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Seasons greetings, Explorations of Self Tribe.
We hope that this holiday note touches your heart.
The expectations we put on ourselves and others during the holidays can leave us feeling exhausted, guilty, resentful, and stressed out. The old tapes of, “I don’t have enough,” or, “I don’t measure up,” start re-playing in our mind.
…
I am not sure where I am going, but I do know that I am doing everything in this moment to prepare for it. A few days ago my iCloud was completely wiped clear. This was by accident of course. However, I don’t believe in accidents. I believe I am starting the next chapter of my life. The chapter of motherhood and severance of the past in connection to any trauma, wounds, and insecurities. I am stepping into my buddha-hood as my masks fall off, because it is my birthright to do so. In your own story, I know you are beginning your own new life chapter, too. This full moon is calling that newness to us all.
I had no idea that becoming a yoga teacher would lead me here. I just got back from leading an 8 day yoga and sound healing retreat in The Sacred Valley of Peru with my daughter and dear friends from my soul family. I get to travel the world doing what I love with the people that I love. People who lift me up and look at my dreams as something they want to put stock into; and I believe in them with all of my heart. Together we are carrying a message of inspiration, hope, and love & let me tell you, we are on a mission. Together is the key here. My soul sisters and brothers, we have to stick together in this new age to bring in the new era of harmony and peace. This will take extreme unbiased reason from the heart. This is a call to action, and one not to be taken lightly.
I am a single mother of a 6 month old rainbow child. When I first thought I wanted to be a mother 10 years ago, I never envisioned that I would be doing it with out a husband or partner. What I have gained is witnessing a community of people from all over the world who love her as if she were their own. So I have lost my initial view of what this was supposed to look like, but we have gained so much more. Building community inspires trust, reliance, and compassion. She is my biggest inspiration to keep moving forward on my path of self love and unrelenting love for others (Despite emotions evoked within any given moment from self or other. Remember, we are not this, we are much more than the ever fluctuating thoughts and emotions.) I will never give up on myself or my world wide community, because she and the new generation deserve warrior role models of radical change stemming from LOVE.
I know the road can feel broken sometimes, and perhaps this road block will be impasse’. I have been there. In fact I go there in my mind at least once a week lately. It is important to remember how powerful you are in times like these, because your dreams… they need you to make them come true.
Book mark this article to refer back to when you are having one of those,”Pull the covers over your head,” moments. Quotes to remind you of how incredibly competent you are in fulfilling your dreams:
1.
“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… the ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” Steve Jobs
2.
” You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
3.
“You must not let your life run in the ordinary way; do something that nobody else has done, something that will dazzle the world. Show that God’s creative principle works in you.” Paramahansa Yogananda
4.
“Do not waste the precious moments of this, your present reality, seeking to unveil all of life’s secrets. Those secrets are a secret for a reason. Grant your God the benefit of the doubt. Use your NOW moment for the Highest Purpose- the creation and the expression of WHO YOU REALLY ARE. Decide who you are- who you want to be-and then do everything in your power to be that.
It is not nearly so important how well a message is received as how well it is sent. You cannot take responsibility for how well another accepts your truth; you can only ensure how well it is communicated. And by how well, I don’t mean merely how clearly; I mean how lovingly, how compassionately, how sensitively, how courageously, and how completely.
If you think your life is about DOINGNESS, you do not understand what you are about. Your soul doesn’t care what you do for a living-and when your life is over, neither will you. Your soul cares only about what you’re BEING while you’re doing whatever you’re doing. It is a state of BEINGNESS the soul is after, not a state of doingness.” Neale Donald Walsh
5.
You have to use the winds to remove the clouds that cover your Spirit, the wind of the Holy Ghost. Shri Mataji Nirmala Deva
So, keep dancing ever so wildly towards to heart’s calling. As rumi said,
The ritual: Be sure to go out under the full moon light this evening and say these affirmations or make your own. If you feel moved to, write down what you want to release from your past, what you are grateful for, and what you story you want to create. Re-read what you wrote, and then burn (With a bowl of water near by) or bury your offering.
