Free to Be
with Rachael Hunter
October 30 – November 6, 2021
Discover the spirit of “Pura Vida” as you luxuriate in the mystery, beauty and magic of Costa Rica at the unforgettable Blue Spirit Retreat Center
In 5-Element Theory, the Water element allows for adaptation to all of life’s changes, challenges and stresses.
In this most magical of locations, we will explore how we can cultivate the spirit of the Water element, and learn to let go of the struggle, yielding to the natural flow of life.
Morning practices will include meditation and mindful slow flow movement. Afternoon practices will include restorative yin style yoga to recharge and rebalance.
“You do not have to be a fire for every mountain blocking you.
You could be a water and soft river your way to freedom too”
-Nayyirah Waheed
Join Rachael hunter for an inspirational and relaxing week at Blue Spirit, one of the foremost world-class yoga and meditation retreat centers in Costa Rica. Perched on a hilltop that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and a three-mile-long white sand beach– Blue Spirit offers an extraordinarily beautiful and natural setting for our week together. This lush tropical setting is the most perfect retreat location – the spectacular yoga halls, fresh and organic cuisine, on-site holistic spa, infinity saltwater pool, and direct access to a quiet warm beach cove for swimming.
During your week, you will have the opportunity to:
- Wake up each morning to the sound of the howler monkeys and enchanting sunrise over the ocean
- Twice daily yoga classes with Rachael and Rebecca
- Play on a pristine beach and swim in the warm waters of a friendly ocean cove
- Explore the natural jungle and ocean settings with eco-excursions
- Enjoy local organic food exquisitely prepared
- Select from accommodations ranging from simplicity to luxurious
Your Yoga Program:
“It is the Yin wisdom of the waters where we begin to understand who we are with a deeper sense of clarity and purpose” – Bernie Clark.
The Water element is about our courage and will, the virtue of the Water element is wisdom.
In this most magical of settings we will spend our week together exploring how we can cultivate the spirit of the Water element – learning to let go of the struggle, and yielding to the natural flow of life.
Our morning practices will include mindful movement to invite ease, space, and freedom to our body. In the afternoon we will offer a more gentle and restorative yin style of practice to recharge and rebalance.
Taking time to luxuriate in the moment and remember who we are, these practices are an invitation to tend to our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing and will be accessible to all levels of experience.
Travel, Additional Information & FAQ’s
ABOUT COSTA RICA
While it may seem remote, Costa Rica is easily accessible from the United States and Canada. Costa Rica has not only become known for its spectacular nature, bio-diversity, and ecological tourism, but also as a country whose values reflect many of the ideals embraced by those of us interested in world peace, environmental preservation, excellent education, and a high standard of health care. It is unique in Central America as it has the longest uninterrupted democracy, no standing army in more than 50 years, and a 95% literacy rate.
BLUE ZONE®
Blue Spirit lives in one of the world’s five Blue Zones®: Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula. Blue Zones® are recognized areas where people live the longest and report the highest levels of wellbeing.
ABOUT NOSARA
In the last 10-years Nosara has grown quietly into one of the hip holistic hot-spots on the planet. Nestled along the coast with 3 unspoiled stunning beaches protected as a turtle refuge – Playa Guiones, Playa Pelada, and Playa Nosara – this peaceful and vibrant international community of nature lovers, surfers, yogis, and families truly embraces the Costa Rican ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle.
TRAVEL TO BLUE SPIRIT
Blue Spirit takes care of all of the details regarding shuttle transfers between Blue Spirit and the different airports in Costa Rica. The two international airports in Costa Rica are: Liberia International Airport (LIR) and San Jose International Airport (SJO).
It is recommended to fly into Liberia, which has been recently expanded with increased numbers of flights from the US and Canada. Shuttle transfers from/to Liberia on Saturday’s (12-4pm and 7-8:30pm) for $60 per person each way. An alternative option is to take a 40-minute short domestic flight between San Jose and the Nosara airport (20 min. taxi from Blue Spirit). Shuttle rates are more expensive on day’s other than Saturday and from San Jose. Please CLICK HERE for those details and to reserve your shuttle or private taxi.
