Apr 10, 2023 | Sedona Yoga
by Dusty Swehla: Vista Celestial Retreats, Guest, and Wellness Advisor
Be entered to win a vacation to Vista Celestial by joining us for our 10-year anniversary celebration April 27–30! Passes are available here.
The name Costa Rica means “Rich Coast” because of the many rich metals throughout the country. Today, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanos, beautiful waterfalls, oceanlife and biodiversity. The Osa Peninsula, on Costa Rica’s southern pacific coast, has been called by National Geographic one of the most biodiverse places on earth.
Statistics show that approximately 3.1 million people visited Costa Rica last year. You may be thinking, “Why do so many people want to visit?” Do people visit the beaches, waterfalls and ocean life? Of course! But they also come to find more. We believe that visitors come back year after year for the natural beauty of Costa Rica but also for the magical energy present the moment a visitor sets foot in the country. Many are looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. They are looking for a place to connect to their inner selves and receive inspiration from the natural world. That pause and connection so many seek can be found walking in the lush rainforest mountainside, gazing at majestic ocean views, or walking along the vast and vacant beaches; all of which make up the natural setting that cradles our boutique resort called Vista Celestial.
The intimate setting of our luxury boutique resort is an ideal place to work “IN” and experience a transformational and relaxing stay in Costa Rica.
With just five, beautiful and newly renovated 1000 sq/ft villas set on 13 acres of mountainside rainforest with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, Vista Celestial is the ultimate sanctuary. Each villa features a private patio and private plunge pool. Your private plunge pool is the perfect place to cool off and enjoy the view of the Whales Tail shoreline feature by day; or to heat to a hot tub and stargaze at night.
With its incredible geography and climate, it is no surprise that Costa Rica is home to a wide array of freshly grown produce, fish, and more. You will find fresh, locally grown food all over Costa Rica and Vista Celestial is no exception. Our chefs take inspiration from our orchard and gardens and prepare nightly specials that incorporate the freshest available ingredients to create world class cuisine. Their 6-course, Taste of Costa Rica, chef’s tasting menu is out of this world!!
Beyond the natural setting and luxurious villas, the Vista Celestial team is what (or who) really delivers the magic of Costa Rica. Their heart and soul is put into meeting your every need, accommodating your requests and anticipating and meeting needs before they are even verbalized. They will become your friends and you will leave with a new family.
A few of the special touches created by our amazing team include cool eucalyptus scented towels and refreshing juice upon arrival, yoga props artfully displayed for each yoga session, local treats placed in your villa to welcome you in, and local coffee (grown by our general manager on his farm!) available complimentary in your villa. The list of magical touches go on and on. Vista Celestial sets the stage and takes care of every need so you can enjoy all the magical and spiritual experiences that arise throughout your stay. We welcome families, couples, yoga retreats and those seeking the magic of Costa Rica and Pura Vida.
A Costa Rican phrase that embodies the magic you will find here is “Pura Vida”. This term means simple life or pure life. It is used in everyday life to communicate “hello, goodbye, thank you, you’re welcome, and generally communicate a sense that ‘life is good’”. The phrase is a reminder of how little we actually need to be happy. We have the ocean, mountains, sunshine, hikes, coffee farms, waterfalls, waves and a culture that needs very little in order to find happiness.
I started my journey with Vista Celestial as a guest, I had a spiritual/transformational experience and I wanted more. Today, I live the Pura Vida lifestyle, literally. I find joy and happiness in the sounds of the ocean waves and the jungle. I find peace with the pure and simple pleasures of watching the wildlife, feeling the sunshine on my face, listening to the howler monkeys and knowing that all I need is within. Life is good here in Costa Rica, I hope you follow the path that leads you to Vista Celestial. Pura Vida!
We will be doing a vacation giveaway to Vista Celestial ONLY for SYF2023 attendees on-site during our 10-year anniversary celebration! To be entered to win, join us April 27–30. Passes are available here.
Apr 10, 2023 | Sedona Yoga Festival Teacher Feature
by Dr. Keneen Hope McNiven D.C., Founder of Hope, Grace and Gaia Transformation Retreats and Hope Chiro Yoga
How has life shaped you? What is your relationship with gravity, which is a form of Grace?