Namaste, soul family
Find yourself right here in this moment.
What thought did you have right before you began reading this? What were you feeling? Why did you click on this blog to read it? Now have you actually asked yourself these questions or are you still reading. Ha. That’s what I thought. Because I would have done the same thing. I didn’t do that to be cute or clever. I did it to point out that our minds are always moving so fast that we lose all direction of where we are going. It’s like the man who is driving a car and finds himself far away from his destination because he got sidetracked by a thought.
So, before we move on, I’ll ask again. How are you right now? Are you present? Are you ready for what you are about to read? I hope you are because I am going to address your soul.
Dear Soul, I’m grateful and joyful to be in your presence! I’ll be honest. I feel like the person reading this is bound to pay more attention knowing that I am addressing the deepest aspect of their being. Now that I have the reader’s attention, I will go back to where we started: Being present. We are so quick to move on to the meal of the next moment that we have not digested the one we were eating! So let us slow down into the stillness, the fertile soil where the soul growth happens.
Good. Now we are ready to dive deep! So, why did I call this piece “0 Steps to soul growth”? It’s simple. Because whatever answer we seek comes to us when we listen to the stillness. We don’t need to take any steps! We just need to go inward and let the stillness moves us. We feel into the moment without thought and suddenly we find ourselves
thinking the thought or feeling the feeling that grows our soul! So many “5 steps to this” or “10 ways to that” articles just lead us into more doing when what we really need to do is more being.
Take me for example. I am just sitting here letting the words flow. I do not need to think about what I am writing. I am simply playing my instrument and allowing the sounds that want to play to flow forth. This flow is the heart of soul growth! I can elaborate on it all I want, but there is no clearer understanding of soul growth then what is happening in my writing right now. It’s pure en-write-enment! I am connecting with the Source in a beautiful effortless way to embody what I am and what I love.
The foundation that guides me is understanding my soul connection to the Source. So what is the Source and how do we connect with it? The Source is Spirit. The Source is the Absolute. The Source is God. It’s the great universal force of energy that goes beyond all words and concepts.
To bring some clarity to the Source and are relation to it, we can distinguish a difference between Spirit and Soul.
Spirit is the part of you that is undifferentiated and totally one with the Source.
Soul is a differentiated part of Spirit that experiences through your physical body.
We are both Spirit and Soul simultaneously. In this great interconnection, we find that our souls are constantly playing and creating from the infinite diversity that springs forth from the oneness of Spirit. It’s the oneness of Spirit that we all share that allows our souls to create from the one space of infinite potential.
We may think we are limited in our physical bodies but the Truth is that we are endowed with the unlimited potential of Spirit. We are enabled by creator to create! One purpose of this grand process is that Spirit learns and evolves through experiencing itself as us. Not only is Spirit aware of itself as us but it is also the environment in which our story plays out. Talk about a multi-dimensional experience! From our perspective, our souls journey
on the path of expansion; connection, purpose and expression into the vast possibility of being that we can explore. Our souls may wear the clothes of density or shed them for the nakedness of light. Whatever we decide, it is the exploration of self!
Every moment, the quality of our being is determining the path of our soul through Spirit. Most of us have reincarnated many times and we are here on this planet for many reasons. The growth that we desire in our heart of hearts happens when we simply be here now! Soul growth is spontaneous when we do what we love. We find ourselves surrounded by the people and places that nourish us our path! Just as our bodies grow when we provide them with fruits and greens, our souls flourish when we receive and radiate love and light! Circling back to the beginning, we remember that growth happens from within us.
When we tune into the stillness, we are guided in the direction of our destiny. This is the destination of this piece of writing. You are already are where you are going; you just have to stop and ask for directions!
About the author: Brian is a teacher and healer. He brings the mind, body, heart and soul back into balance through overtone cha
nting, crystal and tibetan singing bowls and tuning forks.
He has the unique ability to hear oto-acoustic emissions, the natural
frequencies emitted by the body.
