Costa Rica 2010
Yes, it's true---I'm leading a yoga retreat to Costa Rica. This is the third year that my co-teacher, Stephanie Sandleben and I will fly down to the Osa Peninsula for a week of jungle heat and yummy asana, February 26 - March 5, 2010. Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is our host---a fabulous eco-lodge on the secluded eastern shore of the Golfo Dulce. What does that mean? It means after flying down from San Jose in a prop plane, we are picked up in an outboard motor-boat and whisked 30 minutes across the gulf to a beautifully renovated cocoa farm---in the middle of nowhere.
There's nothing around---no roads, no shops, and not even very much cell phone or Internet reception. It's a blessing to get off the grid so profoundly.What is around are amazing jungle creatures---monkeys, sloths, dolphins, turtles, alligators, ant eaters, toucans, macaws---fabulous plants and flowers. Ever seen a pineapple growing in the wild? Or smelled ylang ylang in bloom? Or squeezed a shampoo ginger? We do two yoga classes a day, and the rest of the time we do whatever we feel like---go hiking, swimming, kayaking, or we talk to the naturalists, take naps and read. Not only is the food locally grown and caught, the entire lodge is made of recycled materials and the owners are constantly looking for ways to reduce their impact on the ecology and increase the well-being of their environment.It's a great vacation---an excellent way to unwind from city life---and it's a great way to deepen your practice!
For more information, see http://samatreats.blogspot.com or write to samatreats (at) gmail (dot) com.