I joined Bruce for a Hot Yoga Bliss retreat and vacation in December 2014. The Punta Serena Resort where the retreat was held had everything you could ask for - a beautiful infinity pool, two hot tubs perched next the ocean, amazing views and healthy, delicious food. It was the perfect location for a blissful getaway to unwind and relax. But don't get me wrong, it was a lot of hard work to practice two ninety minute classes a day working on breathing, postures, form and endurance. The yoga room was equipped with plenty of heat, mats, towels and water. In addition to an amazing view of the ocean, there was always fresh fruit and juice waiting for us after class. We were treated to healthy, delicious meals throughout the day, and although we had the option of eating at other places, we decided to eat mostly at the resort because it was so good and the staff knew what each of us liked and were really sweet about accommodating our requests. I can't say enough good things about the retreat; but the kind, hard-working staff is what truly stood out for me. Everyone from the massage therapists to the chefs to the servers were angels - and Jose, our concierge hooked us up with anything we needed. So, the one suggestion I have for someone going to Bliss would be to bring plenty of cash for tipping, laundry (available on site!) shopping and more! read more

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It's been five days since I've returned from Bruce Kessler's Hot Yoga retreat and I'm still in bliss. The week-long journey in paradise will renew one from the inside and out, mentally and physically. The yoga, accommodations, and cuisine are top-notch and the epitome of a five star resort. There isn't a better way to start each day than a morning yoga class in a heated room, on a hillside with a panoramic view of the ocean on the Bay of Tenacatita. The room is heated perfectly to 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity. The yoga is comprised of 26 poses with two breathing exercises. It's suitable for beginners to advanced practitioners. Bruce is an amazing teacher as he is attentive to each guest, providing ongoing suggestions for improvement and positive feedback. You do a second class the same day in the afternoon. Doing two classes a day was quite challenging the first few days, but you'll get accustomed to it mid-week. I've seen immense further depth in my postures in a week of practicing with Bruce. Punta Serena is the resort where the retreat is held at. The ocean-side villas have spectacular views and you'll fall asleep each night with the sound of waves crashing in your front yard. The villas are clean with the grounds well-kept. There's plenty of fresh towels and spa-like amenities in the bathrooms. There's a private beach just steps down from the villas, an infinity pool (perfect for taking a dip in after each class), and two jacuzzis perched overlooking the Bay. And you get one free thirty minute massage during the week's stay. The food served at the on-site restaurant is a highlight of the retreat. You'll have access to The Buena Vista restaurant for breakfast, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner. All meals are included with unlimited access to the open bar after 6pm. Bruce coordinates with the staff of the restaurant to provide a variety of juices and smoothies, along with 3-4 different types of salads with each meal for the retreat attendees to nosh on before ordering an entree. One surely gets pampered and fueled with the freshest greens, seafood, and meats. There wasn't a single meal I had which I wasn't satisfied with. I'd definitely return for another week at Hot Yoga Bliss Vacations. It's the most rewarding treat one can give themselves. My mind and body are still thanking me for it. read more

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I don't know where to begin... I've recently returned from an April 2015 retreat, feel amazing and am looking at my schedule to see when I can go back. The Yoga: The teaching was top notch, Bruce and Carrie were great and took my practice to the next level. I've been practicing regularly (3-6x week) for 6 years and I still learned a lot. Ongoing injuries improved more dramatically over 1 week than over years of yoga and 6 months of physical therapy. The room was perfect as far as heat & humidity and it was fantastic to practice with stunning views of the ocean. I wasn't trying to lose weight, ate 3 meals/ day (including a ton of guacamole which was very good at the resort!) and lost 5 lbs. The Resort: Pacific Coast Rustic Mexican Chic. The staff was warm and eager to please whether it was re-opening the office to get bug spray at 10PM or making special requests for food. You are given particularly special treatment being part of "El Grupo de Bruce." I have Celiac and the manager of the resort sat down with me to go over the menu and see if there was anything that I needed not on the menu or outside of the resort. The Spa: The massages were amazing and incredibly reasonable, everyone on our group got more than 1. I highly recommend Rodrigo! The Price: The resort is truly all inclusive and an amazing value for the price. I barely used my wallet all week. I wouldn't call this a 5 star resort by US or continental standards but you definitely aren't paying for this either. You're getting 8 days of great yoga with star instructors, solid lodging and food in a beautiful setting for the price of ~3 nights at a boutique hotel. The resort is clean, beautiful and aesthetically pleasing. I recommend checking out trip advisor reviews on the resort (it gets a high rating) ... The linens/ towels/ mattresses/ etc are not posh and you won't mistake it for the 4 Seasons (although the staff is as warm and as eager to please). Recommendations: Eat lots of guacamole- it is amazing! Bring strong bug spray If you get sick, see the resort doctor. I admittedly get sick often when traveling to certain parts of the world and go with travel antibiotics. I was the only one from our group to get sick and after an uncomfortable night/ morning when the travel antibiotics weren't cutting it, the resort doctor gave me a shot that had me feeling better in 1 hour and back at the evening yoga class and dinner. read more

