
Lunar Serenity
A Fasting Yoga Retreat in the Santa Cruz Mountains
Date: November 1-3, 2024
Location: Luxury Garden Villa nestled among the majestic Redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains
Purify under the Healing New Moon
Join us for a transformative weekend under the serene embrace of the new moon in Scorpio—November 1st to 3rd—a profound time for transformation, spiritual practice, and healing.
Ancient traditions across cultures, from Día de los Muertos in Mexico to Samhain in Celtic lore, have long recognized the spiritual significance of this lunar phase, making the seasonal shift an ideal opportunity for inner exploration, cleansing, and renewal.
Experience the rejuvenating power of fasting, yoga, and meditation in a breathtaking natural retreat setting—a luxury garden villa nestled among mountain forests, designed to nourish body and soul.
Whether you seek a profound physical cleanse, a digital detox, mind-body-spiritual clarity, healing from a chronic condition, or healthy weight loss through a fasting lifestyle or all of the above, this retreat offers a tailored transformative experience just for you!
For those new to fasting, Lunar Serenity Retreat provides a nurturing environment to explore this powerful ancient practice. Fasting is a profound healing tool allowing the body to restore itself, helping you rediscover your inner wisdom and gives an opportunity for you to become your own greatest healer. As you embark on this transformative journey, you’ll connect deeply with your body and spirit, unlocking insights that lead to lasting renewal.
Spaces are limited—reserve your spot today and embark on this incredible journey with like-minded souls.
Why Fasting?
Fasting is a powerful practice embraced by cultures worldwide for centuries, offering profound benefits both for body and mind . As Dr. Mindy Pelz, an international best-selling author and health expert, highlights, fasting promotes metabolic health, enhances cellular repair, is the most healthy form of weight loss, improves mental clarity, and our energy!
Moreover, this retreat is not just about abstaining from food; it's an opportunity to tune into your body’s natural rhythms and rediscover your innate ability to heal. By giving your digestive system a break, fasting helps enhance resilience and adaptability, supporting overall well-being.
Fasting also encourages mindfulness, self-reflection, and a deeper understanding of our beliefs, habits, and conditioning; making it ideal for those seeking personal growth. At our retreat, participants will learn to listen to their bodies, understand internal signals, and cultivate a deeper connection to their internal wisdom, freedom, resistance, and choice.
You will have the opportunity to design your fasting journey
Intermittent fasting: 17 hours
Autophagy fasting: starts at 17 hours
Gut reset fast: 24 hours
Fat-burner fast: 36 hours
Dopamine-resent fast: 48 hours
Immune-resent fast: more than 72 hours
Join us for a communal fasting experience where insights, challenges, and triumphs are shared within a supportive community. This combination of individual exploration and collective support creates a transformative environment, making fasting a cornerstone of your journey toward health and healing.
Want to learn more about research behind the benefits of fasting, check out Dr. Mindy Pelz’s book. Feel free to borrow the book from the studio.
Our Sanctuary: Where we will stay.
Serenity. Nature. Rustic Luxury.
Immerse yourself in a breathtaking retreat where rustic elegance meets modern comfort. Nestled in the heart of the mountains, this property offers a serene escape, surrounded by lush landscapes and the tranquil sounds of nature.












Retreat Program
We will customize a journey just right for you.
Friday, November 1st
Day 1: Arrival and Grounding
12:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Arrival and Check-In
Settle into your luxurious garden villa and enjoy free time to explore the serene surroundings, relax by the pool, or unwind in the hot tub. Settle into contemplation, intentions journaling, explore our workbook of affirmations and journal prompts, paint, draw, read the book you’ve been wanting to get into.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Opening Circle
Gather for a welcome session to set intentions for the retreat, connect with fellow participants, and share your journey.
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Nourishing Fasting Dinner- Enjoy a light, nourishing meal designed to initiate the fasting journey.
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM: Restorative Yoga Session and guided meditation - A gentle practice focused on relaxation and grounding.
9:00 PM: Evening Reflection
Personal time for journaling or quiet contemplation before rest.
