Posts Tagged ‘Yoga’

I’ve returned from the Jan ’10 KaYoga trip a couple of days ago and still can’t stop thinking about it.

Combining kayaking and yoga is brilliant. The two practices build on each other philosophically, making the whole experience richer than the sum of its parts. And there is a more earthly benefit, too: Because of the yoga, I felt no pain or stiffness at all from the paddling.

Bruce is an extraordinarily knowledgeable and devoted instructor and guide. His deep love of the sea—and of the natural world in general—is infectious. And he is the most patient teacher I have ever met, answering the same questions over and over, never exhibiting even a hint of annoyance. He pays close attention to each individual and his/her needs, which made us all, regardless of our level of experience or ability, feel comfortable and relaxed on the water and on land from beginning to end. He’s also a terrific cook!

Lauri’s yoga instruction is warm and supportive. She also pays an extraordinary amount of attention to each individual, tailoring every pose to each person’s needs and abilities. But her caring doesn’t end when the yoga practice closes. She’s always watching, always caring, always supporting. Ahhh. “It’s all good,” she says. And it really is.

Logistically, every step of the trip was beautifully executed. All the connections were flawless, and every single person we dealt with was friendly, professional, and helpful.

In closing, I want to express my appreciation for your ability, Bruce, to convey a sense of place during the trip. On the plane home I sat with a couple who’d been on the Windstar when we were there. They had a nice enough time, I think, but they knew nothing of the places they’d been, not even the names. They did not recognize the word “Curú.” And when I asked about the highlights of their trip, they said vague things about seeing a lot of crocodiles in one place and monkeys in another. Sensing the superficiality of their experience made me realize and appreciate anew just how deep mine was. Muchas gracias, again.

I came home with a profound appreciation for the deep and outrageously positive experience I had. Muchas gracias to Frances, Bruce, Lauri, and todos mis amigos del mar.

-Sharon AvRutick, Pleasantville, NY, El Espiritu del Mar, 5-day Yoga and Kayaking in Costa Rica

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