Ecotourism is a natural in Costa Rica considering the country covers a mere .03 percent of the planet’s surface and the country is blessed with 6% of all life forms on earth, which translates to an amazing 30,000 species of plants and animals.  Last year alone, there were 37 new bird species discovered!!!!

Travelers from around the world have discovered the incredible biodiversity that Costa Rica has to offer. The locals, affectionately called “Tico’s” realize the importance of preserving their natural surroundings which has been a major factor in tourism.  A quarter of Costa Rica’s entire area is protected in National Parks, wildlife refuges, and reserves – no other nation in the world has ever actively protected this percentage of land per capita.

The geographic diversity of Costa Rica runs from beautiful, pristine beaches to active volcanic areas, with lush rainforests, cloud forests, white-water rivers – all with an abundance of diverse wildlife.  Travelers wanting to explore this diversion may glimpse iguanas lounging in trees or riverbanks, monkeys in the trees and birdwatching just doesn’t get much better.

Not only does Costa Rica have an  abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery but it also is graced with an almost idyllic climate, with temperatures ranging from 70 to 90 degrees Faherenheit.  Costa Rica has rainy and dry seasons, with rainy season starting in May through the beginning of November, and is referred to as our “winter” or “green” season.  This can be the best season because of the richness – the jungle becomes so lush and green – ahhhh, the smell of this lushness is so good for the senses. You can watch the plants grow after a good rain – so good for the soul to witness nature so closely and vividly as you take quiet strolls through the organic gardens or nature trails.

Costa Rica is a land of endless adventure, contact Costa Rica Yoga Spa  today to see and experience beautiful Costa Rica.

At Costa Rica Yoga Spa, we encourage you to please support Nosara Wildlife while you attend one of our yoga retreats.  SIBU, a monkey sanctuary, is a secondary release station and Refugio de Animales Nosara is the intitial care facility who work together to give initital medical care, rehabilitate and release beautiful monkeys back into the habit here in Nosara.

In the picture to the left are two young monkeys at SIBU. They arrived to SIBU because their mother’s were electrocuted on power lines while they were on their mother’s backs. This is a common occurance in Nosara and is the main reason all our utilities are underground.

To learn more about SIBU and how you can get involved visit http://www.sibujungalows.com.

In December of 2009, I returned to Costa Rica for a well needed vacation, as I was preparing to close the yoga studio that I had owned for the past 8 years. For the duration of 2009, my heart was calling me in a new direction, one where I would be focusing my teaching energy towards training Yoga teachers and leading students on Yoga retreats, adventures and journeys into their highest potential. My mantra for 2009 became, “I am committing to teach Yoga Teacher Training and Retreats“. Although I have been teaching teachers for the past 8 years, I realized that my plate became too full with additional responsibilities and commitments, and I just wanted to simplify my work, life and intentions. I started to sound like a broken record, but stayed steadfast, not knowing how it would take shape or even where it would lead me in the new decade ahead.

On my return to Nosara, I synchronistically ran into a good friend who I had met 10 years ago, while I was in Nosara completing my advanced teacher training with Don and Amba. I saw Yesim across the restaurant, and it was as though time fast forwarded from the year 2000 to the present moment. We immediately recognized one another, and, like a best friend, whose spirit you just don’t forget, we picked up the moment from where we last left off. She invited me to visit her at the Costa Rica Yoga Spa, where she was the chef.

The next day, I made my visit to the land that I had passed many times before. I often drove past this spot and felt that there was something special beyond the Aztec wall that marked the entrance. One moment led to the next, and the next thing I knew, I was in a business meeting with Jill, planning out the next phase of my Yoga and teaching journey. Standing at the top of the land, overlooking the mangrove trees and the Pacific Ocean, I felt as though I was “home again”. I saw and felt this home in the reflection of the surroundings of nature and this new community of support that welcomed me.