Bruce Kessler's Hot Yoga Bliss vacation was truly an amazing experience. It had to be the most relaxing and exhilerating vacations I have ever been on. The retreat takes place at a resort called Punta Serena which overlooks the Bay of Tenacacita. Bruce found this gem years and years ago and has developed a great relationship with the team there to where they give him discounted rates and excellent service. The views are spectacular because the resort is on a cliff. It includes your own private villa, which is clean, spacious and has a balcony that overlooks the ocean (even if it is partial) with a hammock! The staff at the resort are joyful, gracious and attentive. They have the most fabulous massage therapists on staff (Fernando) who gave me a massage overlooking the bay. The weather during the trip (December 12-19th) was incredible 85-90, sunny and breezy. The private beach is perfect for relaxation, reading and to get some good color. Now for the yoga- Bruce Kessler brings a passion to teaching yoga and everything that goes into it (nutrition, mental attitude, medical benefits) that is inspiring. We practice twice a day pretty much everyday. The room was hot and the humidity was perfect. I will end this review by saying I met some amazing people that I will stay in touch with. They were all ages (20s-40s) and were the type of folks you did not get sick of. We ate together, did yoga and did our excursions together. Among his other talents, Bruce is a great connector and judge of people. Namaste! read more

I had the opportunity to experience Bruce's 4-day Yoga Bliss Retreat 2 weeks ago. My friend, Tina and I were initially looking for any quick 4-day getaway. We quickly refined that to a Yoga retreat. Upon plugging our specific dates into the yoga retreat search, Bruce's Bliss Retreat popped up. I called the number that was on the advertisement and Bruce answered the phone! There was no turning back after that!! Everything fell into place and 6 days later we were at Punta Serena....aka Paradise!! Everything Bruce had said about it held true and more. The word he used was pristine... and that it was. I live in Minnesota...leaving the January frigid temps and arriving arriving at Punta Serena was as good as it gets. The accommodations were lovely. I loved the intimate, picturesque setting. I wanted to snap a photo with every turn. The staff was attentive, friendly and engaging. I felt so pampered. The food was delicious, plentiful and healthy. The presentation was beautiful. The intimacy of the dining room was so nice....overlooking the ocean. OK...the YOGA...off the charts. I've practiced Bikram Yoga for 12 years...(first yoga retreat). I found Bruce to be a knowledgeable, engaging instructor. He got us to work hard and have fun at the same time. He brings his Brooklyn sassiness to his delivery...kept us on our toes and had high expectations. I learned from him and have the utmost respect for him as a yoga teacher. I had never done 2 classes in a day. It was great. I loved being able to look out at the ocean as we practiced. I appreciated the always available water, towels and fruit after class. If you go, make sure you talk to Bruce about additional electrolytes. Bruce offered side trip options in addition to the yoga...being there for such a short time, I was content at the beach or the pool. The beach was my favorite....it was so private. I was happy to hang out there all day. The water was warm and clean...great waves. Drinks and food were readily available there as well. Bruce's Hot Yoga Bliss retreat was a great adventure. My only regret is that we didn't book it for a week. I will next time. My practice is energized...as is my enthusiasm for travel. I had so much fun!!! Thanks, Bruce, Tina, Jonny, Shea, Thaddeus, Michael, Bill and Stephen!!!! read more

