The Magic, Madness, and Mystery of Sayulita
I followed my heart, and here I am!
Sayulita is an energetic vortex. There’s something magical about it you just can’t put into words. If you’re reading this article and you live here or have visited you probably understand what I’m talking about. And if you haven’t been, perhaps Sayulita has chosen you—this story may be planting the seeds for the vortex to pull you in.
Yes, it can be loud and chaotic, and while life here is simple and beautiful, it’s definitely not easy. Unexpected challenges always seem to arise when you spend time in Sayulita. And if you leave the STAYulita vortex and come back, there’s almost always some kind of initiation upon your return 🌪️.
Sayulita casts an almost spell-like magic on most who come to experience her. But if you stay long enough, you’ll probably feel the urge to leave at some point. Many people uproot their lives to move here and then leave. Others structure their lives to be part-time residents, escaping for a few months or more each year. Personally, I feel the need to take my summers away—to step off the sometimes exhausting wave of growth and evolution, and simply rest, integrate, and reset.
Sayulita as a Tough But Transformative Teacher
It may sound strange, but I’ve spoken to many people who’ve spent significant time here, and most agree—Sayulita makes you grow, and it’s not always easy or fun. I sometimes jokingly compare Sayulita to a toxic relationship. It delivers the highest of highs—the most beautiful moments, connections, and sunsets. And then, just when you least expect it, a major crisis will hit. But the thing is, challenges are truly our greatest opportunities for growth. And that is what Sayulita continually provides.
Still, it can feel like a lot at times! I’ve vowed to leave this place more times than I can count—and I really meant it this past spring. I sold most of my things, found a place in Cabo, and paid a large sum to secure it.
The Pull to Return
As soon as I washed my hands of Sayulita, it started calling me back. I told myself I’d return for just one month, mid-September to mid-October, to soak in the sunsets and swim in the ocean before moving to Cabo, where the sea is too rough to swim in.
From the moment I got back, I started getting pulled into the vortex again—so many magical moments, one after another. The unexpected encounters with an old flame, the majestic rains, and the breathtaking sunsets this month have been truly spectacular.
As a former wanderlust nomad and loner by nature, I hadn’t realized how deeply I’d grown roots. Seeing familiar faces in town and on the beach nourishes my heart and soul. Still, I told myself to think with my head, not my heart. I needed to do what was best for my vision for Unity Breathwork.
Besides the area I chose to live in San José del Cabo is beautiful—it looks a lot like San Diego! So well planned out and peaceful. But something felt sterile. The magic and mystery were missing. My heart longed to stay in Sayu, my head said I must go!
A Clear Sign from the Universe
Then, out of nowhere, my landlord in Cabo blindsided me and pulled out of our lease. She assured me she’d refund my money, and I felt relieved—as though it was a clear sign from the universe that I was meant to stay in Sayulita.
Two days later, she changed her mind and said I could still have the place if I wanted or she would refund me if I didn’t. Suddenly, I had to choose—something I hate doing as an indecisive Libra who overthinks everything. I spoke with a wise and dear friend, and his words struck something deep in me: “It’s okay to listen to your heart.” I’m not sure why, but that brought me to cathartic tears.
I realized that although I almost always end up following my heart in the end, I had spent my whole life not trusting it—battling with my head, making choices way harder than they needed to be. Yes, Cabo might make more sense on paper for Unity Breathwork, but following my heart could never steer me wrong.
Sayulita Has Always Had My Heart
My heart wants to be here. I spent 16 years traveling the world before I found Sayulita, and I’ve never loved anywhere like this. Sayu is one of the great loves of my life—along with breathwork.
I now see that by following my heart, I’ll be in the right vibration to attract my dreams and vision. That matters more than being in a place that checks the boxes of what I think my business needs.
Staying for the Growth & Magic
So here I am—staying in Sayulita indefinitely, and feeling deeply grateful to be here. And of course, the moment I made the choice to stay, Sayu handed me my first challenge of the season.
The landlord who had promised multiple times in writing to refund my $2,800 USD suddenly changed her mind and decided to keep it all. I was in shock—and would strongly advise anyone to use great caution when sending money to landlords here—but that’s another story. With the help (and expense) of a lawyer, I recovered $1,300 of my deposit.
Does it suck that I sold all my things and that this woman, whom I helped all summer, ended up stealing from me with little I can do about it from Sayulita? Absolutely.
Did I feel very triggered and lose a few nights of sleep processing it? Yes. But the world can be unjust, and in the grand scheme of things, this is very minor.
As I sat with the shock—likely overreacting as an old trauma response to past betrayals—I received a message that grounded me: “Sayulita always gives more than it takes!”
