OVERVIEW

YOGA \ SELF-CARE \ ADVENTURE

Join us during the start of a new year to celebrate yourself! Enjoy daily yoga in a beautiful shala room overlooking the lush Costa Rican forests and ritual ceremonies like a “forest therapy” session, healing foods cooking class, guided meditations, spa treatment, group steam session, campfire intention setting, and a healing cacao ceremony with sound meditation. Plenty of time to honor yourself, relax, restore, and recharge! Then on to adventures: a guided hike to hidden waterfalls and a full day on the coast with a private boat to visit hidden beaches, lush islands, snorkel, swim, and perhaps even some some salutations on the sand!

LODGING

This yoga retreat will take place at a private boutique mountain resort sitting on 11 acres of land located in Salvador de Piedades Sur, in the lush mountains overlooking the islands in the Pacific Ocean. The dreamlike setting of Vida Mountain provides the ideal location to truly experience the authentic and natural beauty of Costa Rica.

Our group will enjoy time at the retreat with privacy and serenity will defining our stay. Guests will be able to enjoy the full extensive grounds.There is a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the mountains and the Pacific Ocean in the distance. There is a full-service spa, and our week includes a group steam session as well as spa treatments. The yoga shala is specifically designed to create a comfortable and inspiring environment for our practices with floor-to-ceiling views. We will enjoy the walking trails, as well as the “moroccan” tea room for various gatherings, as well as some other on-site activities like a healing foods cooking class with the chef, a live guitar show under the stars, a group campfire one evening, as well as a closing cacao ceremony with sound bath on our final evening. This is the perfect setting to relax, renew, experience connections, have new adventures, and CELEBRATE YOURSELF!

Our other activities add plenty of adventure to the retreat - from guided waterfall hikes to a full day at the ocean: on a private boat visiting beautiful beaches, snorkeling, stopping at a lush tropical island for time in the sun, sand, and even a yoga class on the shore.

CUISINE

Healthful, vegetarian food is part of the retreat experience, including breakfasts and dinners daily, as well as selected lunches. Enjoy cuisine that combines creativity and flavors, with a special attention to creating balanced meals. Wholesome ingredients, freshness of the foods, traditional cooking methods and local ingredients are present in every meal you will enjoy at the retreat. Made specifically for our group by the in-house chef, we’ll enjoy meals on-site, as well as a few lunches on our adventures (to the waterfalls and also on the beach during our boat day). We will get to learn about the cuisine during a healing foods cooking class and also partake in a warming cacao ceremony.

ACTIVITIES

FOREST THERAPY
Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, refers to the practice of spending time in a forested area for the purpose of enhancing health, wellness, and happiness.Our guide will lead you to explore our private trails, teach you about forest therapy and show you the beauty of Costa Rica’s natural environment.

WATERFALL HIKE
Spend time wandering through the forest trails and exploring mother nature at its finest. Las Musas is a collection of five different falls. Enjoy a guided hike through dense forest, past several stunning viewpoints before reaching more beautiful cascades. Perfect for experiencing the heart of Costa Rican landscapes, photo ops, and even a swim in the healing waters.

PRIVATE BOAT TO BEACHES & ISLANDS
We will enjoy a full-day excursion to the coast where we’ll board our private yacht for the day that will take us for dolphin watching, a private beach for lunch, then to an island paradise with pristine white sand beaches, emerald waters, and tall swaying coconut palms overhead. Spend time relaxing, swimming or snorkeling, and we’ll even host a beach yoga session before returning.

CACAO CEREMONY
Invite the Spirit of Cacao to open our hearts through chakra toning, sound vibrations and a guided journey into the heart. This offering is a celebration ceremony inviting you to feel deeply and welcome ALL of you. Come, relax, rest deeply in the inner space, and receive the high vibrations of the cacao elixir, guidance from your Higher Self, and get attuned with the sound healing frequencies. The sound of the crystal and Tibetan bowls, tuning forks, and mystical chimes will relax you and take you deep into a multi-dimensional healing journey.

