Dates
November 9 -15, 2025
Fire in the Heart! Mens Gathering & Healing Retreat
Fire in the Heart! Mens Gathering & Healing Retreat in Yelapa, Mexico
November 9 – November 15th, 2025
Pura Vida Retreat, Yelapa, Mexico
With Zat Baraka Elias & Saul David Raye
And special guest Rodrigo Ballester
Join us for a powerful week of sacred brotherhood, embodied practice, deep inner work, ceremony and the healing power of nature.
SAVE $400! ~ Early Registration Price until October 15th!
Dear Brothers!
We invite you to join us for this years Mens gathering & healing retreat. This will be our 3rd year in magical Yelapa, Mexico. This retreat will offer you a safe and supportive space for deep practice and innerwork. We are committed to the safety, growth, healing, and empowerment of each man. You will be supported with the inspiration, wisdom and tools to deepen your path to mastery and purpose. Throughout the week, you will engage in a range of deep and highly effective practices, including daily embodiment and movement, meditation, transformational breath-work, men’s circle and group work, and authentic healing ceremonies.
We will have daily movement, meditation and breath work practices. Group work, circles and authentic healing ceremonies including a Sacred Temezcal fire ceremony and also an optional traditional rapé ceremony. A one day vision quest on a deserted island and time to rest in silence and contemplation. We will each be challenged this week to find inner strength, courage, softness and compassion. This is a time to be truly yourself, reconnect to the Fire in your Heart, your purpose and the power of the sacred masculine presence within you.
This retreat brings together a group of men with over a 100 years of combined experience and the extraordinary power of conscious brotherhood.
All men are welcome to join us in the Spirit of peace, healing, mutual respect & inner growth.
Watch video from last year’s program – HERE
Retreat Information
• Retreat Begins on Sunday November 9 at 6 pm
• Program Ends November 15 at 10 am
• Early Registration Discount until October 19th.
• Deposit is $1200 [1 or 2 payments]
• See below for room options and pricing.
Cuisine – Fresh, clean delicious food prepared onsite, mostly organic, vegetarian with eggs, fish or chicken available. We can accommodate vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and most allergies. Prepared with LOVE by the staff of Pura Vida. There is also a smoothie and coffee bar on site.
Location – Yelapa is a rare jewel, truly a place of natural beauty and natural power, where the jungle meets the ocean and the elements are alive and accessible. Yelapa is a unique, tranquil and inspiring place located on the main land, just south of Puerto Vallarta. Accessible only by boat – a 1 hour boat ride from PV, there are no cars and the people live simply in connection to the environment.
Our program will be held at the Pura Vida Eco-Retreat Center – PLEASE VISIT THE WEB SITE:)) {https://puravidaecoretreat.com} Pura Vida is an eco-retreat built into the hillside next to the ocean. The center supports many families in the village and has been created with love and intention. The retreat center has mostly open air spaces, so it is somewhat rustic, but very comfortable. Most of the rooms are open air {meaning no walls on the front facing the sea.} All Rooms are private with private bathroom and mosquito nets. Mosquitos are very light this time of year. There are about 4 A/C rooms that are enclosed, they can also be opened, screen door. Each room has privacy whether it is open air or A/C. There is good working satellite WIFI for the whole property. Most cell phone carriers work there. There is electricity, a mosquito net and private bathroom in each room. It is Mexico, so power can go out, usually does not. There is the possibility of a storm this time of year which can put power out, but unlikely. The retreat center does have generators if needed.
Arrival + Departure:
Fly into Puerto Vallarta international Airport (PVR). From the airport it will take a short taxi ride to the Los Muertos pier and from there you will take a water taxi ride to Yelapa.
Arrival on November 9th before 6 pm. We will begin with dinner with a welcome circle and dinner.
You may arrive earlier during the day to settle in and it may be possible to stay at the retreat center before or after the program.
