Ecology of Women
Apprenticeship Immersion Rooted in Mayan Wisdom
GuateMaya
December 3 - 9, 2026
Ancestral practices led by Mayan Elders
Join us for a week-long deep study into Ancestral Traditions, Ceremony and holistic practices for Womb-Centered Care from the Maya K’iche’ Cosmovision.
This is a rare opportunity to stay at an authentic Mayan Community in the Highlands of Guatemala for a full week & learn about traditional millenary arts of Womb Care , connection to the Elements, Ceremonial work, Plant Teachers (like Kakau and Tabaco) - directly from the Maya K’iche’ Grandmothers and Midwives from a unique unbroken lineage.
Align your life with the natural cycles of your Womb and the Earth.
A profound study of Earth-based, Water-based, Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
A space for deep connection to your body, empowerment, self-healing, cultural immersion and sisterhood.
Rooted in the Mayan Highlands of Guatemala, at 2 very Sacred locations…
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1. Xesampual (Heart of the Mountains), Santa Lucía Utatlán.
MAYAN COMMUNITY
Cerro Sampual is a local peak in Guatemaya that forms part of the regional highlands near Lake Atitlán, and it connects conceptually and geographically to the broader continuous western mountain chain that encompasses both the Sierra Madre and the AndesThe Xesampual area in Santa Lucía Utatlán, Sololá, radiates with the rich Mayan K'iche' identity of the region, characterized by the use of its native language (K’iche’) as the primary spoken language for most of the population, the practice of local traditions and a strong community connection with the land.
Nana Rosalía & her family warmly invite you to spend a full week immersed in the rural village community lifestyle, to connect with the Mayan Traditions, learn about Ancestral Wisdom, sit in Sacred Ceremony, enjoy traditional cuisine prepared by the family, and so much more…
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2. Lake Atitlán - San Marcos La Laguna.
VOLCANIC LAKE
Created approximately 84,000 years ago when a massive super-eruption (the Los Chocoyos eruption) caused a magma chamber to collapse, leaving a giant basin that filled with water.
VIBRANT MAYAN CULTURE
The shores of this majestic Lake are vibrant with around 13 main Mayan towns and villages, primarily inhabited by the Tz'utujil and Kaqchikel peoples.
Unlike many destinations where indigenous culture exists only in museums, Mayan culture at Lake Atitlán remains a living part of the bioregion.
OUR MEETING GROUNDSThis is our point of departure and return to and from Xesampual Mayan Village.
An optional 3 nights accommodation at our hotel in San Marcos La Laguna may be added in your registration: December 1-3 (before heading to Xesampual) and the night of Dec 9th (day of return).
**We reccomend our sisters coming from abroad to plan your flight to arrive at least 2 days before the start date (December 3rd) for a smooth travel experience.
Overview
More than a Retreat - Ecology of Women is an eco-cultural Apprenticeship Immersion into earth-based Womb Wisdom in the Mayan Mountains of Guatemala, guided by Mayan Elders and Midwives.
Our studies integrate scientific knowledge—the physiologic truths of the human body—with the profound and intricate Mayan Cosmology. Providing you practical and spiritual tools you can integrate into your daily life, professional work, mothering, partnership, relationships and your unique service to life.
By understanding our physiology, we learn what our bodies need in order to thrive, aligning with these truths is the way to sustain health and Life. Earth-based, Indigenous Knowledge Systems like Mayan Cosmovision are based on the Physiologic (Original, Natural, Divine) Design of the human body in relation with the whole Ecosystem of Life (ecology).
Over the 7 days of our apprenticeship retreat we’ll experience different traditional Mayan practices, visit a sacred site, drink Cacau in a ceremonial way, plant baths inside the Tuj(Mayan Temazcal), learn how to offer a Steam Bath session, learn to heal yourself with the Mayan Abdominal-Womb massage, study the Cosmovision, try traditional foods, sit in Sacred Fire ceremonies, receive personal and group guidance from the Elders, and SO MUCH MORE…
During this retreat we will explore topics that may challenge learned belief systems and normalized cultural practices. Approach this retreat with an open heart, a curious mind, and a willingness to self-reflect and grow.