I just returned from a summer Hot Yoga Powerbliss retreat. I was looking for a Bikram yoga retreat during August, and the dates of the retreat matched up perfectly with my vacation schedule so I booked this retreat without knowing much, and never having taken a class with Bruce before. I also didn't do much research before signing up, but August is a relatively low season (very quiet, few tourists) in Mexico, which has its plus/minuses, but best part was that the hotel was very quiet, private and not teeming with other tourists. YOGA The reason why I came. I started Bikram about 3 years ago but have been practicing pretty regularly and wanted to get a week of dedicated practice. Since there were not many people in our group, I felt like I was getting semi-private classes every day (one in the AM, once in the evening before dinner). Although we practiced many styles, the straight Bikram classes were my favorite and Bruce is an amazing, experienced and helpful teacher - this was by far the best part of the retreat. The room is carpeted like an old school Bikram studio (not fancy or spiffy new, but very authentic old school Bikram), and there was a gorgeous view overlooking Tenecatita Bay. After class, there was fresh fruit and juices for us outside the classroom door. Mats and towels are provided and the room was heated with proper Bikram heaters. If you love Bikram, this is definitely an authentic place to dedicate a week of your practice. After class, I loved jumping in the infinity pool. LOCATION Tenecatita Bay is about three and a half hours from Puerto Vallarta. There's a closer airport in Manzanillo but no direct flights, so we took a taxi from PVR and the drive was scenic and time passed quickly. (Quicker still because the driver was definitely aggressive on the way there!) But you won't be disappointed after the long drive - the place is GORGEOUS. As the retreat is part of an Adults Only hotel, there are other people sharing the grounds but mainly local Mexicans on vacation. There is a private beach (incredibly secluded, with an open bar if that's your thing) and there's barely anyone else in sight. It felt private and serene. Down a short flight of stairs, there is a larger family-oriented resort and more restaurants + pools to entertain you, but I stayed mainly in the Punta Serena hotel and avoided that area. (But nice to have if you are feeling adventurous or want to eat somewhere else for a night). The infinite pool is the best part of the hotel - with a breathtaking view that cannot be fully captured in a picture (I know, I tried many times). ACCOMODATIONS The hotel itself is pretty standard; it feels like it was built in the late 90s or early 2000s, so it's dated but fine - nothing to write home about, but no complaints either. There's TV in the rooms and I had a beautiful view overlooking the private beach, but I really only used the room to sleep at night - the hotel grounds are so pretty, I can't imagine anyone wanting to spend time in their bedroom. If you're looking for 5 star, modern, updated, this isn't the place to be but compared to most other yoga retreats I've been on, this actually felt luxurious by comparison. SERVICE + STAFF Bruce was a great yoga teacher and had lots of knowledge about this particular area of Mexico and brought us to some interesting surrounding towns for dinner and sightseeing. But mainly we stuck to the Punta Serena grounds. The staff at Punta Serena are lovely - very friendly, helpful and pretty amenable to our requests. They are definitely trying their best, and although it is mostly a local resort, many of them spoke perfect English and entertained us with their stories. They are good people. And there were always people tending to the grounds, so it felt clean and safe. FOOD + DRINK The food at Punta Serena is different that what I was expecting from a yoga retreat - since the retreat is part of the larger resort, the main menu is pretty heavy and feels dated: creamy sauces, heavy meats, pastas, typical fare you'd expect on a cruise ship. It was not a light and healthy menu, although Bruce arranged for a buffet of lighter options (salads, etc) for breakfast + lunch. After trying out the menu on the first couple of days, we actually asked the servers and cooks to prepare specific meals for us that felt more in tune with our yoga-focused vacation: grilled shrimp or fish with a side of steamed vegetables, rice, etc. They were super amenable to our orders and this made all the difference. The resort is also all-inclusive, so there's tons of booze if that's your thing too... OVERALL This yoga retreat was much different than any other retreat I've been to - more like being at an All Inclusive Resort with really focused yoga classes, and Mexican resort-style amenities for your time off. Tenecatita Bay is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been, rivaling the view of Bali or Greece. read more

