

breathe the change
upcoming international retreat

Breath Is Life
The WHY, WOW & HOW
Breath Is Your Superpower
Learn – Embody – Transform - Teach
Retreat/Training Jan 31 – Feb 7, 2026
Lake Atitlan, Guatemala with Laurie Ellis-Young
Laurie is passionate about breathing together in a favorite place on Earth. Just being in this special spot is life-enhancing; add “The Power of Breath” and it becomes life-transforming.
“Without mastering breath, nothing can be mastered. ~Gurdjieff

This retreat/training is for you if:​
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You desire to learn and embody ‘Breath Literacy’ for yourself as your superpower
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You are a professional who desires more skills to help others to heal or reach their highest potential
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You are open to a magical and nurturing experience of a lifetime
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You long to be part of a growing global family of wellness providers and peace builders​​
Why Breath Literacy? ​
Breath Literacy = The wisdom and knowledge of how to breathe optimally, (wholistically) moment by moment, breath by breath. When we work with the breath, we work with the heart​
Why Now?
The world is now acknowledging the importance of breath & wanting to know more and embody more. Qualified instructors are in demand.
Why ”Breath Is Life”?
Training is based on core principles from the book/master course on Breath Literacy:
”Breath Is Life. Taking In and Letting Go: How To Live Well, Love Well, BE Well.” (Award-winning for Health / Health & Fitness / Mind, Body, Spirit / Best Overall Book Design, Non-fiction / IBPA Bill Fisher Award for Best First Book, Non-fiction)

Why Lake Atitlan?
Unparalleled beauty and power of this Mayan paradise aids relaxation, learning and integration so retreatants leave informed and transformed, ready to make a difference in the world.



Mayan Fire Ceremony
Why your facilitator?
“Laurie teaches with mastery & heart like I’ve not experienced before.”
~Retreatant

Laurie’s mastery is derived from 40+ years of studies and practices of Eastern & Western techniques of well-being: master’s degree in Therapeutic Counseling emphasizing breathwork (MTC), Senior Yoga Teacher (SYT) 1000+ hours (UK Yoga Alliance) Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction instructor (MBSR), and other multiple wellness certifications.
As founding-director of Breathe The Change LLC, co-founder of nonprofit BreathLogic, and a Shift Peace Ambassador, she is a pioneer in sharing Breath Literacy as an empowering & healing modality in centers of wellness, learning & leadership.

Her heartfelt, fun-loving facilitation is honed by work with diverse populations on six continents: those desiring personal and professional empowerment along with those experiencing stress, trauma, illness, grief, poverty, war, sex trafficking etc. (She has presented for the UN, OSCE, Pocket Project, many NGO’s etc.

There are 2 choices of how to experience this retreat/training:
1. 7 Nights at the Villa Sumaya, Saturday to Saturday, Jan 31 - Feb 7
2. Include Add-on of 5 Days/4 Nights to majestic Mayan ruins of Tikal, Feb 7 - 11
What's Included at the Villa Sumaya:
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7 Nights double lake front accommodations (singles may be available)
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Exquisite indoor and outdoor training/practice/fun facilities
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3 Scrumptiously delicious and nutritious vegetarian/vegan meals (fish or chicken may be requested for an additional fee)
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Unlimited purified water, herbal tea, and local coffee
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All training instructions (applicable to all levels)
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All eclectic practices including yoga (all levels)
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“BreathLogic” Trainer completion certificate, Levels: Basic to Advanced
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Serendipitous surprises, excursions, cultural interchanges, ceremonies
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Full moon celebration on February 1
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Hiking / Swimming / Special connections with locals
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Welcome gift / Wifi / Hot tub
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Opportunities for connection and teaching with BreathLogic
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One pre and post retreat Zoom consultation (optional)
What’s Not Included:
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Airfare to/from Guatemala City (GUA)
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Transportation between airport & Villa Sumaya
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Gratuities for the Villa Sumaya (Excursion gratuities are included)
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Harmony spa services / Adult beverages
Price: $2220 Double Accommodations / $2770 Single accommodations (if available)
$500 non-refundable due upon resgistration / $500 due 30 days later /Total due Nov 30
For further information and to register, contact Laurie Ellis-Young: Laurie@BreatheTheChange.com
Add-on: MAJESTIC MAYAN RUINS OF TIKAL

End your time in Guatemala with an unforgettable experience
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Explore and marvel at fascinating ruins, lush foliage, exotic birds and animals
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Experience sunrise and sunset from temple tops overlooking jungle canopy
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Engage in powerful practices surrounded by exquisite, ancient beauty
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Enjoy delicious, fresh fruit and food / lovely pool / enchanting sounds of nature
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Gain perspectives on life in lowland rainforests of The Peten
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Deepen the retreat connections, knowledge, and gifts

