Thirteen of us from different parts of the country gathered in Sedona for a womens’ retreat, and upon arrival we immediately gelled, like it was something we’d all been waiting for: relaxation and sisterhood with open heart and minds. We stayed in a large air B’n’B house and Vivica effortlessly maintained  the schedule she had planned, even if it did feel at times like herding cats! The first day we did a glorious 3 or 4 hour hike led by a local guide up to warrior rock and kachina woman, where we rested high up between the two while Vivica led us into a meditation, feeling as we did the two strong rocky mountain energies amid the vortex Sedona is known for.

Another day we all visited an aura center where we  received our unique aura readings, and later surrendered to the rose colored atmosphere of Cathedral Rock where Shamanic energy healers gave us a beautiful sound bath of enchantment. Vivica led us in yoga practices held on the patio of the Air BnB where the red mountains of Sedona looked upon us, and after dinner one evening a Tarot card reader came to give us individual readings. There was some down time, one afternoon where some of us could receive massages.

The whole experience was suffused with the kindness of women; it felt deep on the level where everyone felt safe and seen, authentic and tender with each other, trusting and trusted. It was a beautiful retreat with long lasting effects.

Ellen S. , Topanga

I am admiring your way with us and with your yoga more and more.  You have so many things planned out and yet naturally or effortlessly are incredibly flexible with it all.  I kept hearing all your words about choice.  You have a choice, you could do it this way or you could do it that way, listen to your body and modify...and you draw attention to anyone who is modifying and praise them.  People adjusting and taking care of themselves catches your eye.  And the lack of shame or pushing them to do it "the right way"...and the invitation to make the practice our own even in a group.

Schedules got adjusted, group dynamics kept changing with various delays, some things went long, others short and you kept us moving forward.   I believe all the women there are strong and confident and self directed, and I felt how much we all appreciated letting you lead us and give that part of ourselves a rest. We were trusting you and your process enough to just go with the flow and not worry and I loved that.

A few highlighted yoga moments were you ending a session exactly at sunset and then resting our eyes on the setting sun and sitting quietly and watching silently until the sun went down. Another memorable yoga experience were the heart opening positions.  I feel that part of my body gets my least attention...the middle back and it felt especially expanding at this retreat and I was so grateful for the movements. I also was so grateful for the morning when my headache went away because of whatever we were doing in yoga...so my sense of safety, comfort and appreciation grew larger.  You were helping me take the pain of my body (and mind) away.  The best!  So much gratitude.  It draws me closer and makes me want more. The yoga, the tone, the connection with other women who seem to like things I like without me having to find them...you found them.  Mysterious and amazing.

I felt safe.  I felt at ease.  I feel good in my body.  I felt energetic.  I felt held.

Another surprise was your love letter writing.  I cried, I laughed and I wrote with such ease!  I don't think I hesitated...just free flowing thoughts and I didn't even read it over...I just folded the paper and done!  An inspired idea from a very inspired teacher.  You have so many ideas...its part of your creative energy that is so fun for us!  I use to think of you as bold and daring and adventurous...and maybe you are, but I see also how interested you are in safety and caring and nest building for us...and it works...we feel safe...we keep coming back for more...

Thank you for creating and maintaining a beautiful space for us to feel safe and open up into.  Thank you for the surprises and thank you for being you, being on your journey and opening it up to those of us who can join you for these special gatherings.

Susie S., Topanga CA

After the retreat in Sedona, AZ I am still in awe of the location!  Not only the beauty of nature's surroundings but the venue that we shared was beautiful with loads of windows, natural light in every direction.

As an experienced yogi, I highly recommend Vivica's classes and her amazing retreats.  Having attended several of her retreats over the years, I can say they are wonderful and on a retreat you have an opportunity to drop into a more intensive experience with Vivica's knowledge.  There was a full schedule to participate in or you can choose to relax and have quiet time.

The chef that prepared all of our meals was creative as well as innovative. Every meal was healthy and tasty!  What a joy to not have to cook!

Another bonus in joining Vivica's retreat is the other attendees you meet. Some I have traveled with before, there was a reconnection.  So much is shared by others and new friendships were formed.  

Treat yourself to a retreat with Vivica when the opportunity arises, you are worth it!

Karen S.,Topanga, CA

Vivica created an amazing retreat experience for us at Gallicantu in Sardinia, Italy, October 2024. Her skillful yoga teachings were balanced beautifully with her orchestrating a rich itinerary, allowing us to explore the island and experience its unique culture. Samuel added to the experience with his holistic insights, teachings, breath work / cold plunge guidance and overall support. The peaceful environment and activities gave us all the opportunity to connect with one another, which we won’t forget. Our guided circle sharing times lended opportunity to be introspective and reflective, connecting with ourselves. Vivica’s leadership, experience and her graceful, authentic way she connected with us and the managers of the location made it all incredibly seamless. The accommodations and meals were top notch. More importantly, we all come to a retreat with a personal reason, to take a time out, to grow, to heal, to rejuvenate, rebalance, restore, to travel beyond our current boundaries. Upon departure, we all felt blessed for our own personal experience and were all talking of the next RETREAT.  

