The Health Benefits of Yoga

The health benefits attributed to the practice of yoga has been well documented. For example, yoga improves the immune system and circulation, controls anxiety, asthma, multiple sclerosis, headaches, blood pressure, weight gain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. It reduces depression, arthritis pain, heart disease, stress, chronic fatigue, and back pain to name a few. The above mentioned health benefits are just a small amount of miracles offered to you from yoga. It’s curative and healing benefits far extends to a much greater ocean of ailments and diseases.

The Transforming Benefits of Yoga

Other than all the health benefits of yoga, you will experience greatness that transforms you completely. Such is the factual promise of yoga. It will allow you to feel better, think clearly and sensibly, tone your body, increase your strength, flexibility and balance. Yoga can also lead you into spiritual fulfillment if practiced along that path.

As you continue to practice yoga, you’ll slowly become aware of the oneness of yourself, experience less hostility towards the world, a fading fear of life and people. A sense that despite all the evil and negativity that occurs in the world, the universe is ordered and good. All of the benefits in this direction is too numerous to mention in this short article.

Completing the Puzzle

The mystery of yoga gently, but steadily unfolds to reveal its seemingly complicated puzzle. It’s a puzzle that creates a unique picture each day that you practice it. From the poses to the mental state of mind, you’ll discover the yoga discipline to be the steps that lead you into the heavenly freedom of the soul.

Even the seemingly difficult and painful looking postures, will whisper within you, the ease, delight, and beneficial secrets of their poses.

Gabriel Foster is a graphic artist for spirit, mind & body living and http://www.gabrielfoster.com is where you’ll find his inspirational articles and artwork.

Beginner’s Guide to Yoga

Beginning my Yoga Experience

Understanding Yoga and its health benefits

Yoga Styles

To make a reservation or for further information – Contact Us

Volcanoes, cloud forests, beautiful beaches and an abundance of wildlife. Costa Rica really is as close to paradise as it is possible to get. It is also the only country in the world not to have an army. This just about sums up the philosophy of Costa Rica – peace, love and being at one with nature. This wonderful private tour ending with a stay at a yoga retreat in the Costa Rican mountains really is a yoga holiday you will never forget.

Day 1 – Arrive in Costa Rica
Arrival at Juan Santamaria International Airport. On arrival you will be met and we will provide you with a private guided transfer to the San Jose area outskirts. You will be staying your first night at the La Corteza Amarilla Art Lodge & Spa.

Arenal Volcano

Humming birds

Beautiful Waterfalls

Explore Cloud Forest

Day 2 – Poas Volcano and La Paz Waterfall Gardens
On the way to the Poas Volcano National Park, stunning scenery will unfold as you pass through coffee, sugar, fern and strawberry plantations. Poas Volcano is considered the largest active crater in the world, about 1 mile (1.6 km.) wide and 320 meters deep, with frequent geyser-like eruptions. You will find trails that lead through cloud forest stunted and twisted, not only by volcanic emissions but the rigors of the cold and windy high altitude habitat. Continuing with the tour, the next stop is at La Paz Waterfalls Gardens. The main attraction is the panoramic viewpoints of five magnificent waterfalls that feed the La Paz River, although the hummingbird’s garden, which is full of these wonderful birds feeding and flying in all directions, is mesmerising.
Overnight at the Sarapiquis Rainforest Lodge.
Breakfast and lunch are included today.

Day 3 – Sarapiquis
This morning a two-hour river cruise will take you into the thick of the jungle. You might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the monkeys, crocodiles and hundreds of species of birds that inhabit the jungle along the Sarapiqui River. In the afternoon you will be provided with a walking tour to Tirimbina Biological Reserve. Six miles of trails cross the reserve and it is the ultimate rainforest experience.
Overnight at Sarapiquis Lodge.
Breakfast is included today.

Day 4 – Arenal Volcano
Today we will be making our way towards the Arenal Volcano (3 hour drive). The Arenal Volcano is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world; it has been active since 1968 when it suddenly exploded, destroying all vegetation that covered the cone. Nowadays, trees and vegetation are starting to regenerate in some areas of the volcano’s base. Volcano hot springs are the result of rainwater heated by magma in the Earth’s interior. Once heated, the waters rise to the surface, taking with them minerals found in the earth’s rocky crust; the water helps to relax muscles, clean pores and rejuvenate the skin. We visit the Eco Termales Hot Springs and walk through lava paths while admiring the imposing perfect cone, then take a dip into the natural mineral hot springs that descend from the volcano.
Overnight at the Arenal Nayara
Breakfast and dinner are included today.