Saturday, November 2
Day 2: Deepening the Experience
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Morning Meditation and Sacred Silence. Sleep in or embrace the morning solar rays with personal quiet time, sunrise gazing meditation, journaling, or meditating in sacred silence.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Outdoor Yoga Practice and Meditation Practices. Engage in a gentle yoga session followed by meditation practices, designed to support self-inquiry, exploration, and renewal.
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Free Personal time and group activity options.
Enjoy personal time or social moments on the property or surrounding trails. Take a mindful walk on nearby trails, letting nature inspire and rejuvenate you. Enjoy the property—whether by the pool, in the hot tub, or in the garden. Find a cozy nook to read, journal. Depending on interest, workshops on meditation, energy healing, and detoxification practices can be curated for the group.
Add-on massage and wellness sessions can be scheduled for this time.
1:00 PM: For those following an intermittent fasting practice, option to break the fast with an intentionally designed meal.
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Group Sharing Circle. Connect with fellow participants to share insights and experiences from the day, fostering community and support. This is an opportunity to acknowledge transformation.
7:00 PM: For those on a 24 hr Gut-Reset Fast, option to break the fast with an intentionally designed meal.
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM : Evening Dharma Share and Guided Restorative Yoga, Yoga Nidra, or Sound Healing Experience. Join a guided meditation to reflect on the day’s journey and cultivate a sense of calm.
9:30 PM: Evening Journaling and Quiet Time. Spend time in quiet reflection or journaling before bedtime, allowing the day’s experiences to integrate.
Sunday, November 3
Day 3: Integration and Closure
7:00 AM - 9:00 AM: Morning Meditation and Sacred Silence. Sleep in or embrace the morning solar rays with sunrise gazing meditation, personal quiet time, journaling, or meditating in sacred silence.
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM: Outdoor Yoga Practice and Meditation Practices. Engage in a gentle yoga session followed by meditation practices, designed to support self-inquiry, exploration, and renewal.
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Free Personal time and group activity options
Enjoy personal time or social moments on the property or surrounding trails. Take a mindful walk on nearby trails, letting nature inspire and rejuvenate you. Enjoy the property—whether by the pool, in the hot tub, or in the garden. Find a cozy nook to read, journal.
Add-on massage and wellness sessions can be scheduled for this time.
1:00 PM: For those following a 36 hour Fat Burner fasting practice, this is an option to break the fast with an intentionally designed meal.
4:00 PM - 5:30 PM: Group Sharing Circle or Activity. Connect with fellow participants to share insights and experiences from the day, fostering community and support.
6:00 PM: Closing Dinner. For those on a 48 hr Dopamine Reset fast, time to break the fast. Closing Fasting Dinner designed for nourishment and reflection
7:00 PM - 8:30 PM : Closing Sharing Circle and Fire Release Ceremony. Gather for a closing circle to share reflections, express gratitude, and celebrate the journey.
8:30 PM: Evening Journaling and Quiet Time for integration before rest.
Monday, November 4
Day 4: Departure
6:30 AM - 7:30 AM: Optional Sunrise Yoga Session
7:30 AM - 11:00 AM: Departures
*Schedule can change and will be refined.
Wait, why Fast?
The Benefits Timeline
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Intermittent Fasting
16-17 Hours
Why Intermittent Fasting?
–If you want to lose weight
–You are experiencing Brain Fog
–You suffer from loss of energy
Benefits
–Human growth hormones (HGH)
–Reduced Infammation
–Fat Burning Begins
–Increased Ketones
–Improved Energy and Focus
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Autophagy Begins
17 Hrs - 72 hrs
Why love Autophagy Fasting?
–If you want to detox from a poor diet, overindulgent vacations, and holidays
–If your mind is unfocused, memory sluggish, or you need more mental power to learn a new skill
–If you want to balance hormones during perimenopause or if you’re trying to get pregnant
Benefits
–Cellular Detoxification
–Cellular Repair
–Improved Immune Function
–Cancer Prevention
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Gut-Reset Fast
24+ Hours
Why Gut-Reset?
