Puerto Vallarta Retreat Intensive
with Ty Chandler & Sharoni Fixler
A practice to inspire and transform through sequencing, timings and repetition.
March 1-6, 2027
*Arrival February 28
the week
This retreat format asks us to meet ourselves through sustained practice, sequenced to progressively open the body through concentrated effort and awareness. In the yoga sutras of Patanjali, it's explained that yoga practice should consist of effort or action, self study and surrender or letting go. He goes on by saying that practice should be for long periods of time, uninterrupted and practiced with love and respect. As yoga practitioners we all face starting, stopping, and restarting, irregularity and procrastination. In these practice intensives we aim to create daily structure, high quality Iyengar instruction and a supportive atmosphere and community.
This style of condensed practice gives time to consolidate what has been learned in technical study. It helps a practitioner break undesirable habits and establish positive ones. Through the process we face ourselves. We face challenges and we also unearth our sensitivity and our strength, our inspiration and appreciation through a committed journey.
"Long, uninterrupted, alert practice is the firm foundation for restraining the fluctuations."
- yogasutra I.XIV
With the focus being more on practicing rather than learning new techniques and collecting more points, one has the opportunity to be in a more meditative state. Being with like minded practitioners creates a supportive atmosphere to assist in going beyond where we go when practicing alone. And finally, we aim to cultivate love and respect in order to stay the course of a lifetime of practice.
“I had no idea how much this week would restore me to good health, to vibrant energy, and to a deep sense of wellbeing. The steadiness and commitment to the practice, the camaraderie that developed amongst us all, the delicious food and stunning beauty of the area: all this combined created one of the best weeks of my life. I’m still flourishing from the effects! I am so grateful to Ty and Sharoni for their clear and focused direction, and for the warm and welcoming way that they met everyone’s needs while challenging them to push their own capacities. ”
the practice
Rejuvenating Morning Openings
Rhythmic sequences that systematically and progressively relax and awaken the whole body. Unlock the joints, create traction and remove strain and stiffness. Move toward deep calm and vibrancy.
Immersive Pranayama
The practice of controlling or conditioning the breath. Consists of techniques designed to gain awareness of the respiratory process while recognizing the connection between the breath, the mind and emotions.
Energizing Afternoon Practice
A traditional asana class that bridges and develops upon the morning’s work and includes backbends and sustained inversions.
+For practitioners with more than 2 years of regular Iyengar method practice, and of other methods with more than 4 years of regular practice.
+For practitioners with a regular home practice who can hold Sirsasana for 5 minutes with variations and Sarvangasana for up to 10 minutes with variations.
the location
The combination of natural beauty, cultural richness, and recreational activities makes Puerto Vallarta a super backdrop for our getaway.
PV is home to stunning beaches with soft sand and clear waters. Relax, swim, sunbathe, and enjoy various water activities such as snorkeling, diving, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, paddleboarding, kayaking, or take boat tours to explore the bay and nearby islands.
The city is surrounded by natural beauty, including lush jungles, mountains, and the sparkling waters of Banderas Bay. There are opportunities for hiking, zip-lining, and exploring waterfalls.
PV has a rich and vibrant cultural heritage. Its Old Town, known as Zona Romantica, features charming cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and lively markets. You can immerse yourself in the local culture, enjoy traditional Mexican cuisine, visit art galleries, and witness vibrant festivals during your afternoons and evenings.
The region surrounding PV is a haven for ecotourism. You can visit nature reserves, such as the Vallarta Botanical Gardens (a favourite of past participants), to witness diverse plant and animal species, including exotic birds and butterflies.
The city comes alive at night with its lively nightlife scene. You'll find numerous restaurants offering live music, traditional dance performances, and entertainment.
the place
Casa Dulce Vida is centrally located just blocks from the famous Cathedral de Guadalupe, the beach, popular shopping and restaurants.
The casa was designed after an Italian Villa, with spacious rooms, 14 foot ceilings and tall arched windows. It’s a collection of 7 separate suites each with a well-equipped kitchen and private entrance. Most have private patios with views of the town and bay and some overlook the pool and tropical gardens. Accommodations are spacious and will be shared.
A large swimming pool, tiled from imported Venetian red mosaic, is a welcoming refresh on hot afternoons with lounges and chairs available for resting and reading. The main terrace has one of the best views in the town for taking in the evening sunset.
A little history of the Casa…
Local Architect Javier Esqueda who lived a few blocks away until his death in 1994 built Casa Dulce Vida in 1963. The Casa was built in the style of an Italian Villa for a Frenchman Jacques Derney.
