Guest Post: Rhythms of Joy Yoga Retreat Great Success!

This was written by Tiina Kivinen, retreat leader of our first yoga retreat of the 2013 season, the Rhythms of Joy: A Costa Rica Experience, from 1/12-1/19:

Love from Nosara Costa Rica! We just completed the Rhythms of Joy Costa Rica Yoga Retreat last week, and I am basking in the afterglow. The experience brought people together from Peterborough, Bobcageon, and Thunder Bay Ontario, Alberta, Minnesota, New York City, Holland, and our beloved co-facilitators from Asheville, North Carolina. One participant, Fern, described a ‘magnetic pull’ that brought her to the retreat, and I can attest that a force of love and grace brought all these beautiful souls together at the right place and time to experience rhythms of joy, deep connection and awakening.

During the 7 days of Retreat, we rode the waves in the ocean, diving into high and low tides, and felt the healing ocean waters caress our feet during sunset. Each day, attending to the grace and epic beauty of the setting Sun reminded me of the blessing of life, another day of loving as the sun melted into the ocean and the day turned to night. The week began with the new moon, a symbol of new beginning, a time for setting intention. Throughout the week Moon grew from new to a sweet sliver and into a radiant half moon that became illuminated by the setting sun. As Moon grew more and more illuminated, so did we, and our intentions ripened as our community and experience deepened.

Our days were full of Yoga, Mindfulness Meditation, Yoga Dance, Kirtan (mantra singing) among many other experiences. Many participants also went on excursions, like zip lining, visiting the Monkey Sanctuary and rehabilitation centre, as well as an early morning journey to see mama sea turtles laying eggs and baby turtles making their first journey to the ocean… Epic!

We also had the incredible honor and privilege to visit a Costa Rican children’s school for an afternoon, where we shared yoga and drumming lessons, and helped the sweet kids with crafts.Visiting the school was an act of Karma Yoga, compassionate action, giving freely without expectation of receiving anything in return. It was a beautiful experience connecting with the children and an amazing adventure in communication for those of us who are not fluent in Spanish!A major component of our retreat was Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of the Heart, Love and Devotion. We experienced Bhakti through mantra singing with the amazing Luna Kristin Ray, riding rhythms of divine sounds and songs, opening our voices and celebrating life. The Bhakti vibration was resonating within our sadhana (yoga practice) as we moved into sahaja flow, spontaneous dance and healing movement.  It’s true, song, dance, and silence are powerful medicines. Throughout the retreat I would feel the power of what we were experiencing, especially as a very inter-generational tribe, the power of the circle, of joining together as a community through song, dance, stillness, and the infusing of each moment with mindfulness; intentional awareness

A shower of Blessings! Infinite Gratitude to our amazing group, each and every one of you, the Nosara B&B Retreat, Luna and Joshua of True Nature Education, this amazing land so full of prana, mama ocean, my beloved Trent for being our media man, and my amazing mom for coming along for the journey! We are truly blessed.

Stay tuned for next year… You can join us for this unforgettable experience. Join my email list for info on upcoming retreats and workshops!