SUN-SURF-YOGA ESCAPADE

Part retreat, part adventure, fully an escapade… “an escape from the restraint or confinement”… of below-zero winter temperatures, chapped lips, boots, coats, snow, sleet and freezing rain, to… the tip of the remote and exotic Osa Peninsula, an untouched pristine region in Costa Rica, regarded by National Geographic as one of the most biologically diverse places in the western hemisphere.

Encanta la Vida means Enchanted Life, or literally Loving Life, and, it doesn’t get more enchanting than being completely off the grid at a jungle adventure lodge in southern Costa Rica with daily visits from scarlet macaws, toucans, monkeys and a vast array of extraordinary wildlife. The days begin with mystical sounds of the rain forest and end to the sound of a rolling surf.

Join us as we practice yoga twice daily on a deck overlooking the ocean, surf on breathtaking beaches, hike through nature greeting unusual wildlife at every turn, refresh under waterfalls, climb trees/repels, relax by the pool, and swim to the bar for a fresh fruit cocktail before dozing in a hammock.

Simon who has brought yogis to this amazing eco-resort for multiple retreats cannot wait to return as it invokes “an atmosphere of openness, relaxation, reflection, connection and a great yoga practice!” Elizabeth cannot wait to get there because Simon also described it as “Avatar world” as Matapalo is the home to a high density of wildlife and therefore, half protected by national park and private reserves.

For those planning to surf, Costa Rica is a legendary surfing location, and this resort is actually located in front of one of the best surf spots for both seasoned pros and beginners: Pan Dulce. The excellent, helpful and friendly staff at Encanta La Vida includes surf instructors so perfect for anyone learning for the first time (which includes Elizabeth!) Surf boards are available for a daily rental charge of only $15, and a surfing lesson is approximately $55 a day. If you are planning to bring your own surfboard, please check with airlines, fees will apply.

Oh, and the food is absolutely fresh and delicious homemade with local ingredients. This resort gets applauds over and over for the incredible meals, and the chef’s willingness to work around allergies and sensitivities. Three meals are included daily in the retreat price, and vegetarian options are offered at every meal.

Elizabeth and Simon are very excited to kick off their first collaboration on this retreat! They are both fresh with new insights from having recently completed the acclaimed month-long yoga teacher’s intensive in Ashtanga Yoga with master, Richard Freeman at his Yoga Workshop in Boulder, Colorado. The twice daily yoga classes will be shared between them: some individually led so they can share their “specialties” in the practice, and some, co-taught, merging their knowledge and understanding of yoga. The tandem classes will be a celebration of their collective expertise in a variety of styles and traditions of yoga which include Prana Flow, Ashtanga, Anusara, Dharma, Kundalini, and Freedom-Style . Simon is also an exceptional Thai Yoga Massage Therapist, and Elizabeth, a Reiki 3 practitioner and meditation teacher under the guidance of Sally Kempton. Time permitting, they may be available for private Thai Massage and Reiki sessions at additional cost.

Other ala carte activities include a Tree Climb, Waterfall Repel, Corcorvado Park Guided Hike, Guided Forest Hike and Kayaking.

INCLUDES:

• Beautiful Tropical Accommodations based on double occupancy

• 3 delicious homemade meals daily

• 2 yoga classes a day with Elizabeth and/or Jessica and/or Simon

• A Carbon Offset through Continental EcoSkies; please check out this forward thinking Carbon Offset Program: EcoSkies

Please reserve your spot with a non-refundable $300 deposit.
Balance of retreat price due February 7th, 2012.

RATES:

• Pay in FULL on or before December 1st: $1295 for 6 nights OR $1395 for 7 nights

• After December 1st: $1395 for 6 nights OR $1495 for 7 nights

• Please inquire about single occupancy/private accommodation rates.

• Above rates based on payments made by cash/check.

• Visa/MC accepted through paypal for an additional fee.  Please email us if you would like to pay by credit card.

TRAVEL:

• Fly to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO).  For those in the NYC area, Continental/United Airlines has a direct flight from Newark (EWR) to San Jose at 7:25am arriving at 11:50am, and American and Jetblue have options through JFK. (some fares are under $300!)

• Then take a connecting flight to Puerto Jimenez.

• You must leave 2 hours to make the flight change in both directions for customs.

• When you arrive in Puerto Jimenez, a taxi will take you to the retreat center in Orcas de Osa. It is a 40 minute ride and only costs $25-35 per person. Each taxi can hold 6 people.

• Once we have your flight information, we can help arrange a taxi through the retreat center.

• If you need help making the reservation for the SJO to Puerto Jimenez flight, it can be arranged through Osa Tropical at no extra cost. All your in-country travel needs including taxis (and hotel in San Jose if you book a flight arriving late from the US and need to spend night before taking the second flight) please email osatropi@ice.co.cr or call: 011 506-2735-5062 or fax 011 506-2735-5043.

• Note: There is a $28 airport tax when you leave the country, paid by cash or credit card.

• *ATMs are not reliable, please bring cash or traveler’s checks.

• THIS TRIP could be the TRIP OF YOUR LIFETIME!  Well worth the travel to get there!  We promise.

RETREAT CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel a Retreat after February 1, you forfeit the entire payment.  If the retreat is sold-out and we receive a last minute reservation that fills your spot in the retreat, we will retain the $300 deposit/fee plus any credit card fees if paid originally by credit card and return the balance to you by a SHRIYOGA check.