Sayulita Always Gives More than it Takes
I feel challenged, stretched, and sometimes even exhausted by the continual challenges and growth that happens here. But when I look back on the past five years, I’ve grown exponentially and have been given so much!
I’ve not only experienced countless magical moments but I’ve met my soul family – some of the deepest connections of my life here. The live music and the wellness offerings are both incredible and boundless. And Asha, my co-facilitator/dog/best friend/princess is so happy here.
I now get to train others to become confident and skilled, GPBA-certified, trauma-informed breathwork facilitators. I never saw myself as a teacher, but it’s one of my greatest honors—to witness people transform from doubt and imposter syndrome into incredibly knowledgeable and inspiring facilitators. Getting to facilitate breathwork is the most fulfilling calling imaginable, and getting to help others step into that beautiful calling is the delicious icing on the cake.
I see now how all of these experiences in Sayulita—the highs and lows, laid the foundation for something I never could have predicted: turning my passion for facilitating breathwork into a successful international company.
Since moving to Sayulita, I’ve not only become a breathwork teacher but also a retreat leader and my income has increased nearly five-fold—through divine synchronicities and support from something greater than myself.
The fact that I get to make a very comfortable living doing what I love, while helping others heal themselves, still amazes me. Breathing, Facilitating and Teaching remain my most potent medicines, and this vocation is the greatest gift of my life.
Sayulita’s Consciousness: A Vortex of Healing
I truly believe Sayulita has its own consciousness. It somehow draws in those who are ready for healing or growth—and it delivers it in the most unexpected ways. Even people who come here to party often find themselves being challenged into transformation if they stay long enough.
When I first arrived 5 years ago, I was faced with a big, life-changing lesson almost immediately: “no more toxic men.” I learned that one when I invited a sociopathic ex to visit—because my inner child missed his hyper-focused attention and felt comfortable in his anger and chaos.
Over the years here, I’ve faced deep loneliness, numerous heartbreaks, financial losses, betrayal, sleepless nights, and a number of frightening health crises—for both myself and my dog. But true growth happens in the petri dish of discomfort and Sayulita continually teaches me to surrender, release control, detach from the material, trust my intuition, and remember that everything is unfolding exactly as it should. I’m stubborn by nature so the lessons keep on coming 😆.
The Parallel’s Between Sayulita and Breathwork
I feel that Connected Breathwork is a lot like Sayulita. Both bring you to uncomfortable places, and in doing so, open you to incredible growth. Both can’t quite be explained—you have to experience them to truly understand their magic.
Both help you connect to the beauty, bliss, peace, and love that exists within us and all around us. Both are full-spectrum human experiences—sometimes intense, sometimes painful, often challenging, and occasionally blissful—but always profoundly transformative.
We chose to be here on this beautiful, chaotic planet at this time for a reason. And I choose to be in beautiful, chaotic Sayulita and am grateful she has chosen me.
Upcoming Sayulita Breathwork Sessions
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be offering weekly group breathwork sessions again starting at the end of October. I’m going back to basics—while I love my two-hour sessions, I know shorter sessions are more practical for many.
This season, sessions will be 90 minutes, including time beforehand to set intentions and explain the technique, a 55-minute connected breathwork journey, and time afterward to share, ground, and integrate. I keep prices accessible, with sliding scale available upon request, because I want breathwork to be open to everyone. I’m also available for retreats, as well as private 1:1 and group breathworks, reach out if you’d like to know more.
Special Local Pricing for Breathwork in Sayulita
If you live here for 4+ months, you can enjoy a special local rate of 500 pesos for group classes. Plus, if you purchase three sessions upfront for 1,500 pesos, you’ll receive a fourth session free—redeemable anytime before May 15th.
If you are fortunate enough to be spending an extended time in Sayulita, I encourage you to commit to a series of sessions. Lasting change—including the formation of new neural pathways, nervous system regulation, and updates to subconscious programming—happens through repetition.
If you don’t live in Sayulita, I’d be happy to offer you online breathwork sessions, or to welcome you to our upcoming breathwork retreat.
Closing Thoughts on Breathwork, Sayulita, and Transformation
As long as we live, there will always be more layers of the onion to peel and new opportunities for growth and evolution. Wishing you joy, expansion, and a little magic—wherever your journey takes you!
I’m excited to see what this special town has in store for me next. I’m all in, buckled up, and ready for the ride—just go easy on me, Sayu 😉!”
Curious to Learn More About Breathwork, Sayulita, or My Journey to Teaching and Facilitating?
- Discover Sayulita and its magic—check out this Top 20 Things to Do in Sayulita article.
- Hear more of my personal story and what led me to breathwork here.
- Learn about my accredited, trauma-informed breathwork facilitator training here. This international 450-hour GPBA certification culminates in an 8-day, in-person intensive in magical Sayulita.
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