Over six days and five nights at Zen Cabarete, you’ll step out of your normal patterns and into a rhythm that restores you. You’ll learn how to release tension from the body, regulate your nervous system, improve focus, fuel your metabolism, and build habits you can carry back into your day-to-day life.
Every morning begins with a grounding flow routine. Evenings help you unwind and release stress. Days are filled with movement, learning, nature, community, and meaningful rest, all guided in one of the most peaceful beachfront environments in the Dominican Republic.
This is a reset for your body, your mind, and your inner operating system, so you can return home feeling clearer, lighter, stronger, and more grounded than you’ve felt in years.
What You’ll Experience
Daily Morning Flow Routine (7–8 AM)
A unique blend of:
Qi Gong
Strength work
Stretching
Breathwork
Meditation
This practice builds circulation, reduces tension, increases energy, and trains your nervous system to stay calm and focused throughout the day. It becomes a tool you can take home and use for life.
Evening
Yoga Classes
Gentle sessions designed to unwind the body, reduce stress, and reset your mind as the sun goes down.
Optional Weightlifting + Gym Access
Use the on-site fitness center anytime to strength train, learn proper form, and build a routine you can maintain at home.
High-Quality
Nutrition (Daily)
Learn principles for fueling your body and mind:
Stable energy
Improved metabolism
Better digestion
Reduced inflammation
Zach teaches a blend of modern nutritional science, Ayurveda, and Chinese medicine principles to help you understand why food affects your energy the way it does.
Workshops &
Mindset Sessions
Practical, grounded sessions on:
Stress regulation
Focus and productivity
Nervous system reset
Lifestyle design
Emotional release and clarity
Building sustainable habits
Nothing theoretical, everything taught is something you can apply immediately.
Recovery & Nervous System Reset
Practical, grounded sessions on:
Cold plunge for circulation, inflammation, and mood
Breathwork sessions
Massage available on site
Nature immersion: ocean swims, beach walks, hikes, waterfalls
The Location
Zen Cabarete
A beachfront eco-retreat built for transformation.
Wake up to waves, move in an open-air yoga loft overlooking the ocean, enjoy fresh farm-to-table meals, swim in the natural rainwater pool, and relax in a space designed around sustainability and simplicity.
Beachfront Yoga Loft
With panoramic views for sunrise practices
Rainwater Pool
With cool, refreshing water
On-Site Fitness Center
With natural airflow
Sustainable Rooms
With balconies, solar power, natural cooling, screened patios
Farm-to-Table Dining
Featuring locally grown ingredients
Eco-Friendly Design
Minimizing environmental impact
Quiet, Private Environment
Just minutes from the heart of Cabarete
Just minutes from the heart of CabareteYou’ll feel both held by nature and supported by a space intentionally designed for rest and renewal.
About Your Host
Zach Scannapieco
Zach knows firsthand what it’s like to be overworked, stressed, and on the edge of burnout. He experienced it early in his career as a mechanical engineer and again later while running his own business development consultancy. When his energy crashed and stress spiked, he realized something had to change.
Over the years that followed, he invested thousands of hours into understanding how the body and nervous system actually work, studying across traditions that blend Eastern movement practices with Western performance and metabolic science.
His background in engineering naturally led him into biomechanics and neurobiology, where he learned how movement, posture, circulation, and the nervous system shape energy, recovery, focus, and emotional states.
Today, he practices and teaches a daily routine that combines Qi Gong, strength, stretching, breathwork, and meditation. It’s the foundation of how he regulates stress, maintains steady energy, and stays mentally clear.
He also guides people in nutrition strategies that support metabolism, digestion, and long-term energy, integrating modern science with principles from Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
For the past five years, Zach has lived as a digital nomad across more than 10 countries, learning how different cultures approach health, lifestyle, and fulfillment. Those experiences shaped his belief that real change comes from the right environment, consistent routines, and meaningful human connection.
He now calls Zen Cabarete home, where he teaches the morning flow routine daily and runs his coaching and consulting business, Mind Body Upgrade.
This retreat brings together everything he lives and teaches, shared with a group of people who are ready to invest in themselves.
Sample Daily Schedule
7:00–8:00 AM
Morning Flow Routine
Guided routine of qi-gong, strength, stretching, breathwork, and meditation.
To feel energized, calm, and relaxed to start the day.
