My husband surprised me with this experience for my birthday. Receiving the gift, the sentiment itself was incredible. For him to see me, and know that I could benefit from time away from being a mom, an entrepreneur and a wife and just take time to focus on myself. He knows I’d never take that opportunity myself so it was so meaningful. The entire Ariem Retreat experience was incredible from start to finish. I feel like I left as one woman and returned home as another. Lisa is such an incredible leader, and I feel so lucky to have had the chance to participate in this experience. The space she holds is powerful, safe, and deeply transformative. Even before we left she facilitated a call so we could meet all of the other girls and she also created a thorough travel guide of every thing we would need! In just 8 days, I experienced shifts I didn’t even know were possible. I came home feeling more centered, more patient, and more connected to myself and the world around me. I genuinely didn't know that I could feel that good. I can’t recommend this experience enough to anyone who feels called to reconnect with themselves in a deeper way. It was truly life-changing. Space for stillness, yoga for movement, nourishing meals, connection, empowering workshops. Everything was so intentionally and beautifully orchestrated. It’s hard to put into words just how meaningful this experience was. If you’re feeling called to do this work, trust that pull. It truly has the power to change your life and it was the experience I never knew I needed, until I was immersed in it."

TLDR: Stop waiting, book the retreat already! This was the first week-long international retreat I’ve ever attended, so I didn’t really know what to expect when I booked my spot. Before we even arrived in Costa Rica, Lisa created such a thoughtful and intentional sense of connection through a pre-retreat call and group messaging. Having the chance to get to know the women I’d be traveling with ahead of time eased a lot of the butterflies and helped me feel comfortable before the trip even began. Lisa truly went above and beyond to make sure everyone felt prepared for travel and supported before arrival, which made the entire experience of getting there and settling in feel effortless. Investing this much money and stepping away from everyday life for a full week felt intimidating at first, especially because I had never done anything like this before, but I can confidently say it was absolutely worth it. What made this experience so special was how different it felt from a typical "vacation", in all the best ways. While I was there, I had nothing to focus on except being present and taking care of myself, and that space made one week feel incredibly expansive. There was something so freeing about the environment Lisa created and the energy at Mystica. I felt like I could fully let go, be myself, and really identify what was serving me in this season of life and what wasn’t. I especially enjoyed connecting with the other women in our group. It felt like such a safe space to share honestly, to be heard without judgment, and to spend time with people who were navigating similar feelings and experiences. I loved the balance of laughter, reflection, movement, and rest. The combination of meditation, yoga, the Ariem Life Audit, shared meals (some of the best I've ever had, might I add) and local outings created such a thoughtful rhythm. It truly felt like the perfect blend of presence, play and pleasure. What stayed with me most is that unlike a vacation, where relaxation can completely disappear the moment you get home, I came back feeling genuinely lighter, clearer, and better prepared to navigate the ebb and flow of everyday life. The retreat gave me space to reflect on what was creating stress, what no longer needed my energy, and what I wanted my priorities to look like moving forward. I left not only relaxed, but also reoriented in a way that felt deeply meaningful. I’m incredibly grateful I said yes to this experience. It reminded me how easy it is to put yourself last when life feels full, but also how important it is to create space to care for yourself in a real and intentional way. Most of all, thank you to Lisa and the Mystica staff for hosting us as if we were family in such a remarkably beautiful place. If I didn't leave with some sun on my face I'd have thought it was a dream!