–If you want to repair the damage of years of anti-biotic use that has decimated the terrain of good bacteria in your gut
–If you want to offset birth control use that has killed microbial diversity contributing to a leaky gut, damaged cell-lining, causing an environment of yeast overgrowth and systemic inflammation
–If you have small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, known as SIBO, one of the most difficult gut conditions to overcome
Benefits
–Intestinal Stem Cell Regeneration
–GABA production
–Brain Healing
–Autoimmune Healing
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Fat-Burner Fast
36+ Hours
Why Fat Burner Fast
–If you are resistant to weight-loss in shorter fasts
–Release sugar stored in the tissues, liver, fat, muscle tissue
–Help repair the functioning of a damaged liver
Benefits
–Reduced glucose stores
–Reduced Insulin Stores
–Increased Fat burning
–Detoxification
–Anti-aging
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Dopamine-Reset Fast
48+ Hours
Why Dopamine-Reset Fast?
–if you want a mental health boost
–If you want to improve your overall mood, motivation, ability for feel pleasure
–If you want to improve motor control, cognition, and learning, attention, and memory
–If you want to improve your emotional responses
–If you want to lower your anxiety
Benefits
–Reset Dopamine Receptors
–Reduced Anxiety and Depression
–Anti-aging antioxidant production
–HGH increases by 500%
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Immune-Reset Fast
72+ Hours
Why?
–If you want to naturally produce stem cells that are able to find injuries in the body, (such as arthritis), and like magic, heal them
–If you want to maximize and keep producing stem cells by continuing to fast to heal aging cells and damaged body parts
–Ease a chronic condition, cancer, autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, stubborn musculoskeletal injuries like a frozen shoulder, and lifestyle-induced type 2 diabetes (Pelz, p. 39)
–if you want reverse the effects of aging as stem cell production at 72+ hours will heal the most damaged cells first
Benefits
–Peak Autophagy
–Immune Stem Cells
–Musculoskeletal stem cells
–Improve Chronic Conditions
–Accelerated Healing
N.B. If you are interested in a deeper dive of this research, check out Dr. Mindy Pelz’s book, Fast like a Girl.

What’s included?
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Experience 3 nights of accommodation in a haven of tranquility and comfort. Imagine waking up to the gentle glow of sunlight streaming through your window and the refreshing scent of mountain air filling your lungs. Each space offers a serene retreat, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploration and self-discovery.
You can choose to book a private room for solitude or share a cozy space with a friend.
The property features a variety of inviting indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy, ensuring you have plenty of options for relaxation and reflection. There are 2.5 shared bathrooms available on-site for your convenience.
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You will have the opportunity to discuss and review the Lunar Serenity Retreat with Victoria during a 1-hour personal coaching call.
During this session, any questions you have will be answered, and we will collaboratively design your goals and fasting program. We can also schedule any add-ons you may want, ensuring your meal plan and dietary restrictions are fully accommodated.
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2 Meals included
We will share both an opening and closing meal together to complement a 48-hour fast. The opening meal will be thoughtfully designed to initiate your fast, while the closing meal will focus on enhancing microbiome health, muscle building, and fat burning, all while stabilizing blood sugar levels.
Once you reset your microbiome, we’ll indulge in a feast of prebiotic, probiotic, and polyphenol-rich foods that boost mood and support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. These nutrient-dense options will aid in tissue repair, improve mood, and enhance mental clarity.
Additional Meals at Minimal Cost
If you choose to follow an intermittent fasting schedule of 17, 24, or 36 hours, you’ll have the opportunity to create a tailored meal plan at a minimal additional cost.
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Our daily practice will enhance the retreat experience through gentle asana, pranayama, and meditation sessions. These practices go beyond physical exercise; they create a pathway to holistic well-being, fostering a deeper connection between mind, body, and spirit. Each yoga session serves as a moving meditation and a space for self-exploration. Whether you’re an experienced yogi or new to the practice, our daily offerings are tailored to meet you where you are, providing a supportive environment for growth, self-reflection, and nurturing your retreat journey.
