Oaxaca Interwoven:
A Mindful Craft Journey
February 22 - 28, 2026
Join a small community of like-minded travelers to the beautiful Oaxaca Valley region where we will experience and explore the intersection of traditional craft, mindfulness practice, and the beauty of connecting with local land through nature, food, and profound presence.
Offer yourself the space and time for internal and external creative exploration.
Journey with us as we find movement in making, and stillness in practice.
Experience a way to travel that honors the time it takes to do things deeply.
What to Expect
Mindfulness Practice
Daily mindfulness and meditation practices inspired by the teachings of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.
Local Artisan Experiences
Excursions to artisan local communities that showcase the lived intersection of craft, culture, and embodied relationship to material and place.
Beautiful Lodging
Eco-friendly lodging that embodies the spirit of connection to land and culture and offers guests opportunities to experience nature through gardens and walking trails.
Small Traveling Community
An intentionally small group (8-person max) to facilitate an intentional community experience as well as a travel experience.
Creative Practice
Opportunities for individual and group creative practice to connect with your artistic spirit.
Slow Travel
A travel experience curated to balance DOing with BEing so that you experience being fully present where your feet are.
Located in the Oaxaca Valley, Mitla is where traditional Zapotec culture and the old ways of Oaxaca survive through history, craft, and the beauty of the Oaxacan countryside.
Journey Itinerary
Arrival: Welcome to Mitla
Sunday
Airport pickup, arrival at the hotel
Group welcome dinner
introduction to the trip/retreat
Part I: Sculpting Internal Solidity with Pottery of the Night
Monday & Tuesday
We will journey to one of Mexico’s oldest and most distinctive pottery communities, San Bartolo Coyotepec. For over 2,500 years, this community has shaped the earth into 'pottery of the night'—black clay vessels that hold stories of ancestry, spirit, and a timeless bond with the land.
Pottery will be our portal into a world woven from practicality, history, sustainability, and a profound connection to the land. Without the earth, its devoted stewards, and the spark of imagination, this ancient craft could not exist.
By spending two days in their world, our hope is you awaken inspiration and a more intimate connection with the world within you.
Part II: Personal Exploration
Wednesday
At the midpoint of our journey, this day is left open for you to explore or remain still - whatever feels right for you. There is an incredible wealth of culture, history and craft to explore within walking distance of our hotel. Explore the local ruins interwoven in the town of Mitla, or journey a bit further to the nearby sites of Yagul, Caballito Blanco, Lambityeco, Loma Larga, and Matatlan where you can spend an afternoon exploring the tombs, stonework and tunnels of ancient sites. In Mitla alone, you can immerse yourself in traditional Zapotec culture by exploring the market and enjoying homemade mole and tortillas while listening to the clacking of looms at work.
You may also choose to take a day trip to Oaxaca’s city center to explore the bustling beauty of the main square and surrounding shopping and cafes. Or perhaps you may also choose to enjoy the gardens and pool at the Casa Lyobaa, perhaps offering yourself some time for personal or creative practice.
Sarah and Abby will happily offer you options to help you make this day your own.
Part III: Weaving External Connection Through Textile
Thursday & Friday
Weaving Group
Final Community Dinner
Closing Creative Circle
Departure: Transition Home
Saturday
Today we will close our time together on this journey and begin our transition home. Transportation to the airport will be made available for those who need it.
Casa Lyobaa, a sanctuary for travelers in the Oaxaca Valley
We will be staying at the beautiful Casa Lyobaa, a sanctuary for travelers in the Oaxaca Valley. Set on three acres of organic gardens—walking distance from the Mitla ruins—the hotel features a pool, temazcal, palapa, and kitchen & living space. We will be the only guests at the hotel during our trip. The owners of this hotel have demonstrate deep respect and care for relationship to land and local culture. Here is how they describe their space:
Each guest room and suite has been appointed with great care, from the handwoven blankets and rugs from favorite weavers, to local pottery and art. A separate poolside building houses the fully stocked kitchen & living area, where complimentary breakfast is served each morning. The adjacent palapa is an idyllic space to relax, surrounded by bamboo, coffee plants, palms, and ferns. Solar panels provide nearly all electricity. The hotel owners embrace sustainable environmental and ethical labor practices.
Lyobaa is the Zapotec name for Mitla (Mictlán in Nahuatl). It means place of rest. The hotel is approximately 500 meters from the ruins along a road that turns from paved to unpaved about halfway down, and that continues to prehistoric cave paintings about 10 minutes beyond the house. The hotel’s three acres are bound by a small seasonal river, a smaller seasonal stream, and countryside. The gardens include hundreds of native and non-native species—from rare cacti, agaves, and yuccas, to pomegranate, macadamia nut, and orange trees. Bird life is often abundant, including scarlet tanagers, orioles, hummingbirds, and gray-breasted woodpeckers. Trails for hiking run from just outside our gate, and we have a number of other hiking recommendations for the area (many on trails that are mapped).
Wifi is available throughout the hotel and there is reliable cell service. Note that there are also two large, friendly dogs on the grounds.
Oaxacan Cuisine
All Breakfasts will be enjoyed together daily at the hotel and will feature homemade granola, fresh hardboiled eggs from the hotel’s chickens, fresh fruit, pan dulce, yogurt, fresh juice, and organic Oaxacan coffee roasted at the house.
Lunch (pottery day 1, weaving day 1)
Dinner (Sunday, Tuesday, Friday)
Mindfulness & Meditation Practice
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
Craft with Heritage
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Trip Cost
Standard Double Room
Share a room appointed with 2 double beds with premium mattresses, a desk, handwoven blankets and rugs, closet ceiling fan, and a private bathroom with shower.
$2,495
Double Occupancy
Standard Private Room
Your own private room with premium mattresses, a desk, handwoven blankets and rugs, closet ceiling fan, and a private bathroom with shower.
$3,495
Single Occupancy
The Candelabro Suite
A private adobe cottage that faces a small seasonal river. Featuring a large bedroom with king bed, desk, small living area, private patio, and an interior staircase to a rooftop terrace with panoramic views. Learn more about this special room here.
$3,195
Double Occupancy
Your Investment
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What's Included
Lodging
6 nights in a sustainable boutique hotel
Most meals
All breakfasts, 3 dinners, and 2 lunches
All programming
artisan visits & daily contemplative practice
Most In-Country Transport
including airport pickup/drop-off
Translation Services
during all artisan group excursions
Temazcal Ceremony
Traditional sweat lodge experience
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What's NOT Included
Airfare
To and from Oaxaca International Airport
Travel Insurance (strongly encouraged)
To protect your investment from life unexpected life events
Some food and Beverages
3 lunches and 2 dinners on your own plus any alcoholic beverages
Tips & Gratuities
For artisans, drivers, guides, etc.
Gifts and Souvenirs
Any personal items you may wish to purchase
Meet the Trip Leaders
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.
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FounderIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Design DirectorIt all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
Trip FAQs
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WE ARE UNABLE TO OFFER REFUNDS, although we are happy to transfer your registration to another person if you are able to find one to take your place.
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It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
-
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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Item description
“Speak your truth. Live in your power. Create your life. Never abandon yourself. And when you do abandon yourself, make sure you leave a light on to guide yourself back home.”
~ Maria Sabina Magdalena Garcia