For anyone who is like me and simply Googled "hot yoga retreats" with the goal of investing 1 week on yourself and simultaneously enjoying a vacation, then I'm here to tell you that you are in the right place. Having just been laid off from my 7 year long job and not ready to start a job hunt that first Monday off, I decided to just flee the country and do something I've never done before: travel alone for a week away from the states and attempt 2 hot yoga classes a day for 7 days. And despite some family resistance to my traveling to Mexico alone and "rooming with a stranger for a week", let me tell you that it was the best decision I have ever made for myself, and frankly, no one else's opinion was going to stop me anyway! Prior to booking, I scoured this page for hours: http://www.bookyogaretreats.com/all/s/bikram-hot-yoga I picked the hot yoga bliss with Bruce Kessler in Mexico based on the week I was wanting to travel and the rate. I asked for more info and was connected with Bruce via email where he proceeded to address all of my questions. From there, I was directed to his own webpage: http://www.hotyogavacations.com/ and I read it from top to bottom as well as reviews on FB and Yelp. The reviews were what really got me to take the dive and book my reservation. Everything people were saying about their week was exactly everything I was seeking for myself. Everything I sought for myself was at my fingertips from the moment we arrived. Bruce gave us a class the night we landed and it really set the pace for the trip and what to expect! We also met all of the other retreat mates, including my "stranger roommate" who turned out to be my best companion from day 1 and is now a lifelong friend whom I communicate with everyday since leaving! We have even planned our own road trips to visit each other and another retreat mate this summer. NOTE: You will take from this experience everything you put into it. If you wish to spend the week alone and order room service, you can do that. If you wish to mingle with the others on the retreat, you can do that as well, and I recommend it, because it truly is a bonding experience like no other. Be open! Rather than repeat what the other Yelp reviews have stated, I will simply confirm that everything from the rooms, staff, food, drinks, pools, views, beaches, spa services and tourist opportunities exceeded anything I could have imagined. I actually got 2 massages on this trip, and some others got more than that! Ask for Rodrigo; he was the best masseuse I've ever had. As well, in my personal experience (I attended in March 2015), there was always fresh fruit or fresh juice waiting outside the yoga studio following class. Bruce's teachings throughout the daily classes... I can't even say enough about it, especially because I was not aware how much of an impact he would have on me until the week was coming to an end and I didn't know how I would go back to real life without his voice leading me. No other Bikram teacher has dug deep into my practice like Bruce and by the time the week was halfway done, I knew I would be returning for another retreat, once a year if I'm fortunate enough to do it. I learned more from Bruce in 7 days than I have in 4 years of practicing with other Bikram teachers. Its remarkable how much he was able to teach us and the time he spent learning us each individually to help us correct poses as needed. If you are at all on the fence about booking with Bruce in Punta Serena, please please do yourself a favor and tip that scale towards Mexico because it will be like nothing else you've ever experienced and your mind and body will thank you forever. Be prepared to work, and maybe even cry when it gets too hard (like I did), but every drop of sweat and emotion shook up is worth it (and probably needed to be released anyway!). And if you are anything like me and my retreat mates, you will all leave as different people than when you arrived- calmer, wiser, stronger, focused, open in your heart and with memories that no one else will ever relate to unless they were right on that yoga mat next to you. Thank you Bruce for the trip of a lifetime, and for taking my practice to the next level. I know we are all forever grateful. read more

