A NEW YEAR’S
TO REMEMBER
RETREAT ON THE MEXICAN PACIFIC
WITH IVORIE JENKINS and WILLIS JOHNSTON
—DEC. 30, 2023 - JAN. 6, 2024—
Break that cycle of New Year’s resolutions that are formed in illusion, set in vain and discarded even before you finish cleaning up all the glitter. Instead, treat yourself to a New Year’s Yoga Retreat that is guaranteed to stay with you all year long.
Picture yourself in a Mexican oasis on the beautiful Playa Chacala, just 90 minutes North of Puerto Vallarta. Expectations should include meditation, yoga, relaxation by the pool or on a soft sandy beach, lovingly prepared farm-to-table meals, and more self-care in a week than you’ll get all year. Your guides, Willis and Ivorie, will lead you in sunrise meditations and daily morning and evening yoga classes in the exquisite studios overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
You will have plenty of ME time to be with yourself and connect with other guests. Pool or spa time? You got it. Sunsets from the hammock. Check. You can also pencil in some stellar activities like a whale watching tour that will leave you mesmerized, a New Year's Eve party with guest from all over the world and a week of intention setting to set a clear purpose for the year to come as well as identify and discard those unhealthy patterns that may try to hijack your best laid plans for 2024.
We hope you choose to treat yourself this holiday season
YOU DESERVE IT!
It would be an honor for you to join us.
WHERE WE WILL RETREAT
MAR DE JADE
̈An undiscovered place that lifts the spirit and fires the imagination... ̈ SF Chronicle
Mar de Jade is a Yoga, Wellness and Vacation retreat center located in a peaceful fishing village that lies nestled between the tropical jungle and the pristine sandy beaches of Chacala, Mexico. Playa Chacala, considered one of the jewels of Mexico’s Pacific Coast, is one of the most beautiful and tranquil beaches on the lush coastline known as Riviera Nayarit. It is home to approximately 400 residents who live an unhurried lifestyle. The town and surrounding areas have much to offer from jungle hikes, surfing, boating and ancient petroglyphs, to the simple pleasure of playing on the soft sand and swimming in the year-round warm ocean waters. Mar de Jade has easy access to Puerto Vallarta International Airport, just 90 minutes south, yet feels world apart from the big tourist developments. Mar de Jade is not only a stellar, seamlessly operated retreat center, but they are a facility with heart and soul, giving back to their community via their non-profit MDJ Community Project.
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THE YOGA
Each yoga practice will be 75 minutes long and appropriate to all skill levels. They will include various styles such as hatha, vinyasa, Katonah, and restorative so that each day will be a little different to adapt to your needs throughout the week. Classes will be held in one of Mar de Jade’s four yoga & retreat studios with hardwood floors, offering inspiring ocean views, fresh breeze and natural light. Each studio comes equipped with yoga mats, blocks, straps and blankets; meditation cushions; comfortable chairs, so no need to pay for that extra bag or lug your mat and props with you through security.
SAMPLE DAILY SCHEDULE
7:30 - 7:50 AM - Early Morning Meditation
8 - 9:30 AM - Morning Vinyasa or Hatha Yoga
(taught by Willis or Ivorie)
9:30 AM - Breakfast
YOU Time
1 PM - Lunch
YOU Time
5-6:15 PM - Evening Restorative or Yin Yoga
(taught by Willis or Ivorie)
6:30 PM Dinner
YOU Time
**All scheduled practices and activities are encouraged but completely optional.
Schedule is subject to slight changes…life is a happening thing.
THE NOURISHMENT
Meals at Mar de Jade are a guest favorite! Delicious and well balanced meals are served three times daily in our open-air dining room overlooking Chacala bay. Every dish is made daily from scratch using fresh ingredients from their Organic Farm. The menu is inspired by traditional Mexican cuisine and international flavors, and features vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes as well as fresh fish, seafood and chicken. Red meat and pork are not served. Throughout the day, visit the snack bar at any time to enjoy coffee, tea, fruit, bread, and their stellar homemade organic peanut butter and mango marmalade. You can even purchase a jar to take home with you!Their kitchen is happy to accommodate your dietary restrictions and food allergies, if given advance notice. All of their raw foods are carefully disinfected and washed with purified water. Free purified water is available at stations throughout the grounds.
A LITTLE (BIG) ADVENTURE
Included in this retreat will be a WHALE WATCHING TOUR!
During the months of December-early March, humpback whales congregate in the warm waters of the Mexican Pacific to have their babies. This experience is always humbling, magical, and awe-inspiring. In my opinion, it is truly one of the highlights of the retreat.
**Other amazing activities are available at an extra cost and include hiking, surfing, snorkeling, exploring neighboring towns, Spanish classes, visiting the MDJ’s organic farm, and more! Spa treatments are also available at Mar de Jade’s on-site spa but they fill up quick so book early!
WHERE YOU WILL REST & DREAM...
Mar de Jade’s Rooms are inspired by Mexican textiles, vibrant colors, and comfort. There are 4 different room categories you may choose from, depending on what suits your needs best. Every room has its own ensuite bathroom.
