The Radiant Retreat: Your New Horizon Beckons

The Radiant Retreat is a wellness retreat on the Pacific coast near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, built around yoga, insight meditation, journaling and memoir writing. It is led by yoga teacher, writer and artist Jennifer Schelter and held at Xinalani Retreat. It suits anyone who wants to slow down, listen to their intuition and step away from the demands of everyday life. No writing experience is needed, and the yoga is gentle. This year's theme is belonging to your creative self: the part of you that knows what you love, what has meaning and what brings you alive.

What to Expect

Each day balances structure and freedom. Mornings begin with coffee and snacks, then insight meditation and intentional journaling, followed by an hour of gentle yoga aimed at strength, balance and longevity. Breakfast comes after that.

Afternoons are largely open. You might walk the beach, swim, hike, join an excursion, nap in a hammock or do nothing at all. Late in the afternoon, a memoir and creative writing session invites you to explore your voice and your stories. Dinner closes the day.

A typical daily rhythm:

- 7:00 to 7:30 am: morning coffee and snacks
- 8:00 to 8:45 am: insight meditation and intentional journaling
- 9:00 to 10:00 am: gentle yoga
- 10:00 to 11:00 am: breakfast
- 2:30 to 3:30 pm: lunch
- 5:00 to 6:30 pm: writing life stories and memoir skills
- 7:30 to 8:30 pm: dinner

The retreat has run for 19 years, and many participants return for the community, connection and laughter. Past guests describe the morning meditation and yoga as well balanced, and speak of how hearing fellow participants read their writing aloud brings the group closer.

About Jennifer Schelter

Jennifer Schelter is a writer, artist and longtime yoga and meditation teacher with 30 years of professional experience. Her work brings together meditation, yoga, writing and memoir as ways to find your authentic voice and express what matters. She founded and directed Yoga Schelter for a decade, holds a B.A. in Visual Arts from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and an MFA in Classical Theater from the University of San Diego/Old Globe Theatre, and shared in a Tony Award for Best Regional Theater with the Denver Center Theatre Company. She has been named a "Best of Philly" yoga and mindfulness instructor and teaches and leads retreats at the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Executive Education, Kripalu, Xinalani and Maine Media Workshops & College. Her memoir, Some Beauty, is forthcoming.

The Setting

Xinalani sits by the ocean, with jungle and mountains at its doorstep. Nature does some of the teaching here, and the unhurried pace leaves room to release what no longer serves you. Accommodation options include Deluxe Rooms and Eco Chic Suites, each in open-air or air-conditioned versions, and air-conditioned Beach Casitas. Rooms can be booked for double or single occupancy. Meals are fresh and healthful, three a day. Airport transfers and a boat ride to the retreat center are part of the stay.

Before You Go

All levels are welcome. The yoga is gentle, and the writing sessions require no prior experience. The retreat is held in English.

Included are your selected accommodation, three meals daily, coffee, tea, fruit and granola, daily yoga and meditation classes, airport transfers and the boat ride to the center, all taxes, and use of a kayak and snorkel equipment.