Meat & Movement
The wellness retreat you've been waiting for.
Most yoga retreats are vegetarian, vegan, or standard retreat fare. If that hasn’t felt aligned for you, this is a different experience.
Animal-based nourishment. Intentional movement. Exquisite paradise. Real community. One week. One place.
Everything you've been looking for. Finally in one place.
Meat & Movement is a small, intimate wellness retreat in the lush wilds of Costa Rica — created for women who want to reset their nervous system, reconnect with themselves, and move and eat in a way that actually supports their body. A true wellness reset: less noise, more joy, more presence.
Nourishment
Every meal offers carnivore options — satisfying and designed to fuel movement and nervous system restoration. High quality, grassfed, local, sustainable options. No sugar, no artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners, no seed oils, no gluten, no soy, no compromises.
Movement
From creative Vinyasa to Yin to Yoga Nidra, somatic practices, strength work, mindful walking, and more — this is movement that meets you where you are and takes you somewhere new.
Community
An intentionally small group of awesome humans who get it — your lifestyle, your values, your relationship with food and your body. The kind of friendships that last a lifetime.
Imagine waking up
in absolute paradise.
Warm golden light through jungle leaves. You walk a few minutes to a waterfall pool for a morning dip before anyone else is awake.
The food is nourishing, metabolically supportive — and it's so easy to eat healthfully. You show up to eat and it's right there. And no dishes to wash!
By day three, something has shifted. The noise has quieted. Your body feels clear. Those cravings that used to run the background of every day have dissolved. What's left is just you.
You're not performing wellness. You are well. In the sun and jungle and ocean air.
The Experience
Thoughtful yoga.
Intentional movement.
Time to slow down and feel your body.
An immersive container where your meals and your practice support one another. Animal-based, metabolically supportive nourishment is part of the foundation.
A full week of everything that actually restores you.
Every element of this retreat is chosen to support your body, quiet your mind, and reconnect you to yourself. Our timing in Southern Costa Rica is at the peak of verano — their summer. Which means warm sunshine every day. Pure paradise.
Yoga — All Styles
Creative Vinyasa, Yin, Yoga Nidra, yoga balls (soft tissue), and general mobility — taught for any body at any level.
Somatic Practices
Qigong-inspired warm-ups, somatic movement, and body-listening practices that help you tune in and feel your way through the day.
Strength Training
One guided group gym session, and more opportunities to get in additional sessions in the fully equipped gym if you desire.
Breathwork & Meditation
Opportunities for breath and stillness practices to regulate your nervous system, reduce cortisol, and access the kind of clarity that’s hard to find at home.
Hot Sauna & Cold Dips
The week includes contrast therapy, waterfall pools on the property, and beach time for rest and restoration.
Natural Paradise
Relish the rare gift of being fully present in one of the most beautiful places on earth with the perfect weather and environment to support your circadian rhythm and soothe your nervous system.
Animal-Based Meals
Every meal offers intentionally prepared carnivore/animal-based food.
Community & Connection
Intentionally small group. Shared adventures, honest conversations, and true connections.
Accommodations & Transport
Beautiful on-property accommodations in a family-owned, eco-lux retreat center in the heart of Costa Rica’s rainforest. Round trip transportation included from San Jose airport.
This is for you if:
- You're animal-based, carnivore, primal, keto, or curious — and standard retreat menus have not been built for you.
- You've wanted a place to go deeper into embodied movement, meditation, and breathwork and feel metabolically supported while doing it
- You're ready to unplug, reset your nervous system, reconnect with yourself, and be fully present.
- You want to do more of what brings you joy and peace.
- And eating 100% grass fed beef sourced from local, sustainable Costan Rican farms sounds divine.
Meat & Movement Frequently Asked Questions
What is Meat & Movement, and how is it different from The Lightwell?
Meat & Movement is an immersive carnivore wellness retreat happening in March 2027 at a facility we are renting in Costa Rica. It is the first live event born from the concept of The Lightwell. While The Lightwell is our vision for a permanent physical wellness center in the future, Meat & Movement is an actual event where you can experience a carnivore diet vacation right now.
I’ve never been to an animal based retreat. What can I expect?
At this retreat, you can expect fun, sun, different styles of yoga and movement, high-quality animal protein, waterfalls, play, and rest. Come as you are to experience the ultimate ketogenic food retreat without having to figure out any of the meals yourself. You’ll probably leave with at least one friend you didn’t expect!
What will the weather be like?
Late February/early March in Southern Costa Rica is peak summer (verano). It is generally warm and dry, though zero rain cannot be guaranteed. It provides gorgeous conditions for movement, swimming, and being outdoors during your low carb retreat.
What should I pack?
We’ll send a detailed packing list closer to the retreat. The short version: comfortable clothes for yoga, hiking, the gym, the beach, or just relaxing on a hammock. Swimsuit(s), water shoes for waterfall excursions, reef-safe sunscreen, bug spray, aloe vera, any medications you take regularly, and a good book or journal.
How do I get there?
Fly into Juan SantamarÃa International Airport (SJO) in San Jose, Costa Rica. You’ll stay your first night at the DoubleTree hotel (included), and we’ll pick you up early the next morning for the shuttle to the retreat center. The drive is approximately 4–5 hours through stunning countryside. Round-trip shuttle is included to make travel to your carnivore retreat as seamless as possible.
Is this retreat sober?
Yes, this is a dry retreat center. Alcohol, recreational drugs, and plant medicines are not permitted on the property. This is a space for clarity, presence, and deep nourishment, perfectly complementing the restorative goals of a keto retreat.
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes. Travel insurance is required. Your policy must cover trip cancellation, trip interruption, emergency medical expenses, and emergency evacuation. Since all retreat payments are non-refundable, travel insurance is your financial protection if plans change.
What if I need to cancel?
All deposits and payments are non-refundable, regardless of the reason. If you cannot attend, you may transfer your registration to another participant with the organizer’s written approval. Your recourse for financial recovery is through your own travel insurance.
Can I contribute ideas or collaborate?
Absolutely! If this is something you are interested in, we would love your input. If there are specific things you would love to see there, or if you want to partner, collaborate, or be involved in some way, please let us know. We would love to hear from you. For inquiries related to the upcoming Costa Rica retreat, please reach out via info@meatandmovement.com. If your ideas are regarding general retreat development or The Lightwell, please use The Lightwell interest page.