This October, the beautiful and inspiring yoga retreat leader, Dakini will be teaching a Vino your Vinyasa retreat in Italy. Read on to learn who she is and how you can join her adventure!

True Nature Education: How does the idea of Vino your Vinyasa play into your upcoming Yoga Retreat, and what themes do you see coming up throughout the journey? 

Dakini: Vino Your Vinyasa is obviously a play on words but it also metaphorically represents the feel of how I guide yoga.  While I believe the practice delves into the inner depths of a person’s psyche, I also see being whimsical-the Divine play of Lila Rasa- as a way to lighten the mood.

Feeling a little chilly in these winter months? Well, we promise you just thinking about Julie’s Summer Solstice Retreat will start warming up your heart. True Nature Education is so thrilled to have this shinning leader on our team. She will be bringing a group to the magical lands of Mt. Chirripo, Costa Rica June 18th- June 25th, 2016. Limited spots are still available at early bird pricing so grab them while you can! Click here to learn more!

Curious to learn a little more about Julie and her Costa Rica Yoga Retreat? Check out our exclusive interview below:

TNE: How does the idea of Summer Solstice play into your upcoming Yoga Retreat, and what themes do you see coming up? 

Julie: 
The Summer Solstice marks a shift in the season and the beginning of the Ayurvedic Pitta season. Hot, intense and full of passion! It is a valuable time to celebrate the light and love, not only around us but also within us. In many cultures, light symbols consciousness and self-illumination. For thousands of years the Hindus have praised the sun as both the physical and spiritual heart of our world and creator of life itself.

I want to offer a unique journey for this celebration of the spiritual heart and inner light. Guiding you to either begin or deepen your yoga practise and empowering you to introduce more yoga and light into your life. We will be exploring the transformation that happens, feeling the magic of Pura Vida in Costa Rica and celebrating Summer Solstice.

When I think of themes I’d like to introduce, it is about self-love, transformation, inner light, the yoga path, but I am so excited to see the flow of energy in the group and to discover new themes along the way, which the individual body and mind brings out.

We will manifest our dreams and goals, whilst creating space for deep gratitude of living from a state of pure being and infinite love. And practice our power of shining brighter from within.

TNE: Who has been your greatest influence and why?


It is difficult for me to name only one source of influence or inspiration in life, as there are so many interesting paths ways to learn. I resonate with the Dhama teachings, which offers such a humble and simple guidance to a happy way of life. I am influenced by anything that allows me to live a simple life where just being me is good enough and being free, open-hearted, loving and devoted is accepted as a meaningful lifestyle. My family has influenced me greatly, growing up with a spiritual mother, teaching me about meditation and self-expression has had a huge impact on where I am today. My yoga teachers, who I am still learning from, inspire me every day to learn more, offer more of myself and be devoted in my self-practice.

TNE: If there was a yoga pose or mediation practice that described you – what would it be and why?
I think right now, where I am this very moment, it would be Camatkarasana (wild thing). It brings a beautiful element of dance and unique expression into your practice and opens the heart from a strong, happy and balanced place.

I read a very beautiful poetic translation of what the asana means, “the ecstatic unfolding of the enraptured heart”. I am excited, enchanted, blissful and open to explore and create. So for me this pose is an expression of creativity, joy and openness.

TNE: Other than yoga and meditation – what are some of your passions? Will these be explored in your retreat
My greatest passion besides yoga is traveling. Visiting new places and get in touch with other cultures and ways of life. I love to spend time outside, feeling close to nature, either in the forest horseback riding, hiking in the mountains or playing by the beach. I love astrology – especially the Vedic astrology. The way that the moon and the universe affect us fascinate me, so I read a lot about that.

TNE: What is on your “Costa Rica bucket list” and what are you most excited about?
First of all I am very excited to be in the National Park of Chirripo during the retreat. It is such a magical and beautiful place to be. Second I am super excited about the Summer Solstice event that we will be having on June 20th. Celebrating the longest day of the year with soothing yoga, a garden event with candle lights and exquisite local food and later a temple ceremony or a guided walk through the rainforest depending on the weather. Other than that I hope to stay in Costa Rica after the retreat to explore some of the beaches and activities around.

TNE: Is there a saying or quote that really resonates with you and your upcoming retreat?
If you think positively, sound becomes music, movement becomes dance, smile becomes laughter, mind becomes meditation – life becomes a celebration.

Meet the passionate, caring, and experienced Janet Corvino!