Please plan to arrive on Saturday (anytime … our first meal together will be dinner) and depart on Saturday. The last class will be Friday evening, and our last meal will be breakfast on the last Saturday. General check-in time for rooms is 4pm on the first Saturday, check-out is10am on the last Saturday. Luggage can be stored safely if you arrive early or depart late.
Once you have your flights reserved, please CLICK HERE to reserve your airport shuttle.
There is a $29 departure tax payable at either San Jose or Liberia airport before exiting Costa Rica. It can be paid in US dollars, Costa Rican Colones or with a credit card.
AMENITIES
Gourmet Vegetarian Cuisine: Your stay at Blue Spirit includes three gourmet vegetarian meals a day. A few times each week few serve fresh, locally caught fish. The daily lunch and dinner buffet includes a pure food option, which offers greens, grains, and legumes without oils or seasonings. We purchase the food from local farmers and organic produce when available.
Blue Spirit Café: If you like to start your day with a healthy superfood smoothie, fresh coconut water or fresh vegetable juice, or prefer to indulge in an afternoon cappuccino with some raw food snacks or French pastries, the Blue Spirit café is your spot.
Blue Spirit Store: Whether you forgot your sunscreen at home or wish to treat yourself or friends at home with a little gift from Costa Rica: the Blue Spirit Store offers women’s and men’s apparel, spiritual books and CDs, gift items and snack foods, as well as personal and sundry items.
Wireless Internet: Complimentary wireless service is available throughout the main building. For your convenience as well, there is a single computer station located in the lobby.
Saltwater Infinity Pool: The environmentally friendly saltwater pool located near the Main Building has views of the mountains and the jungle surrounding Blue Spirit.
Guiones Beach: Blue Spirit sits atop of a hillside overlooking a three-mile-long white sand beach along the Pacific Ocean. Guiones beach is home to a turtle refuge, which preserves the flora and fauna along the entire length; building is not permitted. The north and mid sections of Guiones beach offer great surfing to beginners and advanced alike. Blue Spirit is located at the quiet South end of the beach, where swimming is easy, thanks to the gentle current. The 700 foot walk (220 meters) from Blue Spirit to the beach transverses lush grounds full of mango trees and coconut palms.
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SPA & LONGEVITY SERVICES
Whether your tissues are holding some core tensions, or you’d like some sound advice on nutrition, wish to transform a painful relationship issue, or simply are in the mood to be pampered with a tropical body polish or a luscious facial treatment… all Blue Spirit body-workers, therapists, and counselors are highly qualified, excel in what they do, and enjoy being of service.
EXCURSIONS
There is so much you can enjoy when you are not in your class! Whether you stay on the premises for a free Salsa dance class, lounge at the saltwater infinity pool, or participate in a fire ritual on the beach in the evening, there are fabulous activities for guests who like to venture further. We offer: Horseback riding on the beach, surfing lessons, surf board rentals, canopy zip line tour, river kayaking, bird-watching tour, waterfall hike, stand up paddle surf, and turtle refuge tour.
Rachael Hunter
Rachael Hunter E-RYT-500 is a former PhD scientist, and now full time yoga teacher and co-founder of Mandala Yoga Collective. Rachael loves to travel with her husband and kids, to hike with her dog and to seek out the best coffee wherever she lands. Born in the United Kingdom and now based in suburban Philadelphia, she is grateful to share the openness, focus and clarity that yoga provides, and the calmness and stillness it inspires.
Her teaching places an emphasis on the qualities of curiosity and presence in the physical practice, with a clarity of instruction to build a proper foundation of alignment for “every” body. Her goal is to empower students to dive deeper into their own practice and discover the long term benefits of mindful movement and breath awareness.
With a firm belief that our yoga practice can be a time for self care, Rachael sees yoga as an opportunity to balance the desire for action and movement with much needed time to slow down and invite our busy minds to quiet. She is passionate about guiding students to find their own path on this lifelong journey.
