Costa Rica Yoga Spa just finished another successful retreat with thier patented Sun Surf and Yoga program which is the most comprehensive surf and yoga week out there. The people were from all over but were all at the same level of yoga and surf so we started from the ground up and by the end of the week everyone was surfing and toned up from the yoga.

Our days consisted of yoga first thing and then fine gourmet vegetarian cuisine and then it was hitting the yoga pavillion for more surf instruction and wave physics and then it was dawn patrol surf trips to Playa Guiones where Darin and Krystyn again had lessons on the beach then hitting the water with a vengeance. Then it was a little treat of Robins homemade icecream as everyone deserved it then back to the ranch with a view where all enjoyed chill time by the pool before some more yoga and perhaps a surf movie and i must say the highlight was a custom surf big board pictionary game using surf lingo that was the funniest night we have had here.

There was also a special Playa Carillo trip thrown in where we met the famous Popo of Popos adventures surf school and surfed with his posse on a stunning palm tree lined beach. I must say that as a surf and yoga team there is none better that Costa Rica Yoga Spas Darin And YY. Oh i almost forgot to mention the magical mystery tours and other adventures such as the canapy tour that all enjoyed. Wow what a great week!

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Costa Rica Yoga Spa’s surf lessons are above and beyond. While most places rent you a board and if you’re lucky, you will get a surf instructor. We do things very different and very original. Our surf and yoga retreats are designed by Darin McBratney, and offer a one-of-a-kind experience while educating our retreat participates on what there is to know about surfing, in and out of the water!

On your surf and yoga retreat we start you out on the yoga mat, simulating it as a surfboard. We do stretching and conditioning pre-surfing; with emphasis on finding out if you are regular foot or goofy foot. Your surf and yoga retreat instructor will show you how to use your weight, how to stand up and how to stay low.

After practicing this for about a half hour, your teacher will personally show each person how to pick out a surf board that will suit them best. Next, it’s a lesson on how to walk with your board and how to strap your board on a vehicle. Then it’s off to Playa Guiones, the number 1 beach in the world, to learn more about surfing!

Upon arrival your surf instructor will show you how to take the boards off a vehicle. Then it’s off to check out the waves! You will learn how to observe the waves to determine whether or not you should surf, safety first. Then, as Mr. Miyagi once said, “wax on.wax off” – retreat guests will learn how to apply wax and how to use a wax comb for traction on the surfboard.

Following wax lessons, boards will be laid in the sand and it’s time to attach the leash correctly and practice. Instructions on how to lie on your board correctly are often given using yogic terms since our surf teachers are also experienced yogis. This often works out great for people who are somewhat familiar with yoga because there are so many similarities between the two practices. If you don’t know these terms, no biggie, I am sure you will catch on fast.

Breathing is a huge part of learning to surf, which will also be discussed. After a 20 minute verbal and out of water lesson on the sand has been given, you will be ready to venture out in the ocean and put your surf lessons to use!

Whether your 7 years old or 65 years old, our surf instructor’s are skilled with helping all individuals get up the first day. We are not satisfied until everyone is standing up riding that wave.

Some mornings when we are catering a surf and yoga retreat, Darin will lead the mornings with a specially designed class using asanas. This is symbiotic for surfing and when you go to the beach after this class there is no doubt you will be walking on water!

So you see we do things a little different – a little more comprehensive and a little more yogic.

If you are interested in learning more about surf and yoga retreats in Nosara, contact us today!

January was a surrealistic surfer’s dream!  Moonlight surfing!!!  And, without wetsuits! The bonfires on the beach were blazing often, as everyone waited for the moon to throw some “light” on the ocean.  The bonfires were built for landmarks and socializing – not warmth!

The weather and the water were both perfect!  The waves were often perfect for an evening of a “once in a lifetime” experience for many of those on the beach.  Some Canadians visited from, “Good Grief, how many degrees below zero?” – I don’t think they stopped smiling or laughing the whole time! Some of our guests landed at a bonfire on the beach. They came back with a whole group of new friends!  What spectacular evenings! The stories of this surrealistic experience continue……Lifetime memories for everyone!

To learn about suf and other retreats at Costa Rica Yoga Spa, contact us today.

Just picked up our local paper, The Voice of Nosara, and want to quote the Local Surf Conditions, “With an El Nino year in full swing, the pacific storm season has already been active early on, with big winter swells hitting Central America…. consistent head high plus south swells came through lighting up the whole coast, providing some excellent waves. The Papagayo winds set in around the same time.  Epic conditions ensued.  These are good indicators for a potentially active swell season over the next few months.  Hopefully we should see a higher than usual number of south swells hitting our coastline this dry season.”

Staff and guests here have all been enjoying some excellent surfing. No need to bring your boards. There are surfboard rentals available at Playa Guiones and Playa Pelada at Nosara Surf Academy, Nosara Surf Shop, Surfing Safari, Coconut Harry’s and a few other places in town. Surf lessons are also available here at Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara, Costa Rica.