Focus Yoga instructor Kim Wade recently attended an idyllic yoga retreat in Costa Rica. For those of you who always wondered just what a week spent in a heavenly spot of the world, practicing yoga, having yummy, healthy food prepared for you is like, read on...
FY: Can you tell us little bit about where you went and what the retreat was?
Kim: I was in Puerto Jimenez (about 1 hour from San Jose). It's located in the southern part of Puntarenas Province. It is the largest town on the Osa Peninsula and is right in the heart of the jungle. The retreat was hosted by Rich Logan and Dani Byrne McGuire and the focus was "Fire and Water".
FY: What was a typical day like for you on this retreat?
Kim: Here’s what a typical day looked like:
6:30am We would wake up to monkeys howling, then have a morning snack of fresh granola, greek yogurt and coffee.
7:00am Our first yoga class (classes were book ended each day between Rich and Dani)...We were in an open window yoga studio in the middle of the woods.
8:30am Breakfast was vegetarian or vegan selections and all natural organic food. After breakfast, we had free time until 12:30pm. This included a choice of facials, massages, hiking, swimming, surfing, or paddle boarding...just about anything you could think of to do!
12:30pm Lunch was served to us and consisted of fresh tuna and other amazing selections. We would end each meal with applauding (the food was THAT good!)
4:00pm We did yoga until it got dark. You had to bring a flashlight so you could find your way back.
5:30pm Dinner was an elegant, five-star cuisine, yum! I know I keep mentioning how good the food was, but it was so good!
Nightlife: We had kirtans on the beach or in the studio, salsa dancing lessons, midnight swims, lawn chair chats with fellow yogis, star gazing, music with the locals and lots of laughing!
FY: What did you get most out of this retreat?
Kim: How valuable it is to be in the present moment. Surrendering into the “now” rather than having to control the trip to “get the best of it”. The environment was so harmonious and balanced. That made it safe to really let go and I felt my heart was broken open.
FY: Wow, what a powerful impact, and the retreat itself sounds absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Kim will be hosting this retreat next year! Be on the lookout for information.
Kim teaches classes at Focus on Mondays and Wednesdays. Also, check out her website at http://www.innergazeyoga.com