Jacques Derney was living in Mexico City working with the National Museum of Anthropology when he first came to visit Puerto Vallarta. He fell in love with the charming fishing village & decided to build a home & move here. The intent behind the design of the property was that the largest suite was his private domain. When friends came to visit he could retain his privacy by having them stay in one of the other suites. Other unique design details of the casa are the high ceilings & system of airflow via the open arches above the doors and wind vents. The walls are very thick and in some areas double walled. This creates a natural cooling system.
the menu
We’ll share tea, lunch and dinner together, dining al fresco on the patio. Meals are fresh, vegetarian and nourishing, made with local ingredients. A tea break will be offered between morning practices. Enjoy homemade masala chai, herbal tea or coffee.
Fresh, washed fruit is available throughout the day along with self-serve yogurt, granola and herbal tea/water. All fruit, vegetables and food is washed/cooked with filtered water and microdyne. We are able to provide options for all dietary restrictions.
Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lunch and dinner on Wednesday after the morning practices. Dinner will be served on the arrival day and brunch will be served on the departure day after the openings practice.
the schedule
Arrival | Sunday, February 28
2:00 pm | Check-in
6:00 pm | Welcome + Dinner
Daily Schedule
7:30 - 10:00 am | Rejuvenating Morning Openings
10:00 - 10:45 am | Tea Break
10:45 - 11:45 am | Pranayama
12:00 pm | Lunch
3:30-6:00 pm | Energizing Afternoon Practice
6:45 pm | Dinner & Kirtan
Wednesday, March 3 | Afternoon (after Pranayama) & evening off for rest and sightseeing.
Departure | Saturday, March 6
7:30 - 10:00 am | Rejuvenating Morning Openings
10:15 am | Brunch
11:00 am | Check Out & Departure
Some guests arrive a day early or leave a day later to enjoy extra time or to take advantage of better flight options. If this is your plan, please get in touch with Casa Dulce Vida directly if you plan to stay there.
Wednesday is an afternoon/evening off for rest and sightseeing after the morning openings and pranayama practice. Participants will be responsible for arranging their own lunch and dinner on this day. In previous years, participants have ventured to Boca, Yelapa, San Sebastian, Sayulita and Bucerias for the afternoon. Participants have also enjoyed the Vallarta Botanical Gardens which has beautiful grounds to explore and a restaurant serving up delicious options for lunch. Puerto Vallarta has a number of interesting shopping places, market choices and dining options. There is also a recommended massage studio nearby that participants have enjoyed on the day off. We are happy to organize reservations or ride shares for those who would like to see the area.
the pricing
$1850 USD
Pricing includes classes, accommodation and mentioned meals / refreshments. Limited to a group of 20 students.
Registration Deposit = $850 USD (due upon registration)
Final Balance = $1000 (due January 15)
To secure your space please submit your registration deposit and registration form via the buttons below when registration is open. If we are at full capacity we will notify you immediately and your deposit will be sent back to you. These retreats tend to fill up quickly. Waitlist names will be taken in the case of cancellations and we will contact you if/when a space becomes available.
Cancellations
Participant cancellations up to 60 days are subject to a $100 USD admin fee and within 60 days of the retreat are subject to waitlist availability and/or a $250 USD admin fee.
what to bring
Please bring the following for practice: 1-2 dense blankets, yoga mat, water bottle and writing material. Bolsters, chairs, straps, foam chip blocks, wood bricks and extra blankets will be provided.
The climate is tropical and semi-humid with an average temperature of 29C. Please bring comfortable, casual and light clothing. Shorts or tights and t-shirts or tanks for practice. It can be cool in the early morning and in the evening, a light sweater may be required.
Please bring insect repellent (if you are sensitive to mosquitoes) and sunscreen.
the logistics
February/March is part of the high season in Mexico. WestJet and Air Canada flies direct from several Canadian and US cities to Puerto Vallarta and Air Transat has charter flights. Seat sales do come up every so often.
Many airlines fly directly into Puerto Vallarta from many major Canadian and US cities. Please contact us if any help is needed with travel arrangements. After clearing customs at the Puerto Vallarta airport, look for the airport cab/transportation kiosk outside of the terminal when exiting. Use official taxis only, do not go with anyone saying they can give you a free ride. Purchase a one-way fare per person to the casa address below. Please show this address to the cab driver, as much can be lost in mispronunciation. The fare will be approximately $30-35 USD.
Casa Dulce Vida
Calle Aldama #295
El Centro
Tel: (011) 52-322-22-210-08 or from Canada: 780-628-2908
Email: liveit@dulcevida.com
Health Insurance: It’s recommended that travel insurance be obtained. Some credit cards automatically cover you with travel insurance.
Immunization: Please check with a travel clinic in your city about recommended immunizations.
Money: The official currency is the Mexican New Peso. USD is accepted in most places. There are ATMs close to the Casa. We recommend bringing some Pesos or USD as ATMs periodically run out of money.
Connect with other retreat participants. Share photos, travel to/from the airport, etc. Join the Puerto Vallarta Retreat Group on Facebook.
