Root + Align Co.
Gaia Villa at dusk, Joshua Tree California
Gaia Villa Women's Retreat · Joshua Tree

Four days in the desert.
Return to yourself.

Women's Retreat with Elements Hot Yoga Studio
April 11–14, 2027 · Yucca Valley, California

Only 5 early booking bonuses remaining  —  See what’s available ↓

The experience

There is an energy here that invites you to slow down, become more present, and reconnect.

This is not a wellness vacation. It is an opportunity to restore and reconnect. Four days in the Mojave desert at a private villa surrounded by boulders and Joshua trees, designed to help you drop the noise, come back to yourself, and return home with something real.

The desert asks nothing of you except that you arrive. Everything else — the meals, the movement, the moments in between — has been considered on your behalf. Your only invitation is to be present.

We keep our gatherings intentionally sized. Every element of this experience, from the opening ritual to the closing sound bath, has been thoughtfully considered so you can arrive fully and leave replenished. Connection to people, to self, and to the earth beneath you is woven into every day.

This is not four days of sitting quietly and drinking green juice — unless, of course, that’s exactly what you’re looking for. There is movement and stillness, luxury and adventure, intention and real fun. From morning yoga in the desert pavilion to the Gaia Games unfolding across three days, this retreat is designed to feel like a full experience rather than a program to get through. You will work hard, laugh harder, and leave with something you did not expect.

The moments that stay with you are rarely the ones that went exactly as designed.
Pool at Gaia Villa looking out to the open desert
Yoga practice at the outdoor pavilion, Gaia Villa
The setting

Gaia Villa, Joshua Tree.

A private estate set in one of the most energetically charged landscapes in the American Southwest. Ancient boulders, towering Joshua trees, and desert foliage that has adapted and endured in ways that feel quietly instructive. Large enough to breathe, intimate enough to connect.

Two dedicated yoga spaces: an elegant, air-conditioned indoor studio and a stunning open-air pavilion surrounded by native desert landscape. Resort-style wellness amenities including a saltwater pool and jacuzzi, cold plunges, and a peaceful walking labyrinth. Inviting gathering spaces with hammocks, expansive patios, a fire pit, and a rooftop deck where the desert sky opens wide above you.

Joshua Tree boulders, trees and desert foliage
Woman walking the stone labyrinth at golden hour
Gaia Villa rooftop terrace aerial view
Thoughtfully designed

Everything you need. Nothing you don't.

Four days designed around genuine hospitality and personal practice — where the details are thoughtfully handled so you can stay present — and connect with good people and community in a way that daily life rarely allows.

A Root + Align Ritual Welcome
You will be welcomed with intention. What awaits you has been chosen for this place, this moment, and the days ahead.
Daily Wellness Practices
Up to three yoga sessions each day, from energizing Power Vinyasa to Meditative Yin, led by Laura Orso in the outdoor pavilion or indoor studio. There is space to move, challenge yourself, slow down, or simply listen to what your body needs.
A Private Chef + Curated Wine Pairings
Every meal is prepared by our private chef and served family style, with daily brunch, dinner, and snacks featuring animal protein, vegetarian options, and thoughtfully selected wine pairings. Family style means generous plates passed around the table: a natural space for conversation, connection, and the kind of meals that become part of the memory.
The Villa, Your Way
A saltwater pool with grotto waterfall, cold plunge, hot tub, fire pit, hammocks, and plenty of open desert are yours to enjoy throughout the retreat. Swim, soak, read, nap, gather, or do absolutely nothing.
An Optional Joshua Tree Hike
For those who want to explore, join us for an optional group hike in Joshua Tree National Park. A chance to get outside, take in the landscape, and experience a little more of the desert beyond the villa.
Yard Games + Desert Play
Because wellness does not always have to be serious. Expect a little friendly competition, time outside, and classic yard games designed to bring everyone together and have some fun.
Gaia Games
A playful, team-based competition woven through the retreat — two tribes, three days, and one championship trophy waiting at the end. Think strategy, movement, memory, and a little desert mischief. The details unfold when you arrive. Come ready to play.
A Closing Sound Bath in 29 Palms
Our final gathering takes place at a remarkable domed structure in 29 Palms, built on a confluence of energy vortexes in the Mojave. Designed for resonance and renewal, it is one of the most unusual and quietly powerful places in the American Southwest. We close here intentionally. It is the kind of finale that stays with you.
Cold plunge at Gaia Villa
Living room at Gaia Villa
Two women relaxing by the saltwater pool at Gaia Villa
Guests toasting around the dinner table
Four days. A different pace. Good food, movement, nature, play, connection, and plenty of room to simply be.
Your hosts

The hands and hearts that hold this experience.

