OAXACA YOGA & CULTURAL RETREAT -
with Leigh Evans
Jan 31-Feb 6, 2027
I am thrilled to invite you to a retreat in the magical city of Oaxaca. The city is pulsing with art and celebration. Oaxaca city is known as the culinary capital of Mexico, the complex and delicious flavors reflecting the mixture of indigenous and Mexican people. For six months of the last four years, Oaxaca city has been my home. On this retreat, I am excited to share my life here with you so that you can experience the joy, creativity, and kindness of this extraordinary place.
Incredible murals line the streets where brass bands play for dancers, in headdresses resplendent with flowers, swirling their colorful dresses.
It is teeming with textiles, ceramics and a multitude of artisan craft works from neighboring villages.
Creativity and beauty abound.
The city breathes art!!
YOGA SHALA
Welcome to the oasis where I’ve been living in Oaxaca! I am blessed with this space and garden and delighted to share it with you. We will meet here daily for yoga classes and to gather for our excursions. You will enjoy relaxing in the garden after yoga class basking in the abundance of the mango, banana, pomegranate, and fig trees while listening to the birds sing!!!
Our sweet yoga shala is on the second floor with the glorious view of the garden. It is a very peaceful space. We will practice twice a day except for days when we have excursions.
EXCURSIONS
During our week long retreat, we’ll enjoy 2 excursions, an artisan tour and an archeological tour.
ARTISAN TOUR
Oaxaca is well known for it’s vibrant artisan villages. Many different kinds of folk art and handicrafts are created in the villages surrounding Oaxaca city. The artisans in each village specialize in crafts unique to that village. Families have been practicing their craft for generations.
Linda Hanna, an expert in Mexican Folk Art, will be the guide for our artisan tour. Over her 30 years as a guide, she has developed deep friendships with many of the artisans to whom she will introduce us.
We will have the opportunity to meet some of the local artisans in their homes and learn about their work. It is fascinating to get a close-up look at the process. Everything is “hecho a mano” hand-made on every level!
One of the artisan villages we will visit is Teotitlan de Valle. It is well known for it’s beautiful rugs and textiles AND everything is made by hand including the dyes!
The pigments for the yarn (hand carded!) for the rugs are from flowers, bark, nuts, and even a parasite that lives on cactus. Learning how intricate the process of creating the various colors is amazing!
We may even try our hands at spinning the wool!
We will also learn about the weaving, looms and, of course, enjoy the gorgeous rugs!
Teotitlan de Valle is also known for their exquisite candle making. We will have the opportunity to visit a studio and explore this intricate process!
Some of the other villages we will visit on the artisan tour are San Juan Galavia, basking weaving village and San Marco Tlapazolo, known for its beautiful red pottery (barro rojo). All of the pottery is made without a wheel (above). It is really extraordinary to see their skill and speed in making the pieces. The woman above has been creating pottery since she was around 10 years old. Her mother taught her and her sisters who run their studio and shop with her. They welcomed me like I was their lifelong friend….so sweet!
ARCHEOLOGICAL TOUR
We are fortunate to have Pablo Gonzalez as our guide for our archeological tour. He has immense archeological and historical knowledge which he generously shares with us in a way that brings the past into the present. Through his many years as a tour guide, he offers an exceptional understanding of the origins and history of Oaxaca and Mexico.
MONTE ALBAN
Monte Alban is the most important archeological site in the valley of Oaxaca. Built on a hilltop overlooking the valley of Oaxaca, this ancient Zapotec city flourished between 500BC-850 CE. It was the largest city in Mesoamerica with 17,200 residents during the period of 100 BC-200 CE. The Main Plaza was created through feat of engineering by leveling of the mountaintop without the use of metal tools which took several hundred years to complete. The main temples, ceremonial and elite residential structures were located on the main plaza. The majority of the temples faced in the east or west direction, aligning with the sun’s path. The remains of this ancient metropolis are powerful to see and learn about.
On this tour we will also explore Arrazola, a wood carving village, and visit the house Manuel Jimenez, the creator of Alebrijes. His home is besides a workshop which is also museum showing some of his very first figurines and tracks the evolution of those carvings, books, magazines, videos and more related to this very popular craft.
YOGA TEACHER
LEIGH EVANS
Passionate yogini and explorer, Leigh Evans is an international yoga teacher based in Oaxaca and Seattle. For travelers seeking getaways that engage all the senses, encourage growth and are beautiful, relaxing and unique, Leigh has it covered. For over two decades, Leigh has led hundreds of people on experiences of a lifetime: from sweat lodges in Mexico to asana among the monkeys in Costa Rica, giraffes on safari in Africa to jungle vinyasa in Thailand!
Whatever your age or skill level, Leigh can help your practice grow through her multifaceted personal instruction and expert anatomical alignment. Through decades of teaching thousands of students, Leigh’s seasoned approach to the practice can transform any student who craves insight on the body and the human experience. Your practice is what you make it, and Leigh can help you make it your personal best. Leigh is a go-to resource for Ayurvedic Yoga, seasonal yoga practices, sleep yoga, and women’s yoga practices. From the study of Yoga and Ayurveda in India to Thai Massage in Chiang Mai, Leigh’s breadth of knowledge gives her the tools to teach practical applications that can change students’ everyday lives. Through an integration of vinyasa yang and restorative yin practice, Leigh’s classes enhance the flow of prana in the body by nourishing specific energy channels and organs offering healing and transformation.
