Yoga
With its extraordinary natural beauty, inspiring vistas and wealth of skilled practioners, Costa Rica offers ample opportunities to study or practice yoga. An ancient Eastern practice, yoga is a physical, spiritual and mental discipline that encourages well being by promoting flexibility, strength and balance.
read more closeYoga links movement with breath to help reduce stress, encourage inner-peace and increase body awareness. Classes are offered for all levels, from absolute beginners to advanced students, in a variety of natural settings. Practice sun salutations at sunrise on the beach, or try restorative yoga flow in an open-air studio overlooking the rainforest. While there are more than a hundred schools of yoga, the most popular styles taught in Costa Rica are variations of Hatha including Ashtanga, Vinyasa Flow and Anusara. Vinyasa classes enable first-time students to become familiar with postures, while learning the importance of deep breathing.
For yoga enthusiasts who want to develop their practice, retreats are offered throughout the year in several exotic locations. Yoga retreats are led by certified instructors and typically focus on a particular facet such as body alignment, self-awareness, or strength building. Personalized instruction enables students to hone their skills amid stunning surroundings that encourage self-reflection and serenity. The bohemian beach towns of Mal Pais, Montezuma, Nosara and Puerto Viejo – some of Costa Rica’s most picturesque destinations – offer yogis excellent facilities and a range of programs to choose from. Retreats run the gamut in terms of inclusions and costs, and many offer raw meals, organic food, meditation, and tantric workshops in addition to stylish accommodations.
The esteemed Nosara Yoga Institute, on the country’s north Pacific coast, provides teacher certification for serious yoga students. The institute has various professional and interdisciplinary teacher training certification options, recognized by the Yoga Alliance. Additionally, 90-minute yoga classes are offered to the public at the center’s treetop pavilion.
Whether you are new to yoga or wish to deepen your existing practice, the country’s unique retreats, yoga workshops and diverse classes will elevate your understanding of the true principles of yoga. Awaken and recharge your body and spirit during your next visit by enjoying yoga in beautiful Costa Rica.