Celebrate Spring and Shri at Anamaya Resort’s Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica

Celebrate the coming of spring by treating yourself to a yoga retreat at the Anamaya Health Resort in Costa Rica. Health and wellness is a priority at Anamaya and it reflects in the services they provide their customers. From the organic food they serve, to the number of spa services and types of retreats offered, the focus is on the health of the Mind, Body & Spirit. Yoga is an important aspect to Anamaya’s philosophy and have a Spring Yoga Retreat scheduled from April 10 - 17, 2010. This retreat will concentrate on dedicating the practice of yoga to spring and shri.

The popular Hindi symbol “Shri” has many meanings including: allure, beauty, radiance, flourish, light and loveliness. We are all attracted to beautiful things which signifies that we are united on many levels to each other and to nature. Shri is the beauty in life in its many forms and spring is a perfect time to glorify that beauty. Anamaya’s Spring Yoga Retreat is a perfect way to end a long cold winter.

The Spring Yoga Retreat will be lead by Daniella Cotreau CMT, RYT, BA who teaches Anusara Inspired yoga. Anusara Yoga is a form of hatha yoga that was established by John Friend. The focus is on the “Universal Principles of Alignment” and the opening of the heart. Daniella uses detailed verbal cues, hands-on adjustments, and demonstrations with detailed explanations in her classes.

Costa Rica is a beautiful Country and a perfect backdrop for a springtime yoga retreat and vacation. Cotreau says, “We will glorify our yoga practice with Shri. Just like the blossoming of spring - we get to blossom too.” At this retreat live musicians will accompany the two daily classes of Anusara Inspired yoga on Anamaya’s incredible yoga deck. Incredible in the sense that it overlooks the most stunning ocean view in the Montezuma area. It’s a view that you truly must see to believe.

Your yoga classes, accommodations, and meals (3 organic meals a day) are included in the cost of the retreat. However, this retreat also includes a few unexpected extras. As a participant you will be given a tour of the Rainsong Wildlife Sanctuary and local Butterfly Gardens, a Canopy tour admission, and 50% off your first massage. For the week long retreat the prices range from $1495 - $2495 and if you sign-up before March 10th you will receive 20% off.

Montezuma, Costa Rica has many excursions that you’ll want to check out while staying at the Anamaya resort. Boating, horseback riding, surfing, shopping, or just hanging on the beach are some of the most popular activities. Anamaya also has it’s own private trail to spectacular waterfalls and is surrounded by beautiful rain forests which you can explore. It’s the ideal location to get away from the humdrums of life and rejuvenate.

Want to find out more about the Anamaya Spring Yoga Retreat , then visit Anamaya’s site for more information.

A Small Guide To Yoga Retreats And Yoga Holidays

You’ve been to a couple of yoga classes and maybe also have done a couple of workshops, and now you want to get even more serious about your yoga development. The decision is made, for your next holiday, you are going away on a yoga masterclass. Here are some answers to a few questions you might ask yourself.

Yoga retreat or yoga holiday?

While the distinction between yoga vacations and yoga retreats is not always apparent, sometimes, even the organizers have not thought enough about how to accurately name their course), there is quite a distinction in terms of focal point and general feel or atmosphere.

Generally speaking, a yoga vacation is primarily an activity holiday. The time dedicated daily to yoga usually will not last more than four hours, in one, or possibly two daily classes, and you will have a lot of time for other activities or just to loosen up and chill out.

The setting should reflect this, with a beach or other remarkable attractions in close proximity.

The ambiance is often calm, and it is usually a opportunity to run into other like-minded people. On a retreat, on the other hand, the yoga program is likely to be more concentrated, possibly including some meditation, times of silence, etc.

The main focus is no longer to enjoy yourself on holiday, but to deepen your yoga practice. Again, the choice of location should reflect this, with a quiet, possibly remote location. Retreats should be fully residential, the food vegetarian, and meal times carefully thought out to fit easily within the daily yoga schedule. You will find more ‘hard core’ yogis and yoginis on retreats, and the overall atmosphere can be quite serious, with much less ‘free’ time.

Unless you are quite convinced that yoga is your thing, and want to move your practice to the next level, a yoga leave rather than a yoga retreat may be the best option for your first time doing yoga away from home.

Go on your own, or take a buddy?

Going by yourself is not a hitch. In fact, most people going on yoga course go alone. The downside to going on your own is that you may have to share a room with one or more absolute strangers, but at least, you will know that, like you, they have a keen interest in yoga, and great friendships are often formed on yoga courses.

If you decide not to go on your own, pick your companion(s) with care. A few yoga centres will accept guests who don’t do yoga, but in most cases, and without doubt in the case of a retreat, yoga should be a shared interest with your prospective travel companion, so if you don’t want to go alone, a yoga buddy is a far better choice than your new boyfriend (unless, of course, you met him on a yoga weekend!)

Where and when to go?

The yoga break market is now becoming increasingly competitive, and main stream travel agents are moving in, sometimes with disastrous results. Unlike yoga teachers and dedicated venues, they do not always understand the particular requirements of what is still very much a niche market.