Reconnection to the Womb
Explore the physiology and spiritual essence of the womb through the lens of Mayan Cosmology and scientific knowledge.
Rediscover the sacred cycles of the body and embrace them as sources of wisdom, vitality, and empowerment.
Healing and Empowerment
Heal inherited beliefs and cultural distortions about womanhood, menstruation, and motherhood.
Gain tools and practices like vaginal steaming, abdominal-womb massage, and working with medicinal plants to support personal and communal healing.
Integration of Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science
Learn to integrate ancestral Mayan teachings with contemporary understandings of women’s health.
Develop a holistic approach to thriving physically, emotionally, and spiritually by aligning with the natural rhythms of the body.
Connection to Ancestral and Earth-Based Practices
Deepen your connection with nature and the sacred cycles of life through rituals, ceremonies, and plant medicine.
Cultivate a sense of purpose, clarity, and belonging as a guardian of life and the earth.
CURRICULUM
Guided by Earth-based, Womb-centered knowledge systems through the study of scientific (research based) knowledge and Mayan Ancestral Wisdom.
We dive into the spiritual, emotional, and physiological complexities of womanhood within the Earth’s Bioregion.
In this apprenticeship you will learn:
Physiology of the womb:
Aligning to the wisdom of the 4 phases
Pelvic Breathwork & body awareness practices
Beyond anatomy - Womb as the Storm of Creation
Mayan Medicine
Self Mayan Abdominal-Womb Massage
Steam baths - Personal healing in the Tuj (Mayan Temazcal) & how to hold a vaginal steaming session.
Self Healing with the Obsidian Stone.
Ways of connection to life from the Mayan Cosmovision.
Personal Mayan Nawal Reading
Herbalism for womb care
Crafting Agua Florida & Mayan heating womb balm.
Herb allies for each phase.
Personal sovereignty through body & plant Knowledge- Maya Medicine
Gut Feelings
Physiologic nutrition for each phase
Fertility Protocol
Gut health in relation to Emotional health
Blood of Life
Ancient rites of bleeding as a revolutionary prayer.
And more...
Why ECOLOGY?
Ecology is the way in which we are connected to the web of Life by blood, literally - physiologically, by Natural Design.
→Ecology is the scientific study of relationships between Habitat and Inhabitant. But for Indigenous peoples, Ecology is something that is practiced through a living Culture, traditions, and an embodied way of relating with the Natural world, not just an intellectual concept.
Living by our Ecology means to live within cycles of reciprocity with the Elements who give us Life, it means to care for and nurture all that cares for and nurtures us.
- María Xtal’y
EXPERIENCE
An immersion into Indigenous, Womb-centered, Earth-based ways of connection to LIFE in the Heart of the Mayan Mountains. An immersion into Mayan Culture and the wisdom of the Midwives.
In this immersion you will receive:
2 (or more) Sacred Mayan Fire Ceremonies
Your personal Obsidian stone
Sacred bleeding cloths
2 (or more) Healing Sessions inside the TUJ (Mayan Temazcal)
Personal Nawal Reading
Sacred Fire connection daily
Ceremony with the Spirituality of Cacau
Daily traditional foods - home made by the family with locally sourced ingredients
Sacred Tabaco and Cacau divination (a personal or group message channeled by our teachers).
Your personal handwoven Faja
Agua Florida and Raxpom womb balm (handmade by you)
Song Circle with Cacau- Womb and voice connection\recreational sharing
Marimba
Immersion into the Mayan culture, Ancestral medicine, community living, Plant teachers, and SO MUCH MORE….
THE FLOW
Our immersion officially starts on December 3rd with our travel together from San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán into the Mayan mountains of Xesampual.
An optional 2 nights accommodation may be included in your reservation for an extra fee. - Stay at our lakefront hotel in San Marcos La Laguna from the 1st to the 3rd of December and on our return to the Lake on December 9th.
