SoulPainting Monarch Butterfly Retreat at El Santuario, Febuary 1-8, 2026 

I’m excited to announce the “Sacred Sanctuary“ SoulPainting Retreat Tour beginning in February 2026! SoulPainting will launch its tour with a  visit to the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. The Monarch butterflies are near and dear to my heart so it’s fitting that this wonderful adventure begins here.
El Santuaro is a 4 star hotel, high in the mountains on beautiful Lake Avendaro located adjacent to Valle de Bravo, Mexico, an idyllic 16th century city and considered one of Mexico’s pueblo magicos (magic towns). During our “Adventure Days” we will walk the cobblestone streets of Avendaro and Valle De Bravo where century old terra cotta roofs dot the skyline and house culinary delights and chic boutiques alongside the natural fir forests that are home to the mystical monarch butterflies.
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El Santuario is the perfect backdrop for SoulPainting! We begin our painting journey amounst a lush gadren full of birds, flowers, trees and fountains. The grounds of El Santuario are magical and have attracted great healers such as the Dalai Lama and other respected monks. View the “Door of the Night” created by Narcissus Quagliata, an Italian artist and considered one of the most important glass artists in the world! This glass art piece represents a portal that transcends us to a new reality.  Walk the labyrinth at El Santuario and reflect, or book a luxury spa treatment. El Santuario is a real santuary in itself empowered by the magical quartz moutain on which the resort is perched.
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Dining at El Santuario is an experience in itself. The 4 star restaurant Na-Ha serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Enjoy culinary magic with their fresh blue corn sope topped with “melt in your mouth” octopus and greens lightly coated with freshly made hollandaise or choose a ribeye topped with caramelized onions and honey on top of mashed potatoes. For breakfast go light with yogurt, fresh fruit and granola or go hearty and order classic eggs Benedict with salmon or bacon paired with a mimosa. The restaurant is open air and enjoy’s the fresh breeze off of Lake Avendaro. Every Friday night the restaurant features a spectacular Fire show lead by the “in resident” shaman, Osiris Heyerdahl. Sit and sip a glass of Merlot as Osiris’s musical genius transforms the dancers into fire goddesses. This is a dining treat that we will top off our next to last night at El Santuario.
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El Santuario has dreamlike pool areas, heated and cold pools in front of the resturant Na-Ha long and beatuiful views of Lake Avandaro with four large multi person jacizzi's. Sip an Aprol Spritz or drink of your choice and sunbathe during our "free time" in the afternoons. Enjoy a night star gazing or a plunge in the heated jacuzzi before bedtime to help relax. Relax on every level in these stunning pools while enjoying the awesome view of Lake Avendaro, day and night!
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The spa at El Santuario Resort & Spa is so tranquil you’ll feel as if you just walked into a Buddhist temple. Set on gorgeous Lake Avandaro surrounded by trees, birds chirping and a slight breeze off the lake, it’s the perfect atmosphere to completely relax and destress. Their signature “Sanctuary” massage is 50 or  80 mins and is a wonderful way to begin or end of your day. The Yin-Yang-Chi massage is  80 min and literally transports you to the orient. The oriental oils, incense and rituals are all intentionally designed to relax you and make you feel healed in a very special way. We will have ample “free time” in the afternoons to book spa treatments. They have a full time massage therapist staff always ready to meet you for your spa appointment.
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Enjoy 3 full days of SoulPainting and create a painting reflective of your heart’s vibration and the natural setting that surrounds you. SoulPainting is a unique healing and creative practice that combines ancient traditions and meditation with the art of painting. Each painting is created in the moment using an intentional layered method. Enjoy creating a "one of a kind" painting that may hold a secret message channeled from your soul.
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Of course this adventure would not be complete without visiting the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in the most secret of sanctuaries near Valle de Bravo, Mexico. In season, November 2nd (Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead) to mid March millions of monarch butterflies flutter about the high pine trees creating a snow globe effect. The experience is beyond words. It’s truly a heart opening natural phenomena that is sure to raise your vibration to unprecedented levels. I have had this experience myself and really don’t have words other than truly "life changing".
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El Santuario Resort & Spa has a lovely platoon boat docked at the resort, ready to explore Lake Avendaro and Valle de Bravo. We’ll go on one of the “on the water” restaurants, that actually motors around the lake while dining! Enjoy the amazing architecture from this vantage point where Valle de Bravo is home to many affluent families from Mexico City. See paraglider’s dot the sky as they catch a lake generated thermal and soar! On our ride back to El Santuario we’ll catch a glimpse of the giant carved sculpture of Jesus jutting out from the cliffside. Seeing the unique topography of Valle de Bravo by boat gives you a majestic perspective of this beautiful 16th century town. All aboard!
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The shopping district in Valle de Bravo is located  in a charming town of Avandaro. During our “free time” in the afternoons take a 30 minute taxi ride to Avandaro and stroll along an easy walking street and explore the many chic boutiques, restaurants and exquisite shopping plazas. Find unique Mexican gems from hand stitched bread warmers or hand embroidered wine glass bug covers in the furnishings store or choose a new fedora hat adorned with feathers and unique hat bands. The clothing ranges from gorgeous “one of a kind” bathing suits and wraps to more elegant dresses for dinner engagements. Stop and lunch choosing from a plethora of choices such as sushi or Greek or have a pint at the Irish pub. This town is quiet and nice for strolling and discovering little treasures along the way. Don't forget to stop and see the magestic waterfalls at the entrance to Avandaro!
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The Temazcal is a sweat lodge ceremony at El Santuario originated in Mexico and Central America. It has been practiced for thousands of years by indigenous cultures such as the Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs. This is a powerful practice that combines physical and spiritual purification. The temazcal has deep healing powers that can improve heath by shedding the body of toxins and impurities. This activity is optional but highly recommended. You will be gently guided by two shamans, Fernada “Ave Cuautli Siwat” González and Osiris Heyerdahl as they transmute your internal energy into healing energy through the power of music, chants and heart sharing conversations. This is a sacred ritual that has the power to shift your consciousness to a higher vibration and bring out your “best self”,  through a healed vision of your being.
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A cacao ceremony is a spiritual ritual that involves a group drinking ceremonial cacao, the unaltered whole seeds of the cacao fruit. Cacao is described as being a bit more bitter than dark chocolate. The cacao ceremony involves meditation and music with the intention to promote healing and self discovery, fostering creativity and emotional healing, along with mindfulness and self growth. Lead by shamans Fernada “Ave Cuautli Siwat” González and Osiris Heyerdahl with transformational music, chat, prayer and dance we will share and open our hearts to this powerful yet gentle healing practice.
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