Tuesday, October 20, 2015

Yoga Teacher Training ~ Favorite Moments

There are a few moments that stand out when I think back to my time in Costa Rica. 

Of course, the entire trip was incredible, but there are these moments that are like crystal clear pictures in my mind. The smell, the heat, the details of my surroundings.... are all so etched into my mind that I will probably never forget them. 

The first was the afternoon we did a group exercise in the pool. We had to float with the support of our group members and try to find a meditative state. I was practicing on my own before and Karyn managed to snap this picture of me. I have never been so relaxed in my entire life. 


The second was the night that we all became connected forever. We took part in a ceremony where we danced to Kirtan music for half an hour. We were told to dance without a care in the world or any feeling of self consciousness and we did just that. The dancing was followed by a half hour of meditation as the sun set on the Palapa. With our knees touching in one big circle, we sat in silence feeding off of each others energy. The last part of the evening was a string ceremony. A single piece of string was passed around the circle until we were all holding part of it. Then one by one, glass beads were strung along the string until each person had one. We cut the string one person at a time, tying the string with the bead on it around our wrists, tying us together as we go out into the world. It was incredible. 



My next memorable moment was on the day that I had my emotional breakdown. Yoga teacher training brings a lot of things to the surface and this particular day I was forced to face a lot of my own personal struggles. I cried a lot that day and spent some time on my own in the small palapa hanging in a hammock. That reflective time, among the monkeys meant a lot to me. 


Another of my favorite moments was the night that we went into Puerto Viejo to celebrate completing the course. The town had a serious island life vibe and beautiful little shops and restaurants. We ate, we shopped and we enjoyed our time. 


Mrs. E

Thursday, October 15, 2015

Yoga Teacher Training ~ Puerto Viejo

There is nothing better than finishing up a grueling program and taking the time to celebrate. 

On our last day of instruction at Yoga school we spent all morning in a three and a half hour yoga class taught my our peers that was so challenging it made me promise myself to take a yoga break when I got home. We wrapped everything up before lunch and headed back to our rooms to shower and get ready to go into Puerto Viejo which is the closest larger town to the Goddess Garden. 

We split up into groups and took taxi vans into town. The drive was about half an hour on some pretty bumpy unpaved roads and a little bit of paved highway. We were given free reign to run around town wherever we wanted to as long as we were back at our pick up location by 9pm. 

Karen and I were on a shopping mission. We went to a bunch of small shops and spent quite a bit of money before taking a break at a little dessert place called Bread & Chocolate where they make everything (including the chocolate) in house. It was amazing! After more walking and shopping we met up with everyone at Koki Beach for drinks and dinner. It was the perfect way to celebrate our last night together as a group and the ultimate release after two very challenging weeks. 









































Mrs. E

Yoga Teacher Training ~ Selfie Central

When alone on a long trip away from home, take selfies.

I think this is really the first time I realized how hard it is to get in my own vacation pictures when I am on vacation alone.... I was often on my own when cool things were happening around me. So I did what any other person would do.... Take a selfie. 

Here is proof that I was actually in Costa Rica. 

Our first night 

Post Pool School

Rainy Walks to Morning Practice

Yoga Breaks

Yoga Breaks

Sunrise Selfie on the Beach

Outside of our Room

Taking Time out in one of the Hammocks

Monkeys!

A Trip into Town

Puerto Viejo

Poolside in San Jose


Mrs. E