Root + Align retreats are built around the guest first. We come from the world of luxury hospitality and experience design, and that background shapes every detail of how we host — from the welcome to the closing ceremony. Our team is here so you can fully arrive, unwind, and reconnect.

Laura Orso
Laura Orso
Elements Hot Yoga Studio
Owner · Lead Teacher
Laura found yoga in 2013 and never looked back. What began as a search for relief from back pain became a practice that changed everything: her body, her mind, and the direction of her life. She began teaching in 2016 and has since become owner of Elements Hot Yoga Studio, a community she is deeply devoted to. Her teaching centers on Power Vinyasa and Yin, with an emphasis on alignment, accessibility, and having real fun along the way. Challenging yet accessible is her motto, and she means it.
Julie Hazimi
Julie Hazimi
Root + Align Co.
Founder
Julie brings two decades of luxury hospitality, travel, and experience design to every Root + Align retreat. A Level 2 Reiki practitioner with a deepening personal practice in wellness and intentional living, she understands this world from the inside. Her career has been built around one belief: genuine care creates the conditions for something real to happen. From guiding the vision to curating every touchpoint of your stay, she is present for every moment of this experience, from arrival to closing ceremony, making sure each guest feels welcomed, considered, and at ease.
Catherine Clay
Catherine Clay
Root + Align Co.
Experience Coordinator
Catherine is the force that keeps everything running beautifully and the energy that makes sure everyone is having a genuinely good time. With experience coordinating VIP concierge services for high-end events, she has a natural gift for anticipating what guests need before they know they need it. She reads a room, brings the fun, and makes sure no detail falls through the cracks. On her watch, every person in the room feels taken care of and every moment feels alive.
Choose your room

Six rooms, each named for the Mojave landscape.

Every room has its own character, light, and configuration. Rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of deposit.

Villa Floor Plan
Gaia Villa floor plan — room layout across two floors

Not to scale. Furniture layout subject to change.

Room 1 Palo Verde
Room 1
Palo Verde
Sold Out
Green in any season.
The most generous room in the villa — and the only one with a private ensuite bathroom with double vanity. The largest footprint, a decorative fireplace, direct patio access, and space for up to three guests. Warm, eclectic, and full of personality. The premium room for good reason.
Private ensuite · Up to 3 guests · Main level · Patio access · Largest room
$2,400 per person · up to 3 guests
Room 2 Desert Willow
Room 2
Desert Willow
Character in every corner.
A cozy bunk room anchored by a hand-carved teal peacock armoire and warm golden curtains framing desert views. One bunk available — dressed in crisp white linens with a mid-century nightstand. Intimate, characterful, and shared with one retreat host.
One bunk · 1 guest · Main level · Shared bathroom
$2,000 per person · 1 guest (shared with a retreat host)
Room 3 Juniper
Room 3
Juniper
Rooted and resilient.
Two single beds, golden curtains, and a sliding door that opens to the desert view. Joshua tree wall art and warm light throughout. A room that feels like an exhale the moment you walk in.
Two singles · Up to 2 guests · Main level · Desert view
$2,300 per person · up to 2 guests
Room 4 Ocotillo
Room 4
Ocotillo
Reaches toward light.
Tribal textile headboard, layered curtains, terracotta floors, and a sliding patio door flooding the room with natural light. The most textured and vibrant room in the villa.
Two singles · Up to 2 guests · Main level · Patio access
$2,300 per person · up to 2 guests
Room 5 Sage
Room 5
Sage
The quiet one.
Bold floral wall hanging, velvet pillows, and a bright cheerful energy. Two single beds with space between them and a reading chair by the window. The room that arrives with its own personality.
Two singles · Up to 2 guests · Upper level
$2,300 per person · up to 2 guests
Room 6 Yucca
Room 6
Yucca
Still and steadfast.
A bunk bed and two singles, an antler chandelier, and desert mountain views through the window. The community room — perfect for friends or solo travelers who want connection without compromise on comfort.
Bunk + two singles · Up to 4 guests · Upper level · Mountain view
$1,800 per person · up to 4 guests

A full floor plan is included in the registration form to help you choose your room.

Early Booking Bonuses

A thank-you for saying yes early.

The first 8 guests — out of only 14 spaces total — to register and submit their deposit unlock one of three exclusive bonuses, your choice, first-come, first-served. Once all eight are claimed, the offer closes — regardless of the October 31 deadline.

