Pause and Press Play – New

JUNE 21ST – JUNE 28TH, 2025

pause + press play

Centering Joy and Liberation for Black, Indigenous + Women of Color

Mar de Jade in Chacala, Mexico | June 21st – June 28th, 2025

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Taking time to replenish body, mind, and spirit is a radical form of activism for Black, Indigenous, + Women of Color.

Join us for a weeklong getaway to embody JOY as a practice for liberation.
Together we will create sacred space to heal, rejuvenate, and play through:
  • Daily yoga and meditation classes
  • A Breathwork healing circle
  • Heart-opening workshops
  • Organic farm-sourced meals
  • Connect to the land
  • Spiritual rituals to support your healing
  • Group outings to explore the magic and culture of Mexico
This adventure in paradise will leave you feeling more grounded and centered with tools to support your holistic wellbeing as we explore the themes of healing, adventure, radical imagination, sisterhood/community care, and deep nourishment.

Mar de Jade

The Location

Mar de Jade is a Yoga, Wellness & Vacation Retreat Center is nestled between the tropical jungle and the pristine sandy beach of Chacala, México. It is the perfect location for our fifth annual Pause + Press Play retreat…it is intimate, relaxing, and inspiring.

Chacala Beach

Chacala is one of the most beautiful and tranquil beaches on the lush coastline known as Riviera Nayarit. Chacala means “where there are shrimp” in Náhuatl and is one of the jewels of Mexico’s pacific coast.

The Food

Mar de Jade meals are prepared with great care, attention and love using fresh and healthy ingredients mainly from their 17-acre organic farm.

Yoga Center

Whether a seasoned practitioner of meditation or a first timer, everyone can receive the benefits of a daily mindfulness practice. Daily yoga, meditation, and/or breathwork classes are included and made accessible to yogis at every level of practice.

Accommodations

OCEAN ROOM
The Ocean Rooms are decorated with rich textiles and custom made mahogany wood furniture, providing a sense of timeless Mexican elegance.
GARDEN ROOM
Garden rooms, decorated in unique and varying styles, boast a terrace overlooking the lush tropical vegetation.
GUEST ROOM
Guest Rooms are a simple yet comfortable option for one to two people, offering garden or jungle views.
DORM ROOM
These large rooms with a loft and 3 to 4 beds are ideal for dorm style rooming.

Sample Schedule:

8:30AM
Breakfast

9:15AM

Nature As A Portal of Power: Jungle Hike

1:30PM

Lunch

3:00PM

You Time: for contemplation, journaling, spa treatments, meditation, walks, etc.

6:30PM

Dinner

8:30PM

Evening Yoga

Retreat Guides

MARLA TEYOLIA
Marla Teyolia is a mother, partner, executive coach, facilitator, personal guide, and modern day medicine keeper who has been holding sacred space for individuals and groups to access their healing and liberation for over 20+ years. Her family lineage is Indigenous to this land by way of the Mexica people….

Marla had the privilege and honor to study with Elena Avila (RIP), Master Curandera and author of Women Who Glows in the Dark, as her apprentice for four years during her mid-20’s. This Mesoamerican, holistic healing system has deeply informed how she approaches transformational leadership development and sustainable growth… one that is connected to nature, community, lineage, and personal agency. She is deeply influenced by her 20+ years as a student of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness practices and brings all of these modalities to her work. She has studied under master yoga teachers Maya Breuer, Sherry Ryan, Mark Whitwell, Tracee Stanley, and Chanti Tacorante-Perez. Marla is also a student of mindfulness practices in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh and has had a strong meditation practice since 1996.

She works one-on-one with individual women as well as with groups in the form of retreats, workshops, and sister circles to create safe, sacred spaces for Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color to heal at the deepest levels supporting them as they do the transformative lineage shifting work of reclaiming their power in order to heal, lead, and rise. Marla holds a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley where she graduated magna cum laude. She is a Certified Empowerment Workshop Facilitator and registered yoga teacher.

Over the years, Marla has partnered with and led trainings, retreats, and coaching programs with dozens of institutions, organizations, and individuals from Meta, Google, Pfizer, Toast, Newsela, Lionsgate Entertainment, McDermott Will & Emory, Columbia University, Bard College, Mount Holyoke College, Southern Methodist University, NYC Department of Education, C. Moore Media International Public Relations, and the Youth Development Institute, among many others.

