Join a Yinsa Retreat for $2,000, Sponsor a Child
Dear Collective,
Like all of us, this last few weeks have weighed heavy on my heart. Everyday, I speak to people who are struggling - afraid to leave their homes, to go to work, to send their kids to school, to order takeout. I am not often without words, but there have been times where all I could do was listen, and offer prayers for peace. I don't have answers in this moment, and I am sorry for that.
I am not in NYC, where I would normally be on the front lines with my teacher friends. I am not in the classroom where I would be offering support to my students who were scared for their families. I had to leave that place, not only because I was running away from the chaos, but because I needed to run toward peace. It's a privilege I know not many people have.
My teacher, Dana Slamp, taught me that service was the way out of suffering. I shared last week ways that you can take supportive action in your communities in the US and abroad. From DR, the way I serve my global community is through cash, and in this country, I have chosed to physically serve community I ran toward. All of these groups make it worthwhile for me to show up everyday in some way, whether online or in person. In thinking about these things, here is what I have been working on....
This past December, I had the opportunity to work with Punta Cana Community Care, a charity based in Dominican Republic that supports a number of different initiatives, but one in particular that lives close to my heart.
In Dominican Republic, there are no government sponsored orphanages, nor is there a functioning foster care system. We do, however, have a number of children who are without homes and a loving family. In La Romana, there is an orphanage called Ninos y Ninas de Cristo that is funded entirely by private donations. Last year, I had the opportunity to visit this beautiful home - two separate compounds, one for boys and one for girls. There are 90 children in total, and they are very well cared for.
When I visited the space, I was floored. It was the first time I saw a fully stocked bilingual library in this country. There was a computer lab, soccer fields, and basketball courts. The children receive afterschool homework help, and many of them have the opportunity to go to private schools, only because of sponsorships and donations. I decided immediately that Yinsa would be supporting this organization in 2026.
Our first initiative for this year is an art fair and auction this coming March, celebrating (and selling) art pieces created both by students and local Dominican artists. The funds raised by this event will fund summer programming and other enrichment activities for each of the children in this community.
How am I paying for all of this? This is where you come in...
I have been talking to people daily, for weeks, who are dying to come on retreat, but they are worried about finances. Making a significant investment in a healing retreat feels like a lot for people right now, and I get that. I also know that if people stay stuck in the same place with the same mindset, without taking a break, they will burn out. I know this because it happened to me.
The first retreat I attended as a client was in Maine in 2018. It was a long weekend, focused on yoga and fireside workshops - it was simple but healing because it took me out of the noise and into another environment. It gave me the space to disconnect - my phone usually stayed in my room. It gave me time to think about what I wanted from my own life, and it wasn't soon after that where I completely changed the path my life would take. For some of you, you've been doing the same thing forever, and haven't been able to pivot because you've been living in survival mode for so long that you don't know any other way. All you know is, you need to GTFO for a minute to get your head straight.
As a company, Yinsa has ALWAYS been committed to putting healing before profits and compassion before pressure. Here is what I am offering to continue this effort:
Anyone who registers for ANY 2026 retreat before January 31st can get a seat for $2,000, or $2,500 with flights. That means you have the opportunity to spend 6 days in Dominican Republic, 8 days in Portugal, or 10 days in Bali for $2,000. A $500 flight to Bali? impossible!
In addition, I am offering a free, one-hour private coaching session after the retreat to help you integrate the tools you learned, and keep you on track towards the life you desire. This option is only available for this January promotion.
I've expanded my scholarship opportunities because above all things, I want people to heal. I don't want them to feel defeated and lost. I want people to step away from the chaos, and I want people to invest as much in themselves as they do in the people around them. I also know how abundantly blessed I am, and want to share that privilege with as many people as possible.
How does this help me?
I am a teacher, and I teach to the people in the room. The sooner I know who's in the room, the better the program I can create. The sooner I pay for everyone's excursions, the better the prices I can get. Last-minute sign ups create a lot of pressure for my team because it often forces us to shift our program at the last minute. As far as I am concerned, anything I can do to relieve my own anxiety is an act of self-love.
As an additional incentive, 100% of the profits from our self-love retreat in DR will be donated to Punta Cana Community Care to directly support the initiatives with Ninos y Ninas de Cristo. This will allow us to fund summer enrichment programming that includes art classes and STEM programs.
This is a win for everyone. You get a space to disconnect, heal and grow. Children get resources to help them receive love and education, and I get some relief from the anxiety around last-minute retreat changes - a HUGE win for all of us. Just by choosing yourself, you're also choosing to sponsor a child here in DR.
How do you take advantage of this opportunity? Easily...
- Choose a retreat from the list below, and visit the website.
- Click the link to leave a $250 deposit, and I will follow up with an email with next steps!
- Note: It's important to book the deposit via the website as this will update room quanities and prevent us from over-selling rooms!
Here are your retreat options...
Return to Love: Dominican Republic: February 13–18, 2026
A six-day immersive retreat in a private beachside villa designed to help you deepen your relationship with your body, your worth, and your capacity to receive. Expect daily movement, reflection, connection, and intentional practices combined with private catamaran trips, river hikes, cooking classes, and beach clubs.
Portugal — Awaken Your Inner Artist
Dates: July 19–26, 2026
An eight-night journey With Daniele Gates, Irene Yannascoli, and Felipe Gonzalez between the sun-drenched Algarve and vibrant Lisbon. Centered on creativity, emotional expression, and artistic rebirth, this retreat blends gentle movement, meditation, narrative writing, and hands-on art sessions. It includes a variety of cultural excursions, including boat trips, street art tours, and local culinary experiences. It also includes a guided program leading up to the retreat to help you unlock your creative voice before you arrive.
Bali — An Introduction to Self-Healing
Dates: August 10–20, 2026
A deeper ten-day immersion in Bali focused on releasing old patterns, opening the heart, and supporting long-term growth through yoga, somatic healing, cultural immersion, ceremonial experiences, and connection with local traditions. Days include movement, exploration, ritual arts, excursions (like sunrise treks and cultural tours), and intentional practices designed to integrate ancient wisdom with personal transformation.
If you want photos and stories about the orphanage you are supporting, please visit my Instagram page at @liveyinsa. I posted highlights on my stories from the Christmas party we sponsored this past December, as well as some other info about the art event we have coming up in March.
If you have any questions, you can respond to this email or email me directly at [email protected]
In the meantime, check out the free LiveYinsa Collective here; as we have a new book club starting in February, as well as some exciting workshops!
I am excited to see you online, or in person, somewhere beautiful!
In Gratitude,
Daniele
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