I recommend Hot Yoga Bliss Retreats and Bruce Kessler without hesitation or reservation! Just arrived home to my beautiful Colorado from my first ever Yoga retreat..... while Colorado is gorgeous it's apple and oranges in comparison to the views and service while at the Hot Yoga Bliss Vacations held at the gorgeous Punta Serena in Tenacatita, Mexico. As a fairly new Yoga practitioner, I wasn't sure if attending a Hot Yoga Retreat would be right for me, but I couldn't have been more delighted and satisfied with my results. I came home not only feeling stronger and more balanced in my overall body, I also feel rejuvenated and pampered by the ambiance and staff at the Punta Serena. The staff at the resort went out of their way every day to assure that our needs / wants were satisfied. As an example: immediately after every yoga practice, we were greeted with plates of freshly sliced fruit accompanied with a variety of fresh squeezed juices; our rooms were cleaned and refreshed every afternoon with care and attention to detail such as turning my simple bath towel in to a beautifully sculptured Swan surrounded with local flowers. With regards to my individual yoga practice... not only am I completely satisfied with the way I feel about my body and my yoga practice, I am also satisfied with Hot Yoga Bliss Vacations and thoughtfulness Bruce Kessler has put into making each retreat a success.... I feel so blessed to have had both Bruce Kessler and Ali Piva as my amazing Yoga Instructors. I felt encouraged in my current practice as well as having received great critiques to take my practice to the next level. Lastly, $$$$$.... I received soooo much for such an amazingly affordable price. All inclusive: food, beverages, yoga, memories, new friends and rocking body. Thank you All for touching my life and leaving such a positive impression... Looking forward to going back in 2016! read more

Bruce's week long week at Puenta Serena exceeded all of my expectations! If you are considering going, it's 100% worth it! I have honestly never been more relaxed in my life! The resort was peaceful, clean, and the staff very hospitable. The rooms are spacious and each one had a private balcony with a hammock looking out onto the ocean. I personally enjoyed that it was adult only because it was quiet and relaxing. There is a secluded, nude beach (if you want), that is nice because it feels like you are by yourself on a beautiful ocean. The massages are great - plus 30 min came free with Bruce's yoga week! There are plenty of activities you can sign up for if you want... at first I thought I would do this since I'm so active, but, like I said, I became so relaxed I didn't need to do anything extra. Bruce's yoga instruction felt like I was getting 1-1 training everyday. The classes were challenging and fun. Our little group all used each other's energy and became much stronger yogi's by the end of the week. Sign up - it's worth it!!! read more

What a wonderful week. The resort is beautiful and all recently renovated. Hot yoga in the new hot yoga room overlooking the bay is priceless. The resort is all inclusive.. the food was fresh and delicious! Planning next trip ASAP! Thank you Bruce for finding this gem and creating a week of fun, fitness and blissful relaxation. read more

My week at Yoga Bliss at Punta Serena Resort was paradise and a perfect vacation. The yoga classes were outstanding. My practice has improved tremendously. Bruce helped me improve my strength and breathing techniques. The messages at the resort were fabulous and the Temazcal session was incredible. I highly recommend this retreat for anyone that loves yoga, good food, relaxation and peace. read more

This sadly was the worst adventure ever. I paid Bruce Kessler in full to experience this hot yoga retreat in Mexico To make a long story short and unhealthy experience noted. Hurricane Patricia happened and the resort was closed. I had to get a lawyer to get some of my money returned. Bruce Kessler was full of excuses, late on most of the payments. He sent me a check in the amount of $900.00 which bounced along with being negligent in paying back what my lawyer and his lawyer agreed to. I'm really confused with being a yogi and a thief. Best of luck with this negative and poorly run business. Namaste read more

I've just returned from a week of powerbliss yoga / pilates retreat (Oct. 2017). It was one of the best things that I have ever done for myself! A vacation where you can work out and eat and drink in the most perfect setting. The resort was in a very secluded and serene part of Manzanillo with amazing bay/ beach views. Steps to the ocean. The resort had a lovely pool and jacuzzis overlooking the ocean. It was so nice to have access to all of this immediately following a strong yoga or pilates class. I liked that we did hot yoga in the morning and hot pilates in the late afternoon. This left us with plenty of downtime during the day to relax, swim, or get an amazing massage from Rodrigo! The resort had a great staff who were all very accommodating and friendly. The price was good for an all inclusive resort with two classes a day included as well as one massage. Bruce Kessler was a great host and went out of his way to show us around the town and make sure we had everything we needed. He also helped with transportation to and from the airport which was important for me since I was a female traveling alone. I felt very safe the whole time. Thanks so much Bruce! Jasmine read more

a beautiful, blissful, experience. it's all just perfect - from the views of the ocean from every room, to the classes overlooking the bay, to the level of teaching, to the green drinks. my favorite part of the experience was diving into the ocean after class. the beach is natural with no development on it except for a little tiki bar for food and refreshments. i can't say enough about this retreat. read more