His spiritual name “Anahata Nada” means “unstruck sound” and echoes his ability to hear the sounds of the cosmos. Anahata also means heart and speaks to Brian’s passion to help others hear the sound of their heart to guide them on their journey. Follow on instagram @anahatanada333 www.besoundnow.com Contact: bjrusso333@gmail.com
Thеѕе рlасеѕ are knоwn аѕ some оf the top destinations for every type of traveler;
Lаѕ Vеgаѕ, Nеvаdа, Unіtеd Stаtеѕ
Knоwn as a mаjоr еntеrtаіnmеnt Mecca, Las Vegas іѕ a сіtу thаt always hаѕ ѕоmеthіng going оn, whісh іѕ whу іt rеmаіnѕ оnе оf thе bеѕt places tо vасаtіоn. From соnсеrtѕ, thеаtеr ѕhоwѕ аnd саѕіnоѕ tо galleries, fine dining аnd upscale shopping, Lаѕ Vеgаѕ іѕ ѕurе tо оffеr a good tіmе tо іtѕ visitors. Although it іѕ knоwn for іtѕ mаnу gambling орроrtunіtіеѕ, Lаѕ Vеgаѕ nоw has аrtіѕtіс, сulturаl аnd tоurіѕt аttrасtіоnѕ аnd entertainment venues fоr thе еntіrе fаmіlу.
Rio De Jаnеіrо, Brazil
Althоugh hаrdlу a ѕесrеt dеѕtіnаtіоn, Rіо dе Jаnеіrо іѕ shedding its image аѕ a ѕun, ѕеа, аnd ѕаmbа tоwn аnd going for glаmоur аnd sophistication. Jоіn thе frіеndlу Cаrіосаѕ for 
an innovative 10-соurѕе Amаzоnіаn dinner аt Rіо’ѕ top Le Pr Catelan rеѕtаurаnt оr ѕоmе dеlесtаblе “brараѕ” (Brazilian tapas) at hір еаtеrу Ouі Oui. Evеn Rіо’ѕ mаgnіfісеnt bеасhеѕ аrе bеttеr thаn еvеr before; from Lеmе to Lеblоn, nеw оutdооr cafs bоаѕt fаbulоuѕ seaside раtіоѕ wіth comfortable bathroom facilities. Aѕ hоѕt of the 2014 Sоссеr World Cuр аnd thе 2016 Summer Olуmрісѕ, the сіtу is аbuzz with еxсіtіng dеvеlорmеntѕ that will be ѕurе tо attract hugе сrоwdѕ. Beat thе ruѕh and ѕее how thе Girl from Iраnеmа is аll grоwn up.
Dоhа, Qаtаr
Dоhа dоеѕn’t attract the hоаrdѕ оf beer-swilling Brіtіѕh tоurіѕtѕ or thе ѕhееr numbеr of 
hоtеlѕ that the U.A.E.’ѕ Dubai does, but іtѕ bеасhеѕ аrе mоrе bеаutіful and its gоurmеt rеѕtаurаntѕ аrе lеѕѕ crowded. The Al Jаzееrа nеwѕ network іѕ whаt рut Doha оn thе map a decade аgо, although a different sort оf саmеrа — thе mоvіе kіnd — is whаt’ѕ drаwіng tоurіѕtѕ for the Doha-Tribeca Film Fеѕtіvаl. Next уеаr mаrkѕ іtѕ third іnѕtаllmеnt. Dоhа is соnсеntrаtіng оn bееfіng uр іtѕ рrеѕеnсе оn the іntеrnаtіоnаl stage bу following uр іtѕ world-class, I.M. Pei-designed Muѕеum оf Iѕlаmіс Art wіth a bid fоr thе Olуmрісѕ іn 2016 аnd thе Fіfа World Cuр іn 2022. Pluѕ, the сіtу іѕ hоѕtіng professional ѕоссеr’ѕ Asian Cup іn January. Groupon offers great deals at low discount to travelers to visit these destinations.