Janet was the Centre Manager for NeoWhistler YYoga for 5 years and a yogi for 17 years. Janet is both a YYoga Instructor, Teacher Trainer and an innovator of hosting yoga retreats. Her trainings are Anusara based with outcroppings in Therapeutics, Vinyasa & Power, and YHot. Janet loves to have her students play on the mat, explore and create deep openings in body and spirit . Her classes are a mix of alignment cues, laughs and wisdom based themes.

Janet is part of the YYoga Teacher training faculty in Vancouver, BC. Janet instructs trainees in a 200 hour  and the YHot certification programs. Janet has a graduate degree in interdisciplinary Education and loves teaching teachers how to teach. She has worked as a learning specialist for 20 years, and mentored Columbia University Graduate Education students while living in NYC before becoming a devoted yogi and yoga instructor.
She is generous with her support and deeply devoted to her students.

Real life yoga for everyday living.

True Nature had the pleasure of getting to know Janet a little better. Check out her interview below, and be sure to sign-up for her Italy retreat here!

TNE:  What does it mean to you, when you refer to “real yoga for real life?” as part of your yoga practice, teaching, and your intentions for the upcoming retreat?

Janet: I have been a practicing yogi for 18 years. When I first started the practice was all about the poses(asana). I wanted to be able to do handstand, arm balances and other” tricked out” yoga moves. I thought this made me a yogi. After many years of study on the mat and off the mat, I realized that being able to do “tricked out” yoga poses did not have much to do with being a true yogi after all. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sensations of moving my body, feeling its strength and flexibility and the peace that comes with a solid daily physical practice. But after many years of study, I realized the Yoga Sutras written by the sage Patanjali detailed a way to embrace yoga on a daily level. I began to put into practice the Yamas and Niyamas, the yoga code for a yogic lifestyle of being a kind, truthful. disciplined and compassionate person to yourself and others, hence a connection to the Divine. Yes the asanas bring great calm to the body and mind but needed in this brew of tranquility is meditation, breath work and a code of internal and external behaviors to guide us through life. As a yoga teacher, I break down the body, mind and spiritual practice found in the Sutras for modern day life . Everyone can practice yoga every day in a very simple form if needed due to demands of a busy life to a more complex study if time is available. I work to provide easy, simple techniques to use gain peace in the body, mind and spirit.

TNE: Who has been your greatest influence and why?

Janet:  I have to say I had some incredible teachers guide me- Chris Chavez, Jonas Westring, and Christina Sell are the top contemporary hits but the three greats Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and Desikachar are my foundation. However, every class, teacher training, and yoga retreat  I teach, I learn the most from my students… I am forever in awe and filled with gratitude for my students

TNE:  If there was a yoga pose or mediation practice that described you – what would it be and why?

Janet: I don’t think I could be so bold to say they describe me but I do love Forearm stand (Pincha Mayurasana) and Nadi Shodhana (alternate nostril prananyama). They each invigorate and calm me at the same time. I am a mix of stability and gypsy. I love a stable home life and yet travelling whispers to me constantly.

TNE: Other than yoga and meditation – what are some of your passions?  You mentioned the retreat will delve into the theme of re igniting your passion, can you share a little more?

Janet: I do not like to get stale.. I am constantly reading, taking courses etc.. I love to learn! I like to expand my horizons of who I am. Just when I have learned something, I will take on another challenge, this keeps me fresh, young and very alive. I love the feeling of stepping outside my comfort zone and into my passions. Many individuals are hesitant about taking on new challenges such as learning a new skill or taking on new career challenges. The transformation of going from the known to the unknown can be very un-grounding, but this is the space where true self growth takes place. In the Happiness Project written by Grethen Rubin, evidence now points to this time of transformation as the Happiness zone. We become most alive when we are evolving and growing. On the retreat “Stoke the Fire” we will explore new asanas on the mat which take us out of our comfort zone and see how we react to them. What we practice on the mat is a mirror to how we are in the world. If we can become comfortable with the discomfort of learning new skills, new images of who we think we are on the mat we can then transfer this experience to our daily lives. Besides our daily yoga practice, we will unwind from our lives back home through delicious meals and luxurious surroundings to unfold into. Often when we stop working and immerse ourselves in a new beautiful setting away from family and work commitments we get a chance to be objective about our lives, the creativity reignites and a spark of passion begins to surface.

TNE: What is on your “Italy bucket list” and what are you most excited about?