Marla offers deep gratitude for all her sisters, teachers, colleagues, and beloved clients that have shown her the power of healing and personal growth as a catalyst for individual and systemic change. She is deeply indebted to the healing wisdom of her ancestors and to her mother, life partner, and children for deeply resourcing her with love and support as centers the healing and wellness of BIWOC in her life’s purpose. For more information please visit www.cultureshift.agency

CRYSTAL MCCREARY
Crystal McCreary is a Coach, Health Educator & Yoga and Mindfulness Educator & Teacher Trainer. She partners with high-achieving individuals to uncover their gifts, lead with creativity and love, and source vitality and play while navigating demanding lives….

Crystal’s facilitation philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and personal wellbeing as the gateway to social justice and collective thriving. She has a passion for implementing comprehensive wellness programs within organizations to foster compassionate and equitable communities and sustainable work environments. Crystal’s expertise is derived from a lifetime of harnessing embodied, contemplative resources necessary to navigate the challenges of living in an inequitable world.

Crystal has been featured in such publications as Yoga Bodies Book, Mantra Yoga + Health magazine, Elephant Journal, Yoga Journal, Wanderlust, 21Ninety, Blavity, Shondaland.com blog, academic journals such as Race & Yoga (UC Berkeley), and numerous other blogs and podcasts. She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in African and African American studies, completed The American Conservatory Theater’s Master of Fine Arts program in Acting and moonlights as an actor on film and television when the stars align. Crystal is the author of the Little Yogi Deck: Simple Practices to Help Kids Move Through Big Emotions On & Off the Mat (Shambhala Publications, of the Penguin Random House publishing group). She is on faculty at Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and currently works as a Health and Wellness Educator at a K-12 independent school in New York City. Learn more about Crystal at crystalmccreary.com

Apply Now

To apply, please fill out the form below

PPP

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Date of Birth*
Booking is a two step process. The retreat is priced at $1000 if booked before January 1, 2025. Travel and all-inclusive accommodations must be booked separately using a unique link we will send to you once your application has been accepted. Will you be ready to book immediately whether with full payment or a $500 non-refundable deposit?*
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT FEE
  • Daily yoga and meditation classes with Marla and Crystal
  • All workshops
  • Group excursions and activities including: visiting an organic farm, the local artisan market, and a guided group hike
  • Healing purification temezcal purification ritual with local Mexican healers
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED IN THE RETREAT FEE
  • Airfare and ground transportation to and from Mar De Jade
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Travel insurance (required)


Food and accommodations are booked separately at an additional cost through Mar De Jade. We will send you a unique link to book once you’re approved.

PAYMENT TERMS BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2025
  • $1000 paid in full (includes $500 non-refundable deposit)
    OR
  • $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your space, plus 2 payments of $250 (must be paid in full by April 30, 2025)
PAYMENT TERMS AFTER JANUARY 1, 2025
  • $1250 paid in full (includes $500 non-refundable deposit)
    OR
  • $500 non-refundable deposit to hold your space, plus 2 payments of $375 (must be paid in full by April 30, 2025)

 

Bookings after May 1, 2025 must be purchased in full.

FAQ

Mar de Jade is located in the small bay of Chacala, in the state of Nayarit, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico. They are 90 minutes north of the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta and 3 hours Southwest of the second largest city in Mexico, Guadalajara.

Most foreign visitors fly into the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which is serviced by many US airlines.

Mar de Jade will assist guests with transportation arrangements to/from the Puerto Vallarta airport and Mar de Jade with a local van service that is very reliable and safe.

Van Service Rates (To/From Puerto Vallarta Airport)

1 person = $130 / 2 ppl= $65 each / 3 ppl = $40 each
4 people = $35 each / 5 ppl = $30 each / 6-10 ppl = $25 each
* Rates are per person, one-way based on the number of people sharing one van.
* Please pay the driver directly in cash (credit cards are not accepted). Gratuity is not included, but 10% of the fare is much appreciated by the driver.

Arranging your taxi from PVR airport to Mar de Jade:

Full flight information is required in order to book transportation, this includes airline, flight #, arrival time and departure/connection city.

The drivers use this information to track flights in case there is a delay or cancellation.

