Just over a week ago, I flew into Costa Rica to attend a 21 day intensive yoga teacher training course, leaving my husband and our three little ones at home to fend for themselves! The first thing I’d like to say, is that I honestly don’t know how I got so lucky as to have this opportunity. I am very grateful to have that kind of support from my family at home.

My decision to travel all the way to the jungles of Nosara from South Carolina was one for which I can’t really trace a path. My oldest child is now 7, going into 2nd grade, and I have been a stay-home mom since then, leaving a career as an architect. Now that my kids are getting older and they need me in different ways, I feel like I’m ready to step away a little bit and start doing more. Crazy as it probably sounds to a lot of people, I really miss working! The only problem was that I couldn’t figure out what to do with myself. I only wanted something part-time; architecture required a much greater commitment. So, as I twisted and lifted and reached and stretched in my regular yoga classes, agonizing over what direction to go, I suddenly realized that maybe I could do something that I really love doing. Maybe I could become a yoga teacher?

From that moment, something clicked into place, and it was like the decision was already made. I knew nothing about where to go or what kind of program would best suit me. I randomly ended up on a website that looked good to me, the schedule fit, so I booked it. I literally knew nothing about it. And, honestly, I never really even tried to find anything else out about it, which, looking back, is pretty irresponsible. But, I just felt something in my gut that told me this was the right place for me, so I went for it.

Up until the day I left Charleston, my friends and family all told me I was crazy; no one could believe I was just going to take off for nearly a month to a program I knew nothing, really, about. But somehow, I was OK with it. I came to Costa Rica to do a teacher training program, that’s all I needed. I had no expectations… about the people, the program, the weather, the location, the schedule. I didn’t even really know much about the kind of yoga we would practice! But, because of my “irresponsibility,” or rather, conscious lack of expectations, I felt very little anxiety over coming here. I had no preconceived notions of how things should be. With no image or idea to get attached to, I never felt the fear that it might not turn out the way I’d hoped. I figured, whatever was going to happen, would happen, and I’d work my way through and make the best of what I could. Free from expectations, I could “go with the flow” without being negatively affected by the outcome.

Little did I know that my liberating attitude is the whole basis of the style of yoga we’re practicing here! Anusara yoga teaches it’s practitioners to “be in the flow of Grace.” Basically, to let down your guard, accept, release expectations, and go with the flow! This way, I place responsibility on myself alone, depending on no other to provide a certain outcome. All I can do is make an agreement with myself to move toward a goal. At this point, that goal isn’t even clear to me; it’s only a vague idea, but the intention is firming up a bit around the edges. I guess I’ll know it when I get there? Without the expectations, the journey is much more fun, without pressure, and hopefully with a wonderful surprise at the end! What is clear to me, is that I am in the right place, right now, and doing the best I can to move in the right direction.

I am relatively new to the world of yoga. Yes, my wife had dragged me to a yoga retreat class or two in Nosara. But, what am I doing? Stretching and twisting trying to look like all the other women in the class. Oh, I failed to mention that I am 61-yr-old, 6’ 8”, 215 lb. tall man with lots of sports and old-age wounds to think about and try to work around, but I have been able to fake it out so far.

Anyway, about three years ago, my wife and son and I decided to build a yoga retreat and Yoga Teacher Training facility on the ranch our son has owned for years in Nosara, Costa Rica. Originally, we were going to build a house and retire here on this beautiful ranch. But, what the heck, “Gotta have something to do.”

Fast forward, 17 months and here I am in a Yoga Teacher Training class inside the most spectacular setting – a 45’ round, thatched roof ranchito with the most beautiful teak wood posts and floor in Nosara. It is just as breath-taking as the view from high up on this mountain, facing the Pacific Ocean (that, by the way is about 80 degrees f.). The jungle between us and the beach is protected land and no one will ever develop it, so that means no noise, no pollution, no neighbors – just birds, monkeys, cows, chickens, butterflies, iguanas, and other wildlife – and us – forever! Just up the road is Playa Ostional where the Green Ridley turtles come to lay their eggs and that’s why it is protected.

I am now learning at my “old” age what cat and cow is, downward-facing dog, plank, cobra, warrior and tree pose and how to be balanced and not fall on my face anymore. I am taking notes like I did 40 some years ago in school, doing homework and reading the Bhagavad Gita, all to have a much better and understanding of on-and-off-the-matt yoga while practicing Yoga in Nosara.

Thanks to our special friend and teacher, Ashley Ludman, our schooling and guidance has moved us all in a pre-designed path of study and practice in such a way as to keep our stamina, enthusiasm and awareness as high as we can. Each day brings us further along in our physical and mental yoga practice. We start at 6:00-6:30 a.m. and finish at around 8:30-9:00 p.m., but, not to worry, the staff at Costa Rica Yoga Spa keeps us fed with absolutely the best tasting fruits and vegetables, most of which are grown on the ranch or purchased at the nearby organic market.

Working as hard as we do, the proper fuel keeps the body happy. The days and nights are not totally filled with practice – we do have activities in Nosara, from personal time to read, time to relax in our rooms or around the pool or if you are up to it, a hike to any one of the many waterfalls that are flowing at enormous levels as we are in the beginning of what is turning out to be a very, wet and welcome rainy season. I am looking forward to yoga on the beach and already have enjoyed many sunset yoga sessions during our yoga retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica.

I hope that today I have given you a little glimpse of my time and you, too, can remove your fear and open to the graceful yoga world we have here at Costa Rica Yoga Spa. If you don’t become a teacher you will be a better student of a very healthful and graceful life of yoga.

Namaste, Benito

To learn more about Yoga Retreats in Nosara, contact Costa Rica Yoga Spa today.