Nayade: Redefining Spiritual Travel for Modern Women

There’s a quiet tension that can exist in spiritual spaces, a sense that you’re simultaneously welcome and yet slightly out of place. Stephania “Stephy” Prieto knows this tension well. Growing up surrounded by ritual and belief, she often felt spiritual communities were coded, exclusive, and difficult to navigate. Years later, after training in fashion design and witnessing the glamour and emptiness of material culture firsthand, she found yoga, not as an escape, but as a homecoming.

"Yoga didn’t ask me to become someone else," Stephy recalls. "It asked me to remember who I already was."

From Fashion Runways to Retreats

Stephy’s journey from the fashion world to founding Nayade wasn’t a sudden pivot, it was a gradual peeling back of layers. In design school, she learned that beauty without meaning fades fast. Yoga offered a practice rooted in the body, connected to something larger, and accessible to anyone willing to show up.

"I realized that so many spiritual spaces felt intimidating to women who didn’t already speak the language," she says. "The Sanskrit phrases, the unspoken hierarchies, the subtle signals of who belonged, it left a lot of people feeling unseen. I wanted to change that."

This realization became the foundation for Nayade, a brand built on devotion and curiosity rather than hierarchy and dogma.

A Brand Rooted in Belonging

The name Nayade comes from the Naiads, water nymphs in ancient mythology, known for healing, intuition, and the divine feminine. That lineage informs the brand: ancient wisdom meets warmth, humor, and movement, creating a space where participants feel at ease and connected from day one.

"I see myself as a guide, not a guru," Stephy explains. "I give tools, offer support, and then step back. The goal isn’t for someone to follow me, it’s for them to discover their own path."

Every retreat, workshop, and program is designed to leave women empowered to carry the practice forward independently, whether through yoga, reflection, or creative exploration.

Adventure and Reflection in the World’s Most Captivating Places

In 2026, Nayade is bringing this philosophy to two inspiring locations. One retreat unfolds in Tulum, Mexico, where the jungle, cenotes, and Caribbean coast create a vibrant backdrop for introspection and movement. Another retreat takes place in Rhodes, Greece, where ancient ruins and the Aegean light encourage a quieter, contemplative experience.

"Each location has its own personality," says Stephy. "Tulum feels playful and lush, full of energy. Rhodes is older, quieter, and reflective. Both give women a chance to explore themselves and the world around them."

The retreats are designed for small, intimate groups, fostering connection and trust. Participants are encouraged to move at their own pace, discovering a balance between introspection, exploration, and joy.

Tools to Continue the Journey

Beyond the retreats, Nayade provides opportunities for women to deepen their practices in accessible, creative ways. From workshops to mentoring circles, the emphasis is on providing tools rather than dictating outcomes.

"Growth isn’t about becoming someone new," Stephy notes. "It’s about remembering who you already are, and giving yourself the space to explore that."

Who Nayade Serves

Nayade speaks to women who feel the pull toward something more, more connection, meaning, and presence, but may have hesitated at the threshold of wellness culture. These are women who want adventure alongside introspection, who value community, and who are ready to dedicate time fully to themselves.

"Choosing to go on a retreat is an act of trust," Stephy says. "It’s giving yourself the permission to slow down, reflect, and connect. That trust shapes everything we do at Nayade."

Stepping Into the Experience

Nayade’s 2026 retreats in Tulum and Rhodes are open for exploration. Space is intentionally limited to maintain intimacy and foster meaningful connections. For women seeking a human-centered approach to yoga and spiritual growth, these experiences offer a rare combination of adventure, reflection, and community.

"I want women to leave feeling like they’ve discovered something real," Stephy reflects. "Not because I told them to, but because they allowed themselves the time and space to find it."

Through this approach, Nayade is redefining what it means to travel for spiritual growth, showing that it can be joyful, grounded, and deeply human.

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