HEALING FOODS COOKING CLASS
Learn about the healing and nutritious (and overall delicious) foods from the area with a private cooking class with the chef. We will try our hand at preparing some dishes and get to enjoy the fruits of our labor for a meal afterwards.

HEALING GROUP STEAM SESSION + SPA TREATMENT
Our group will connect together while on a healing steam session. Relax, calm your mind, and allow the refreshing eucalyptus-infused steam to open your airways while its’ heat cleanses your skin and system. Improve your circulation with a dip into our cool plunge pool, and enjoy our special oatmeal scrub for extra soft skin. Later in the week each guest will enjoy an indulgent spa treatment to calm and further promote self-care.

YOGA

Daily meditation and yoga classes will be offered in a way to relax, stimulate, and help guests grow in their own personal practice. Classes are open to all levels, beginner to practiced, and can range from gentle, restorative, and vinyasa flow.* Style and class levels will be determined and moulded to fit participating students' needs, and with a small intimate retreat class size, students will be able to get personalized attention and comfortability to deeply explore their practice. The yoga studio has floor-to-ceiling glass doors allowing the fresh mountain breeze to awaken your soul. With views of the surrounding natural landscape, beautiful wooden floors, and a cozy lounge area, this space is ideal for learning, healing and expanding.

This retreat will be led by EPM collaborator, Mindy Johnstone. Having began her practice 20 years ago, Mindy's style of teaching is rooted in the Ashtanga tradition. A love for the fluidity is deepened with Vinyasa Flow and the more restorative Yin & iRest Yoga Nidra. On retreat prepare to be inspired and nurtured as her strength lies in the ability to cater to groups and individuals needs. The yoga community offers a family in all parts of the globe, and Mindy is grateful for the guidance and shared wisdom she receives from students and teachers. She looks forward to inspiring people to see the delight in travel and where we can feel at 'OM with the world.'

* Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat. All levels welcome!

DETAILS / PRICING

• 6 days / 5 nights (Jan 8-13, 2022)

• Inclusive Retreat Price = $2,795 (shared room*), +$400 (single room supplement)

• Deposit to hold space = $950

• Max # Guests = 14

* Many of our guests come alone and we match up based on guest profile
** Final balance due 45 days before retreat start date.
Read full cancellation policy in our Terms & Conditions.

INCLUDED *:

• Accommodation (spacious bedrooms, private bathrooms, linens)

• Daily Breakfast

• Daily Lunch

• Daily Dinner

• Use of estate premises, pool, gardens, hiking trails

• Daily meditation and yoga classes

• Transportation to/from day trips

• Welcome reception

• Welcome dinner with live private guitar show under the stars

• Guided hike to a series of 5 waterfalls. Learn about the jungle, visit viewpoints and swim

• Full day to the ocean with private boat tour, visit to picturesque beach, snorkeling tour, lunch, visit to lush tropical island for beach time, optional add-ons of kayak and paddleboard rentals

• Yoga session on island

• Group steam session with herb infusion, plunge pool, and scrub

• Guided “forest therapy” meditation session in the ancient Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku

• Healing food cooking class with chef

• Group intention-setting campfire

• Spa time with treatment

• Closing cacao ceremony with sound bath

• Day trips + entrance fees

• Taxes

* airfare not included
** all meals are vegetarian. special dietary restrictions can be accommodated

TRAVEL:

• Location: Alajuela Province, San Ramon, Costa Rica

• Nearest main town: San Ramon

• Nearest airport: San Jose (Juan Santamaría International Airport) - SJO

• Transfers between the hotel and SJO airport are included on first and last day of retreat and can be scheduled on guests’ flight times.

• Check in is at 2pm, Check out by 12pm

SUGGESTED PACKING:

Besides the basic packing and travel needs, here are a few things to think about bringing with you.

• Bathing suit (pool, beach, spa)

• Comfortable shoes for hiking. A pair of watershoes is also recommended for waterfalls.

• Yoga clothes *YOGA MATS PROVIDED*

• Plug adaptors / converters if needed (Costa Rica uses same plugs as the U.S.)

• Insect repellant

• Sunscreen

• Hat

• Journal