Room categories are as follows:
—OCEAN—
The Ocean Rooms are bright and airy, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors opening onto a private balcony with an Ocean view. Comfortable and well appointed, each room has a sitting area with a futon that can be made into an additional bed. Rooms are on high floors and require steps to climb.
—GARDEN—
Garden Rooms are either crafted in a Mexican style, with natural rock walls and hand painted mosaics; or with an airy Mediterranean feel with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of natural light and fresh breeze. Located on the ground floor, they are easily accessed with either a few steps or a ramp, and are appropriate for anyone with mobility issues.
—GUEST—
Guest Rooms are decorated in bright and cheerful Mexican textiles and colors, providing a cozy and well appointed option for those seeking simplicity and comfort. Rooms are located on both ground level and third floors, either jungle or garden facing.
—GUEST LOFT—
Guest Rooms with Loft are a simple yet spacious and economical option for 3 to 4 roommates in a dorm configuration. The bottom level has a king bed or two twins and a bathroom; the loft is accessed by a spiral staircase and has two twin beds. Some rooms feature an additional futon bed on the bottom level. Rooms are either facing the gardens or jungle. The loft is not recommended for people with mobility issues.
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INVESTMENT
*price and deposit depend on room category*
For double shared, we will try to pair you with a roommate. If we cannot, the room must convert to a single for you. For the triple and quad shared, you are responsible for finding roommates. We will support you any way we can but the room must be filled at the time of reservation.
OCEAN
Single- $3,400
(deposit: $1,000)
Double Shared- $2,500 per person
(deposit: $700 per person)
Triple Shared (2 beds, 1 futon) - $2,300
(deposit: $500 per person)
Quad Shared (2 beds, 1 futon) - $2,0500
(deposit: $500 per person)
GARDEN
Single- $3,050
(deposit: $1,000)
Double Shared- $2,400 per person
(deposit: $700 per person)
Triple (two full beds)- $2,100 per person
(deposit: $500 per person)
Quad Shared (two full beds)- $1,900 per person
(deposit: $500 per person)
GUEST
Single- $2,700
(deposit: $750)
Double Shared- $2,200 per person
(deposit: $500 per person)
DORM/LOFT
Women only in a dorm room with 4-5 other beds
$1,950
(deposit: $500)
The deposit secures your room and your rate.
Final balance is due December 1, 2023.
Payments can be sent via
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Venmo @Ivorie-Jenkins
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Cash App $IvorieJ
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Zelle 773.870.6231
**due to the financial responsibility of the retreat hosts for booking and holding the retreat property, all payments are non-refundable once paid. It is recommended that the traveler has a travel insurance policy in the rare event that cancellation on the traveler’s end is unavoidable (Allianz andTravel Guard have good options).
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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6 Nights/7 days Accommodation at Mar de Jade Wellness Resort
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3 Delicious Farm to Table Buffet Meals meals per day
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Coffee, Tea & Fruit All Day
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2 Yoga Classes per day
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Daily Morning Meditation
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Whale Watching Tour
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New Year’s Day Ceremony
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Designated Round-trip Airport transfer from Puerto Vallarta to Mar de Jade
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(to make the shuttle, your flight should get into PV no later than 2:30/3pm on December 30th. The shuttle will leave the airport at 5pm for Mar de Jade. If you are unable to make the scheduled shuttle time, transport to the retreat will be at your expense.)
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Use of all Resort Facilities
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
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Airfare to Puerto Vallarta
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Added Excursions
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Spa Treatments
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Bar Drinks/Specialty Drinks
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Resort Staff Gratuities
WHO IS MY FRIEND WILLIS?
Since a very young age, Willis has loved movement. He started dancing around age 10 and never looked back. After pursuing a BFA in dance performance from SMU, Willis danced professionally in New York City and Las Vegas with the Metropolitan Opera, The Chase Brock Experience, and Cirque du Soleil (enter me into his life!).
Willis found yoga in 2009 through navigating the physical and mental challenges of a professional dance career…this was the game changer. For Willis, yoga seemed to shift and reorganize him. It soothed and strengthened his body and his mind, while giving his spirit a lift. Since his initial adventure into the artful practice of yoga, Willis’ relationship with yoga has only grown stronger.
After the passing of Willis’ beloved mother, he decided to shift a few things in his life. So, in 2014, He left his dance career and big city life in the United States and moved to his soul-home of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he dove heart first into his 200-hour teacher training with his incomparable teacher Anna Laurita. Willis began teaching yoga shortly after and have since expanded his trainings, studying 300-hours with the dynamic and knowledgable Noah Mazé and recently became a certified Katonah yoga teacher, training under the founder Nevine Michaan, Abbie Galvin, and the incredible teachers at The Studio and Katonah Yoga Center.
Willis leads yoga classes, workshops, and retreats in Mexico and BEYOND.
Willis believes the practice of yoga offers up an incredible chance for humans to get into their bodies, mediate their circumstances, and expand into their full potential. Yoga has the power to create great change—not only on a personal level, but also on an interpersonal level.
In Willis’ classes, expect to feel very welcome. Willis hold a space of non-judgement, where you are invited to explore all aspects of your self through breath work, meditation, and mindful, intelligent movement.