Dear Women,
Water is where we often feel most at home within our inner world. It reflects the feminine nature in all its fluidity, adaptability, and quiet strength.
With love, we invite you to join us for the Waking Woman retreat, “En el Espejo del Agua,” at Mahai Retreat in Mahahual, Mexico, from March 7 to 13, 2027. Together, we will gather by the sea to receive the wisdom of water.
Join Us
In the Mirror of Water
From the perspective offered in this retreat, water becomes a loving and powerful space that holds all of who we are in this moment, including the stories we have carried within us since our time in the womb.
Water has the ability to hold us so completely that the boundary between the physical body and everything else softens and dissolves, drawing us back to the memory of safety in our mother’s womb. This can awaken old memories, some of them deeply painful. By surrendering into the embrace of water, these memories may briefly soften and begin to release from the confinement in which they have lived.
After leaving the water, and having touched something deep within ourselves, we give those experiences voice through creative forms of collective expression. In this way, we remember that our pain and our joy are shared.
From that space, we can always weave ourselves anew.
Our Time Together
Water therapy sessions in the beautiful saltwater pool and in the ocean, led by special guest Denisse Tatemura, an expert in Janzu, Watsu, and aquatic healing modalities.
Morning practices of silent meditation, yoga, and chanting
As we move through life’s transitions—our changing bodies, hormones, and different stages—we will discover the strength that comes from flowing together.
This week is an invitation to transform wounds into creativity and to rediscover the song and dance within you, beneath the stars and beside the waves.
You will be guided to:
Spaces are limited, so we invite you to reserve your place soon to secure your participation in this transformative journey.
We hope you will join us for this incredible week of healing, learning, and sisterhood by the water.
With love and anticipation,
Angelika
Your Guides on This Journey
Angelika Baumbach
Beloved as both a singer and musician in the duo Mirabai Ceiba, Angelika Baumbach has been creating music that inspires deep self-discovery for more than 20 years.
As a devoted student and guide for women around the world, she is passionate about empowering women through transformative workshops and retreats. Angelika weaves together wisdom from diverse traditions, offering a nourishing space for connection, growth, and self-awareness.
Denisse Tatemura
Denisse Tatemura has facilitated aquatic healing experiences for more than a decade. She has studied a range of techniques, including Watsu, Janzu, Aguahara, and Aquadynamics.
Creating a space for relaxation, support, healing, and deep reconnection in the water is one of her greatest passions.
She is also a teacher of 7 Lotus Chi Kung and a certified Kundalini and Hatha yoga instructor.
Julieta Abdala
Julieta studied singing and dance and has collaborated with many important musical groups, learning African and Afro-descendant traditions and cultures. She shares the simplicity of art that nourishes us, shapes us, and connects us as humanity.
During the retreat, Julieta will share yoga, African dance, and songs. Her intention is to awaken pure joy, reminding us what it feels like to walk through life with lightness and an open heart.
Daily Schedule
Rites of Passage
In the Waking Woman retreat, rites of passage are sacred spaces where women are accompanied and honored through profound biological, emotional, and spiritual transitions—moments that are often lived in silence or alone.
Each rite is thoughtfully created around the unique needs of the woman being honored, while held by the collective presence of the circle.
Women moving through major transitions share their challenges, lessons, and gifts with one another. They witness and support each other through this essential and sacred exchange.
Every story is medicine for the others; every transition deserves attention, reverence, and celebration.
This is the power of gathering.
This is the power of women holding women. ✨
Your Watsu, Janzu, and Aquatic Therapy Experience
At Waking Woman, participants receive a practical and deeply grounded introduction to aquatic therapy with Denisse Tatemura, integrating principles of Janzu, Watsu, Aguahara, and Aquadynamics.
The journey begins with a clear explanation of how water supports the body and the healing power that emerges when water and movement are combined. Denisse leads a group session where participants learn to float, breathe, and move with gentle guidance.
You will feel your spine and muscles relax, release, and subtly adjust to the movement of the water.
Afterward, the women pair up and exchange roles—practicing how to hold, rock, and support another person in the water, and experiencing what it feels like to be held and soothed by another woman’s presence.
Those who wish may also reserve longer individual sessions with Denisse for deeper therapeutic work.
These water sessions are grounding, calming, and physically restorative experiences that help soften the nervous system and create genuine connection through the remarkable healing power of water.
Our Home for This Journey
Mahai Retreat offers 130 meters of private beachfront. We will be in a small cocoon with our group of women, the ocean, the pool, delicious food, and a luxurious private retreat by the sea, journeying inward without distractions from the outside world.
Massage and Healing
There will be time to book a massage with Mahai’s incredible therapists.
Treatments:
Accommodation at Mahai
Travel
Mahai is located in Mahahual, Quintana Roo, Mexico.
The nearest airport is Tulum International Airport (TQO), about 2.5 hours away by car. You may also fly into Cancún International Airport (CUN), which is approximately 5 to 6 hours from Mahai.
We work with a transportation company that offers transfers from Tulum or Cancún to Mahahual.