What’s Included in Tikal Add-on, February 7 - 11:
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Transportation from Villa Sumaya to GUA
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Roundtrip airfare GUA/FRS/GUA
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All Transportation within Flores/Tikal area
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1-night double accommodations in Santa Elena/Flores
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2-night’s double accommodations with pool, inside Tikal National Forest
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1-night double accommodations at GUA Hotel Barcelo before flights on Feb 5
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Delicious vegetarian family-style meals in various dining venues / snacks
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Entrance to Tikal National Forest
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Entrances and guides for 1 sunrise and 1 sunset in Tikal ruins
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1 guided tour inside Tikal ruins
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Group gratuities and taxes
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Special Practices
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Serendipitous surprises along with free time and R&R
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Meetings with remarkable trees!
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What’s Not Included in Tikal Add-on:
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Adult beverages
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Baggage charges
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Tikal museum
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Food other than group meals. (Some snacks included)
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Shopping
Price: $1100 Double Accommodations / $1444 Single accommodations $500 non-refundable due upon resgistration / $500 due 30 days later / Total due by Nov 30
For further information and to register, contact Laurie Ellis-Young: Laurie@BreatheTheChange.com






Breath Literacy = the wisdom and knowledge of how to breathe optimally,
moment by moment, breath by breath, and in circumstances all throughout life.
What people are saying
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I have expanded my understanding of breath and I will be forever changed. – Retreat / Training
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The depth and breadth of what we learned was beyond my expectations. – Retreat /Training
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Everything about this training and retreat was superbly orchestrated. I feel like I have lifetime tools that I can immediately share. – Retreat / Training
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You are magical. Our trip was so amazing – again! – and filled with such special experiences each and every day…… I am already using Heart Breath with preschoolers, adults and Seniors. I can’t thank you enough for everything – Retreat / Training
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“One of the most moving experiences I have ever had!” –Retreat / Training
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Laurie Thank you for a “slice of heaven”! –Retreat / Training
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I appreciate my new “tools” and the adventurous experiences. –Retreat / Training
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I feel expanded and more connected with all! –Retreat / Training
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The Love I experience was beautiful. The Love I felt for every soul present was incredible. The Love continues, always. –Retreat / Training
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I feel alive and more connected inside myself and outside myself with nature and others! I understand why you so love Lake Atitlan and Guatemala. I have traveled all over the world and this is truly a remarkable, unique and special place to learn about breath and life. I leave with boundless gifts and a heart filled with gratitude and wonder. – Retreat / Training
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I am grateful beyond words for your work with us. You covered an amazing amount of territory, so I applaud your courage and strength. I feel today that a large amount of density lifted physically, mentally and emotionally. And that process will continue for a while. – Power of Breath Workshop
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You are a gifted facilitator for deep transformational change. –Power of BreathWorkshop
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I am beginning to realize how important the breath is to a healthy, radiant life – thank you once again. –Power of Breath Workshop
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“I have taken many workshops over the years, but this was THE VERY best! –Power of Breath Workshop
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Laurie was so inspirational! From the embodiment of her ‘being’ and philosophy of her practice, I learned of a deep, spiritual respect for the art of breathing correctly and how it benefits both the body and soul. -Power of Breath Workshop
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Her presentation style is with grace, peacefulness and humor. I have never experienced anything like her before. –Power of Breath Workshop
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You far exceeded my expectations. You taught in such a way that I remembered just about everything you said, and that is unusual for me. I would highly recommend this to everyone. –Power of Breath Workshop
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Laurie’s breath workshop was one of the most profound experiences of my life. I have been a student of the spiritual all of my life and have explored many avenues in my quest. Laurie’s workshop was one of the most profound consciousness raising experiences I have had. –Power of Breath Workshop
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While I only planned to attend the morning workshop, I was so inspired with her teachings that I stayed for the full day. It was the second half of the workshop that totally blew the top off for me. It was through her fun-loving and open-hearted approach to the breath work and an outdoor nature meditation walk that she opened me into the consciousness from which she was teaching. –Power of Breath Workshop
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I have been in the healthcare field for decades and appreciate the incredible scope of her knowledge and teachings.” –Power of Breath Workshop
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​From NESA Educational Conference in Athens:
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KNOWLEDGE I found the depth of your knowledge about biology, physiology, human anatomy, and logic, enticing and fascinating. Your theoretical and technical knowledge of the human body was used most effectively to supplement your anecdotal, and often funny, background in breathing and yoga.
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SKILLS (DOING) From the start of the workshop, you incorporated practice and demonstration into our learning as participants. Rather than talk only, you preferred to demonstrate, and encouraged us to experience the impact/effects of proper breathing techniques on our daily lives. This method of delivery allowed us to embed the practices into our lives in a seamless manner. Your experiential approach enabled me to overcome my own inhibitions about breathing incorrectly and in front of others.
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UNDERSTANDING What was apparent from the opening activity of the workshop, was your deep understanding of the many ways in which breathing techniques were transferable to participants. As we practiced the techniques and the skills, our understanding deepened. Through the fusion of real-world applications (your stories) and your ethnographic research (your life experiences), we were able to appreciate your passion and your authentic approach to the mantra of “breath is life”.
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