REST AND REMEMBER: A YOGA AND CULTURAL RETREAT IN GHANA, WEST AFRICA
Rest and Remember: a transformative retreat in Ghana to reconnect with self, history, and collective healing through Yoga, reflection, and cultural exploration.
WHEN
Monday, September 15-Saturday, September 20
The retreat begins with dinner at 5:00 PM GMT on Monday and ends at 11:00 AM GMT on Sunday.
WHERE
Lemon Beach Resort, Elmina & Fiesta Royale Hotel, Accra
HOSTED BY
Eunice Busby, Itzel Hayward
For those longing to rest, reconnect, and be part of a healing journey that honors both personal transformation and our shared path toward wholeness…
Join us in Ghana, September 15–20, 2025, for a retreat that weaves together guided cultural visits and daily Yoga sessions for deep healing. Your hosts will be Eunice Busby, who leads thoughtfully curated retreats through Ghana year-round, and Itzel Hayward, a Yoga teacher since 2010 who brings together Yoga tradition, trauma-informed care, and a commitment to collective healing through embodied practice.
Each day, Eunice — joined by local guides — will lead you through Ghana’s historic and cultural landmarks, offering insight into the events, movements, and lineages that have shaped both Ghana’s history and its present. You’ll share nourishing, traditional Ghanaian meals made with fresh vegetables, grains, and local spices. And you’ll have time to rest and reflect in Ghana’s beautiful natural surroundings.
Drawing on nearly thirty years of study and experience, Itzel will lead daily and evening Yoga sessions and share simple, grounding practices to support you throughout the day. Her approach integrates traditional Yogic teachings, gentle somatic (body-based) practices, and ancestral work with a deep sensitivity to the kinds of questions, thoughts, memories, and emotions that can arise when we turn inward with honesty and care—offering a steady, compassionate space for you to show up fully and authentically.
This retreat is not about wellness tourism. It is an invitation into historical immersion, cultural exchange, ancestral remembrance, and deep healing—personal, collective, and cultural. While it centers Black diasporic experiences and histories, it also warmly welcomes all participants—regardless of background—who come with openness, respect, and a sincere desire to deepen their understanding of themselves, of history, and of the world.
We hope you join us at Rest and Remember: a Yoga and cultural retreat in Ghana.
In Ghana, we rest…
We begin and end each day in practice—breathing with the ocean, moving beneath open skies, and returning to stillness after the sun goes down.
Held by Ghana’s beauty—its coastline, colors, and rhythms—our Yoga sessions are a space to quiet our minds, to listen to our bodies, and to tend gently to spirit.
Rooted in traditional Yogic teachings and shaped by the intention for deep healing, these practices meet you where you are. No previous Yoga experience is needed—only a willingness to show up with compassion and a desire to find the peace that lives within us and connects us to all of life.
In Ghana, we remember…
This journey invites us to do more than rest—it invites us to remember.
Ghana—rich in history, resilience, and cultural wisdom—provides a powerful landscape to:
Reflect on the enduring impact of history: colonial legacies, displacement, and cultural loss
Honor personal truths: grief, longing, ancestral disconnection, and paths of healing
Explore the stories we've inherited or internalized—about worth, belonging, and identity
Speak and listen with care, welcoming what is real without rushing toward resolution
These practices aren’t separate from Yoga—they’re woven into it. Through breath, movement, rest, and reflection, we return to what is true. This is a path of healing, presence, and deep restoration.
Why Ghana?
Even for those without direct ancestral ties to the region, being in Ghana can awaken a deep sense of connection—to the land, to lineage, to something larger than ourselves.
This retreat invites participants into a more honest, embodied relationship with history—not as a burden, but as a gateway to healing. Through guided cultural experiences and community-based learning, we’ll engage with the past in ways that honor resilience, foster understanding, and support personal and collective healing.
Rooted in relationship and respect, this retreat offers something different: not an escape from the world, but an invitation to meet it more fully. With presence. With reverence. And with the support of Yoga, community, and shared intention.
Accomodations and food
FIESTA ROYALE HOTEL
The retreat will begin and end in Ghana’s capital city, Accra, where we’ll stay at the Fiesta Royale Hotel.
LEMON BEACH RESORT
The majority of our time will be spent at Lemon Beach Resort, a peaceful, beachfront haven in Elmina, perfect for rest, reflection, and connection. Every room has an ocean or garden view, and the grounds offer many quiet places to unwind.
EATING IN GHANA
Throughout the retreat, you’ll enjoy lovingly prepared meals that reflect the vibrant flavors and culinary traditions of Ghana. Meals will emphasize nourishing, balanced ingredients—primarily pescatarian, with gluten-free and vegetarian options readily available.
