El Espiritu del MarMarch 17th, 2009

This morning saw the departure of our first combination yoga and paddling trip. Our yoga instructor, Lauri Nemetz, and three participants Wendy Crowley, Greg Kofsky and Sandy Taylor spent several days at Tambor Tropical before the launch acclimatizing. Yesterday Bruce met with the group to go over the planned five-day itinerary, orient participants to the region and discuss environmental safety. Bruce also took the group on an initial paddle here on the Rio Panica and there were several initial yoga sessions here at Tambor Tropical as well.

INSTRUCTOR LAURI NEMETZ LEADS THE GROUP IN GENTLE INTRODUCTORY YOGA PRACTICE IN A THATCHED RANCHO AT THE HOTEL TAMBOR TROPICAL. 

Wendy Crowley, 54, found out about the trip via the internet. "From the moment I googled this trip, I knew I had made the right decision," she said. "Engaging in my first yoga session, then hitting the water for a calm kayaking experience is indescribable. This trip will be a highlight of my life, I know."

"PADDLING DOWN A TROPICAL ESTUARY IS ONE OF THE MOST RELAXING THINGS I CAN THINK OF DOING," SAID GREG KOFSKY, 23. "ONE OF THE FEW THINGS THAT BEATS IT IS YOGA." 

Yoga instructor Lauri Nemetz teases the group that she could join the circus and utilize her seemingly uncanny ability to name her students’ past injuries, vocations and recreational preferences. "You’re a runner, aren’t you?" She says to Wendy Crowley, while assisting her with a leg extension. Earlier she anticipated that Sandy Taylor would have a little trouble with a stretch for her wrists. And that was true because Sandy spends her work days doing surgery: she’s a veterinarian. 

How does Lauri know all these things about the body? In addition to holding certifications in teaching hatha yoga and yoga therapeutics, she has studied anatomy extensively. And this allows her to focus on each individual’s physical habits and preferences, allowing each member of the group to benefit personally from her attention to his or her specific needs. Lauri will often create modifications on a posture for each participant in the group, so that every person is taking a different pose that will allow their unique set of abilities and limitations to make the most of their yoga practice. 

EL ESPIRITU DEL MAR GROUP PARTICIPANTS LISTEN AS BRUCE SMITH PROVIDES A GEOGRAPHICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORIENTATION TO PADDLING IN COSTA RICA. 

The group will come off the water on Saturday, when I’ll update you about their experience. Meanwhile, stay tuned for some special wildlife blogs from Tambor Tropical.

Pura vida,

frances