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We will explore mindfulness through a balanced blend of pranayama, guided meditations, affirmations, and immersive experiences in nature. You’ll be guided through practices that ground your energy, deepen your self-awareness, affirm your intentions, and foster healing and personal growth. This journey is designed to help you connect more deeply with yourself and the world around you.
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Together, we'll honor the cycles of the moon, seasons, and our own deep internal resources, planting seeds of intention that will bloom and flourish throughout our time together and beyond.
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Enjoy the peace and tranquility of the great outdoors with options for exploring scenic trails nearby. Each day offers the chance to immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world, allowing for reflection, inspiration, and connection with the environment.
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The resonance of sound has the remarkable power to influence the water within our bodies, creating a harmonious dance that transcends the physical and resonates with the energetic core of our being. As you immerse yourself in the supportive vibrations of carefully selected instruments, the resonance becomes a gentle, yet powerful, force that seeks to restore balance and release energetic blockages.
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Discover a deep sense of healing energy, support, and connection through the ancient technique of Reiki. Group energy healing experiences will enhance this retreat in nature, providing a serene backdrop that supports your journey toward alignment with your true self and overall health. The calming environment, combined with Reiki's transformative energy, facilitates profound self-exploration and healing. Together, we’ll create a nurturing space that fosters personal insights and deepens your connection to well-being, guiding you on a path of renewal and growth.
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Our schedule is thoughtfully curated, allowing ample time for relaxation and rejuvenation. Simultaneously, it presents extraordinary opportunities for connection, learning, and expansion. As our group begins to form, we will curate group experiences relevant to an unfolding process that honors group connection as well as our individual journeys of life-long healing, learning, joyful creativity and expansion.
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By request, we will arrange to have exceptional wellness practitioners offer onsite massage, acupuncture, energy work to support and deepen the self-care journey.
Scheduling and purchasing a session will be additional. Once registered for the retreat, you will be able to review the Wellness Add-On Services menu and make your selections.
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Why Lunar Serenity Retreat?
Cleanse the body. Still the mind. Awaken the Spirit.
Guided Yoga Sessions:
Flow into tranquility with an experience facilitator who will lead you through rejuvenating practices.
Deepen and expand your daily practice with a teacher dedicated to your upliftment.
Nature Connection:
Rediscover the breathtaking beauty and wisdom of nature, fostering a deep connection with the natural world and its cycles. Wander through forest paths, breathe in the fresh mountain air, take time to immerse yourself in the rhythms of nature and contemplate her wisdom.
Mindful Fasting:
Discover the art of fasting and its physical and spiritual benefits, with supportive guidance throughout your journey.
Integrate a practice that can offer effective, holistic, and massive benefit to your life experience.
Deep Self-Caring Reset:
Indulge in luxury while nourishing your spirit in an exquisite garden villa designed for comfort and tranquility. Enjoy the soothing hot tub and refreshing pool, perfect for relaxation. Embrace this opportunity for self-care and emerge feeling refreshed and revitalized.
Meditation & Reflection:
Engage in deep meditation sessions to connect with your inner self and harness the energy of the new moon.
The veils are thin. Time for healing, shedding, transformation, rebirth.
Holistic Wellness Add-Ons:
Elevate your retreat experience with optional massage sessions and energy healing treatments add-ons. These personalized therapies provide a deeper rejuvenation, helping you reconnect with your body and restore balance.
Community Connection: Foster Meaningful Bonds
Experience the power of community while honoring the solo journey. Engage in meaningful, shared experiences that foster connection and belonging, while also having freedom and space for personal time and reflection.
This retreat creates a space for authentic connection with like-minded individuals dedicated to health, healing, and personal growth. The supportive environment fosters camaraderie throughout the fasting journey, offering a collective energy that helps navigate any challenges and stay aligned with intentions.
Meet your Guide
Victoria
When I reflect on the most impactful practices that have elevated my health and overall wellbeing, a few stand out: the profound mind-body-spiritual connection of yoga, deep communion with nature, the miraculous benefits of coffee enemas, and the transformative power of fasting.