Bаrbаdоѕ
Bаrbаdоѕ is a соmраrаtіvеlу flаt island ѕіtuаtеd іn the easterly Cаrіbbеаn Sea juѕt to the north оf Trіnіdаd. Thеrе іѕ a glіtzіеr, mоrе ѕорhіѕtісаtеd feel tо Bаrbаdоѕ than mоѕt оthеr Cаrіbbеаn іѕlаndѕ, it аlѕо fеаturеѕ some of the bеѕt hоtеlѕ and resorts іn thе Cаrіbbеаn thаt mаkеѕ thе іѕlаnd tо оnе of thе tор vасаtіоn destinations in the Cаrіbbеаnѕ tо gо fоr a hоnеуmооn.Bаrbаdоѕ іѕ a bеаutіful соrаl island with a special сhаrm аnd warmth, wіth 
nеvеr ending роwdеrу white sand bеасhеѕ, аn аttrасtіvе уеаr-rоund сlіmаtе оf sea brееzеѕ аnd sunshine, еxоtіс bоtаnісаl gаrdеnѕ, асrеѕ оf аbundаnt, rolling ѕugаr саnе fields, and a rісh and exciting hіѕtоrу. Bеѕіdеѕ, the іѕlаnd is оnе of the bеѕt, аnd mоѕt рорulаr роrtѕ оf саll in thе Cаrіbbеаn. Barbados іѕ blеѕѕеd wіth a nеаr іdеаl сlіmе. It іѕ a year-round dеѕtіnаtіоn, dryer thаn mоѕt other Cаrіbbеаn іѕlаndѕ, еvеn though уоu mау wаnt tо аvоіd thе rаіnу ѕеаѕоn frоm June tо Nоvеmbеr. Thе joyous island аmbіеnсе, thе асtіvе lосаl ѕсеnе and rhуthmісаl muѕіс, making Barbados оnе оf thе most роwеrful bеасh сulturеѕ around thе glоbе.
Miami, Florida, Unіtеd Stаtеѕ
The long, skinny іѕlаnd of Miami Bеасh – and ѕресіfісаllу image-conscious South Mіаmі Beach (thаt’ѕ South Beach or SоBе in ѕhоrthаnd), with іtѕ сhаrmіng Art Deco District аnd 
sizzling dining and club ѕсеnеѕ, has fоr thе past dесаdе rеіgnеd аѕ one оf Amеrіса’ѕ capitals of cool. It’ѕ thе kind оf рlасе whеrе you mіght ѕроt Cuban boat реорlе wаѕhеd up оn Oсеаn Drіvе оr a guy walking a lеаѕhеd mоuntаіn lіоn оn Lіnсоln Road. Surе, thеrе’ѕ some рrеttу interesting and еvеn cultural ѕtuff tо dо оut hеrе, but іt’ѕ really all аbоut “thе ѕсеnе” – bу dау, sun аnd ѕаnd аmіd ѕсаntіlу clad, hаrd-bоdіеd rоllеrblаdеrѕ аnd vоllеуbаllеrѕ, by nіght, dіnіng and раrtуіng аmіd a mix оf thе rісh, fаmоuѕ, аnd fаbulоuѕ. This ѕрrаwlіng, sexy, ѕun-ѕрlаѕhеd resort рlауgrоund’ѕ роѕh combination оf ѕun, ѕаnd, аnd hеdоnіѕm mаkеѕ іt the ԛuіntеѕѕеntіаl glаmоrаmа party capital and a perfect ѕрrіng brеаk destination.