Laundry can be taken to a trusted contact - a 10 minute walk from the Casa.
A group gratuity of approximately 950 Pesos ($55 USD) per person will be collected to thank the Casa staff. Additionally, gratuity for the chef is welcomed and left to your discretion.
Karma duties are asked of each participant and include meal set up/take down.
the teachers
Ty Chandler
Originally from Saskatchewan, Ty made her home on the West Coast of Canada in 1983. Ty has been studying yoga since the late 80s and brings her years of dedicated practice, precision and devotion to her teaching. Her vibrant, warm personality and generosity along with her focus and discipline bring light to her students and her community. As a teacher, Ty helps students find the gifts of yoga through committed study and practice.
She supports and encourages each student to examine and refine their relationship to themselves using the tools given in the Iyengar practice. Infused with enthusiasm, devotion and detail - she helps students connect to the discipline of yoga where insights are revealed and a path towards holistic health are found.
Ty resides in Victoria where she studies, teaches and also serves on the PD and Teacher Training committee at the Iyengar Yoga Centre of Victoria. She is a long time student of Shirley Daventry French. Since 2001, Ty has made multiple trips to India (Pune and Bellur), as well as 14 visits to Blacons and Chaise Dieu, France to study with Faeq and Corine Biria. Since the pandemic she continues to study with many other luminaries in the Iyengar method. She has taught workshops throughout Canada and internationally in Hong Kong, Singapore and Costa Rica. Ty is certified at Level 3 (Sr. 1 in 2017), a national assessor and serves on the Education Round Table for Iyengar Yoga. Keeping the heart open, she is a dedicated practitioner of Bhakti music. Bhavantu Sound continues to share Kirtan music on Vancouver and the Gulf Islands.
Sharoni Fixler
Sharoni resides in Calgary, Canada and is the founder and Director of CIY. She began her yoga studies in 2002 and met Faeq Biria in 2007, who profoundly inspired her in the subject. Sharoni has taken many trips to study with Faeq and Corine Biria at Blacons, Chaise Dieu and various places in North America, Asia and Israel. She completed her teacher training under Margot Kitchen and continues to work locally with Norman Sjoman on the advanced asana practice. Norman is a Sanskrit scholar and studied with Yogacharya BKS Iyengar in the late 1960s, before RIMYI (Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute) was founded. Sharoni currently trains with Corine Biria and Jawahar Bangera and has taken multiple trips to Pune, India, to study with the Iyengars.
Sharoni has a degree in philosophy and has a lifelong interest in spirituality and human potential. She brings intensity, enthusiasm and joy to her teaching and encourages dedication and insight. Sharoni believes in the transformative power of the practice to illuminate our living.
She serves as an assessor for the Iyengar Yoga Association of Canada (IYAC), a member of the Education Round Table and President of the Board of Directors. Sharoni is also a mentor for apprentices and teachers in Calgary. She was a demonstrator and editor for Eyal Shifroni's book, Props for Yoga IV: Backbends. Sharoni holds a Level 3 Iyengar yoga teaching certificate.
“Arriving at the Casa I was greeted by the lovely Kristin who helped me with my bag and getting situated. The room I would be sharing opened up into a gorgeous large courtyard with a red tiled mosaic pool and surrounded by well manicured flora, and the other rooms. The Casa has a truly unique character and as the week progressed I came to learn that this Iyengar Yoga intensive was like no other I had ever been to. Ty’s daily morning ‘openings’ classes both magically prepared us for the classes to come, as well as restored us from the classes of the day before. Enjoying tea in between our first asana class and pranayama we chatted, or stayed silent basking in the warmth of the morning Mexico sunshine. At first I wasn’t able to stay awake during Pranayama but as the week progressed so did my learning thankfully to Ty’s grounding voice. Sharoni’s afternoon classes were vigorous and so full of fun. She brings such a spirit of joy to the classes. Both Ty’s and Sharoni’s classes played off of one another, as they took us steadily further and further into our own practice and by the end of the week it was magical to see how we were able to execute Hanumanasana. However more than doing any particular pose the retreat had a profound mental and emotional impact on me. By day 4, the practice had opened me up so much that some issues that were dormant in my tissues had been released. I spent a day sitting with these tough emotions and it was transformative because the next day I woke up feeling an intense love for yoga, and immense feeling of gratitude for the loved ones in my life. There is so much more I could say - about the huge array of vegetarian meals the friendly kitchen staff prepared for us, or Ty’s evening Kirtan sessions - one evening I hurriedly returned back to the Casa not wanting to miss out, and was greeted by the group truly rocking out in such musical joy. Returning back to life in Toronto, I miss the yoga, I miss my fellow participants - a group of heart warming students that helped each other so much in class - and I miss the sunshine. I am carefully plotting when I can return to this type of practice with these teachers.”