Traditional Ghanaian cuisine is known for its bold flavors, rich stews, and satisfying combinations of spicy, savory, and earthy tastes. Expect a variety of dishes made with fresh vegetables, grains, and local spices, along with Ghanaian staples like jollof rice, fried plantains, and grilled fish.
If you have specific dietary restrictions or food allergies, please let us know in advance so we can do our best to accommodate your needs.
What to expect
How we’ll spend our days together
Each day will begin with Yoga—a grounding practice to open the body, steady the breath, and prepare us for what the day invites.
We’ll then spend time exploring Ghana through cultural visits, historical sites, and time in nature, with one spacious day set aside midweek for rest, integration, and reflection. We’ll share meals, stories, and quiet moments along the way—building connection not only with Ghana’s rich history and culture, but also with one another.
Each evening will close with Yoga—a time to unwind, process, and return to ourselves, both individually and in community.
The Yoga sessions, led by Itzel, blend traditional Yogic teachings, gentle somatic practices, and ancestral work to support the emotional and spiritual depth of our journey. Whether you are brand new to Yoga or a longtime practitioner, each session will be offered with care, adaptability, and deep respect for your body’s wisdom.
Weather permitting, sessions will be held on the beach or poolside, inviting the natural elements into our practice.
-
This optional $200 add-on includes airport pickup, accommodations, and Sunday evening dinner. Depending on your flight time, you're also welcome to join:
Labadi Beach – Visit one of Accra’s most popular beaches, where locals gather for music, dance, horseback rides, and community.
Jamestown – Stroll through one of Accra’s oldest neighborhoods, home to colonial architecture, fishing communities, and a thriving street art scene.
Artists’ Alliance Gallery – Explore this three-story gallery showcasing a range of contemporary and traditional Ghanaian art.
Custom Clothing Orders – Choose fabric and work with a local tailor to design custom-made garments ready later in the week.
Dinner at Buka – End the day with a flavorful meal at Buka Restaurant, celebrated for its lively atmosphere and authentic Ghanaian cuisine.
-
Airport Transport – You’ll be picked up from Kotoka International Airport (ACC) and brought to the Fiesta Royale Hotel.
Welcome Dinner – Enjoy traditional Ghanaian food, drumming, and dancing as we gather in community to begin our journey.
Evening Yoga – Theme: Opening to Community
-
Morning Yoga – Theme: Transition and Trust
Travel to Elmina – Drive along the coastline through lively towns, with a stop at Kakum National Park for the iconic canopy walk.
Check-in: Lemon Beach Resort – Unwind at our beachfront home in Elmina.
Evening Yoga – Theme: Embracing Change
-
(Please wear all white on this day as a gesture of reverence.)
Morning Yoga – Theme: Courageous Presence
Assin Manso – Visit this sacred site where enslaved Africans were held before transport. The Slave River and memorial gardens offer space for reflection and remembrance.
Cape Coast Castle – Walk through the dungeons and stand before the Door of No Return. This is an invitation to bear witness—not only to history, but to ongoing legacies of resilience.
Evening Yoga – Theme: Reckoning and Reverence
-
Morning Yoga – Theme: Integration and Restoration
Spacious Day – Rest, walk the shore, or spend time poolside. This day is for reflection and gentle restoration.
Optional Gathering – A community-based practice of movement and meditation for ancestral healing.
Evening Yoga – Theme: Rest as Resistance and Renewal
-
Morning Yoga – Theme: Returning with Reverence
Travel to Accra – Head back for our final full day together.
Black Star Square – Visit this iconic site honoring Ghana’s independence and Pan-African legacy.
Art Center & Makola Market – Shop for handcrafted goods, spices, and textiles. Pick up any custom clothing you ordered earlier in the week.
Evening Yoga – Theme: Carrying It Forward
-
Morning Yoga – Theme: Honoring the Journey
Closing Circle – A sacred space to reflect, give thanks, and say goodbye.
Departure – With rested bodies and remembrance in our hearts, we return home carrying the practices, insights, and deeper presence this journey made possible.
Preparing for your trip
Feel free to contact Eunice at (925) 339-3823 or via email at eunice@west2west.org with any travel related questions.
Getting here
Fly into Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra, Ghana, where our driver will meet you and take you to your accommodations.
The retreat begins on Monday, September 15, with the option to arrive early on Sunday, September 14 for extra rest and ease.
Visa + vaccines
U.S. travelers will need a valid passport, a visa, and proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter Ghana. We’re available to walk you through the visa process step-by-step.