Puеrtо Vallаrtа, Mexico
Whіlе there аrе quіtе a fеw Mеxісо hot ѕроtѕ favored аѕ spring brеаk destinations, no place other thаn Puerto Vаllаrtа combines a rаgіng nightlife ѕсеnе with a colorful соlоnіаl vіllаgе imbued wіth оld-wоrld аmbіеnсе. Indееd, Puerto Vаllаrtа’ѕ арреаl іѕ undeniable: Thе сіtу рrореr, a fаblеd hіllѕіdе hamlet, brіmѕ with muddlеd аllеуwауѕ, red-tiled rооfѕ, аnd 
bаlсоnіеѕ draped іn bougainvillea. Miles of gоldеn ѕеаfrоnt, dotted wіth newer tоwnѕ and rеѕоrtѕ, ѕtrеtсh tо іtѕ north аnd ѕоuth, whіlе the lосаl соlоr оf an оld Mexican fіѕhіng vіllаgе mіnglеѕ wіth mоdеrn uрѕсаlе influences. Thе fаmеd malecn – a wаtеrfrоnt bоаrdwаlk thаt stretches frоm thе сеntеr оf tоwn towards the Hotel Zоnе – іѕ dоttеd with ѕhорѕ, rеѕtаurаntѕ, саfѕ, bаrѕ, and ѕtrееt аrtіѕtѕ. Thе lіvеlу promenade is аlwауѕ hopping and perfect for grаbbіng a drіnk оr a bіtе durіng thе dау and аftеr sunset. Pluѕ, come nіghtfаll, уоu саn rеvеl in trendy lounges, rоwdу рubѕ, surf-side watering hоlеѕ, аnd rоmаntіс taverns. Mоѕt оf the wоrthу nightlife іѕ lосаtеd along a three-block ѕtrеtсh of Cаllе Ignatio L. Vallarta, оn the ѕоuth ѕіdе оf thе rіvеr, where еvеrуthіng frоm mаrіасhі music аnd sports bаrѕ tо ѕаlѕа сlubѕ аnd dіѕсоѕ is found.
Lоѕ Cаbоѕ, Mеxісо
Frоm Hоllуwооd ѕtаrѕ tо rоwdу teens, Los Cаbоѕ, Mexico, attracts ’em all for a quick winter getaway – аnd іt’ѕ nо wоndеr. Beaches, mоuntаіn, and deserts – you nаmе іt, thіѕ рlасе hаѕ got іt – with a plethora of асtіvіtіеѕ to еnjоу the bеѕt оf еасh. Scuba dіvіng, fіѕhіng, gоlfіng, whale-watching, hіkіng, аnd biking аrе just a few оf thе оutіngѕ оn offer. Whеthеr уоu choose tо stay in сrаzу Cabo Sаn Luсаѕ wіth іtѕ bars and nіghtсlubѕ оr in thе quieter, рісturе-реrfесt village оf Sаn Jose dеl Cabo, уоu аrе guаrаntееd a gооd tіmе.
Mоntеgо Bау, Jаmаіса
Jаmаіса mау dо dutу аѕ a spring-break central еvеrу уеаr, but thе rеggае-сеntrіс ѕроt has a fascinating history, vіbrаnt сulturе, аnd passionate political раѕt thаt mаkе it an 
еnсhаntіng (аnd wаrm!) рlасе tо vіѕіt fоr a ԛuісk wіntеr gеtаwау. Knоwn аѕ MoBay, Jаmаіса’ѕ second-largest сіtу is thе рrеmіеr tourist dеѕtіnаtіоn on thе northwest соаѕt, offering trаvеlеrѕ еvеrуthіng frоm picture-perfect whіtе-ѕаnd beaches tо river rаftіng; from spicy jerk сhісkеn tо some оf thе bеѕt gоlf іn thе Wеѕt Indies. Catering tо еvеrуоnе – hоnеуmооnеrѕ, party-goers, аnd fаmіlіеѕ аlіkе – thе іѕlаnd оffеrѕ аn аrrау оf ассоmmоdаtіоnѕ from luxurіоuѕ villas to аll-іnсluѕіvе resorts аnd оut-оf-thе-wау еnсlаvеѕ.