I am deeply honored to be a part of this creative endeavor and spirit filled land, and am so excited to facilitate Costa Rica Yoga Spa’s inaugural Teacher Training program. Each day, I am more and more inspired to create a unique training experience, where the nature of the surroundings supports the Yoga journey. Join me on an amazing adventure ahead!

Yes! It is official – almost!! Costa Rica is the country with the Happiest People in the World! Nicholas D. Kristof, columnist from The New York Times doesn’t feel it is a coincident that “Costa Rica is one of the very few countries to have abolished its army and it’s also arguably the happiest nation on earth. There are several ways of measuring happiness in countries, all inexact, but this pearl of Central America does stunningly well by whatever system is used. For example, the World Database of Happiness, compiled by a Dutch sociologist on the basis of answers to surveys by Gallup and others, lists Costa Rica in the top spot out of 148 nations.”

“Scholars also calculate happiness by determining “happy life years.” This figure results from merging average self-reported happiness, as above, with life expectancy. Using this system, Costa Rica again easily tops the list. The United States is 19th, and Zimbabwe comes in last.”.”

“A third approach is the “Happy Planet Index”. devised by the New Economics Foundation, a literal think tank. This combines happiness and longevity but adjusts for environmental impact such as the carbon that countries spew.”

“Here again, Costa Rica wins the day, for achieving contentment and longevity in an environmentally sustainable way. The Dominican Republic ranks second, the United States 114th, because of the large ecological footprint and Zimbabwe last.”

“Maybe Costa Rican contentment has something to do with the chance to explore dazzling beaches on both sides of the country…Costa Rica has done an unusually good job preserving nature and it’s surely easier to be happy while basking in sunshine and greenery than while shivering up north and suffering from “nature deficit disorder.”

Not only is Costa Rica the Happiest Country in the World but according to Dan Beuttner, National Geographic, we are one of the 4 Blue Zones in the world! More on that later.”

As we like to say here on our mountain overlooking the ocean at Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara where people are happy and healthy, “Life Is Good Up Here”!

To relax and rejuvenate and experience the Pura Vida, visit Costa Rica Yoga Spa, 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.

Organically grown foods are rich in nutritious value and often taste much better than their counterparts, and growing food organically is a lot easier on the environment as well. You can grow your own natural food or buy it from stores specializing in whole foods. Often, you can also buy organically grown foods at local farmer’s markets, but it is important to ask the vendor some questions before you purchase their produce, as it may not have actually been organically grown. The benefits of choosing these products and natural foods are numerous. The primary benefit experienced by most people is the improvement of their overall health and well being. Health foods like organic produce are known to help with weight loss and nutrition, disease prevention, and are also widely accepted as remedies and cures for the ailments of common health problems such as asthma and diabetes.

It is our goal, here at Costa Rica Yoga Spa, to organically grow enough vegetables, fruit and nuts to serve all of our guests and sell our surplus to local organic restaurants and markets.

Organic Recipe of Costa Rica Yoga Spa

Beet Salad

• 3 medium uncooked beets – grate and put in salad bowl

Dressing:

• 1/4 c. olive oil
• juice of 1 lemon
• zest of 1 lemon
• finely grated ginger – about a tablespoon or so – or more
• finely grated garlic – to taste – we use a lot
• salt
• honey – to taste – depends on the lemon or citrus used

It’s better to let this sit for about an hour or more and then enjoy!

All of us here at Costa Rica Yoga Spa support all of the hard work that is done at Nosara Wild Life and S.I.B.U, to protect and care for many injured monkeys here in Nosara, Costa Rica. Most of the monkey’s injuries are caused by electrocutions from power lines. Because of our support and concern for their project and the many monkeys who live or pass through our ranch every day, we have all underground utilities at Costa Rica Yoga Spa.

