Our journey began not with a business plan, but with a personal need. Founded by Irena Bartolec, a independent mother, caregiver, and woman who experienced firsthand the profound isolation of burnout. Our company was born from a simple, powerful truth: every woman deserves a safe harbour in the storm.
The inception of Ashtanga Yoga Mama in 2017 was the natural evolution of Irena’s deeply rooted yoga and meditation teaching path, which began with her first successful business venture in 2003.
After being lifted up by a community of women when she needed it most, Irena Bartolec made it her mission to create that same sanctuary for others. We are proudly a 100% female-owned and operated small business, built by women, for women, dedicated to creating transformative women’s wellness retreats that foster deep connections and positive global impact.
What Makes Our Women’s Retreats Unique
We are more than a travel company; we are a community. Our unique value proposition is built on a foundation of safety, sisterhood, and conscious travel.
- Safe & Nurturing Environments for Women: Your well-being is our priority. We meticulously craft our retreats to be judgment-free zones where you can truly exhale and be yourself.
- Build Long-Lasting Friendships: We move beyond typical tours to foster genuine, supportive communities of women. The bonds formed here often last a lifetime.
- Empower Local Female Entrepreneurs: We directly support the local economies we visit by partnering with incredible female entrepreneurs—from guides and chefs to healers and artisans.
- Travel with a Purpose: A portion of every retreat’s profit is donated to Yoga Stop Traffic, an organisation dedicated to ending human trafficking, especially of women and girls.
Our Curated Women’s Retreat Destinations
We don’t just organise trips; we craft transformative experiences. Our unique value lies in how we weave together personal restoration, authentic connection, and purposeful travel.
- Costa Rica Private Wellness Retreats (Year-Round): Immerse yourself in the “Pura Vida” lifestyle. We specialise in highly curated, private retreats in Costa Rica, available any time of year for you.
- Annual Group Retreats: Join our circle of sisterhood on our annual yoga and wellness retreats in the stunning locations of Mexico and Croatia.
- Coming in 2026: Iceland Yoga Adventure: Get on the waitlist for our inaugural transformative journey to Iceland!
