for the space Carla's gentle, loving, and supportive healing practices and ceremony has opened up for me. Thank you for your beautiful goddess energy!” ~ Nicole Lindsay
Frequently Asked Questions
Dear One,
I created this retreat because I know what it feels like to live from effort - to override yourself, manage your way through life, and sense that something deeper is asking to emerge.
For over 25 years, I've been walking with women through transitions of body, identity, and soul. My work weaves together somatics, spiritual science, and the sacred intelligence of eros - the embodied life force that moves through us when we stop forcing and start feeling.
I've guided hundreds of women through reconnection to their bodies, trust in their desires, and the reclamation of their creative power. This retreat is a sacred container for that kind of awakening - one that invites your full self to be present and honoured.
Living from eros isn't a concept to me - it's a lived practice. I'm navigating the shifts of midlife myself. I'm learning to trust sensation over strategy, desire over discipline, coherence over control. And I'm emerging with more softness, strength, and aliveness than I ever imagined.
If you feel the stirrings... if you sense that it's time to stop efforting and start inhabiting... I'd be honoured to walk beside you.
All my love,
carla