Imagine stepping away from the daily noise and habits that clutter your mind, allowing your body the space it craves to rest, restore, and heal. This retreat is not just a getaway; it’s an extraordinary opportunity to turn the page on your personal health story, to deepen your self-knowledge, and to embrace the changes that arise when you commit to transformation.
I invite you to co-create the Lunar Serenity Retreat with me—a sacred space for healing, learning, and renewal. With over a decade of experience in various fasting practices, including 72, 48, 36, and 24-hour fasts, I am excited to share this powerful tool with you. Together, we’ll explore how fasting can be a gentle yet profound catalyst for change.
But don’t worry—Lunar Serenity isn’t about extremes. We’ll tailor your retreat experience to align with your personal goals and commitment to self-care. This is your journey, and I’m here to support you every step of the way.
Let’s embark on this transformative adventure together and unlock the potential within you!
With love,
Victoria
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I’ve studied yoga for about 20 years, beginning under the direction of Dina Tsouluhas of Modo Yoga in Montreal, where I learned the value of accessibility, inclusivity, and enhanced detoxification through heated room vinyasa practice. Dina touched my heart with her compassion and uplifted my spirit with the incredible studio environment and community she fostered. I also spent several months deepening my practice with the mystical Rafael Chaman, learning an integrative approach combining Ashtanga, Iyengar, Anusara, and Yin styles with Qi Gong. Rafael initiated me into a modern and transformational experience of yoga in collaboration with the elements of nature and cosmos. I’ve also taken 500 hrs of certified yoga teacher training, further refining my understanding of yoga asana, pranayama, meditation, ritual and philosophy. I’ve studied and traveled throughout the world learning various forms of energy and healing modalities from different master teachers. I’m also a master Reiki facilitator, Structural Energy Awakening SEA bodywork practitioner, Astrology practitioner, and life-long student of natural law and comparative spiritual studies. While studying with with healers in Central America, I translated a sacred book on plant medicine. First in 2018 and now periodically, I have experienced clear moments of spiritual awakening – one of which, led me to open Anahata.
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In addition to my cultivation of yoga practice, teaching, and the natural healing arts, I’ve also gained pragmatic work experience in the design, development, launch, and management of products. Prior to founding Anahata Yoga & Wellness in 2023, I cultivated a 15 year career in software, first as a product designer for a start-up, then as a lead platform designer, and then as a platform design lead and manager for a leading multinational corporation that served the industries of design, media entertainment, architecture, and engineering. During this time, I focused on defining experience-vision and strategy, mentoring team-members, and delivering results to improve customer experiences and drive business impact.
In tech, I gained the invaluable experience and the skills of working collaboratively at scale while designing, building, and launching successful products and services that industry professionals love.
While tech offers powerful tools, I left this field to focus on and create spaces for the study of the sacred and profound potential of the human system, Nature, and the Self-discovery/healing/mastery journey.
The self is a profound technology capable of far more than is often understand. Creating space for understanding and caring for the self is my calling.
Our Space
Discover a sanctuary where the beauty of the surroundings nurtures the spirit, offering the ideal environment for unwinding, rejuvenation, and meaningful connection.
Spaces for Quiet Contemplation: Cozy nooks designed for reflection, reading, and journaling provide a perfect place to find peace.
Meditation Areas: Dedicated spots invite stillness and connection, enhancing the mindfulness experience.
Hot Tub and Pool: Relax and rejuvenate in an inviting hot tub or take a refreshing dip in the pool, all while enjoying stunning views.
Nature Paths: Winding trails are perfect for forest bathing and mindful movement, allowing for a deep connection with the natural world.
Group Connection and Sharing Circles: Communal areas foster a sense of community and belonging, providing intimate spaces for open dialogue and shared experiences.
Outdoor Yoga Practice Space: Expansive outdoor areas designed for yoga and movement encourage a deeper connection to body and breath amid the beauty of nature.












Book your Room