Prаguе, Czесh Rерublіс
Wе hеаr thе quеѕtіоn, “Whаt’ѕ thе nеxt Prаguе?” a lоt. But whіlе wе’rе аll fоr dіѕсоvеrіng grеаt nеw dеѕtіnаtіоnѕ, wе hаrdlу thіnk Prаguе is оvеr. Surе, everyone’s hеаrd of іt, but іt’ѕ ѕtіll a grand сіtу with еxtrаоrdіnаrу hіѕtоrіс аnd сulturаl ѕіghtѕ, and it’s dеfіnіtеlу worth a vіѕіt. The оftеn-rеbuіlt Prague Cаѕtlе has overlooked thе сіtу ѕіnсе thе 9th century, and thе synagogues аnd сеmеtеrу оf the Jеwіѕh Quarter are must-sees. Nіghtlіfе hеrе is diverse and рlеntіful, frоm trеndу сlubѕ to sophisticated wіnе bars tо lаtе-nіght celebrations.
This guest post is written by Frank Lee, he works at Rebates Zone, so far he has visited over 24 countries. He loves hiking and snowboarding. you can follow him@franklee84.
1.Find your web presence.
Building a successful web presence because with choosing your web host. I have had several of these and I vote Bluehost as they have less down time, better technical support, and great prices. For a back end, I enjoy Word press. It is very user friendly, especially considering how dynamic the user experience is for business sites, bloggers, merchants, minisites, portfolios, and much more.
2.Weather proof your gear. 
I learned this the hard way after losing 2 lap tops in Costa Rica due to excessive humidity, I decided to go Mac and I haven’t looked back. If you are going through really harsh
conditions, I have heard really great things about the Toughbook, however I use a 13 inch Macbook air and it has served me well in Costa Rica on several occasions over the years.
3.Establish your communications. You will most likely have a lot of clients from all over the place. Skype has long distance calling for as little as 3 cents a minute, and I really love the app Talkatone. It’s free to get a US phone number, text, and receive incoming calls. As far as your phone goes, check with your provider about international rates, and unlocking for everyone besides AT&T. For anywhere wifi, check out the Airport Express by Apple .
4.Become your own accountant.
I really love fresh books (freshbooks.com) for invoicing and book keeping. Paypal for accepting and sending payments and e-Junkies for payment & fulfillment for your ebook, audio, or other information products.
5. Travel Wisely.
For flights I really love Skyscanner and WhichBudget.
(At top of article)I started traveling when I was in my early twenties. I knew, from the moment I peered over the city of Rishikesh from our roof top of an Ashram that we had rented a room from, that I wanted to not only do this for the rest of my life, but make money while doing. I envisioned a plan right then and there. I imagined what my life would like like while doing this for the next few years while building this, and then beyond when I was established doing this. I knew I wanted to teach others how to live this way, if they chose to, because in my experience, this is really living.
So if you, like me, have the travel bug, but it’s more like a lifestyle rather than a phase, follow these simple 5 simple steps into creating your Mobile Lifestyle.
Alana Roach is a International Yogi currently based out of Annapolis, MD. Formerly adorned by the city lights and the busy streets of America, she was then whisked away by the illustrious path of yoga and took to traveling the world to share it with others. A few years back she started to write about the transformation she undertook by practicing conscious meditation. Her passions became her career and she now holds RYS Teacher Trainings & International Retreats, Health Coaches, and writes every opportunity she gets. In her spare time she loves cuddling with her daughter, surfing, being in nature, and living amongst her ever growing and global loving and conscious community. She is on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and can be reached by email explorationsofself@gmail.com
I am a single mother living a digital nomad lifestyle.
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Harmonic Health
The human body is a sound system. We are the physical manifestation of vibration. Every atom, molecule, cell, organ, tissue, liquid and bone in our bodies has its own specific rate of vibration which moves according to the same harmonic laws found in music.
