Open Heart Journeys

Open Heart Journeys is a quality yoga retreat service created in 2005 by Francisco Morales-Bermudez.

We offer magical retreat experiences, as well as providing retreat leaders and yoga teachers the resources they need to create retreats for their students.

It is our intention to inspire you with the magic, culture and beauty of the locations we visit, while creating time for you to relax, connect with friends and practice yoga, during this heart-opening experience.

Our wish is that these deep, majestic journeys
                                                              will hum in your heart
       and resonate in your spirit
                                             for years to come.

The signature elements of an Open Heart Journey include:

  • Retreat Locations

    The locations we choose are nurturing and healing environments to relax, retreat and develop long-lasting memories in culturally-rich communities.

    • Our journeys have taken us to the mountains of Peru, beaches & temples of Mexico, volcanoes of Hawaii and The Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.
    • Ideally we look to stay at locations with holistic and sustainable practices that support the local community
    • We like to offer a range of accommodation from budget to luxury to suit the group dynamics - this can vary from one journey to the next
    • We visit these areas with the understanding that local cultures hold wisdom we can learn from and contribute to.
    • Each journey is unique to the area we visit.
  • Daily Yoga

    Francisco & Esak practice Yoga daily so we've integrated this into our retreats for you to take your practice on the road.

    • The intention of most classes are to challenge and ground us for the day ahead.
    • We welcome all varieties of yoga practice. Typically we start the day with Bikram Yoga and end the day with Synergy Partner Yoga. In the past we have included Vinyasa classes and other forms of yoga depending on group requests.
    • Classes are guided by an experienced yoga teacher. All Levels of ability are welcome and encouraged to take part
  • Healthy Food

    We believe delicious & nutritious food not only feed the body but nourishes the soul.

    • Meals during the retreat are catered daily, prepared locally using organic produce and consider all special dietary requirements.
    • Our favourite chefs are flown in to cater specially for the group when possible.
    • We plan each meal to support the flow of our daily activities - you won't go hungry!
    • When we dine, we dine together, communing and creating memories over good food
  • Adventure Excursions

    In addition to daily yoga, each retreat includes Adventure Excursions to connect with our surroundings. We explore the Earth's natural beauty as well as the cultures and people that inhabit it.

    • We have taken groups to swim with Humpback whales in the northern pacific coast of Peru & to the Biosphere in Tulum, Mexico
    • We have offered surfing lessons for beginners, hikes to waterfall of Hawaii, and we have visited the temples of Machu Pichu, Chichen-Itza and Tulum
    • One of our favourite Adventure Excursions explores the cenote caves of the Mayan Riviera. These are a few examples of excursions we have led for our open heart journey participants.
    • We believe these experiences are expansive and enriching.
  • Karma Yoga

    Our lives are enriched by the communities & places we visit and we believe in giving back to them.

    • The Karma Yoga program consists of going to a community and making a contribution
    • Often we lead yoga classes or take on service projects. These create fun opportunities to connect with the local people in the places we visit
    • Sometimes we like to support fund raising campaigns. In the past, we have contributed to building schools and bathrooms in rural areas
    • Karma yoga is a way to learn more about the lives and challenges of the communities we visit.

Want more insight into how to lead a retreat? Ready to co-create an Open Heart Journey? Then email us at and we will explore the needs of you and your group.


The Founder

Francisco has been teaching yoga and traveling the world for a decade. Today he teaches yoga full time, teaches synergy partner yoga and leads heart opening journeys.

For more info about Francisco


Facebook Like

Upcoming Journeys

OPEN HEART JOURNEYS, PERU
RETREAT AT THE WILKA T'IKA
LUXURY GUEST HOUSE


Discover Peru with Esak & Francisco.
11 nights and 10 days of heart opening yoga, community, and tours through Peru's sacred valley.

October 26th - November 5th, 2016
PRICE: $1800

Register for the Journey by pressing the button below and paying your $600 deposit.
Pay Deposit Now

MORE INFO

  • Getting There

    October 26 - fly into Lima, Peru Jorgue Chavez International Airport

    October 27th - fly to Talara Airport

    October 30 - fly to Cusco

    November - 5th return home

    The journey begins and ends in Cusco, Peru. The group will meet in the morning of October 26th at the Cusco International Airport (CUZ). Arrive to CUZ before 12pm.
    Our guide will meet us and take us to our hotel. The journey ends November 5th when you will be dropped of at CUZ once again. Schedule your departure from CUZ after 1pm.

  • Daily Itinerary

    While in Lima Lima airport pick up on 26th
(If you come early on the retreat) Lima excursion on 26th Walking Tour of Lima &Bikram class at Bikram Yoga Peru
Second Home Peru" Barranco 26th
*whoever arrives early enough on the 26th gets to check out Lima a bit. Meals on the 26th are not included. 
Flight Lima to Talara on 27th (on your own)

    While in Los Organos
 Van Talara Airport to Los Organos on 27th 
4 nights (27-30) at Yogamar Retreat center - with 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Surf Lesson on 28th (Javier Swayne - South American Surf Champion)
Yoga at Yogamar Festival 28&29th
Whale Watching excursion Oct 30th
Van to Talara Airport 31st 
Flight Talara to Cusco 31st (on your own) While in Cusco/Machu Pichu Airport pick up and transfer to hotel in Urubamaba Valley    4 nights (october 31- november 4) at Kuychi Rumi Exclusive Lodging w/breakfast-lunch-dinner  Visit to Ollantaytambo  Van transport to Ollantaytambo train station Roundtrip Train - Ollantaytambo - Aguas Calientes - Machu Pichu (all day Machu Pichu) Huayna Pichu temple Pisac temple & market Sacsayhuaman temples Cusco (visit Coricancha temple near main plaza) Van to Airport

    OPTIONAL 2 DAY ADD-ON TO VISIT LIMA:

    If you would like to join us for 2 days in Lima (Francisco's home town) we invite you to arrive on October 24th, prior to starting our journey in Cusco. We will meet you at the airport, and spend the next 48 hours visiting Lima's sites, beaches and Peru's only Bikram Yoga studio. All costs for this add-on will be at your own expense. We will arrange accommodations for you and bring you to the best markets and restaurants for meals, but the cost is on your own. Budget US$100-150/day for this additional experience. Make sure to check the appropriate box when you register.

  • Accommodation

    • While in Lima: Second Home Peru
    • While in Los Organos: Yogamar Retreat Center
    • While in Cusco: Kuychi Rumi Exclusive Lodging

    Food

    Most meals are provided at the hotels we will be staying in. Some days we will have visits into town in which participants will take care of their own meals.>

  • What's Included

    • Everything from the moment we pick you up in Cusco to the moment we drop you back 7 days later.
    • Daily Bikram Yoga classes and Synergy Partner Yoga Classes taught by Esak and Francisco.
    • See the detailed Itinerary for a full program of classes and tours.
    • Yoga mats and towels
    • Not Included: International flights to CUZ, bottled beverages, laundry and spa services.

Contacts

For more information about Open Heart Journeys, email us at