We like to think of the human as a plant and our mission is to create the most fertile soil for the human to flourish.

Through a handful of intimate events each year, we provide the tools and sustenance to make this the best season of your life.

From zip lining through the jungles of Costa Rica, to swinging bells on a private beach in Panama, to making ourselves at home in an oceanfront palace in the Dominican Republic… We’ve done it all in the name of health and happiness. Once a year, health enthusiasts would travel from all over the world for a flavorful dose of wellness, an incredible community, and unparalleled education from the experts who attended.

The retreat quickly gained a following, selling out within 24 hours three years in a row. From there, we expanded to hosting workshops and pop-up events at home in the United States—bringing together the same core teachings that facilitate connection and joy, with the energy and philosophy that makes RUNGA feel like home. This is our recipe for transformation.

The early days

An array of spiritual traditions document the wisdom that when we feel a sense of belonging, we have access to more parts of ourselves.

Human connection is our most powerful gateway for accessing inner freedom, joy and purpose. From years of bearing witness to transformation at our retreats, we’ve seen that meaningful and lasting shifts don’t happen without it. At RUNGA, we balance real community with hands-on education in wellness and human optimization—to engrain healthy habits on an identity level.


  • Joseph Anew is an international speaker, fitness expert and lifestyle coach. During his eight years as Head of Sport and Training at SPARTAN, Joseph worked full-time with professional endurance athletes and taught seminars all over the world. From there, Joseph went on to found RUNGA, creating the experience he himself needed to recharge and refuel once a year.

    After a traumatic brain injury, Joseph dedicated his life to finding health again, stopping at nothing to regain his potential. Today, this experience shapes him as a coach and educator, and fuels his purpose for bringing together teachers, modalities and therapies for the highest possible impact at RUNGA. Joseph believes that vibrant health is possible for everyone and he embodies that truth in his own story of overcoming significant adversity.


  • Emilía Rún is a plant-based chef, yoga teacher and mindfulness meditation instructor. After law school, Emilía moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of working in food, the seeds for which were planted while working at a health food restaurant during her teenage years. Emilía quickly found herself making cakes for various raw food establishments, teaching cooking classes, and consulting with coffee shops and restaurants. In 2018, Emilía started her own cake and catering business, which quickly became known for her beautiful raw desserts.

    Emilía credits yoga and meditation as being pivotal to her healing from lifelong autoimmune disease. Since stumbling into a class at 18 years old, the teachings of Kundalini Yoga, and later Mindfulness, allowed her to cultivate an unbroken connection to the heart, which serves as a compass in her daily life. Eventually becoming a teacher in both herself, Emilía has trained with Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Tej Kaur Khalsa, Krishna Kaur and Siri Bahadur Khalsa.

Learn about our impact.

 

Committing to vibrant health is a radical act.

  • Apply for one of our upcoming experiences, where we bring together an array of speakers, experts, therapies and sessions designed for the highest possible impact. With an intimate number of guests, you can expect one-on-one access to experts and meaningful connections with like-minds.

  • Bring out the best qualities in your group or organization with a private experience. Whether you are interested in a workshop or multi-day retreat programming, guests are invited to take full control of their wellbeing with our hands-on classes and philosophy. Learn more about the benefits here.

  • After your corporate experience, RUNGA offers tactical and strategic solutions for incorporating these practices into a long-term business strategy or Employee Wellness Program—helping you nurture a continuing sense of community and purpose within the workplace.