Please inquire for details. Program ends late morning on Nov 15th,
Please inquire for details. Program ends late morning on Nov 15th,
Arrival & Departure flights – recommended to arrive in PVR before 4 pm on the 9th and and departure after 12 pm on the 15th. These are just suggestions to make travel to and from the retreat center easier. You may also be able to arrive a day or two early and stay a day or two after. Please check with the retreat center for availability.
You need a valid passport for Mexico. And for most places no visa is needed but please check with your local Consulate.
Highlights include:
- A week of conscious connection, community, support and innerwork in a beautiful and powerful natural setting.
- A program designed to support each man in creating a deeper connection with themselves, other men and the world
- Tools + Practices to access greater depth, presence, connection and purpose
- An experienced group of facilitators with over a 75 years of experience
- A Traditional Temescal fire ceremony
- A one-day vision quest on a deserted beach, and dedicated time for silence and contemplation.
- This retreat will challenge you to find inner strength, courage, softness, and compassion.
- A time to truly be yourself, reconnect with the fire in your heart,and embrace the sacred masculine presence within you.
Daily Activities Include:
- Daily Embodiment / Healing Movement Practice
- Daily Sunrise Meditation + Breathwork + Prayer
- Men’s Emotional Work: Tools and practices for connecting with, working with, and transforming powerful emotional energies.
- Ceremony: Temescal Fire Ceremony
- Relational Intimacy Work to have more satisfying and deeper and empowering relationships
- Shadow Work Practices & Integration
- Transformational Breathwork Practices: To improve mental, physical, and spiritual well being, energize, heal, relax, and release emotional blockages.
- Daily Inner Work Sessions: Individual and group practice in a judgment free and deeply supportive environment, focusing on core issues, healing, and empowerment.
- Power of Sound, Music & Mantra Chanting: Saul, Zat, & Masood are all musicians who integrate music, sound, and chant into their work, including drumming, toning, chant, group rhythm practices, and dance. Please feel free to bring a drum or instrument along for group practice.
- Bodywork: Group bodywork healing practices & one to one sessions available.
- Integrity + Integration: Working with the alignment and alchemy of the Hara, Heart, and Head.
- Life Philosophy + Sacred Relationship with Life: Practicing a sacred relationship with life and all relations.
- Cultivating the Power of the Heart: Practices, teachings, and techniques to strengthen the heart energy and develop deeper courage, compassion, and resilience.
- Longevity Practices: Explore and learn practices that cultivate Prana (life energy) to increase health and longevity at any age.
- Vision Quest / Adventure: A one day pilgrimage by boat to a deserted beach.
- Mother Nature + Elemental Healing: Enjoy a powerful and beautiful natural setting, with private locations, solitude, and time in nature.
Your Guides:
Saul David Raye
Saul David Raye will be co-leading the Mens Inner work sessions and teaching daily movement, breath & self healing practices.
Saul has been practicing and teaching yoga, meditation and healing arts for over 30 years. Primarily influenced by his studies in Yoga, Bhakti, Tantra, Thai Massage, Pranic Healing and Shamanism, Saul’s heart-centered approach to has influenced students and teachers around the world. He is able to bring alive the ancient wisdom teachings for modern seekers and create a safe space for people to connect deeply with their own authentic power, spirit and truth. He has taught and performed music at festivals and healing centers around the world and continues to share his work through online programs, teacher trainings, workshops, sacred journeys + retreats & sacred music.
Zat Baraka
Zat will be co-leading the Mens Inner work sessions during the week as well as sharing movement, breathwork and meditation.
For over twenty-five years he has been dedicated to intensive men’s deep inner work, men’s groups, and the men’s growth movement. He has radically affected thousands of men across the globe with his cutting-edge men’s work.
His mission is to challenge men to experience the mature masculine, not as an abstract philosophy, but as an embodied knowledge through living as authentic, empowered, activated, and compassionate men.
He is the founder of Men’s Wisdom Work and co-creator of the highly respected New Masculine Program.
Rodrigo Ballester
Rodrigo Ballester will be sharing his healing wisdom through the week and leading the Temescal fire ceremony, an ancestor ceremony and offering shamanic healing sessions through the week.
