Joshua Tree, California

 

October 4 – 8, 2026

5-Days / 4-Nights

Starting at $1695

 

Join Susan in Joshua Tree next autumn, a season of transition and introspection, to deepen your practice beyond the poses and explore yoga as a tool for inner work. Set amid the tranquil, raw beauty of the Mojave Desert, Gaia Villa provides a restorative setting for turning inward, realigning with your true essence, and connecting with nature. Over a 5-day and 4-night span, you’ll engage in gentle yoga and mindfulness practices, enjoy nourishing chef-prepared meals, and find space for quiet contemplation balanced with moments of heartfelt connection within community. Ample free time allows for rest in one of the villa’s courtyards, hammocks, or saltwater spa area, or for exploring the surrounding area through hiking and mindful adventures.

 

This retreat offers a chance to step away from daily distractions and focus on your own process of reflection and growth. Here, you’ll have time to pause, notice, and engage with your inner world, with the high desert’s stillness and expanse offering a subtle, steady support as you explore your thoughts and intentions.

 

What is “Inner Work”?

 

Inner work is the process of exploring one’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with the intention of gaining a deeper understanding and acceptance of oneself. This journey of self-awareness allows us to cultivate compassion — for both ourselves and others — and to recognize how our actions impact those around us. The ancient wisdom of yoga encourages us to open our hearts, find clarity, and let go of what no longer serves us, helping us reconnect with our authentic selves.

 

 

What’s Included

  • 5 days / 4 nights lodging at Gaia Villa Retreat Center in Joshua Tree

  • Twice daily gentle yoga practice led by Susan that weaves mindfulness, pranayama, and meditation into class, suitable for all levels 

  • (3) daily nourishing, fresh vegetarian meals prepared and catered by local chefs

  • Optional Silent Meditation Walk in Joshua Tree National Park guided by Susan

  • Use of on-site saltwater pool, jacuzzi, and cold plunge

  • Ample free time for independent exploration of the area & other local sites

 

About the Property

Gaia Villa is a boutique retreat center set on 3.5 acres in Southern California’s Yucca Valley, just 30 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park and 45 minutes from Palm Springs. This high desert sanctuary exudes an intentional, restorative energy, featuring minimalist, Spanish Adobe-style architecture with full-length windows, high ceilings, and organic design elements that reflect the surrounding landscape.

 

The property has a warm, elevated atmosphere that naturally invites both quiet reflection and sweet connection, featuring two dedicated practice spaces — an indoor, air-conditioned studio detached from the main villa, and an outdoor yoga pavilion surrounded by agave and cacti, perfect for open-air flows. Expansive grounds include multiple patios and porches with hammocks, a peaceful walking labyrinth, a saltwater pool and jacuzzi, cold plunges, fire pits, a bocce court, and a rooftop deck for stargazing or soaking up the sunrise.

About Susan

Susan D’Onofrio (RYT-200, Anusara-Inspired) enjoys sharing the knowledge she has gained from practicing and teaching yoga for over 40 years. She teaches the subtleties of alignment with clarity and patience, inviting each student to explore and challenge themselves compassionately.