According to Liz Koch, author of the Psoas Book, “Gravity is a cohesive, graceful and loving support between heaven and earth. Gravity informs the rise and fall of the tides, our cells and the relationship between the earth and the sun. It is responsible for the health of our bones, joints and nervous system, as well as for optimal brain health and well-being. To engage and feel gravity deeply, is to also embody a deep sense of Grace, of being lovingly held.”
Fall from Grace
Do challenging residues from the past burden your body, mind, or spirit in the present? Our posture, spine, muscles and fascia contract with and reflect unresolved stresses. Some of the “shapes” we inhabit reflect our fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses to previous stress or trauma.
Additionally, some of the shapes are much more subtle and reflect memories of needing to duck, dodge, brace or protect our vulnerable underbelly. All these postural reactions or shapes contribute to back pain, joint pain, stress, fatigue, sleep loss and PTSD, along with a host of therapeutic issues that many of us experience in yoga. On and off our mats these shapes and disconnects from gravity or Grace impact our well-being and the embodiment of our awakening as well. The unconscious energetic memories and trapped energy they carry also have an impact on our relationships and communities.
Call of Grace
When we learn how to “re-shape” ourselves, recognize and honor the wisdom and messages inherent within our posture, pain and health challenges, then they become a graceful guide to optimal healing and recovery. A profound sense of Grace infuses us when we befriend gravity and re-align physically and spiritually between heaven and earth. We become healthier, emotionally authentic and enjoy more optimism, hope, trust, peace and joy. As we reshape the past and embody more presence, we enjoy a profound connection to our true nature depths, and our lives, health and actions are Grace-filled.
Hope, Grace, and Gaia
“One who has health has hope, and one who has hope has everything.” – Thomas Carlyle
When we resonate from embodied Hope and Grace, we radiate enhanced health and we emanate an abundance of vitality and awakened consciousness. The more Grace-filled we are, the more “fully human and fully divine” we are. We feel part of a oneness that includes all of reality, animate and inanimate, and from which we are not separate. Our relationships, communities, politics and our planet reflect this evolution, and also reverberate with cooperative synergy and wholeness. This Non-Dual “Gaia consciousness” is the realization that we are all truly one unified Being.
Learn more about the connection between personal awakening and healing with Dr. Keneen Hope McNiven D.C. in person at SYF April 27–30! Passes available here.
Apr 10, 2023 | Sedona Yoga Festival Teacher Feature
By Nina Bratcher, LCSW, Owner of Bay Area Therapy Services
Every moment, of every day, in every interaction, our autonomic nervous system (ANS) is moving us toward connection or protection. Have you ever noticed walking into a room and feeling a sudden sense of dis-ease? It is likely your ANS picked up on information that was interpreted as threatening to your overall well-being. This information could be coming from what you experience through the 5 senses, from an internal thought or sensation, or from cues of dysregulation in the emotional states of others. The mind and body are interconnected and in constant communication with one another. While the body physiologically experiences a state of being, the mind generates a story. Deepak Chopra said it best when he stated, “The body and mind are like parallel universes. Anything that happens in the mental universe must leave tracks in the physical one.”
Understanding how the ANS works is crucial to understanding your emotional self and why you react in the ways you do. Let’s first breakdown the ANS. It consists of 2 branches, the sympathetic and parasympathetic. Many of us are familiar with the concept of the “fight or flight” response. This is part of the sympathetic branch. When under stress, the sympathetic branch is activated, mobilizing us fight or flight to protect ourselves. The parasympathetic branch is where our relaxation response is housed. The vagus nerve, which starts at the brain stem, branches up into the face connecting to our sensory organs and wanders down through the body connecting to our vital organs including the heart, lungs, stomach, intestines, pancreas, etc.
It is through the vagus nerve that the body and brain communicate back and forth to one another. This is where the term “gut feeling” comes from. This nerve plays a crucial role in activating the parasympathetic branch.
