I flew in the day before the retreat and Vivi arranged for me to be picked up at my hotel instead of the airport, which was great. The apartment that I shared with another girl was very cozy with a quiet patio at the side. Every morning we would drink our coffee outside and listen to the roosters while we talked. Vivi was a very kind and welcoming host, and despite the fact that it rained for most of our retreat we still went ahead with all of the activities. Yoga in the rain was surprisingly peaceful under the trees, next to the ocean. The food was delicious and I really enjoyed the feeling of camaraderie with the other participants. They were all very kind and like-minded. The location on the North Shore cannot be beat! Vivi’s house is 5 minutes from a gorgeous beach that was usually almost empty, except for some surfers and the odd turtle. It was great to have bikes available for use as well – I biked the whole trail next to the ocean and it was a relaxing way to experience the area. I would definitely recommend this retreat to anyone who is in search of some peace and quiet in a beautiful location with a great host!

The founder of this retreat, Vivi, is such a special soul and her amazing, healing retreat was exactly what I needed… even more so than I thought when I booked! She is an outstanding yoga instructor, a knowledgeable guide to island adventures, and a powerful source of inspiration. I’m so, so grateful that I went!!! She’s an outstanding host, cooking delicious meals to accommodate my vegan dietary restrictions, and had excellent recommendations for local things to scope out with our free time between delightful activities, including some hidden gems only the locals know of.

The standard option was to share a room but I was able to upgrade to a private apartment for my stay and enjoyed sitting in her lovely yard each day serenaded by the birds. Her yoga classes were one of a kind, encouraging elements of dance expression and getting in touch with nature and ourselves. I saw sacred and gorgeous nature spaces, learned so much about local culture, and tried so many things for the first time ever (stand-up paddleboard in a Hawaiian river and a SURF lesson in the ocean!!) all the while knowing I was in good hands, which helped me step outside my comfort zone and enjoy myself. As a person who loves flowers, there were many to see, including right there at my front door, and Vivi arranged an amazing class where we made our own lei po’o, gorgeous flower crowns we could take home, dry, and keep as a keepsake we made with our own hands! It was so easy to pop over to the gorgeous north shore beach and enjoy the ocean without huge crowds to bother me, or take a beautiful bike ride along the sea to an amazing local food spot, or catch the bus to explore even further.

I came to this retreat because I needed to refill my bucket… and I actually felt it overflowing numerous times. The overall experience was more than I could ever have imagined. Vivi helped me relax, adventure in the beauty of Hawaii, and realize my own inner strength. I came away feeling accomplished with the healthy things we were doing for our bodies and minds, all of the amazing memories and meaningful connections I made, but also deeply inspired to reconnect with my own personal spirituality. An incredible journey.

Added bonus: the three kitties who live there are very cute and sweet.

Vivi was describing how she tailors the retreats to her specific visitors, so for me, this was a good intensity of activities and the PERFECT blend of nature, wellness, adventure, and feminine spirituality.

If you want to explore paradise, reconnect with yourself, and feel amazing… even if you travel alone, you are NOT alone at Moaina retreat!

Viví provided a magical experience on this yoga retreat her energy & love is what makes this retreat truely special. The adventures are awesome too! Being in nature & paddle boarding in addition to yoga is what attracted me to this retreat. I left with new friends and filled heart & that to me is the real unforgettable adventure! I hope to attend her future retreat in Brazil to experience this magic again , Mahalo !!