Complaints about such new comers to the yoga holiday market, who often have operated successfully in other branches of the tourist trade such as the organization of seminars or other types of package vacations, are their lack of understanding of the specificity of the yoga market, particularly in relation to diet (vegetarian and vegan options are not always available) and the unsuitability of the venues chosen, which are often large, soulless resorts, sometimes shared with a crowd of rowdy drunks (as happened to me in Goa a few years ago).

All this is not very conducive to peace of mind, so it is best to avoid large operators and stick with small, dedicated venues. There are a lot of them to choose from all over the world, and new ones are sprouting up everywhere so there’s a large choice of destinations at any time of the year!

Sun destinations such as Greece, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Italy, and the south of France tend to be most popular in the European summer while in the winter; India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Mexico and the Caribbean tend to be favorites. There are also a number of other locations which don’t emphasize the ’sun’ part including Scotland, various parts of England, Ireland, Finland, Canada, Austria to name just a few.

See for example the Yoga Centres listing of the Yogaholidays.net site. Even thought they might not be right up on the beach, these venues are chosen for their quietness and are far more suited to the practice of yoga than large tourist resorts.

What style, what teacher?

Perhaps more important than the location is the teacher and the style of yoga. Remember you will be stuck with your choice for the duration of the course, so a bit of thinking may be in order.

The best, of course, is to choose a teacher you have already studied with, perhaps in the context of weekly classes or a short workshop. Second best, is to get an opinion from someone who has been on a holiday/retreat with a particular teacher before. If this is not possible, you might find some useful information on the Internet, as most established teachers now have websites.

This should at least give you an idea of who they are and of whether their style of teaching (and style of yoga) will suit you. If nothing else, don’t be afraid to ask the teacher such questions as who they studied with, how long they have been practicing and how long they have been teaching yoga. Try to ring rather than email, as you’ll get a far better idea over the phone.

Tell the teacher about your yoga experience, level of fitness and your expectation for the retreat so they can advise you properly on suitability. Usually they don’t want to be stuck with the wrong student any more that you want to be stuck with the wrong teacher, so they will advise you honestly. It is also recommended to try the style of yoga that will be taught as part of the holiday/retreat by taking a few classes in your area, just to be sure that it will suit you, before booking.

What to bring?

Check whether you’ll need a yoga mat (if you have your own, it best to bring it anyway). Bring some reading, yogic or not, and don’t forget your practice clothes!

Have a great retreat!

Rachel is very experienced in yoga, and gives much more information on yoga retreats, how to find the best yoga mat and everything else you want to know about yoga.

Yoga Retreats

Excited to join a yoga retreat? Perhaps you need to plan everything first, so that your retreat will be a successful one.

Here are some FAQs that will guide you in planning your yoga retreat.

1.Why join a yoga retreat?

One of the best things about retreats is that you give yourself an ultimate treat. A yoga retreat is intended for all of us who want to have a stressful vacation while doing the activity you love, yoga.

It is a learning experience wherein you can relax, unwind and renew your sense of health. Also, it is an opportunity to connect and share with other people with similar experiences and explore the exciting nature adventures.

A perfect yoga retreat allows us to go more deeply into
our yoga practice in its different aspects: postures,
breathing, and meditation.

2.Who goes on a yoga retreat?

Yoga retreats are usually designed to progressively introduce the practice of yoga giving anyone the opportunity to learn on their own pace and ability. It is offered not only for yoga professionals but also to yoga students of any level.

Family members, couples, singles with slightly more women within the age range of 24-65 years also join a retreat. Even other people who are looking for a transformative and memorable vacation experience enroll to a yoga retreat.

3.Where to spend the retreat?

Yoga retreats are offered all over the world. So, you need to decide on a particular place. You can choose a place you’re interested in exploring. Any relaxing place that is ideal for yoga. The venue can be close to the nature, in the countryside or near the sea.

4.Do I need to get a yoga instructor?

It is a must that you get one especially for beginners. The retreats provide the opportunity for the instructor to get a better sense of your strengths and weaknesses. In this way, he will have the idea on how to guide you.

It would also be beneficial if you have attended a yoga class with the instructor before the retreat. This is for you to have a better confidence that their teaching style and approach will meet your needs.

5.Do I need to know someone else on the retreat to get the most from it?

Absolutely not, it’s normal that some of you don’t know the other. One of the good things about the retreat is that you’ll have the chance to work with other people. These people would be your best source of information, and be your friends. Also, through the yoga retreat you’ll be able to learn new techniques, and above all, have fun.

6.What to wear during the retreat?

Casual, comfortable clothing would be best. But if you are traveling somewhere unfamiliar, you can check with the retreat organizer the local weather of the place. This is to ensure you on the appropriate clothes to wear. However, in some cases clothing requirements are likely defined especially if there will be religious services.

7.What to bring on your yoga retreat?

Yoga retreats vary, some are like camping, in hotels, and others are closer to the resorts. Therefore, please ask your retreat organizer on the things you should bring. You might be advised to bring some special items like flashlights, bathing suit, yoga mats, etc. Be sure to inquire about necessary passports and visas if traveling overseas.

So, ready now for the breathtaking experience? Just keep in mind your purpose that is to relax, learn and have fun!