All flight information and taxi inquiries should be sent to: taxi@mardejade.com

IMPORTANT EXEMPTION FROM LIABILITY:
MAR DE JADE COORDINATES THIRD PARTY TAXIS FOR AIRPORT PICK UP AND DROP OFF AS A COURTESY TO OUR GUESTS, WE DO NOT PROVIDE THE SERVICE OURSELVES. BY SENDING US YOUR FLIGHT INFORMATION YOU ARE AGREEING TO EXEMPT MAR DE JADE OF ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER DUE TO ACCIDENTS OR DAMAGES THAT MIGHT OCCUR WHILE USING THIS SERVICE.

The $1000 retreat fee includes all yoga and meditation classes, group outings organized by us, workshops, and healing ceremonies. Food and accommodations are booked separately with Mar de Jade. We will provide you with a separate link for booking through them once your application is accepted and you have submitted either full payment or a $500 non-refundable deposit. There are a range of prices for accommodations to suit all budgets. Accommodations are all-inclusive and include breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Alcoholic beverages are not included and can be purchased on your own.
Nope! Yoga mats, blocks, straps, blankets and cushions are available at Mar de Jade for no extra charge. If, however, you prefer to bring your own, you are welcome to bring your favorite props with you.

You can choose your own roommate (this needs to be a mutual decision between both women), or a roommate will be chosen for you.

If at the time you register you are the last participant and we are at an odd number you will be in a Single Occupancy and will be responsible for that supplement.

Three buffet meals are carefully prepared daily from scratch using fresh, local, and when possible, organic ingredients. A lot of what is served is grown on Mar de Jade’s 18-acre Organic Farm.

The menu is mainly vegetarian with chicken and seafood options.

Mar de Jade can accommodate food allergies such as gluten-free, dairy-free, peanut-free, and vegan requests. Special dietary needs that require extra time to prepare may be charged an additional fee.

Mar de Jade collects gratuities for retreat staff (cooking, cleaning, repair, etc..) in a collection box at the front desk. Suggested range for staff gratuity is $10-15, per day (about $70-100 per week) and may be left with front desk staff upon check-out. Cash is appreciated.

WE COLLECT A $500 DEPOSIT TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT. YOU CAN RECIEVE A REFUND MINUS THE DEPOSIT IF YOU CANCEL MORE THAN 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE START OF THE TRIP. AFTER THAT, THE PAYMENT CANNOT BE REFUNDED OR TRANSFERRED.

Mar De Jade has its own separate cancellation policy for accommodations.

Guests who wish to spend additional nights before or after their retreat will be booked on an availability basis and be put on a waitlist for a room.

Although they will do their best to accommodate requests, being on the waitlist does not guarantee that Mar de Jade will have space at the retreat for you to arrive a day early or stay a day later.

Availability will be confirmed one month prior to the requested dates. In many cases, guests will have to switch rooms for the additional nights.

In case they cannot accommodate everyone on the waitlist, they can offer suggestions for places to stay.

Mar de Jade’s failure to perform any term or condition of this contract as a result of an extraordinary event or circumstance beyond its control such as, but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, war, strikes, riots, fires, floods, epidemics, governmental restrictions, power failures, or damage or destruction of any facility, shall not be deemed a breach of this Contract. Mar de Jade reserves the right to cancel the Group Reservation in case of force majeure. In this event, no refund is possible. Mar de Jade is not responsible for any expenses or damages incurred as a result of event cancellation including preparation costs, airline tickets, travel documents, or other expenses.

Travel insurance is always recommended.

In the case of force majeure during a retreat, Mar de Jade will take the best course of action to keep all guests safe as decided by management. This may include emergency evacuation and cancellation of the event. Should a group be evacuated, Mar de Jade will make its best efforts to provide an option of safe accommodation to the group as long as necessary at the guests’ expense. The guests or their insurance company will cover all monies associated with room and food costs for the time away from the property.

Mar de Jade is dedicated to ensuring the safety of all guests. However, all clients must assume the risk inherent in travel. Attending a retreat at Mar de Jade is at the risk of the participant and as such Marde Jade is not liable for any injuries incurred while on property. Mar de Jade is not responsible for any unexpected risks or occurrences including those from weather, terrain, wildlife, or other. force majeure.