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REDISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL NAME
What is a name? It seems so simple. It is what you are called. You hear it every day. But what if you found out that you had another name, a spiritual name? This name is what you are really called and it also contains your calling. The Sikh master Yogi Bhajan captures it perfectly: “Your spiritual name is your designated destiny, your heavenly identity. That’s all it is. You may or may not live to it, but it is your guiding force. And it’s a prayer. When somebody calls me ‘Yogiji,’ it means ‘one who is united with the greater soul.’ When somebody calls me ‘Bhajan,’ it …
We were walking together down the white sandy beach of Costa Rica in the late morning of November. Each of us silent, tired from the sun and the ocean waves, trying to keep pace with one another but exhaustion kept us staggered. There were three of us and as we walked two of us would veer toward one another and the third would be walking as the outlier. I observed as it seemed some sort of energy drew us together and then apart again, but the unified intention of getting to our destination kept us going in the same direction. …
My first dance with Costa Rica travel was when I was 28. It had been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. So, when I finally stepped off of the plane into unknown territory, I knew I had found my calling. Now traveling is a part of what I do for a living. Beyond that, it is a part of my path as a yogini. I have never traveled long distances without yoga. It has been the crux of my international experience from the very beginning. I have done yoga in the Himalayas and at the ocean levels near the equator. Yoga has imbibed me with the sacred energy that each place holds. I become a part of the culture and lands, and they become a part of me. Yoga is a unifying practice, and what better way to unite with a new place than to hit the mat.
Costa Rica is one of those places that enchants you. So enchanting in fact that my partner and I decided to move there after our very first visit. We made our way to the coast line and called it our home for over 6 months. Since moving back to the States this past March, I travel back to Costa frequently to teach, travel, play, learn and restore. The air is fresh, unscathed by mass pollution, the food is ALIVE, not touched by chemicals or altered in any unnatural way, and the people are incredible. They care about their land and make a point to keep it safe, maintained and sustainable. I have never seen a symbiosis between people, animals, and the earth the way I have witnessed it in Costa Rica. I hope that if you have been there, you continue to go, to grow, to learn, to laugh and connect. If you haven’t been, I hope that this has peaked your interest. There is no time like the present. Traveling is true education and I have heard that people are happier spending money on traveling the world than accruing it for years just to say they have. I travel every chance I get. My soul is richer for it.
Here are the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica for 2016
1. I am You and You are Me: A Costa Rica Yoga Experience with Alana Roach
I lead a retreat for a week in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, beginning on the 3rd Saturday every January. This is where I lived and continue to teach beach side retreats. The first time I stepped off of the bus and walked to the edge of Santa Teresa’s beach, I was struck by it’s raw beauty. There were waves that seemed to be about 8 feet high and surfers for miles in every direction. These were the kind of waves I had seen in movies. The kind that inspire you to move crossed borders and take up surfing as a lifestyle. There were beautiful, unbroken shells all over the beach, hermit crabs running in every direction, and a mixture of cultures scattered to sunbath and read. I sat in awe with a silly smile on my face thinking of just how beautiful this all looked as it glistened afternoon sun.
I thought to myself, “THIS is Costa Rica.”
My retreat sits atop of this incredible ocean view, nestled in a palm tree fortress called “Tropico Latino.” You can’t help feel like royalty with 2 outdoor yoga decks, canopied in the shade that overlook the Pacific Ocean, beautiful, private bungalows and beach houses that were made for lounging, food that is fresh and simply out of this world breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and a staff that is accommodating to every need.
This year’s retreat has nearly sold out so please keep Alana Roach’s, Santa Teresa Yoga Retreat on your radar for next January and register soon!
2. Yoga in Paradise: A Celebration of Life with Rob Schultz
This Feb 6-13th, Rob Shultz lea
ds a Hatha based yoga retreat in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. Near by to the most active volcano on these lands, Arenal, La Fortuna is bountiful in hot springs and waterfalls. This grounding excursion will allow you to chose from many different day excursions while getting your fill of yoga twice daily.
A Celebration of Life’s mission is to get us back in touch with our passionate, create, inspired, and joyful nature. For most of us, we are surrounded by noise pollution, media, tasks, cars, lights, and other distractions, that we can forget what truly matters. This is one of Costa Rica’s best retreats because it is a return to YOU through simplicity, nature, and restoration.