We also recommend checking in with your healthcare provider or a travel clinic about any additional vaccines or health considerations.
What to bring
The following essentials will support your comfort and practice:
Lightweight, breathable clothing (including white clothing for Day 3)
Yoga mat (if you have one)
Walking shoes
Swimwear
Sun protection
Insect repellent
Refillable water bottle
Personal medications or supplements
Frequently asked questions
-
Ghana is widely considered one of the safest and most welcoming countries in West Africa. As with any destination, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense, but visitors often speak of the warmth and hospitality they experience in Ghana. Eunice lives part-time in Ghana, and we’ve planned this retreat in close partnership with trusted local travel teams. We’ll be traveling as a group, with logistics, transportation, and accommodations fully arranged to support a enjoyable experience.
-
ATMs are widely available in Ghana and often offer favorable exchange rates (just be sure to notify your bank before you travel). You can also exchange currency at banks, official exchange offices, or directly at the Fiesta Royale Hotel upon arrival. We recommend comparing rates, being mindful of fees, and avoiding carrying large amounts of cash.
-
No. While the retreat centers Black diasporic experiences and histories, it’s open to anyone who feels called to engage with the retreat experience with depth, respect, and a willingness to learn. Ancestral connection to Ghana is not required—what matters most is how you show up.
-
Yes—your registration includes a private room at both Fiesta Royale Hotel and Lemon Beach Resort.
If you’re traveling with a companion or open to sharing with another participant, you’re welcome to request a shared room at a reduced rate. Discounts depend on several factors, including bed preference, roommate availability, and room configuration. Contact us to explore options and receive a custom discount code.
-
Yes. If you’d like a day to settle in and ground before the retreat begins, we encourage you to arrive on Sunday, September 14. The optional early arrival package is $200 and includes airport pickup, accommodations, and dinner.
Depending on your flight time, you're also welcome to join us for a visit to Labadi Beach, a walk through Jamestown, a stop at the Artists’ Alliance Gallery, a visit to a local tailor for custom clothing orders, and a group dinner at Buka Restaurant.
While optional, arriving early offers a beautiful way to begin the journey—with more ease, presence, and connection.
-
We’re here for you.
For travel and logistics questions, contact Eunice at (925) 339-3823 or eunice@west2west.org.
For questions about Yoga or the daily sessions, visit the Connect page to reach Itzel.
Get to know us
MEET EUNICE
Hi, I’m Eunice—founder of West2West and your host on this retreat. My home base is in California but, after several life-changing visits to Ghana, I bought a home here and started leading retreats so others could experience what I fell in love with: the people, the history, the richness of the land, and the deep sense of belonging. I blend my love of travel, culture, and connection to create experiences that feel both immersive and easeful—rooted in respect, joy, and community care. I also partner with local business and artisans to support sustainable livelihoods and share the beauty of Ghanaian culture and craftsmanship. I can’t wait to help you feel at home here. If you have any questions about Ghana or this retreat, email me eunice@west2west.org. You can also call or text me at +1 (925) 339-3823.
MEET ITZEL
Hi, I’m Itzel — sometimes also called Kamala, which is a name given to me in 2010 by my spiritual elders in the Yogic tradition. I’ve been sharing healing practices with people from all walks of life since 2008, always with a focus on justice, healing, and collective liberation. I became a Yoga teacher in 2010 and a Yoga therapist in 2016. My work weaves together Yoga, mindfulness, energy work, ancestral connection, and cultural reverence to support deep presence and transformation. After visiting Ghana in 2023, I fell in love—with the land, the people, and the profound sense of connection. I’m honored to return—and to share this sacred journey with you. If you have questions about the retreat or want to connect, visit attunedliving.com/connect to message me, chat in real time, or schedule a call.
What people have said about us
You can feel how much Eunice loves Ghana—her eyes light up just talking about it! I could go [to Ghana] on my own, but having someone who really knows the place makes everything so much easier. One trip to Ghana and now I love it too. I’m counting down the days ’til I can go back!
– K.B.
Itzel possesses a rare combination of wisdom, compassion, and patience. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
– Heather A.
Itzel listens and understands where each person is coming from from, where they are at the present, and where they want to go in the future... and guides each of us in our journeys.
– Brenda A.
Come with us to Rest and Remember
Join us in Ghana for a retreat rooted in Yoga, cultural exchange, and deep reflection—designed to nourish the body, honor the past, and support healing that is personal, collective, and real. This is more than a getaway. It’s an invitation to rest—and to remember what has been longing to be acknowledged, honored, and reclaimed.
All lodging, ground transportation, excursions, and meals are included and thoughtfully arranged to support your comfort and well-being. (Airfare not included.)