Yoga in Costa Rica!with Tara Blake

This is such an enchanting place!  My experience at Luna Lodge was wonderful beyond words and I would love to teach yoga there and share it with YOU!

January 29 to February 5, 2011

Link to Luna Lodge

Slow down and get in touch with the roots of experience. Being on a retreat at Luna Lodge is a unique opportunity to align with the overflowing vibrancy of life in this remote jungle location. Practicing yoga among the treetops is a deeply satisfying experience that will make a positive change in your life.

Yoga classes will be led from 7 - 9 am and 4 - 6 pm. The yoga practice will be accessible for all level of student looking to connect to their inner grace, strength and joy, with variations from beginner to experienced students. Tara will focus the yoga practice on the possibility of inner ease while in postures, using the ground, breath and spine as the foundation for unlimited possibilities of inward and outward movement. Yoga sessions will include breathing practice and meditation in the vipassana tradition. Come and experience your body through this fresh approach.

This is a beautiful retreat centre on the Osa Peninsula ( southern Costa Rica on the west coast ).  This is a very special place.  It is a protected jungle home to numerous endangered species.  It is an opportunity to  connect with nature close up and personal! The daytime temperature in Costa Rica is generally around 30 with high humidity.  Keep this in mind as you consider attending the retreat.  I found we all adjusted quickly to the heat and the fresh rich air.  There is beach access to a long and beautiful beach, just a short drive from Luna Lodge.

The food at Luna Lodge is fresh and tasty!  They can accommodate some dietary needs if notified ahead.
ie vegetarian, gluten free, no dairy etc.  

The sun rises every morning around 5:30am and sets around 6 pm.  Often people settle for the evening after a 7pm supper and rise early to the wake up call of the howler monkeys.  Early morning is the best time to see the wildlife and enjoy the birds.  Learning a touch of Spanish is also recommended. 

Spouses or Partners are welcome to come along, the cost is the same and participation in the yoga practice is optional ( although advised! ) Since Luna Lodge is a 2 hour drive from the local town, Puerto Jimenez, the activities are limited to what Luna Lodge offers.  If you have the time and ability I also recommend seeing other areas of Costa Rica, such as the active volcanos and beaches in the northern part of the country.  You will find the people very friendly and travel within the country easily available on the National Airlines and busses.





Tara Blake
Tara Blake has been teaching yoga for 9 years and began her foray into yoga at 19. She is an E-RYT 500, a Senior Yoga Teacher with YABC and Owner of Yogaroots Mindfulness Centre in Fort Langley, British Columbia, just outside the beautiful city of Vancouver. Trained in yoga by Esther Myers, Monica Voss and Sandra Sammartino. Her passion for yoga is unfolding through the experience of the breath and gravity as taught by Vanda Scaravelli. Tara’s focus is the exploration of posture and breathing through intelligent and dynamic practice, including hands on adjusting and communication of elongation through touch. Her approach to yoga is grounded in the eternal wisdom possible in each student. Tara leads weekly classes, retreats and a 500 hr. Yoga Teacher Training in British Columbia, Canada.

What is included in the retreat:
Internal domestic flight or private taxi entering and leaving Luna Lodge.  
7 nights, 8 days at Luna Lodge
3 Meals a day
4 hours a day of Yoga with Tara ,
Yoga practice will be for all level of students and will include a mindful yoga practice exploring asana that nourish, challenge and balance the spine as well as relaxation, breathing and mediation.
7 - 9 am and 4 - 6 pm
Corcovado Park tour ( 6 - 7 hours ) 
1 - 1 hour Massage

Prices: ( subject to change )
All prices in US dollars.A $500 deposit would be required when you register, and a payment plan can be arranged for the balance.  If you register within 3 months of the retreat the full cost would be due at that time.

Bungalow
$1685 / per person double occupancy
$1800 / per person single occupancy
A Bungalow is like a luxurious hut with 2 double beds and a private but open air washroom.  There are 8 Bungalows.

Hacienda Room
$1580 / per person double occupancy
$1700 / per person single occupancy
A Hacienda room also has a private washroom, one double bed and one single bed, it is totally enclosed and very close to the dining room.  There are 3 Hacienda Rooms.

Tent
$1475 / per person double occupancy
$1575 / per person single occupancy
A Jungle tent also has a private washroom but much is smaller, with canvas walls and higher up the mountain - be prepared to walk a lot of stairs.

Other costs to consider:
Flight to San Jose Airport. This is the main airport in Costa Rica.  There are cheaper flights from Seattle, but there may be a charter available.  We can book this as a group or you can arrange your own flights.

Flight from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez.  This is a short flight ( 50 min. ) on a small 12 seat plane.  The costs are about $90 one way ( $180 USD return )

There is an Airport fee of $26 USD when leaving San Jose ( return trip )

Other tours and activities at Luna Lodge if you choose.  Have a look at their website to see some of the amazing tours they provide.