Deposit must be received to secure your bonus  ·  Register by October 31, 2026  ·  While spots last

Deepen
2 spots remaining

For the guest who wants to arrive ready.

  • ·2 private yoga sessions with Laura Orso at Elements Hot Yoga before the retreat — personalized to your practice and your intentions
  • ·A yoga philosophy book to read on the journey in
  • ·Be the Light candle — to mark the beginning
Move
2 of 4 spots remaining

For the guest who wants to keep the momentum going.

  • ·One Month Unlimited Yoga at Elements Hot Yoga, including 2 buddy passes and 20% off boutique and workshops
  • ·Hand-sized microfiber yoga towel
  • ·One article of EHY clothing
Restore
1 of 2 spots remaining

For the guest who needs this before she even arrives.

  • ·$100 toward a massage at Veritas Massage Studio

All bonuses are awarded in the order deposits are received and confirmed. Spots are not held without a paid deposit. Early booking bonuses are available to the first 8 guests who register and submit a deposit — out of only 14 spaces total. They expire October 31, 2026, or once a tier is claimed, whichever comes first. Bonuses are confirmed upon receipt of your deposit.

Investment

Spots are intentionally limited.

This women's retreat is designed to remain small — 14 guests — enough space for genuine connection, enough care for every person in the room to feel it. Investment ranges from $1,800 to $2,400 per person depending on room and occupancy.

What's not included
Travel to and from Joshua Tree is not included. Flights, ground transportation, and any personal expenses during the retreat are the responsibility of each guest.
Registration

Ready to reserve your place?

Complete the form below to register your interest and secure your room. We will follow up within 24 hours with payment details.

A deposit of $550 is required to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable but transferable per our terms and conditions. Questions are welcome before you commit.

Remaining balance is due by February 1, 2027.

Have a question first? Reach out — we'd love to help.

Questions

Everything you need to know.

Check-in and check-out
Check-in at the villa is at 4:30pm on April 11. Check-out on April 14 is at 10:00am, then we head to our closing sound bath at 12:00pm at a remarkable domed structure in 29 Palms built on a confluence of energy vortexes in the Mojave. We will plan to arrive a little early to wander the gardens, visit the hammock village, and explore the gift shop before the session begins.
Getting there
Gaia Villa is in Yucca Valley, California (92284). Palm Springs (PSP) is the closest airport at approximately 38 miles, 45 minutes by car. Ontario (ONT) is 88 miles, about 1.5 hours. Los Angeles (LAX) is 140 miles, 2.5 hours or more depending on traffic. Given our closing sound bath, we recommend booking departure flights no earlier than 4:00pm from Palm Springs (PSP), 5:30pm from Ontario (ONT), or 6:30pm from Los Angeles (LAX).

Parking at the villa is limited. After you register we will reach out to collect your flight arrival details or driving plans and will coordinate carpooling where possible. We will ensure that arrival and departure are smooth for everyone.

Need help getting to Gaia Villa? Optional shared transportation or carpool coordination may be available for an additional fee. Details will be provided closer to the retreat based on guest interest.
I am joining by myself. Is that welcome?
Absolutely. You do not need to know anyone else attending. Some of the most meaningful retreat experiences happen when you arrive on your own. Simply select your preferred room when you register and we will take care of the rest.
I am new to yoga. Can I still join?
Yes. Laura has over a decade of teaching experience across all levels. Her motto is challenging yet accessible — every session is designed to meet you where you are. First-timers are warmly welcomed.
What should I pack?
April in Joshua Tree is warm during the day and cool in the evenings. Layers are essential. A detailed packing list will be sent once your place is confirmed. Plan for comfortable movement clothes, sun protection, a swimsuit, hiking or walking shoes for the optional desert hike, and something warm for evenings around the fire.
Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Our private chef designs menus around the group with both animal protein and vegetarian options at every meal. Please note any dietary requirements in your registration form and we will ensure they are fully accommodated. If you have specialty food items or personal snacks you would like to bring, you are welcome to do so — a dedicated fridge space will be available for dietary needs. Please note that refrigeration space is limited and is needed for the chef's hosted meal preparation, so this space is reserved for dietary requirements only.
What is the cancellation policy?
A $550 deposit is required to secure your place. The deposit is non-refundable but transferable per our terms and conditions. Remaining balance is due by February 1, 2027. Full cancellation terms are provided at the time of registration. Please reach out with any questions before you commit.
We create spaces to pause.
We create rituals to return to.
We gather people with intention.
And we leave room for whatever happens inside them.
Modern Rituals for Intentional Living