A group of envisioners this year had the opportunity to experience community living the Envision way. Embrace: An Envision Community Retreat was run this year for the first time at Selva Armonia Retreat Center by the founders of Envision Festival February 17th through the 22nd. Locals and travelers who came to Selva Armonia were able to fully immerse themselves into an Envision sustainable community through organic eating, yoga classes, holistic workshops and plant tours, waterfall excursions, an ecstatic dance pool party, a cacao ceremony and various jungle activities.
Selva Armonia is a sustainable retreat center owned by one of the founders of Envision Festival, Josh Wendel. Attendees were able to attend all 4 days or purchase day passes to gain access to the exclusive workshops and events being held during the retreat. The leaders were able to provide an intimate setting for guests as they were able to interact with the incredible speakers and leaders of Envision who came to lead workshops at Selva. Learning, relaxation, healthy living, music, and play were all a part of the magical four days leading up to the legendary Envision Festival 2017.
Visitor’s taste buds buzzed over farm to table meals served fresh each day with ingredients grown organically on the retreat property. Guests also had the chance to embark on a farm tour and learn during a medicinal plant workshop facilitated by Josh Wendel. Founder and primary Director of Punta Mona Center and co-founder of Envision Festival, Stephen Brooks, enthusiastically showered guests with knowledge and his expertise on permaculture during his workshop. Permaculturist Brooks was also one of the highlighted keynote speakers after the retreat at the festival this year. Herbalist of 15 years and Envision team member, Sarah Wu, graced the retreat with her knowledge and presence on herbal medicine, healing, and herbal first aid.
Sound healing, sweat lodge, jungle spa, cacao ceremonies, and ecstatic dance activities lined the evenings as guests prepared for the grand activities of the festival. Healing sounds of the jungle paired with daily yoga classes laid the ground for ultimate relaxation and dynamic interactions. Benita Wolfe (BJ) Galvan, master yoga teacher, founder of Handstands Anonymous and co-founder of the Anusara School of Hatha Yoga shared her contagious passion for yoga during each day of the retreat and at the festival. This world traveler offered Rhythm of the Spiral Dance class at Envision, but only members at Selva Armonia received exclusive sessions with this brilliant teacher of teachers.
The retreat ended with an epic pool party with live exotic bass vibrations by producer/composer Govinda. Govinda laid the path for the mesmerizing music that was to come during the festival. Leaders of Envision created a spectacular atmosphere at Selva Armonia for newcomers and seasoned Envision Festival veterans to share unforgettable moments and create connections that will last a lifetime. Envisioners embraced and were able to fully live the vision of Envision Festival and Selva Armonia’s message on how to live sustainably and contribute to a thriving environment. Selva Armonia truly embodies the core value of building a fruitful environment through sustainable living and is able to spread this incredibly valuable knowledge through the Embrace retreat experience.
Can’t wait for next year to experience community living the Envision way? Selva Armonia Retreat Center hosts retreats all-year-round!
Did you have an unforgettable Envision experience? Are you planning to come to Envision 2018 and want to fully embrace the Envision way of life? Stay tuned for next years retreat and extend your experience and make it unforgettable!
By Sarah Blanks