Polyvagal Theory, introduced in 1994 by Dr. Stephen Porges, posits that the autonomic nervous system consists of a hierarchy of physiological states between the 2 branches. According to polyvagal theory, there are 3 nervous system states that have developed over time. The most evolved is the ventral vagal state, housed in the parasympathetic branch. In this state our system is at ease and functioning well. There is a sense of safety and we are able to connect with ourselves and others. The second response, a bit older in time, is fight or flight. This response is housed in the sympathetic branch and mobilizes us to take action to protect ourselves in the face of danger.
For our distant ancestors who lived during the Stone Age, this response was necessary for day to day survival. The third and most primitive response is the dorsal vagal response housed in the parasympathetic branch. When we are unable to protect ourselves through social connection or by fighting or flighting, we drop into a state of freeze. In this state, we become immobilized and unable to take action to protect ourselves. This state is necessary at times and does provide respite from the emotional overwhelm that can occur in sympathetic.
Each of these ANS states brings a cluster of emotions and sensations that reflect what the state is designed to do. For example, in a ventral state we may feel at ease, relaxed, curious, grounded, allowing us to connect with others and access creativity. In sympathetic, we may find ourselves feeling activated, on edge, alert, restless, angry, inflamed. Sensations might include increased heart rate, labored breathing, temperature changes, unsettled stomach, tension in the chest, muscle tightness. In a dorsal state, we often feel shutdown, disconnected, withdrawn, numb. Intuitively, the human body knows how to navigate its way back to ventral.
However, because we live in a chaotic world where safety is not guaranteed, there may be times when the system is overloaded and gets stuck in a sympathetic or dorsal state. Tuning into your ANS state can help you become aware of what you might be needing to move toward ventral. We must first emerge from a place of survival in order to truly live and allow ourselves to thrive. You can practice tuning into your nervous system by pausing, taking a deep breath, observing sensations in the body and naming your emotional state. Once aware, ask yourself “what am I needing in this moment to take one step toward safety?” Perhaps it’s an action, connecting with a safe person or relating to yourself with compassion.
To learn more about this topic and tools for building resilience in the nervous system, join Nina in person at the Sedona Yoga Festival from April 27–30! Passes are available here.
Apr 5, 2023 | Sedona Yoga
A new vision into the path of wellness and personal growth! Win a 3-night vacation in an oceanfront king suite. Learn more and enter to win here.
Located at the tail end of the most breathtaking beach in the Riviera Maya, surrounded by 988 acres of lush jungle and a kilometer of pristine beach, lies a natural enclave where the effervescent complexity of contemporary Mexico meets with ancient roots and sacred rituals.
A true haven for the senses ready to be discovered, Palmaïa – The House of AïA stands apart from other resorts, offering unlimited wellness activities paired with a unique culinary experience. Everything is included in the rate, meaning guests can enjoy a fully immersive experience without worrying about additional costs or expenses, focusing on their wellness journey without distractions.
Integrating mystical elements of the region, the property offers a program dedicated to your personal growth: The Architects of Life (AOL), designed to awaken the exploration of the inner self through daily holistic practices and ceremonies inspired by ancient Mayan and other pre-Hispanic and Far East cultures. From Cacao Ceremonies and Temazcal to Sound Healing sessions, Yoga, Pranayama, and much more, Palmaïa honors the region’s cultural heritage and provides guests with a unique opportunity to connect with their spirituality
and discover a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Palmaïa’s location is also a key factor in the resort’s unique appeal, where the concept of AïA is presented as humanity’s connection with Nature. The lush jungle, turquoise beach and abundant wildlife make for a calming atmosphere, perfect for mindfulness and spiritual practices. AïA’s energy provides guests with a serene and peaceful setting to reflect and unwind, where deep connection to oneself, others, and your surroundings can flourish. Nestled between the mangroves and clear water cenotes is the Spa, Atlantis, a hidden gem where guests are pampered with true nature-immersive experiences in the hands of master therapists.
Although an ideal place to reset and recharge while taking a break from today’s fast-paced world, Palmaïa’s holistic approach to wellness is not just spiritual. The resort provides top-tier accommodations in beautifully designed suites featuring vegan and sustainable amenities while carefully curating its plant-based gastronomy. Crafted by experienced chefs throughout their exquisite restaurants, specialty menus range from mouth-watering Asian fusion to street and high-end Mexican, Mediterranean, and International cuisine, delivering an outstanding dining experience.
