Yoga Indulgence in Costa Rica
Retreat 2024
with Kelly Fisher and Lucy Lomax
November 9-16, 2024 @ Pura Vida Retreat and Spa, Costa Rica
“Self-care is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” -Audre Lorde, Black writer and civil rights leader
Pura Vida is the motto for Costa Rica. Meaning the “pure life” or the “sweet life,” it is a way of being for Costa Ricans. Live and let live. Pura Vida Retreat and Spa is just that — a beautiful, pure, and peaceful retreat from everyday life. It offers a chance for you to indulge yourself in healthy practices, yoga, meditation, eating tasty healthy food, and treating yourself to body work to help cleanse and purify your system. You will return home happier and ready to face the world.
Studies have shown that taking time away from the daily busy-ness, taking time to retreat, can do wonders to restore one to a more grounded, less stressful place. And how better to take such a retreat than by indulging oneself in yoga, meditation, breathwork, and spending time in the beauty of nature! During this week in beautiful Pura Vida Retreat and Spa, you truly can indulge, er, preserve, all of the feel-good aspects of being in the body, let go of the chatter of the busy, conscious mind, and restore your sense of wholeness and joy in life.
Vacation Details
Each day will feature yoga, meditation, and yoga nidra classes, and on some nights, there will be opportunity for chanting kirtan, an aspect of yogic practice that is a balm for the spirit. During the ample free time each day, there will be many opportunities for outdoor activities such as nature walks in the country’s biggest butterfly observatory, exploring gardens of medicinal herbs, or zip-lining through the jungle canopy. Or you may choose to visit the Pura Vida Spa, which offers many kinds of body-work and Ayurvedic services.
Included in your stay will be a one-day adventure of your choice, the Skywalk and Wildlife Boat Adventure, a trip to natural hot springs, or whitewater rafting.
If you are still wondering whether a week of self-indulgence is warranted, studies show that time spent relaxing, rejuvenating, and revitalizing is time well spent. Join us for one luxurious week in December and take the well-deserved self-care time that you know you crave. You will return refreshed and deeply aware of how yoga practice and self-care will improve your daily life.
Daily Activities
Morning Meditation practice to help set the tone for your day
One full day adventure tour
6 hours of free time to go on excursions or rest on most days
Free time may include: exploring the resort, which houses a wellness center, boutique, pool, jacuzzi, and 8 acres of land, including the peaceful Holistic Garden. Other free and extra-cost excursions are available, such as a coffee plantation tour and a medicinal-ornamental plant walk
Sample Schedule
6:30-7:00am: Meditation
7:00-8:15am: Yoga
8:15-9:00am: Breakfast
9:00am-5:00pm: Daily Excursions or Free Time
12:30-2:30pm: Lunch if you remain at Pura Vida
5:00-6:00pm: Yoga
6:00-6:30pm: Yoga Nidra or Kirtan
7:00-9:00pm: Dinner
Planning
Flights and Transportation
Transportation: Pura Vida Retreat & Spa offers shuttle service to and from the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) airport only. Shuttle service should be reserved at least 3 days prior to your arrival using this online form: https://puravidaspa.com/shuttle-form/. Please indicate that you are part of our Yoga Indulgence group to avoid the shuttle surcharge to and from the resort (one round-trip shuttle ride is included in the cost of the package.) Taxis are also available for hire. More transportation information is available on the Pura Vida website here under “Getting Around.”
Included in Your Yoga Retreat
Your accommodations, single or double occupancy
Three buffet-style meals per day, made with fresh and local ingredients
Access to the resort and grounds, including wellness center, boutique, pool and gardens
Morning and evening yoga classes, yoga nidra, meditation and kirtan
Your choice of a one day outdoor adventure — hiking, hot springs, or white water rafting — and other free and extra outdoor adventure options (all activities are optional)
Your round trip shuttle from and to the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) airport. See details above.
What to Bring
Yoga clothes, a bathing suit, and your normal travel wear.
The yoga studio is equipped with all the props you will need, but if you want to bring your own mat and/or meditation cushion, please do.
Bring your water bottle to make sure you stay hydrated.
Comfortable shoes for walking/hiking.
Notebook/journal and writing utensil are optional.
Any other normal travel accessories, like a light windbreaker jacket.
We recommend that you purchase travel insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Your Teachers
Kelly Fisher
Lucy Lomax
Kelly Fisher, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, YACEP, is the current steward of the Yoga Center of Columbia. She has been teaching at YCC since 2011. She believes in the physical and spiritual healing power of yoga, and aims to empower her students to strengthen their bodies, hearts and minds through her challenging yet calming instruction. Her style is rooted in her many years of meditation practice and her multidisciplinary study of hatha yoga, tantric philosophy, and ayurveda. She was one of the first in the country to earn her Yoga Therapist certification from the International Association of Yoga Therapists. In 2017 she earned her certifications as a Yoga for Healthy Aging teacher from Baxter Bell and as an Ayurvedic Yoga Specialist from the Himalayan Institute.
Lucy Lomax, a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT), E-RYT 500, RPYT, YACEP, C-WAE, C-iREST®, and Accessible Yoga teacher, began meditating and practicing yoga in the 70's and teaching yoga in 1999. With over two decades of practice and study, Lucy specializes in alignment-based yoga and trauma-sensitive practices. Her teaching, grounded in anatomy and integrative body/mind principles, prioritizes accessibility and adaptability for various conditions. Lucy's light-hearted and practical teaching style ensures that yoga is not just a practice on the mat but supports everyday life, meeting practitioners wherever they are on their journey.
Accommodations
Pura Vida Retreat & Spa in Costa Rica’s Central Valley offers a variety of unique accommodations scattered across lush landscaped grounds, each nestled amidst verdant gardens with stunning panoramic views.
Our resort houses a wellness center, boutique, pool, jacuzzi, and 8 acres of land, including the peaceful Holistic Garden. You will be choosing your accommodations when you register. See details of our mountaintop rooms, suites and A-frames.
Registration
How to:
Click on “Register” here, or the Register Now buttons and complete the form.
Accommodation fees range from $2195 (A-Frame Double Occupancy) to $2995 (Luxury Single Occupancy.) See the Registration page for full list of accommodation choices and prices; fees do not include airfare.
Your fee includes three buffet-style meals a day, all made with fresh and local ingredients with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options.
Deposit of $1000 is due within 30 days of registration. Save $100 if you register by May 1!
The remainder of fee is due by August 15, 2024.
Your Registration Fee Includes:
Your accommodations, single or double occupancy
Three buffet-style meals per day, made with fresh and local ingredients
Access to the resort and grounds, including wellness center, boutique, pool and gardens
Morning and evening yoga classes, yoga nidra, meditation
Your choice of a one day outdoor adventure — hiking, hot springs, or white water rafting — and other free and extra outdoor adventure options (all activities are optional)
Transportation to and from Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) airport. See Planning section above for details.
Fee does not include: airfare to and from Costa Rica, some optional additional outdoor excursions. The remainder of the payment is due by August 15, 2024. We recommend that you purchase travel insurance for yourself.
Refund Policy: Refunds are available minus a $75 administrative fee until June 20, 2024. After that date, refunds are available as long as we are able to fill your space.