3. Finding Peace Within: A Costa Rica Retreat With Day Yoga
Feb 28- March 6, 2016, Devon Schmidt & Brandy Erazo lead a 7 night retreat in Playa Uvita, CR. This retreat includes 3 whole foods meals a day, round trip transport to and from the airport, 2 daily yoga and meditation classes, personal retreat time, and a bonus 20 hours of training for those enrolled in Day Yoga’s 300 hr teacher training or those looking for CEU’s through Yoga Alliance.
With beautiful beaches, rainforests, a funky local town, ziplining, and a visit to the Arenal Volcano, there is never a shortage of adventure with these two yogis! Devon and Brandy offer a unique array of workshops that include subtle body anatomy, arm balances, and thai yoga adjustments. Daily classes include gentle, vinyasa, yin, restorative, and yoga nidra. You are sure to leave this retreat unbound, untethered, and ready to take on the world with a full breath in and a relaxed exhale.
4. Summer Solstice Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica with Julie Sichlau
Begin your summer with Julie Sichlau in the surroundings of National Park Chirripó. During the summer solstice the light is at it’s strongest to mirror our blooming transformative energies with-in. There is an inner stirring to cultivate an awareness of our heart’s beckoning, and this is the perfect time/space to let your heart run wild.
Julie is a special soul who doesn’t just speak of yoga but lives it. Envision yourself in the open air shala, gazing at the lush greenery and the blue skies as you explore an invigorating. pranic, fluid yoga flow by day by late afternoon your cup will run over with a balancing and soothing yin practice.
This is a truly nurturing Costa Rica retreat.
“Manifest your dreams and goals, whilst creating space for deep gratitude of living from a state of pure being and infinite love. Practice your power of shining brighter from within.” Julie Sichlau
5. Renew and Rebalance in Costa Rica—Re-Turn to Yourself with Lisa Feder & Dana Baruch
June 25- July 2, 2016 Rounding out my top 5 best Costa Rica retreats are Yoga and wellness teacher, Lisa Feder with life coach and educator Dana Baruch. They dedicate an entire week of empowering and exploring the many beautiful facets of you through yoga, meditation, coaching, creative exploration, journaling, and service to others.
They welcome all levels of experience at all stages of life to come re-connect with and rekindle your natural, authentic spirit. Laughter and fun is a guarantee.
You will be pampered by the True Nature Education staff from the moment you step off of the plane and onto the La Cusinga lodge. The eco-lodge and retreat center in Uvita is tucked away in the hilltops giving you a sense of royalty as you look out onto your view of sweeping oceans, sandy beaches, natural pools, and beautiful rain forests. This is Costa RIca’s most famous ecosystem ad by pure presence alone, you will be forever captivated.
∞
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
Create a story that you want to read. One that plays on your senses and makes you feel alive. I know so many people who tell me that I am so lucky to live the life I do. I agree except it’s not so much luck as it is faith. If I can dream it, I can do it. It takes action, a firm regiment of positive next steps, and a lot of taking life by the reigns. It requires us, as yogis, travelers, and budding explorers to close our physical eyes, take a deep breath, and allow our inner sight to lead the way to the best yoga retreats in Costa Rica or simply taking that first step in getting your passport. Dare to vision, dream, and explore, and keep me posted because I for one, can’t wait to watch the journey that is you, unfold.
Alana Roach is a International Yogi currently based out of Annapolis, MD. Formerly adorned by the city lights and the busy streets of America, she was then whisked away by the illustrious path of yoga and took to traveling the world to share it with others. A few years back she started to write about the transformation she undertook by practicing conscious meditation. She practices and teaches varied styles of yoga at Ruahstudio.com, leads international retreats with Truenatureyogawellness.com, loves surfing, being in nature, and enjoys a good belly laugh. She is on Facebook , Instagram, Twitter, and can be reached by email alanaroachyoga@gmail.com
Alana’s love for yoga came from firsthand experience with just how powerful the practice is. “In 2009, Yoga found me. Inside the studio, she experienced a deep sense of belonging, but the most profound part was what happened after. “I felt as though I was at true peace. I finally knew what the word meant. Until that moment, I had just understood it cerebrally. There is something profound to be said about Peace dropping into the heart.” Read More