This is our tentative schedule:
December 1st, 2026 - Jun Aj (optional)
Arrival to Lake Atitlán and check in at the hotel
December 2nd, 2026 - Keb Ix (optional)
Day to get anything you need from town to bring to the mountain (e.g. snacks, toiletries, offerings, etc)
December 3rd, 2026 - Oxib Tzikin
Departure from the San Marcos La Laguna in shuttle - 10:30am
Arrival to Xesampual - 12:00 pm
Check in and Lunch
Opening Ceremony with Cacau and Mayan Music by Multi-instrumentalist Tat Francisco Jolomna
December 4th, 2026 - Kajib Ajmak’
Introduction to Maya Cosmology
Plant bath in the Tuj (Mayan Temazcal)
December 5th, 2026 - Jo’b N’oj
Spirituality of Tabaco from the Mayan Cosmovision
Mayan Nawal reading
Physiology of the womb through the cycle of Sacred Waters (Masterclass)
Blood of life (Ancestral Rites of Bleeding)
December 6th, 2026 - Waqib Tijax
Herbalism for womb care (Workshop)
Self healing with the Obsidian Stone
Song circle with Cacau
Time for 1:1 sessions*
December 7th, 2026 - Vuqub Kawoq’
Hike to the Sacred Site, ceremonial offering
Collecting medicine for Steam Baths
Steam Bath session (Workshop)
Time for 1:1 sessions*
December 8th, 2026 - Waxaqib’ Ajpu
Learning how to do a Self Mayan Abdominal-Womb massage
Time for 1:1 sessions*
Tuj
December 9th, 2026 - Belejeb Imox
Closing Ceremony with Cacau and Marimba
Departure after lunch - 3:00 pm
Arrival to Lake Atitlán, check in at the hotel (optional accommodation).
Daily Flow format:
7:30 am — Breakfast
9:00 am — Activity of the day
1:00 pm — Lunch
3:00 pm — Second activity of the day
6:30 pm — Dinner
8:00 pm — Occasional activity of the night
Your Guides
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Nana Rosalía
Revered Elder Midwife and Ajq’ij (Spiritual Guide/Time Keeper) who comes from a lineage of traditional Birthkeepers and Time Keepers from the Maya K’iche’ Peoples. Rosalía has kept and passed down to generations Ancestral Knowledge regarding birth, postpartum, womb health and the Mayan Cosmology. She is also a survivor of the Guatemalan genocide of indigenous peoples from 1960 to 1996. Nana Rosalía has sustained the Wisdom of her grandparents, attended thousands of births (3,000+) in the traditional ancestral way, she has also taught and shared her wisdom with countless people from all over the world in many different countries for decades and is a pillar of true Wisdom, Love and Resilience for all the K’iche’ Peoples and the world.
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Nana Ixquik'
Daughter of Nana Rosalía, Ixquik’ was initiated as an Ajq’ij (Spiritual Guide/Time Keeper) at the young age of 13, receiving a responsibility from her Elders to share the Mayan Cosmovision through her spiritual abilities with the world, especially through her work as an Aj Iyom (Midwife) and with Women’s health. Ixquik’ is a spiritually gifted Healer who has developed in ancestral healing modalities known only by a few talented healers in her lineage. Ixquik’s dedication to the Sacred is felt through each word she shares, her connection with the Earth and her embodiment of Ancestral Medicine is a gift to the world.
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Nana Nicté
Daughter of Nana Rosalía, Nicte’ has served her community for decades as an Aj Iyom (Midwife), political leader, and Ajq’ij (Spiritual Guide/Time Keeper), Nicte’ was member of the Indigenous authority council of Santa Lucía Utatlán and continues to advocate for women’s rights especially related to natural birth and holistic health.
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María Xtal'y
Founder of RUK’U’X KAWOQ’, Ecology of Women & GuateMaya Retreats. Born and raised in Guatemala, María is a Holistic therapist, Medicine woman, Artist and Full Spectrum Doula dedicated to serving the sanctity of life and our connection to Mother Earth. María weaves Science and Spirit through earth\water-based knowledge systems, utilizing indigenous ways of thinking to make holistic models of Physiology and Ecology. María is an apprentice of the Maya Cosmology via her relationships with Nana Rosalía and the family. Her intention is to amplify the voices of the Mayan Midwives, preserving ancestral wisdom, millenary tradition and culture while sharing what has brought healing to her own life with more women around the world.