Day 5 – A free day around Arenal
You will have this day at leisure for you to explore and enjoy the area on your own. Just in case they are required, our transportation and guide are available, however entrance fees, extra cost activities and meals are not included.
Overnight at the Arenal Nayara
Breakfast is included today.

Day 6 – Cloud forest
A morning transfer from the Arenal Nayara Hotel to the area of San Ramon, specifically the Villa Blanca Hotel. Villa Blanca is located in the middle of the Costa Rica cloud forest, offering great country-side scenery and a private cloud forest reserve. In the afternoon you will take a tour to the El Silencio de Los Angeles. A walk through these cloud forest trails is a very special experience, with a mass of life everywhere.
Overnight at the Villa Blanca Hotel
Breakfast is included today.

Day 7 to Day 12 – Ama Tierra Retreat
Today you will be taken to the Ama Tierra Resort, where your guide will leave you in the caring hands of Bob and Jill. At Ama Tierra you can nurture yourself with delicious organic foods, professional massage and energy balancing therapies. Take a tasting tour of the organic greenhouse or find serenity on a hike to the stream or by relaxing in a hammock. In a rural locale, surrounded by authentic Costa Rican people, you can glimpse the local culture.
Ama Tierra, is a life-enhancing facility nestled on 8 acres in the Costa Rican mountains. This special eco-resort features 10 private casitas, tastefully designed with unique decor to allow you to enjoy the serenity of your surroundings. Each suite comes with its own Jacuzzi tub, private terrace and garden with outdoor seating. Hardwood furniture and a ceiling made of teak brings the ambience of the forest into your room.
During your stay you will enjoy a daily Yoga Class (one hour). You will also have plenty of time to relax, enjoy the scenery and explore the nearby attractions.
Breakfast and Dinner are included during your stay.

Day 12 – Return to San Jose
Today you will be met by our guide and transferred back to San Jose (about 2 ½ hours). On arrival you will check into the Corteza Amarilla Hotel for your final night in Costa Rica.
Overnight at the Corteza Amarilla Hotel
Breakfast is included today.

Day 13 – Depart Costa Rica
A private transfer takes you from the hotel to the Juan Santamaria International Airport in order for you to catch your international departure flight.

Yoga Retreat, Costa Rica

Lots of wildlife

Yoga Room, Costa Rica

Enjoy the scenery

Costs excluding flights per person
Two People travelling (twin/double room) from £2,345 per person
Two people travelling (Single rooms) from £2,995 per person
One person travelling from £3,575

Group Tour Departures

05 Apr 2010 – 17 Apr 2010 – £1,995 per person (Available)
17 Feb 2011 – 01 Mar 2011 – £2,095 per person (Available)

Flights
The best way to get to Costa Rica is with American Airlines via either Miami or Orlando. We do not sell flights but can give information on times and prices.

The price includes the following features:
Accommodation as described
Tours and guiding as mentioned above
Meals as shown

The price does not include the following:
International flights
Departure tax (currently USD$25 payable at the airport)
Drinks
Meals not mentioned
Tips to Drivers, Guides, at restaurants etc.
Items of personal nature such as telephone calls, telegrams, table drinks and laundry.
Travel Insurance (Compulsory to have before departure)

When to go?
Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season is generally between late December and April; the wet season lasts the rest of the year. The highlands are cold: San José and the Central Valley get an ‘eternal spring’ with lows averaging 15°C (60°F) and highs averaging 26°C (79°F). Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts are pretty much sweltering year-round – get ready for some bad-hair days. Temperatures vary little between seasons; the main influence on temperature is altitude.

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To make a reservation or for further information visit http://www.sunflowerretreats.com/

A truly unforgettable experience, this Yoga holiday in the heart of the Sabina Mountains, will allow you to unwind, relax and physically, mentally and spiritually recharge. Just an hour and a half from Rome, the tiny medieval village of Casperia, with cobbled streets too narrow for anything but pedestrians, sits atop a hillside surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and forest clad mountains. The village of Casperia, with fewer than 350 inhabitants, is one of the last villages in Italy untouched by mass tourism. The medieval structure and atmosphere of the village give you a unique feeling of being in a historic place in time-gone-by. Casperia is a hilltop village where you can watch the changing scenery from every angle. The night sky is a star covered phenomenon not to be missed.

My first ever yoga holiday but certainly not my last. I’m coming back next year. – S. Dawson, Jul 09

Yoga in Casperia

The Yoga deck

Casperia Streets

Great yoga in Italy

Your holiday will be a unique experience where you can choose to simply relax or select from the many relaxing or active experiences on offer. Locally, you can arrange excursions, treatments or activities – whether you take part is up to you.

