Dance Teacher Retreat
Costa Rica
July 17 – 25, 2020
Due to the coronavirus this retreat has been canceled. Will return in 2021
Pura Vida means ‘pure life’ but in Costa Rica you’ll hear it used to mean a ‘way of life’. A way of life that values nature, harmony, and balance between work and play. It’s a perfect place to unwind and decompress from a busy year while nurturing your own health and wellness. It’s hard to disconnect from life while in the midst of the daily grind… research shows that change happens more easily when you can temporarily leave the known patterns and stressors behind and begin to invest your attention and energy into new patterns, explorations, information. Traveling to a peaceful and vibrant location like the Osa Peninsula considered one of the most beautiful and untouched regions in the world is a perfect place to learn, connect with like-minded teachers and relax!
We’ll start and end in San Jose, the capital and largest city in Costa Rica. After arriving on the 17th, take a taxi to the Marriott Aloft hotel, where you can rest, take a swim, or grab a bite before taking a charter plane the next morning down to Osa Peninsula. This retreat is about kicking back, wearing comfortable clothing (dressy clothes not necessary) and getting back in touch with nature and inner peace.
Osa Peninsula is the PERFECT place to relax and refresh body and soul!
- Stretching out your stress and deepening into the natural rhythms of your body.
- Recharging your energy by immersing yourself in the gorgeous waters where dolphins play.
- Exploring fascial conditioning and stretching to keep your fascia (and body) flexible and responsive!
- Discovering the latest techniques & strategies for integrative learning practices so your students can up their games while taking care of their bodies.
- While we will have daily classes there will be plenty of time to sit on the beach or by the pool and catch up on your reading or book a spa treatment.
- You can’t come to Costa Rica and not have adventures! There will be optional add-on adventures such as zip-lining, or a dolphin tour, horseback riding on the beach and let’s not forget surfing!
Venue
We’ll be staying at a private three acre retreat center called El Tumbo de las Olas, translated as the sound of the waves. It is set within the jungle but just a short distance away from the ocean. We’ll be able to hear the sounds of the ocean and nature when meeting on the yoga deck, nicknamed the turtle shell deck because of its sea turtle shaped design.
Casa Grande, the main two story eco-lodge is an open-air design to allow for ocean breezes and nature sounds throughout. A favorite feature is the wrap around deck on the second floor where you can sit and watch the colorful wildlife while catching glimpses of stunning ocean views. The first floor of Casa Grande has the kitchen and bar area, along with a living room area with plentiful seating to sit and socialize. The second floor of Casa Grande has a large open loft area for 4 guests with a private bathroom, and two other bedrooms, either with a double or twin beds, with a private bath. Each bedroom area is equipped with mosquito netting and heavy duty fans to keep the tropical air flowing.
There is also a creekside cabina that houses 4 and features a kitchenette, outdoor shower, and open-air deck. It is nestled next to the creek and is a peaceful space to commune with the beautiful natural surroundings.
The grounds and surrounding areas are what truly make El Tumbo de las Olas unforgettable. There is an extensive outdoor lounge space for guests. Hammocks are scattered across the property, there is a bbq area, a pool deck, and lush gardens create the sense you have stumbled on a piece of paradise.
Cuisine
For those who attended the Tuscany Retreat will attest to how amazing the food was! Gluten intolerant? Vegetarian? No problem! Indulge in healthy, inspiring, vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes, incorporating a wide selection of locally sourced fresh organic ingredients, providing a culinary experience that will nourish and satisfy. Our trip coordinator and chef Angus, along with his partner Tania, will be serving up exquisitely delicious meals for us! We’ll enjoy complimentary wine with dinner, and there is a bar onsite for those who would prefer to purchase beer or liquor during the week.
What’s Included:
- Daily classes and loads of engaging teacher talk throughout the week
- One night (7/17) at Marriott Aloft Hotel with breakfast included
- Transportation to and from San Jose to the venue
- Seven nights of chateau accommodation at El Tumbo de las Olas with free wifi in the main house.
- All Healthy breakfasts, lunches and dinners during the retreat days. (dinner includes wine)
- Fresh fruit juices, teas, and coffee
- Transportation for optional group excursions
- Staff gratuity
- 13% Costa Rican Sales Tax
What’s Not Included:
- Your round-trip airfare from home
- Individual transfer from the Juan Santamaría Airport (SJO) to the Marriott Aloft Hotel
- Lunch and/or dinner in San Jose
- Alcoholic beverages outside of dinner
- Any extra excursions such as zip-lining or dolphin tours
- Personal phone calls
- Spa services
- Personal, medical or trip cancellation insurance
Flights & Transportation:
You must arrive in San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO is airport code) by Friday, July 17th, 2020 to meet up with the group at our hotel. Transportation from the airport to the hotel is on your own. There are Ubers in San Jose, and if you take a taxi to the Marriott Aloft Hotel it will be around a 15 minute drive and cost around $30. The next morning we will all travel to together to fly to the Osa Peninsula (about a 40 minute flight) and then travel by van 20 minutes to the venue. The flight back to SJO is also included on Saturday 7/25. If you are planning to leave San Jose on the 25th it is best to get a flight 2pm or after to allow for delays.
About Deborah:
Deborah loves everything there is about dance! She loves watching dancers perform, giving all of their hearts and soul to dancing, and she wants you to become the very best coach and trainer you can be by sharing the information she has learned throughout the past 40 years!
It all started when she was a young child. From the instant her parents enrolled her in classes at a local studio, she was hooked. The studio quickly became her second home and the students and teachers there were her extended family.
When she was 21, she moved to New York City to fulfill her dream of becoming a professional dancer. While she was there, she had the good fortune to meet Irene Dowd, a neuromuscular specialist who rocked her world! She quickly began to see the link between what she felt in her body and what was happening anatomically and in technique class. This was a total game changer! She ended up joining the practice of one the area’s well-known dance docs – Richard Bachrach, DO – and co-founded the Center for Dance Medicine with him. It was a dream come true to work with both recreational and professional dancers as well as Broadway gypsies and Wall Street businessmen!
These days, Deborah draws on her background as a neuromuscular educator, dance teacher, and “somatic explorer.” She has a unique ability to study a dancer’s body alignment and movement patterns to identify muscular imbalances. As a specialist in devising ways dancers can bring their bodies, minds, and spirits back into alignment after stress, strain or injury, Deborah teaches dancers and teachers how to “see and analyze” the body in motion and how to improve its performance.