Expanding further into the realm of the senses, the Rituals of Sound sessions offer a nightscape journey of curated beats and live electronic music. A chance to mingle with fellow voyagers, dance barefoot around the flickering flames of a beach bonfire, and indulge in some of the best mixologies.
Be part of Palmaïa’s Progressive Wellness journey and experience soul nourishment through conscious cuisine, nature-immersed treatments, and holistic practices.
For a limited time only, sign up for our newsletter list and be entered to win a 3-night oceanfront king-suite vacation at Palmaïa – The House of AïA! Enter to win here.
Mar 28, 2023 | Sedona Yoga Festival Teacher Feature
by SYF2023 presenter Nancy Gerstein
For years I loaded my yoga lesson plans with novel sequences and philosophy aperitifs, and I believed I was teaching from the heart. Still, my home practice felt more like I was writing a one-hour script than examining my daily flow of consciousness. Then came the time when my yoga practice, the very thing I depended on for a clear head and able body, wasn’t fulfilling the contract. My heart was uncommonly weary, and I felt ungrounded, disconnected, and heavy with sadness.
The Dreaded Obstacles to Practice
If you’re human, you’ll find an excuse for not practicing yoga. I’m too tired, I’ll do it before bedtime, my kids, spouses, roommates, or pets are in the way.
If you’re looking for even more excuses, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are way ahead of you. According to the ancient text written some 1,800 years ago, the main obstacles to practice are illness, misperceptions, mental and physical pain, unsteadiness of the body, doubt, cravings, dullness, laziness, failure, sadness and frustration, and irregular breath. At one time or another, I’ve found myself using every one of these excuses, which is like saying, “I don’t practice yoga because I’m not flexible.”
Your Practice, Your Rules: 6 Tips for Falling in Love (and staying in love!) with Your Yoga
Create a Practice that Supports You. A home practice lets you cater to your needs alone. Get clear about your intentions: sit for a few minutes and ask yourself the important questions. For instance, do I want to soothe a busy mind, work out the kinks in my shoulders, or relieve today’s digestion issues?
Begin with centering. Sit still, close your eyes, and connect with your body. Drop your sit bones, lift your spine, and relax your face. Breathe, connecting with your physical and mental consciousness. Wait for your inner cue to begin movement.
Start Small. Most of us don’t think we have time for a daily practice. But a practice can be any length you want it to be. You can build a habit with just 5-10 minutes a day, lengthening the time as needed.
Yoga gear is optional. You can do yoga on a mat, your carpet, or a bare floor. If you don’t have blocks, use books. If you don’t have a strap, use a belt or towel.
Include all the movements of the spine. Moving the spine in all directions includes forward bends, backbends, side bends, twists, and elongating the spine. Move slowly, letting your breath be your guide.
Give thanks. At the end of your practice, take a moment to sit in gratitude for your body, your health, your loved ones, and all the gifts in your life. Gratitude is transformative; it leads to contentment and appreciation for what you have, instead of what you’re lacking.
Keep It Interesting, Your Way
Once you’ve established the habit of practicing, try a new twist to keep your yoga feeling lit.
- Include pranayama. Start out strong with the bhastrika breath to elevate your energy and productivity of your practice. In a seated pose, exhale and pull the navel center and pelvic muscles in and up; inhale and release the muscles in the pelvic region, widening the belly and back. Continue for 8 to 10 breaths. After a few breaths, you’ll feel the heat turn on from the solar plexus, the body’s power source.
- Study the eight limbs of yoga.When you learn that asana is one of eight limbs on the yogic path, you’ll see your practice and your life in a whole new light.
- Add (or subtract) music.If you already use music in your practice, try a different kind of music, or subtract the music and listen to your breath, nature, or the sounds of your environment.
- Seek Out Like Minded Souls. Try different yoga classes and teachers, or attend yoga festivals where you’ll find hundreds of like-minded souls.
They say, the more you practice yoga, the more you’ll want to practice yoga. Fall in love with taking care of yourself. I can’t think of a better way to start your day and celebrate life.
Learn from Nancy in person at our 10-year anniversary celebration this April! Passes are available here. You can learn more about Nancy and other presenters here.
