Studio Blue Pilates Retreat

Studio Blue Pilates Retreat at Haramara is a seven-night Pilates mat retreat on the Pacific coast of Nayarit, Mexico, led by Dan Walton of Studio Blue Pilates in Portland. It is open to everyone, from people stepping onto a mat for the first time to long-time practitioners who want unhurried days of focused movement.

Dan has taught at Haramara since 2013, so he knows the place and the rhythm of the days well. He guides the group on the mat and off it.

What to Expect

Each day holds two 90-minute mat sessions on an open-air pavilion overlooking the Pacific. The morning class wakes the body with intention, building core strength, improving mobility and setting a grounded tone for the day. The afternoon session is slower: deeper stretching, and time to let the work settle in.

The space between classes is part of the design. A retreat is different from a weekday class squeezed in at home. There is time to breathe, to listen to your body and to notice what is happening rather than hurrying back to the car. Dan's view is that the nervous system relaxes when the noise of daily life falls away, and that this is when real change happens. Many students leave surprised by how much more feels possible.

Classes are tailored to the group and always all-levels. Dan has spent years making Pilates accessible without watering it down, so beginners are well supported and experienced students are still challenged.

About Dan Walton

Dan has worked in the Portland fitness community since 2006 and founded Studio Blue Pilates in NW Portland in 2007, with the aim of creating a welcoming space regardless of age, gender or movement background. He is a certified Pilates and TRX instructor with extensive continuing education, including work with BASI, Stott and Karen Clippinger. His training covers injury rehabilitation, scoliosis, osteoporosis, shoulder biomechanics, gait analysis and Functional Movement Screening (Levels 1 and 2), which helps him meet people where they are and support them in reducing or eliminating pain. Away from the studio, he is usually hiking in the woods, snowshoeing or relaxing on a beach in the Pacific Northwest.

The Setting

The retreat takes place at Haramara in La Yesca, Nayarit, Mexico, with classes held on the open-air pavilion above the ocean. The stay covers seven nights and three meals a day. Lodging comes in four tiers: a private single room, a double room shared by two guests, a triple room shared by three, or a shared dorm.

Before You Go

No Pilates experience is required. The sessions are structured for mixed groups and suit beginners as well as seasoned practitioners. The price includes two daily mat classes, all meals and seven nights in the room type you choose. Guests who book early enough, ahead of the early-booking deadline shown on the page, also receive one private lesson with Dan.