Rodrigo was born in Veracruz, Mexico. Of mestizo origin and coming from a Catholic family, from an early age he experienced what can be understood as mystical ecstasies or calls of the spirit. Between dreams and circumstances related to spiritual sensitivity and purity of being; rebellious, in his personal seek-and-find nature, and inclined toward the fine arts; walking as a couple and become a father.
Over time Rodrigo has been cultivating learning and instructions from various teachers, which now allow him to share with the best of him and his walk through this life, something from the world of healing in the American continent.
He currently continues to prepare himself, learning and cultivating his relationship with various medicines and techniques, but above all he continues to refine his way of walking through this existence, in the attempt to do it in peace and harmony.
Accommodations Options & Pricing
Accommodation Options & Pricing
- Prices below include; 6 nights accommodations, all meals { except 1 meal in town}, full program of classes, temescal fire ceremony, group excursion boat ride, coffee, tea and snacks during the week.
- Does not include; Airfare, water taxi {$25}, personal healing sessions, staff tips. extra purchases
- Payment plans available, please contact for more info.
2025 RETREAT PRICING
Accommodations are both open air rooms with amazing ocean views or a we have a smaller amount of A/C rooms to choose from. Each room is unique, comfortable and has a beautiful view and ambience. The private rooms are a little smaller made for one person, and the double rooms are larger to accommodate two people. The AC rooms have a patio door that can be opened. All the open air rooms have mosquito nets and a fan.
This time of year the weather is nice, not too hot so a/c is not needed. There are fans in all the rooms.
We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s first choice, but please note that we have limited space. To secure your spot, we recommend registering as soon as possible.
• Early Pricing discount – pay in full by October 15,2025
• Regular Pricing after October 15, 2025
• Deposit $1200 . Balances are due 10/19/2025 . Deposit is non-refundable, but is transferable to the next program. Balance payment is refundable if we can fill your space otherwise it is transferable.
Accommodations
Room 1 Communal Room / 3 to 4 men
Big Beautiful Open Air Room with loft – Ensuite bathroom, Full bed, fan + mosquito nets.
Plenty of space.
Amazing View of the Ocean.
Early – $2150
Regular – $2550
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Double Occupancy – Shared Room
Ocean View Large Room with 2 Queen beds. Private Bathroom. Fan & Mosquito net
Early Registration! – $2350
Regular Price- $2750
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A/C Double Room with Balcony ~ Only 2 Rooms available
Larger air condition room with private balcony in private bathroom. 2 Queen beds, Ocean View & screen doors.
Early Registration! – $2500
Regular Price- $2900
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Private Open Air Room – Only 4 available
Private room with great ocean view and private bathroom, perfect for one person! There is room to do yoga or movement.
There is also a small dresser and chair,
Early Registration! – $2650
Regular Price- $3050
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Private A/c Room – Only 1 Available
Small private room with a/c. amazing view and private balcony and private bathroom.
Early Registration! – $2800
Regular Price- $3200
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Anjay’s Suite – Only 1 Available
Deluxe Ocean view suite with A/C, screen doors, large balcony, small kitchenette and private bathroom.
Early Registration! – $3000
Regular Price- $3400
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Deposit & Payment
• Deposit to hold your space is $1200 {1 or 2 payments}
• Deposits are non-refundable. They are transferable to another retreat.
• Balance payments are due before retreat. They are refundable before 2 weeks out after that only if we can fill your space.
• We will work with each man on an individual basis. All payments will be credited toward another program if you cannot attend.
To Register:
• Make personal Contact with either Saul or Zat.
• Deposit will hold your space { 1 payment of $1200 or 2 payments of $600}
• Participants will be responsible for all fees on payments.
• Payment plans are available, contact us to make arrangements.
For registration you can pay the deposit here {1 payment $1200 or 2 payments of $600}
Please specify mens retreat deposit.
https://ritamhealingarts.com/the-ritam-payment-portal/
Contact:
[email protected]/
323.418.2862