On your yoga holiday you can choose to:

• Practice yoga daily
• Spend the day revitalising your body and mind at open-air roman baths and wild hot springs
• Relax and recharge mind, body and soul by choosing from a large selection of holistic therapies
• Enjoy the sauna, created exclusively for guests in the village of Casperia
• Enjoy the friendly and social atmosphere during meals in excellent Italian restaurants
• See the beautiful Sabina countryside on horseback
• Swim at the local pools, or discover unspoilt mountain streams where you can spend hot afternoons bathing and resting in the beauty of nature
• Relax with a good cappuccino or an afternoon tea in local village cafes
• Take a walk across the mountains or valleys, or visit other neighbouring medieval villages and stop to enjoy the local cuisine
• Cycle on panoramic country roads, discovering the area and stop for a dip in a stream
• If you like to paint or take photographs, bring your own equipment and you will be inspired by the amazing variety of scenery
• Experience an Italian cookery class using local organic products
• Learn Italian; Italian lessons can be arranged for those who want to begin to learn the language or brush-up their Italian

Whether you take part in any of the activities and excursions that are available is your personal choice. Local payment is required.

The accommodation at the resort is for a maximum of 20 people per week. There are three different accommodation options available for your stay.

Option 1 are the Village Houses

Accommodation is in characteristic traditionally-furnished medieval village houses. They have breathtaking panoramic views and are in supreme locations in the village of Casperia. Each house has a small terrace where you can have your meals, read or sunbathe. Shared bathrooms and kitchens are provided, with facilities that are characteristic of a traditional Italian village house, rather than bang up-to-date. Single travellers will be accommodated in rooms for two people of the same sex although single rooms may sometimes be available with payment of single room supplement.

Option 2 is Casa Latini

Casa Latini is a lovingly renovated 13th century building for the exclusive use of Sunflower Retreat guests and is elegantly furnished in boutique-style with a Latin and Eastern influence. One level boasts a thousand-year-old cave which has been converted into an unusual luxury bathroom.

There are two private levels: each level has a twin-bedroom, private lounge and en-suite luxury bathroom. There is a small single loft room en-suite with skylights and another small twin loft room en-suite with skylights and panoramic views. Please note that the twin loft room has limited headroom for tall people and can get hot in midsummer.

A spiral staircase on each level leads to the terrace area, where you can enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the rolling valleys and mountains of Sabina, and experience the wonderful sunset each evening over Casperia. There is also a communal lounge and dining area with a kitchen for self-catering.

Twin lounge rooms may be booked as a single by paying a single supplement.

Option 3 is Casa Bella Vista

Casa Bella Vista is a beautifully restored 13th-century historic house located on the walls of the village. It has a large kitchen on the ground floor, with an open fireplace and dining area. The house is tastefully decorated in a chic style, with travertine marble floors. The first floor lounge has panoramic views over the Sabina hills from its balcony windows. The second floor bedrooms and bathroom also feature marble floors and fittings and have the same stunning views.

The Yoga Studio

Yoga in Italy

The Holistic Room

Yoga in Casperia, Italy

Costs per person excluding flights and transfers

Accommodation Price per person and (Single Room Supplement)

Prices in Euro will be converted to Sterling at time of  full payment at current exchange rate

Medieval Village House -  €510 (€110)
Casa Latini (Twin room with lounge) – €650 (€150)
Casa Latini (Twin Loft) – €540 (€110)
Casa Latini (Single Loft) – €540
Casa Bella Vista –  €620 (€150)

All prices are for a 6-night, one-week holiday beginning on a Thursday.

Flights
We do not sell flights but can give advice on the best options and times. Transfers to Casperia can be arranged from the airport if there are a minimum of two people and cost £40 per person each way. Alternatively, it is quick and easy to use the local rail system.

The price includes the following features:
Accommodation and breakfast at the lounge-cafe
Fresh linen and towels.
1 yoga class daily (Friday through Tuesday).
A guided walk in the Sabina mountains.
All-week use of bicycles.

The price does not include the following:
Your international flights.
Holiday fees do not include flights or transfers – call us for further details.
Excursions, treatments or activities, other than the yoga classes.
Expenses of a personal nature.
Travel insurance.

When to go?
Italy is at its best in spring (April-May) and autumn (October-November). During these seasons, the scenery is beautiful and the temperatures are pleasant. Temperatures will rise in the summer months (June-September) but due to the altitude it is not uncomfortable in Casperia.

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