After registering for the retreat, we can help arrange transportation from either airport.
Chetumal Airport (CTM) is about 2 hours from Mahai by car.
A taxi from this airport is easy to find for the trip to Mahai.
Expansive and elegantly appointed, this suite offers a serene sense of space and privacy, making it an ideal sanctuary for rest and renewal. Inside, you’ll find a king bed and a comfortable daybed, creating a versatile setting for solo travelers or those sharing the experience. The highlight is the private rooftop terrace, where you can take in sweeping ocean sunrises and glowing jungle sunsets from the comfort of your own elevated escape.
Designed as a luxurious retreat within the retreat, this suite invites slow mornings, quiet reflection, and peaceful evenings under the sky. Whether you’re unwinding after a day of wellness activities or simply savoring the beauty of your surroundings, the atmosphere is both refined and restorative. With its generous layout and exceptional views, it offers a memorable stay that blends comfort, elegance, and a deep connection to nature.
Spacious and serene, this suite is designed for restful stays and slow, restorative moments. A king bed offers generous comfort, while the inviting seating area creates a calm spot to unwind with a book, enjoy a quiet pause, or simply settle into the peaceful atmosphere. The oversized rain shower adds a refreshing touch to the experience, bringing a sense of ease to your daily routine.
Step outside into the private garden, where a hammock invites you to stretch out, breathe deeply, and enjoy time in nature. Whether you are looking for a place to reflect, recharge, or take a gentle afternoon nap, this suite offers a soothing setting that supports relaxation from morning to evening. Thoughtfully arranged and beautifully tranquil, it is an ideal choice for guests who value privacy, comfort, and a softer pace of stay.
Spacious and serene, this suite is designed for restful comfort and unhurried moments. A king bed invites deep sleep, while the comfortable seating area offers a calm place to read, unwind, or simply enjoy the stillness. The oversized rain shower adds a spa-like touch to the experience, creating a refreshing start or a soothing end to the day.
Step outside into the private garden, where a hammock provides the ideal spot for quiet reflection, a peaceful pause, or a gentle afternoon nap. With its thoughtful layout and tranquil atmosphere, this suite offers a sense of privacy and ease that feels both restorative and inviting.
Whether you are looking to slow down, recharge, or enjoy a more meditative stay, this space supports a relaxed rhythm from morning to night.
Designed for comfort and ease, this suite offers flexible sleeping arrangements with either one king bed or two single beds, making it well suited for different travel styles. A cozy daybed nook adds an inviting place to unwind, read, or simply enjoy a quiet moment during your stay.
Step outside to your private covered porch, where gentle ocean breezes create a calming atmosphere throughout the day. The seating area provides an additional space to relax and take in the peaceful surroundings, making it easy to slow down and settle into the rhythm of the coast.
With its thoughtful layout and serene setting, this suite is ideal for guests looking for a restful retreat with a light, refreshing seaside feel.
Designed for relaxed coastal living, this inviting room features two matrimonial beds, a cozy daybed, and a desk for moments when you need to write, plan, or simply pause. A private porch opens to breathtaking ocean views, creating a peaceful setting to begin the day with fresh air or unwind as the sun goes down.
With its comfortable layout and tranquil atmosphere, this room is a wonderful choice for sharing time with a friend or loved one while still enjoying plenty of personal space. The combination of practical furnishings and scenic surroundings makes it easy to settle in, slow down, and enjoy the rhythm of the sea.
Whether you are looking for a restful stay or a serene place to reconnect, this room offers a welcoming balance of comfort, privacy, and unforgettable views.
Designed for travelers who enjoy a sociable atmosphere, this comfortable shared room offers four individual beds with signature bamboo sheets for a restful night’s sleep. It’s an easy, practical choice for guests who want to connect with others while still enjoying a sense of comfort and privacy in their own bed.
With convenient access to shared facilities, the room supports a relaxed and uncomplicated stay, making it ideal for solo travelers, friends, or wellness guests looking for a welcoming communal setting. The layout encourages a friendly, low-key environment while maintaining the essentials needed for a comfortable retreat experience.
Simple, inviting, and thoughtfully arranged, this dorm room balances connection and rest in a way that feels both easy and enjoyable.
Settle into a cozy yet spacious glamping tent designed for a comfortable stay close to nature. Each tent offers either two twin beds or one king bed, along with a seating area and carpeted floors that add a soft, welcoming touch. Thoughtfully arranged for relaxation, these tents provide a restful space to unwind after a day of retreat activities.
Conveniently located just steps from the showers and bathrooms, the tents make daily routines easy while still offering the charm of an outdoor-inspired setting. Whether you’re traveling solo or sharing the space, this accommodation blends simplicity, comfort, and a sense of calm for an enjoyable stay.
Angelika Baumbach
Denisse Tatemura
Julieta Abdala
Coastal Road Mahahual - Xcalak km 5.6, Lote 501-f-9, Sin Colonia, 77976 Mahahual, Q.R., Mexico
Mahahual
Price
On request
Sun, Mar 7 – Sat, Mar 13