Exotic Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica – Blue Osa day 2
After my first day of the Exotic Yoga Retreat at Blue Osa, I woke up at 5.19 am, put some clothes on and made my way to the beach to take photos of the sunrise. A bunch of black vultures and small birds give me company. I sit down on the beach and meditate watching my first, but one of the many sunrises I saw from the Blue Osa.
Then I drank water with lemon juice and GSE, and have a bowl of fruit with cinnamon and raw cacao nibs. I think I am starting a new fashion here with eating fruit with cinnamon as people ask me about it and begin to do it too.
No one talks. It’s silence time here at Blue Osa until 8am which is strange at first as we only smile at each other and are not really sure what to do. But I simply love it. I need my alone time, and peace and quiet the first thing in the morning.
I take another sip of water with squeezed lemon and walk to the yoga studio to our first yoga class with Gayle Olson. Wow, I am writing a diary after almost 2 years since my last time in Argentina!
Yoga with Gayle from the Exotic Yoga Retreats is completely different to yoga with Laura Kay from Bocas Yoga I was used to. Every day we focus on one thing and Gayle gives us a card with a poem for the walking meditation before the morning yoga class. Today it was Earth and Grounding. Root into the ground when standing, take a deep breath. The soil is fresh in the morning. What seeds will you sow? We contemplated on the Waking poem by David Whyte.
We learn more about the imaginary sandal strap where we should press in many yoga positions, mostly those standing ones – put pressure on the inner toe and outer part of the heel.
We also use 2 blocks a lot (always used just one at Bocas Yoga), we focus a lot on breathing and relaxing the muscles while listening to slow music (not a typical yoga meditation music but very pleasant songs with lyrics.)
”Where your mind goes,
the energy flows.”
We have a 2-hour yoga class that passes very quickly. Then it’s time for our first lunch and there’s even a special vegan pizza without cheese made for me. Yum! At that time we only smile at each other with the Blue Osa staff not knowing we will all become a big family very soon.
Surprisingly, out of all the people at the retreat and in the hotel, I spend the most time with the oldest ones (my parents’ age.) There’s a lot to learn from them about life, humility, respecting everyone, accepting everything …
I spend our first afternoon by the pool, swimming and chatting about healthy lifestyle and raw veganism. Also have a chat with Koji, the acupuncturist at Blue Osa Spa who is simply awesome and very inspiring.
Our afternoon yoga class takes place on the beach just before sunset. We all fall out of the positions but it’s super fun and also relaxing. The nature gives me so much energy!
After the best traditional Costa Rican dinner (patacones – plantains, guacamole and veggies) everyone goes to watch Her movie but I am jumping into my comfy bed with a mosquito net already at 9 pm. Thank you!
For more information about Exotic Yoga Retreats in Costa Rica, please visit Exotic Yoga Retreats website. Thanks so much, Gayle and everyone else at Blue Osa who made my first day awesome.