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K'iche' Family
You will be welcomed into Nana Rosalía’s home for 7 days (6 nights) in the Sacred Mountains of Xesampual where the whole family is waiting to host you and share with you their sacred culture, wisdom and way of connection to life.
Inclusions & Details
What’s included:
6 nights accommodation in a shared room at Xesampual Mayan Community: Experience communal living & closeness to nature in the Mayan mountains of Guatemala, our Elders receive you in their home for this unique experience.
3 full meals per day and some snacks: Taste traditional Mayan foods and be nourished by meals prepared every day by the family, we will have vegetarian and gluten free options (please let us know any food allergies or restrictions in the application form).
Cacau and special herbal teas: Nourish the Soul with the magickal drinks of the Maya Lands.
Supplies for Offerings and Altar making: You will be provided with a base of offerings and materials for our community altar and the ceremonies. Some materials you will have to bring or buy.
Gift: Special arrival gift from our hearts to yours.
Transportation to/from Lake Atitlán - Xesampual: We will meet in San Marcos La Laguna on April 10th and travel together to our retreat destination Xesampual in a shuttle.
Investment:
All Inclusive with shared accommodation Early Bird - $2,200
$2,400
A 30% ($660 USD) deposit is required upon application.
If you are not accepted you will be refunded in full.
An exploration call is required to complete the registration process.
We ask that you please refrain from booking flights before you have been accepted.
** Upgrade to private accommodation at Xesampual. Only 4 spots available!!
Financial Transparency
This is how your Investment is distributed. RUK’U’X KAWOQ’ is a platform created with the intention of redirecting Capital to the people, places and cultures that increase Biodiversity, connection to Nature and traditions of CARE in the World.
We believe that true Abundance comes from Reciprocity and Generosity. All services hired for our immersion are Local and based on deep long term Relationships.
From our Chef to our shuttle Driver, every person hired for our immersions is part of the community and is directly supported by your Investment.
Payment Plans:
After your application deposit (3o%) you can opt for any of the following payment plans:
1 payment of $1,540
2 payments of $770
3 payments of $514
**Payment links will be shared directly with you via email.
Not included:
Airfare, transportation to and from the airport, or travelers insurance.
**If you’re traveling from abroad we recommend you to arrive on the 1st to have a smooth travel experience and spend 2 nights at the Lake before heading into the mountains.
** Optional Add-on: shared or private accommodation at hotel in San Marcos December 1-3 and 9th - from $60 per night (includes breakfast)
Your participation in this program is directly funding an Indigenous Land Based Project…
13% of all funds collected through our retreats and courses goes directly to support “Casa Tortuga” the FIRST Mayan Birthing Center in Guatemala.
YOU are supporting the continuation of Ancestral Mayan Birth Keeping Arts and Mayan Culture.
THANK YOU!! MALTYOX!
“Every breath ever taken is still in the air to breathe. I breathe the breaths of the Ancestors, and everybody else’s too.”
Eco-Cultural Tourism
A way of Traveling that positively impacts the World.
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Eco-Cultural Tourism is changing the way humans relate to Land and Culture, placing value where it most benefits Life:
Values Biodiversity
Supports Indigenous Communities
Leave no trace attitude
Prefers Organic and Local products
Respects local traditions
Creates abundance for future generations
Embodies healthy lifestyle
Connects to Land, People and Culture
Creates webs of human connection beyond borders
Facilitates real cultural exchange
When we practice Eco-cultural tourism we feed our Soul with connection, ancestral knowledge and a felt sense that we are walking in a beautiful way that helps us heal our personal and collective wounds. THIS is the tourism in which we believe, in which we participate and which we inspire people to practice through our immersions.
ECOLOGY OF WOMEN
Mayan immersion & womb apprenticeship retreat