Ricci H, Boston

"Attending a yoga retreat by my longtime teacher, the legendary Vivica Schwartz, had been on my bucket list for years. When she announced the year's retreat would be on the island of Sardina - which houses a longevity "Blue Zone" - I knew this was it.  A year earlier, I had suffered an unexpected fall and was nervous to resume my yoga practice. Vivica took good care of me every day and I began to gain a much deeper connection with myself which helped me release a lot of fear.  I also made lifelong friendships, fell in love with cold-plunging, made some sweet watercolor paintings and had a ton of fun!  The retreat itself hit all the marks: mind-body-spirit education, awe-inspiring, pristine environments, fantastic excursions, cultural immersion,  organic farm-to-table cuisine, fine wine, luxury & spa treatments - all curated with Vivica's sophisticated taste, attention to detail and love of adventure. Living your best life - every day I opened a new door of wonder. Surpassed my expectations and more.  I got on the plane home feeling deep gratitude, renewed hope and 10 years younger!" - Dana Liston, CA

"Vivica Schwartz has impacted my life in profound ways through her yoga teaching. Throughout the years, I have taken Vivica's yoga classes and found myself healing from both emotional stress and depression in unexpected ways. The interesting thing is, I did not even know I had the emotions inside of me that needed to be released. As I moved, breathed and listened to her voice queuing yoga poses, I experienced both physical and emotional releases. 

Because Vivica impacted me through her yoga classes, I decided to sign up for a few of her yoga retreats. I have participated in two of her yoga retreats located at Joshua Tree, CA and Sardinia, Italy. 

Vivica designs and plans her retreats around experiencing the area in which the retreat is taking place. We experienced fun excursions such as being guided by local professional hikers who lead us on interesting explorations of the land. Other native professionals had recreated traditions of the area such as taking part in a native American cacao ceremony and nighttime stargazing in Joshua Tree, CA. While we were in Sardinia, Italy, we experienced the joy of sailing on the Mediterranean Sea and learning to make pasta from scratch. 

Another bonus of Vivica's retreats include enjoying the delicious food of expert chefs who prepare and cook all of our meals. And of course, the best part about the retreats is that we get to heal our bodies and minds as we enjoy Vivica's yoga classes every day. I have come back feeling refreshed and ready to take on the world each time I return from partaking in her retreats. I hope to continue to take as many of her retreats as I can."

Lisa R. CA

Vivica’s retreats are a delight to all the senses. Colors and sounds and smells from far away places that surprise and stimulate and inspire from the gathering of people who travel the world and love yoga...Vivica style!  I think its a very unusual community, but her retreats are community building, where people join to work out and have quiet and fun all at the same time. Her messages are about balance and the retreats reflect that.  This last retreat was extra fun with all the couples which have their own dynamic...I know that cannot happen each time, but it was terrific to be a part of that community that reflected back couples who love and enjoy each other while doing yoga together. 

Susan S, CA

I feel so grateful for this Yogic journey we’ve been on with you and what a grounding, bonding, nurturing time it was.  

Waking up 7 days in a row to do yoga first thing in the morning with a relaxed, experienced teacher in a beautiful setting is nothing but medicine for the mind and body.  It’s like drinking water on a hot day.  My body takes it in as a natural and necessary part of life and is so grateful I am listening and taking care.  And like a super bonus the rest of the day is fun and interesting...not like at home when its back to the life grind after the yoga practice...so the experience is just deeper and in its own way more intense, it doesn't get undone by the life and driving and traffic and cooking and cleaning and regular life that sort of wears away at all the good work yoga does in the first place...its gets supported and amplified.  The food and the sleeping arrangements were all bountiful and nurturing and the joy of being with people who appreciate Yoga and world travel was a bonus surprise to me on top of it all.  I suppose we all search for community and its kinda tricky to find it...and after the long long period of COVID and more and more online life, we have all learned how to be even more separate than usual. So coming together was sweet in a new way as well.  

The group was very well balanced with group activities and alone time and the tone of the group and you was very welcoming and inclusive.  Come as you are.  Rest if you are ill or weary. Come with whatever skill or injury you have.  Come whatever time you have, even if you come late. Come with whatever props you have, we will make it work.  Reach for a pose and stay in it for "any amount."....the overall message was so deeply welcoming and accepting, in contrast to my world, my society, my culture, my upbringing and my mental notes and messages from my parents.  "Doing your best" vs. "any amount" is a profoundly different mental exercise.  It reminds me of how internal the work is.  Push if you want, or don't, but any amount counts...the important part is the doing and even the smallest doing will bring benefits.  I think we all love Vivica because of the messages of "you are o.k." how you are, where you are...and we seek that message as much as the deep stretches and breathing exercises...

The accommodations on this retreat were wonderful and I could feel all the care of Andrea watching and choosing and discerning high quality places, food and experiences for us....I felt very cared for and nurtured by all her leg work.  She is a real gem!  The group did not feel too big or small for me.  I know I was not in charge of them, but as a participant, it felt comfortable enough to be intimate and energetic.

Another highlight was the building and strengthening of my relationship with my partner, who came so hesitantly to the group, to yoga and to daily practice...but he so appreciated how his body felt and doing it first thing in the morning! We understand each other better and we have one more shared arena of common experience which is so lovely. 

Thank you Vivica.  For organizing and making it happen and thank you for being such a lovely caring and attentive yoga teacher. 

-Susan S. (Morocco 2023)