Janet: I am very excited to be taking part in an authentic Italian Ashram, who knew such a thing existed? Once I heard, I had my bags packed! Italians are passionate about just everything- food, wine, life! Being around positive, passionate people is so contagious, I am looking forward to diving into yoga, food, culture, and just to listen to the Italian language it sweeps me off my feet. We have a few day trips planned to nearby coastal towns which are know for their beauty and for an Olive Oil tasting session. Yoga, travel, good food and passionate people, this my kind of retreat.

TNE: Is there a saying or quote that really resonates with you and your upcoming retreat?

Janet: Nelson Mandela said it best “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” So many of us are deep into work, daily chores etc.. we forget how to be in the moment and  fully engaged with our surroundings and the people we share them with. Life can easily pass us by in a blink of an eye. The Italy retreat is great opportunity to pause in the beauty of Italy and re-examine your intentions for your life and to bring your passions for life to the surface. How would you live your life if failure was just a stepping stone to living large?

We are ready to live large with Janet! Are you?

True Nature Education is truly blessed to have some unbelievable retreat leaders on our team. These teachers take their students to the end of the earth, and guide us on a remarkable journey of inner peace, growth, and adventure.

Sabre’ is no exception. The sense of community she builds with her students, along with her fun and knowledgable teaching style, makes Sabre’ a rockstar leader. True Nature Education had the privilege of getting to know Sabre’ a little bit better and weget to share the interview with you! Check out Sabre’s vibe and don’t forget, she still has spots available for her Guatemala retreat! More information and registration can be found here.

TNE: What does it mean for you to “be something more” as part of your yoga practice, teaching, and your intentions for your retreat?
S: Through yoga, I believe we can begin to taste what it feels like to cut loose from those mental ropes that bind us so. We focus on ourselves in a deeper way, becoming the Witness to what we observe within ourselves and within our bodies. We then create deeper connections in our relationships and in our communities, and then our earth and the Universe.
When we add to the yoga the glorious adventure of travel and retreat from our daily lives, a whole new level of liberation takes place. We have the opportunity to connect with people from other cultures, with nature, and we experience different food and activities, all of which adds to our perspective and broadens that deep feeling of being so very present and so very alive!
My pleasure is traveling through the world with open-hearted, open-minded people who love yoga. I will do my very best, on each retreat, to provide beautiful and clean surroundings, delicious and healthy food, safety, and adequate information to cover most details! I will be sensitive to the dynamics of each group, and it is my intention to co-create community within each, that is magical.
TNE: Who has been your greatest influence and why?
S: The greatest influences in my life are, without doubt, my children and my yoga students. From them I have learned more than I could ever hope to teach.
TNE: If there was a yoga pose or mediation practice that described you – what would it be and why?
S: This variation of tree pose (Vrksanana) is expressive, fun, a tad improper, Ultimately, like the tree, my growth is deep and inward like the roots, and, at the same time, up and outward toward the sun.
TNE: Other than yoga and meditation – what are some of your passions?
S: There are no limits to my passions! Practicing yoga is amazing, of course, but teaching is even more of a passion for me because of the transformations and the building of communities to which I witness. I love travel, which is why the retreats are such a perfect combination of these passions. Back home in Colorado in the warm months, I am an avid hiker, taking full advantage of our wonderful Rocky Mountains and the beautiful vistas; the journey to those peaks brings such connection and joy for me. I love music, especially live music outdoors in the warm weather. Colorado has enough festivals and concerts to support that habit, and I also try to get a taste of that wherever I travel. Creativity is an important slice of my life. I paint, mostly brightly colored pet portraits, and I love to play with fused glass art and beaded jewelry. My background is writing, so reading and writing are long time friends and companions. 

TNE: What is on your “Guatemala bucket list” and what are you most excited about?
S: I chose Guatemala for a retreat destination after traveling in Oaxaca and being immersed in the colorful Mayan culture. I wanted more! I also stayed on Lake Arenal in Costa Rica after Mexico last year. Villa Sumaya and Guatemala seem to blend the best of both of those worlds. I’m looking forward to the colors, the warmth of the people, learning about the culture, and sharing my experience with my retreat peeps. Building community and bonding amidst the special qualities of Guatemala will be a highlight.

TNE: Is there a saying or quote that really resonates with you and your upcoming retreat?
S: “And then she knew. There is no beginning and no end, and in giving herself space to become better, she set herself free.” ~me 🙂

“When under, remember the surface; when on the surface, remember the deep,” -Mark Nepo