8:00–9:00 AM
Breakfast
9:00–11:00 AM
Personal time, socialize, massage, cold plunge, surf
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Excursions, Workshops
Hikes, beach time, canoe ride, lunch, or rest
4:00 - 5:00 PM
(Optional) Weight Lifting
5:00 - 6:00 PM
Yoga or Sunset Walk
6:30 - 8:00 PM
Dinner on-site
Or at local restaurants
Optional
Optional Activities
Surfing
Paddle Boarding
Kite Boarding
Salsa Dancing
Local Café Explorations
Beach Sunset Walks
Guided Canoe Excursion
One of the highlights of the retreat is a guided canoe excursion through the national park’s calm lagoon system.
You’ll move slowly through the water surrounded by untouched nature, mangroves, and wildlife, eventually arriving at a beautiful working farm deep inside the park.
What You’ll
Return Home With
Practical Tools to Release Stress
Daily methods for reducing tension, calming the nervous system, and grounding your mind.
A Reset Metabolism & More Stable Energy
Clear nutrition principles that help you fuel your day with steady, clean energy.
Sharper Focus & Mental Clarity
Techniques that support better decision-making, higher productivity, and less mental noise.
Sustainable Routines
Simple morning and evening rituals for long-term physical and mental well-being.
Emotional Clarity & Resilience
Ways to identify and release emotional patterns that keep you stuck.
Bonus: Lifestyle Design Insights (Bonus)
Discussions on remote work, entrepreneurship, and building a lifestyle aligned with your values.
Testimonials
“Since implementing Zach’s practices on energy and stress, my productivity improved dramatically—both at work and in my personal life. I feel more balanced and actually have energy left for the things I love.”
Diego
Sales Account Manager
“Zach helped me understand the deeper power behind these techniques. I’m more present, more focused, and more energized. I feel like I’m shaping my life intentionally now, one day at a time.”
Marie-Christine
Entrepreneur
“Mental clarity and focus are everything in my business. I’ve always struggled with energy, but Zach’s methods changed that. My daily performance feels sharper and more stable than ever.”
Adam
Real Estate Investor
Before vs After
Before The Retreat
Running on Low
Feeling low energy and tired at the end of your days
Mental Overload
Racing thoughts, stress, and difficulty relaxing or being present.
Physical Tension
Tightness in the body and poor sleep that leaves you drained.
Unclear Eating Habits
Eating in ways that lead to bloating, fatigue, or low mood after meals.
Just Going Through the Motions
Living in reaction mode—lacking excitement or direction.
Stuck in Old Cycles
Repeating habits that no longer serve you but unsure how to break them.
After The Retreat
Natural, Sustained Energy
Feel clear, steady, and recharged throughout the day—no more energy dips.
Calm, Focused Mind
Daily tools to manage stress and sharpen thinking.
Energized, Relaxed Body
Less tension, better sleep, and movement that leaves you feeling strong and light.
Nutrition with Intention
Know how to eat for clarity, energy, and vitality—without guessing.
Inspired & On Purpose
Excited to build a side project, pursue a new skill, or grow your business/career.
Empowered New Routines
Leave with simple, effective habits that support your performance and peace of mind.
Overview Video
Previous Retreat
Experiences
Do the dates no work for you? No problem, check out our flexible dates/on-demand retreat option:
https://retreats.zachscan.com/on-demand
Or email me with questions: [email protected]
Frequently
Asked Questions
Which airport should I fly into?
Puerto Plata (POP) is the closest airport—about 25 minutes away. Transportation from/to POP is included. Santiago (STI) and Santo Domingo (SDQ) are options but require additional transport.
Are flights included in the retreat price?
Flights are not included. However, we provide complimentary transportation to and from Puerto Plata airport (POP).
Do I need to participate in all activities?
No. Nothing on this retreat is mandatory. Every activity is designed for your benefit, but you're free to participate at your own comfort level.
Will there be internet available?
Yes! Reliable Wi-Fi is available across the entire property.
Can I join the retreat and still manage my work online?
Yes—if your schedule is flexible. You can definitely attend while working remotely, though you might need to occasionally skip activities to accommodate your commitments.
Is there free time to relax or explore on my own?
Yes, you'll have plenty of downtime throughout the retreat to unwind, explore, or simply recharge as needed.
What if those dates don't work for me?
Check out our other on-demand/flexible dates retreat option: https://retreats.zachscan.com/on-demand
A Retreat to Reset Your Nervous
System and Rewire Your Life
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