Connecting with the Earth to Connect with Self

Lydia believes that anxiety, depression and other mental health imbalances can be healed through connecting with the earth. The earth can hold and support us through the spectrum of experiences, from grief to joy, and helps us see into ourselves to know what we truly desire and find a way forward.

It can be hard to slow down and know how to connect to the earth. There is no wrong way. In this retreat, we will learn about and practice several ways to connect with the earth, honoring the ancient traditions they come from. We will welcome the support of sacred herbs, plants, seeds, and the elements.

Many of us may have lost contact with our ancestors’ ways of connecting with the earth. In this retreat, we will work on strengthening our own unique ways of feeling this connection, each fostering a deeper individual relationship with the earth to carry with us.

You may come to this retreat with a specific question or a theme in your life you are hoping to work on. You may be going through a difficult transition and would just like to be held by the earth. Or, you may come not completely knowing why. You may think you know what you want to work on but something else altogether comes up during the process. All of this is okay.

You are welcome to flow in your own way with whatever comes up for you. For those who would like more structure, I will offer prompts for you to envision your dream(s), identify what blocks you from being there now, and gently work with those blocks to loosen, release and clear.

Participants will leave with practices to continue to connect with the earth as well as a sense of warmth and support from the group.

Lydia is a trained meditation guide as well as IFS- and EMDR-trained trauma therapist. These and other modalities inform her work and may come through during the retreat. She has studied with Nana Marina Cruz of the Mayan Tsu’tujil lineage and has researched ancient methods of healing. She does not claim expertise or spiritual leadership but honors these cultural traditions and shares what she has been given permission to share. Please reach out to her with any questions or curiosities.

Schedule:

Thursday, October 15

• 3 – 6 pm Arrival and Check-in
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 9 pm Landing at Menla: Welcome & Meditation

Friday, October 16

• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:30 – 10:30 am Opening & Group Introductions
• 10:30 am – 12 pm Earth Honoring
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 2 – 3 pm Cacao Circle & Mayan Cosmovision
• 3 – 5 pm Envisioning Your Dream & Identifying Barriers
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 10 pm Sweatlodge

Saturday, October 17, 2026

• 8 – 9 am Breakfast
• 9:30 – 11 am Working with Barriers & Clearing the Path
• 11 am – 12 pm Releasing to the Earth
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch
• 2 – 3 pm Embodying Your Dream / Celebrating with the Earth
• 3 – 5 pm Egyptian Blue Lotus Tea Circle
• 6 – 7 pm Dinner
• 7:30 – 9 pm Bonfire

Sunday, October 18, 2026

• 8 – 9 am Breakfast & Check-out of Rooms
• 9:30 – 11:30 am Closing / Goodbye
• 12:30 – 1:30 pm Lunch & Departure

*Please note this schedule is subject to change.