Rachael received her 200h teacher training in 2009 and continues to learn more about the practice of yoga with both local and nationally known teachers, including Yin Yoga and 300h advanced trainings.
Ocean View Room
These luxury rooms have step-out balconies and beautiful ocean views. The rooms are tastefully furnished and provide the perfect space for 2 people. Each room has a king-sized bed or two twins, with a private bathroom with solar hot water and air conditioning.
Last Ocean View room!
Double Occupancy: $2795 per person
Single Occupancy: $3595
Mountain View Room
These luxury rooms have step-out balconies and beautiful mountain views. The rooms are tastefully furnished and provide the perfect space for 2 people. Each room has a king-sized bed or two twins, with a private bathroom with solar hot water and air conditioning.
SOLD OUT
Double Occupancy: $2695 per person
Single Occupancy: $3495
Nature Suite
These suites are cozy and situated on a hillside overlooking the lush vegetation. They have natural wood frame structures and private bathrooms with an outdoor shower. Each Suite has a king bed or two twins, a separate enclosed porch with a desk, solar hot water and AC. The suites are a short walk up the hill to the main building.
Last Nature Suite still available
Double Occupancy: $2595 per person
Single Occupancy: $3195 per person
Hermitage Room
The Hermitage Rooms provide privacy and elegance while being cozy and less expensive. Located in the main building, many of these rooms have partial views of the ocean or the mountains. They have either a queen sized bed or 2 twin beds, private bathroom with solar hot water and AC.
Two still available with twin beds.
Double Occupancy: $2295 per person
Single Occupancy: $2695
Eco-Cottage
The cottages are situated in lush vegetation. They are simple natural wood frame structures with screening for ventilation. Each cottage sleeps two people and has a private bathroom with ambient temperature water shower, or you can use our shared bathhouse with hot water showers. The Eco-cottages are below the main building and involve a short hike up to a stone stairway.
One Eco Cottage with 2 beds still available
Double Occupancy: $1995 per person
Single Occupancy: $2395
INCLUDED:
7 nights accommodations
Meals starting with dinner on evening 1
Use of property facilities, beach cove & pool
Daily classes and Workshops with your teacher(s)
NOT INCLUDED:
Travel to Liberia, Costa Rica and to Blue Spirit Retreat Center (shuttles available)
Spa services and excursions, gratuities to center staff
Refunds and Cancellations: Refund less deposit ($595) before August 1, 2021. No refunds after August 1, 2021). In case of cancellation, you may transfer your deposit or your reservation to another person as long as you notify One Yoga Global 30+ days in advance. Due to arrangements made with our vacation hosts, there can be no exceptions to this policy.
After deposit is received, the remaining balance will be set up in equal monthly payments starting the following month through August, 2021, unless an alternate payment plan is set up though One Yoga Global. Please contact info@oneyogaglobal.com if you need special timing on payments. All participants will be required to sign a liability waiver to participate on this trip.
We HIGHLY recommend that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance. Travel insurance companies like TRAVEL GUARD offer policies that insure your investment in case you need to cancel (including “cancel for any reason” coverages), coverages for expenses incurred due to to weather & travel delays, personal property loss and emergency travel medical. Please review policies carefully to choose the coverage you need.
Covid 19 update: We will be working with our partners in Costa Rica to ensure that all participants have the information needed to abide by any entry and departure requirements for Costa Rica and the US in place in the Fall. These requirements have changed in the last months and may change again as more travelers are vaccinated. Please CLICK HERE for the Blue Spirit page about their Covid-19 protocols and current travel requirements. In the event that travel bans are reinstated and travel is not possible, we will reschedule this retreat and offer participants the opportunity to transfer their funds to a future retreat or receive maximum refunds.
We recommend that you consider purchasing trip insurance to protect your investment. Trawick International and Travel Guard are two providers that we recommend. Please review policies carefully to ensure they provide the coverage you need.