During all building phases, special care is taken never to interrupt the path of a “monkey trail”. When we trim trees or see a fallen tree, we always make sure the monkeys can still travel along their highway without having to drop to the ground which puts them and their babies at risk of predators. We encourage any of our guests to contribute to this worthy cause or volunteer to work at the sanctuary while here visiting at Costa Rica Yoga Spa.

Visit http://www.nosarawildlife.com/ for more information.

Sebastien Armand, Canada is our Permaculturist (Master Gardener).  He has been hard at work developing structures to protect all of the seedlings from the heat, and last week’s unusual Guanacaste winds. Sebastein has developed an enormous area above our housing and yoga pavilion area for the main garden area.  He has had lots of volunteers helping who have been staying on the Finca to help get ready to feed all of our guests. 

He always welcomes visitors to help him water, transplant, build structures, mix soils and compost. He’s a great teacher and everyone leaves the garden full of more knowledge and inspiration to continue this gift at home. Sebastien is also an amazing chef and prepares so many different dishes for our guests with the organic veggies – and fabulous smoothies with the fruit.

This week he is transplanting 75 more papaya trees from the seeds of papayas that we have served our guests.  They grow amazingly fast and will produce within the year. I can’t count the amount of watermelon seeds – in addition to many already growing – and Passion fruit (Granadilla) seeds are also ready.  In fact, it is a daily occurrence here – we eat lots of fruit and vegetables and we save as many seeds as possible, dry them and plant them back in our gardens – a never-ending, constantly on-going process!!! Soon, I think we will be able to feed most of Nosara!

We also have a separate banana and pineapple area on the lower part of the Finca.  Sebastien and Darin have planted local root vegetables – yampi, which is similar to a potato, and tequisque, quite different than the yampi, but also similar to a potato.  The part of the tequisque that grows above the ground is a common houseplant that you will see in the U.S. and Canada!  And, here it is a wild root vegetable that is a common dish served every week here.  Every water basin for the baby banana trees has been planted with watermelons. The entrance to this area is lined in a variety of citrus trees, with a few mango and papaya trees thrown in.  We do our best to use as much of our available land to plant something that we can serve our guests.  We have well over 500 fruit and nut trees (including carob) on the Finca. Lots of incredible edibles!

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.

We have had artists from the Czek Republic living here for over a month doing artwork for the rooms in the Jungle Lodges.  There work is absoluting outstanding.  Chris and Hannah Atcheson and their children Micky (9) (Icky, ficky, sticky Micky, yo-yo-yo – yes there is a story to that – has to do with a rapper performance during a music night!) and Eva (12-almost) are all artists from the Czek Republic – the kids artwork is – well, almost incomprehensible, even when knowing both of their parents are artists.

Eva drew a whole cartoon series of our dog, Ruby.  Ruby doing yoga; Ruby as a secretary (with a tightly button-upped vest and heels); Ruby as a nun; Ruby surfing, and many more – we stashed these away, because someday…and Micky, drew maps with every person and store, river crossings, etc, like he’s been down that road a hundred times – this was after one trip!…we are still in disbelief of all of this talent that has surrounded us this month.  Hannah’s parents, also from Czek have been visiting, too. Julius, the grandfather is an excellent musician and often played guitar and he and Blanca (his wife) would sing songs in Czek.  It’s fun listening to them sing in Czek because the music was often good ole’ American rock ‘n roll!

Chris is a world-renown bronze metal sculptor.  Check out his website http://www.chrisatcheson.com.  His family is leaving for Czek soon as Hannah, who is a teacher and the children start school next week. Chris will stay on for another two months to finish some paintings and also to work on some sculptures for our resort and a very striking sign for our entrance. We are so honored to have them contribute such outstanding artwork for all of us to enjoy.

Thank you, Atcheson family.  It’s been our pleasure to have your family stay with us – our first guests in the new Jungle Lodge – and watch the wonderment of the children as they learned and experienced new things every day! We love your artwork you have so thoughtfully done for us and our guests to enjoy.