Leigh is known for her free spirit, humor, precision, and continual exploration. She teaches retreats, teacher trainings, and workshops nationally and internationally.
ACCOMODATIONS
Azul Cielo is a lovely bed and breakfast/hostel that is right around the corner from the yoga studio! It has a beautiful courtyard.
Five rooms are available for either an individual or couple. All of the rooms have a private bathroom.
Breakfast is included.
Double with view of the garden (ground floor)
Deluxe Queen with Terrace
TESTIMONIALS
This is my third retreat with Leigh over the course of twenty-some years, starting with her very first one in Tulum! Leigh is hands-down one of the best yoga teachers I have ever practiced with. Her deep understanding of the body, her devotion to a worldly wisdom that incorporates music, sound, chanting and a touch of the mystical is not something you find easily. I love her retreats because they leave me with profound insights on my body as well as lasting memories and new friendships that I always cherish. This retreat, in particular, is perfect if you are an adventurer by nature. It’s not your typical yoga retreat, where you unwind, practice, relax and repeat. It’s for someone who wants to really BE in the place they are visiting with a chance to understand it more. The adventures and day trips are as much a part of the experience as the yoga and taking meaningful, personal time. Her studio is in a wonderful location with a gorgeous garden full of fruit trees that feels homey and hidden away from the rest of the city—you’ll even get to spend time with her cat while enjoying access to some of the best blankets in town!
Erin Cullerton, Feb 2026
A yoga retreat with Leigh was something I had been putting off for far too long — until this incredible opportunity came along. Not only did I get to practice yoga with Leigh, an insightful and intuitive instructor, but I also experienced the beauty, culture, and artistry of Oaxaca in the most inspiring way.
Leigh’s teachings helped me find calm and confidence in my own practice. Each class left me feeling taller, more grounded, and deeply connected — in mind, heart, and body. Her gentle guidance and awareness of each student’s needs made every session feel both accessible and transformative.
Oaxaca itself is pure magic. Walking through its colorful streets filled with murals, exploring local markets, and meeting talented artisans was unforgettable. On the thoughtfully curated tour that Leigh and Linda organized, we met weavers who use natural dyes to create their wool rugs, and jewelry designers who transform sterling silver beads into exquisite, delicate earrings.
The archeology tour with Pablo was also profound; he shared detailed information about each site we visited.
And let me not forget the delicious food to be found throughout all the Oaxacan restaurants and markets! Everywhere we went, we were welcomed with the warmth and creativity that Oaxaca is known for.
I arrived in Oaxaca not knowing what to expect, and left with my heart full and my senses awakened. The combination of Leigh’s yoga teachings, the city’s rich cultural heritage, and our daily practice of mindfulness created something truly special — a retreat that nourished both body and soul.
Deborah Taylor, Feb 26
Registration Details:
Retreat is limited to 8 participants. This retreat will sell out quickly so reserve your space early with a deposit!
Retreat includes
Yoga Classes – 2 classes/day on non excursion days
Artisan Tour including lunch
Archeological Tour including lunch
Breakfasts at Azul Cielo
Opening and closing night dinners at fabulous restaurants!!
Retreat does not include
Flights, transportation to and from the airport.
Lunch & dinner, with the exception for those mentioned above, are not included in the price of the retreat. This way you will have the fabulous opportunity to explore more of the delicious culinary offerings of Oaxaca city!
To register
Reserve your space with a $500 non-refundable deposit.
Contact Leigh at evansleigh01@gmail.com
The accommodations set up for this retreat are sold out. There are on 2 spaces left on the retreat. You can stay at another hotel and participate in the retreat for a reduced price. Contact me if you would like to do this option and I will send you a list of hotels.
Indicate which accommodation you would like. Once you receive note that that accommodation is available, reserve your space with $500 non-refundable deposit or pay in full.
Payment for the remaining balance of the retreat is due in full as indicated below.
Double with garden view (ground floor) – SOLD OUT
$1,745 USD per person – Early Bird due in full Oct. 15, 2026
$1,945 USD per person – Regular price due in full Dec. 15, 2027
Deluxe Queen with Terrace – SOLD OUT
$1,895 USD per person – Early Bird due in full Oct. 15, 2026
$2,095 USD per person – Regular price due in full Dec. 15, 2027
Registration closes December 15, 2026. All remaining payment is due in full by this time.
Payment
Payment accepted with
Venmo
LeighEvansYoga
leitzu@earthlink.net
Zelle
leitzu@earthlink.net
YOGA SUKHAVATI CANCELLATION POLICY
Refunds, (less your non-refundable deposit), are available up to two months prior to start date of the teacher training, retreat, immersion or workshop. After two months prior to start of the teacher training, module, retreat, immersion or workshop your payment can be issued as credit towards a future teacher training, retreat, immersion or workshop where space is available. For cancellations less than one month prior to start date, all fees are non-refundable and not transferable.