Surrendering to the sublime savasana after a flowing yoga retreat lesson with Kish, one of the resident yogis here at Costa Rica Yoga Spa, you are reminded to slow down. “Another magical Costa Rican day awaits you,” he proclaims as he ends his morning lesson. And what is this magic? It is waking at dawn to travel to Ostional Beach to see the labor of the returning olive ridley turtles lay their eggs. It is gazing at the pounding yet peaceful waves of Playa Guiones and overcoming your fear of the great Pacific by riding a wave to shore. It is being a voyeur to the awesomeness of the beauty of Nosara: the unfurling of a banana leaf, the playfulness of the howler monkeys, the iridescent colors of the butterflies that meander about. But the magic is most evident in the people here–the genuineness of the owners whose dream it was to open a place of serenity. And you feel connected here–connected to the fellow guests in search of inspiration, connected to this place, connected to the Earth. You leave more peaceful than when you came; you anticipate returning again someday–to the magic that is the Costa Rica Yoga Spa.

-Dawn 12-27-11

By Kate Tanner

A New Day. New chance. New effort. New compassion, peace, and gratitude. Peace. Each. Breath.

I wrote that in my journal one night so that I would see it the next morning.

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By Nikki Lee

The second week of Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica briskly came and went filled with waves of emotions, challenges, and most importantly smiling bright eyes. We amped up our asana practice and our minds, feeling warn out by day 14 yet still yearning for more knowledge. My eager body rested whenever given the chance and was regularly replenished with the magical fruits and vegetables provided by the jungle of Costa Rica. Read the rest of this entry »

We had a new Yoga Teacher Training program in Costa Rica this last August with Alan Lowenschuss (Allowah Lani) and his assistant, Ali Gardella. The class was small and just the perfect blend – as it always seems to be. Every day was filled with such calmness and focus and their good energy permeated the whole mountain top in Nosara, Costa Rica.

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By Chelsea Guibord

This is a phrase that I have heard repeatedly during yoga teacher training in Costa Rica. A primary focus of yoga is working to cease the fluctuations of the mind, a skill that I have found quite challenging. About mid-training, I lost my form in a cobra pose and pulled a muscle in my low back. I allowed the discomfort to flood my mind with thoughts such as, Now I’m not going to be able to practice asanas, If I sit out I’m going to look weak, Why am I the only person and struggling? I can’t fit in with the group when I feel so tired and negative, and so on.

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CRUNCHY PINK QUINOA SALAD WITH SPINACH, BEETS AND CUCUMBERS

Serves 6
INGREDIENTS:
2 Beets, Raw
½ cup Cucumber
½ cup Onions, Spring or Scallions
½ cup Quinoa
1 TBS Juice – Orange Juice
1 TBS. Olive Oil
1 ½ C Spinach, Raw
DIRECTIONS:
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While on your yoga retreat in Nosara, we do more than just teach and practice yoga, but we also talk about the importance of breathing. Nadi shodhana, or the sweet breath, is simple form of alternate nostril breathing suitable for beginning and advanced students. Nadi means channel and refers to the energy pathways through which prana flows. Shodhana means cleansing — so Nadi Shodhana means channel cleaning.

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This month’s yoga retreat pose is Ustrasana, the Camel pose. This position stretches the entire front of the body as well as the ankles, thighs, groins, abdomen, chest, throat, the deep hip flexors, and the back muscles. It improves posture and stimulates the organs of the abdomen and neck. This posture is recommended if you have respiratory ailments, mild backache, fatigue, anxiety, or menstrual discomfort.

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Ginger as an ingredient we use in many of our yoga retreat meals here in Nosara. Not merely for flavor but because of the natural benefits ginger has to offer. Ginger is known to have calming properties and has a soothing flavor with a touch of bite to it which can help keep you feel alert and calm.

Ginger is commonly used to help an upset stomach, motion sickness or general low-grade fevers. It is also excellent for nausea and for warming you up when you feel cold. Ginger is reputed to help ward off colds or improve your recovery time as well.

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Classic Carrot Ginger Soup
vegan, serves 3

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