As mentioned in our previous post Nathan has been busy filming and editing the iLa Yoga Retreats video (and it’s looking amazing if I do say so myself). In the meantime I went into the jungle to realize a long-held dream to become a yoga teacher. My training took place in a rather unique community called Pachamama which describes itself as an “experimental village, a spiritual commune, and a centre of transformation.” It is a place where most people who come are looking to deeply reflect upon and expand themselves, and where moments of delighted spirit and uplifting inspiration are welcomed along with moments of pain and confusion. It’s a very dynamic, intriguing place. The community seeks to live in harmony with nature (hello compost toilets and howler monkey’s for alarm clocks!) and follows both Osho and Red Road teachings that result in practices like daily silent meditation and the use of various ceremonies like sweat lodges and moon dances among others. As you can imagine this setting influenced my yoga training, making it a process far beyond learning poses and asanas. It led myself and my fellow yoga students on a journey of self-awakening in order to be as receptive and authentic a teacher as we could be. While there are countless details to say about this experience, in summation, I came away with a deeper commitment to the power and practice of yoga to help me release and clear the stresses and stagnancies of daily life so that I can show up more open to receive life and share of myself more fully. I also learned a completely new style of yoga to me, called Calligraphy Yoga. This interdisciplinary form, which mixes Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Hatha yoga, enlivens spinal mobility from all angles and cultivates physical fluidity. In essence, it helps you feel good. All components of the training – from the yoga to the organic food to the immersion in nature to the vulnerable exploration of self with fellow seekers – resulted in my feeling a great sense of health, vitality, and faith to step out into the next, somewhat unknown, phases of our journey. For that I am very grateful. 

All the while Nathan embarked on his own teacher training in a technique called Pranassage, held at the Nosara Yoga Institute. While he could likely write an entire post on that alone, I can tell you from my observation, he was deeply moved by his experience and has a real natural knack for assisting others to access their own power for personal healing. Next time we’re in your area, I would recommend you book a session!