Who We Are
We are Retreat Maia.
Our journey began during a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, where we found a shared enthusiasm for creating supportive environments and organizing retreats.
We craft and facilitate events that nurture personal and collective well-being. We aim to create spaces where individuals feel safe and supported, enabling them to explore and embrace their true selves more deeply. We integrate age-old wisdom with contemporary methodologies to support expansion and personal growth.
The ‘Maya’
Retreat Maia was born from the idea of the Maya. In Hindu philosophy, Maya is often described as the cosmic illusion that veils the true nature of reality, leading individuals to perceive the world as separate from the divine or ultimate reality (Brahman).
Maya causes individuals to perceive the world as fragmented and teeming with transient distractions, diverting attention from their authentic spiritual essence. Hindus endeavor to transcend Maya's veils through meditation and devotion, seeking liberation (moksha) by recognizing their inherent unity with spirit.
Your Hosts
MADI
Yoga Instructor (RYT)
Holistic Health and Wellness Coach
Madi, a Pittsburgh native, studied Digital Media and Arabic at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, her passion for meditation led her to a Vipassana retreat in Thailand. She spent the next four years in New York City exploring health and spirituality. Returning to Pittsburgh in 2022, Madi completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training at YogaFlow, where she connected with Leah. Now, she supports her students both on and off the mat as a Certified Health and Wellness Coach and instructor at YogaFlow. She is dedicated to helping her students achieve balance and well-being through both yoga and personalized wellness coaching.
LEAH
Yoga Instructor (RYT)
Mindful Art & Meditation Teacher (MAT)
Leah is a Northern Irish gal, born and raised in County Down, who now resides in Pittsburgh. With a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition, Leah's passion for health and wellness has been long-standing. After attending a women’s circle, her intuition guided her to complete her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training through YogaFlow, where she crossed paths with Madi. Fueled by this newfound sense of purpose, she delved deeper into the realms of mindfulness, seeking to explore various modalities beyond yoga. This led her to pursue her certification as a Mindful Art and Meditation Teacher (MAT), a path that resonated with her desire to share the transformative power of mindfulness with others.
