by andrew j stillman
The moonrise over the Sea of Cortez looked like the sun.
It hovered low and orange on the horizon, casting a glowing path across the water as if someone had flipped a switch in the sky. I stood barefoot at the edge of the beach in Loreto, Baja California Sur, watching the reflection stretch toward me in the shallows, feeling unusually still for someone who teaches yoga and strength training for a living.
This was my first wellness retreat. It was also Loreto’s.
The Loreto Live Well Experience marked the town’s first-ever hosted wellness retreat, a milestone for this quiet coastal Pueblo Mágico tucked between desert, mountains and the sea — also known as the Gulf of California. Loreto has long been known for its natural beauty, its colonial history, and its slower pace compared to more crowded Baja destinations like Cabo. Now, it is beginning to position itself as a place to come not just to vacation, but to reset.
The retreat unfolded primarily at Hotel Oasis Loreto, whose location directly on the Sea of Cortez makes it feel removed from the outside world without ever being isolated. The water out front stays shallow for a surprising distance, making it easy to wander in without committing to a full swim. Between sessions, people wandered the malecón, shared meals, or simply sat and watched the light change over the water.
Movement was present in many forms, but it was framed as wellness in a broader, more accessible sense. The programming made room for strength, breath, mindfulness and longevity practices in a way that felt intentional rather than trendy.
The standout moment at the Loreto Live Well Experience for me came during a Longevity Qigong session led by Matt Pesendian. Qigong was not entirely new to me, but Matt’s approach made it land differently. At one point, he talked about “plugging in,” likening the body to a phone on a charger. When you plug your phone in, you don’t keep unplugging it every few minutes. You let it charge.
The imagery was simple, but it resonated deeply. Through slow, grounded movements and breathwork that emphasized drawing energy up from the feet, the practice encouraged staying connected rather than constantly reaching outward. It felt less like performing wellness and more like allowing it.
That sense of grounding carried through to other sessions. Classes led by Lety Roman and Ana Jimena Ramírez introduced participants to the Sersana Method, a holistic fitness approach that blends Pilates, strength training, CrossFit-inspired movement and mindful conditioning. The emphasis was not on pushing harder, but on creating a sustainable relationship with movement that supports long-term health.
As someone who works in fitness, I appreciated how these sessions honored both strength and recovery. They were challenging without being overwhelming, and they reinforced the idea that wellness is not one-size-fits-all. It is functional, personal and deeply tied to how we live beyond the mat or studio.
Loreto plays a crucial role in why this experience works. The town’s natural rhythm encourages slowing down without requiring effort. There is no pressure to fill every moment.
This kind of retreat also reflects a broader trend. Mexico’s health and wellness market is projected to grow significantly over the next decade, driven by increasing interest in preventive care, stress reduction and mindful living. Loreto’s entry into this space feels thoughtful rather than rushed, rooted in its environment instead of built on spectacle.
By hosting a retreat that emphasized connection over performance, Loreto offered a version of wellness tourism that feels both modern and grounded. It is not about escaping life, but about learning how to return to it more fully.
For a first-time retreat attendee and for a town hosting its first-ever wellness experience, Loreto Live Well felt less like a debut and more like the beginning of a natural evolution: One that invites travelers not to do more, but to finally power down and plug in.
Keep an eye out for next year’s Loreto Live Well Experience retreat at yoga.com.mx/en/loreto-live-well-experience. Head to loretobcstourism.com to stay updated on all forthcoming events.