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El Espiritu del Mar
A Yoga and Kayak Adventure in Costa Rica
January 9 - 17, 2010
and
May 14 - 22, 2010
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Tour Description |
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 Imagine
paddling in crystal clear water, snorkelling just off a white-sand beach, and
catching a glimpse of sea turtles, laughing at playful monkeys and gliding right
by huge pelicans, manta rays, dolphins, and egrets who will accompany you on
this warm-water adventure. Kayaking in the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean
promotes a sense of peace and well-being, both physical and spiritual, while the
practice of yoga offers many benefits, from increased flexibility and strength
to a deeper sense of connection with the world around us. It is therefore, a
natural fit to combine sea kayaking with yoga.
 Yoga
literally means “union,” and there are many moments of wonderful connection that
happen during a day of paddling. This special itinerary aims to bring the love
of kayaking to yoga, and the gifts of yoga to kayaking. Enveloped by the
stunning scenery and serene atmosphere, you will enjoy a sunrise and sunset yoga
session before and after each day of paddling.
In yoga, each pose or “asana” translates as roughly “comfortable seat.” In the
same manner that we look towards lessening strain in the body during yoga
practice, we will examine ways to create that sense of ease in our paddling
technique. Yoga will progress at the level appropriate for the entire group with
individual attention given to each person’s ability and needs. While certain
focus is given to the physical balancing of the body to fully enjoy the kayaking
experience, we will also be working on connecting our bodies to our inner
 selves
and to the greater environment. Our morning yoga session will prepare us for a
day of paddling and activity, and our evening yoga practice will focus on rest,
recovery and meditation. There will also be opportunity for discussion of yoga
philosophy as well.
This
trip in the warm, tropical setting of the Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica, is open
to paddlers and yoga enthusiasts at all levels of experience. Leave winter
behind and escape with us to Costa Rica! |
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About Your
Tour Leaders |
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Bruce Smith – Kayak Guide and Guru
 Bruce
Smith has 25 years of outdoor leadership experience and a reputation among his
clients as a “natural mystic of ecotourism.” With a strong background in
physical education and outdoor recreation as well as degrees in Sport Science
and Secondary Education, Bruce at one point considered becoming a physician
because of his love of people and an affinity for promoting wellness. But his
passion for paddling and being outdoors surpassed his interest in medicine and,
although he has a great deal of medical training (he is a Certified Wilderness
Emergency Medical Technician and Wilderness First Aid Instructor), his natural
predisposition for healing has perhaps manifested itself most distinctly through
his guiding technique. Bruce has an innate ability to lead groups to a greater
understanding of and respect for nature, and through this they often gain
profound insight into their own place within the ecosystems they visit. Clients
often come away feeling as if they have been in the presence of a spiritual
guru.
Definitely known in travel industry circles as a guru of sustainability, Bruce
has spearheaded an alternative education program for at-risk Cree youth in
northern Quebec involving traditional Cree land-based activities, academic
upgrading and life skill development. He worked for the Mexican government to
assist in the development and delivery of the Mexican Sea Kayak Guide
Certification Program. He has also developed outdoor courses and adventure
training for Forsgren and Associates, the Federal Government of Canada, Imperial
Oil, New Brunswick Provincial Government, the University of New Brunswick, New
Brunswick Special Olympics, Ministry of Community and Social Services, the
Province of Ontario, and various other learning institutions and outdoor
centers. He is fluent in French, English and Spanish.
Laurice D. Nemetz, MA, ADTR, E-RYT, LCAT - Yoga Instructor
 Lauri, the current co-President of the YTA (Yoga Teachers’ Association), is
registered as an experienced level yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, and has
received certifications in teaching Hatha Yoga and Yoga Therapeutics. She has
her Master’s degree in Dance/Movement Therapy and is both registered and
licensed as a Creative Arts Therapist and publishes and illustrates regularly in
her field. Lauri is a warm and dynamic instructor who has taught in a variety of
settings from yoga studios to the university level, and has presented yoga
workshops throughout the east coast of the U.S. and Canada on topics from
spirituality to anatomy. “I have always enjoyed hiking and nature, and fell in
love with sea kayaking in Canada,” she says. “Kayaking and yoga are both about
being present, and I believe they will provide a wonderful complement to each
other in the beautiful surroundings of the Pacific.”
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Comments from past travellers |
Everything was above and beyond excellent. Lauri was very patient and thorough
explaining the positions and their various names. She always helped us with the
proper positioning, so we wouldn't hurt ourselves. The combination of positions
were also planned to counter balance the kayaking movements. What better
introduction to yoga than on a beach in Costa Rica could there be? Although I
have kayaked before, Bruce was able to improve my stroke, as well as introducing
safety measures and precautions for kayaking on the ocean. He made every trip
out an adventure, whether looking for wildlife, keeping an eye on the ocean or
just navigating the currents. The pace was natural and relaxed. I would have to
say that the combination of kayak/yoga/camping was absolutely perfect. There is
something spiritual in all of them and together is a powerful combination. I
would do this trip again in a heart beat and it happened on pure whim. The leap
of faith I put in Sacred Earth Journeys did not disappoint.
Wendy Crowley, Lakefield, ON (El Espiritu del Mar - Mar/09) |
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Photography by
Seascape Kayak Tours Inc
Sandra J. Taylor, Laurice D. Nemetz and Gregory Kofsky
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© 2003 - 2010 Sacred
Earth Journeys.
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Tour Itinerary