Last week, I traveled to Costa Rica for the first time. I love animals and nature, and the number one thing I wanted to do while there was see some sloths and encounter monkeys. I got to do both on my very first day right at my hotel in Manual Antonio, as there were several sloths chilling out right there on the property. A band of monkeys interacted with me for several minutes at the hotel, as well, running around nearby and taking dips in the pool.
I’ve also heard about how spiritual a place Costa Rica is and have a friend who takes frequent trips there for yoga retreats. When I saw yoga was offered at my hotel, even at the early hour of 7:30 a.m. in the morning, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to take a class in a new country and, hopefully, learn something new that would help me deepen my yoga practice.
This was actually my first yoga class I’ve taken while traveling on vacation. I had an opportunity just last year to take yoga at my hotel out of the States, as well, but back then, I preferred to sleep in rather than head to yoga.
After taking this yoga class in Costa Rica, I plan to join every yoga offering I’m able to while on vacation in the future. Here are five reasons why, drawing on my recent experience.
1. The Class Is One That’s Sure to Be Memorable
Some yoga classes really stick with you. I remember one at my home studio in Chatswood, when I lived in Sydney, Australia, which is where something clicked in me back in 2018 that I would pursue my yoga teacher training. I had no idea it would lead me to now seven years of teaching, but I still remember the moment where I felt sure I wanted to learn how to be a yoga teacher myself back there in New South Wales.
When you’re on vacation, the yoga environment is going to be brand-new and, because of that, likely memorable. In Manuel Antonio, I did yoga outdoors under a canopy where, just the day before, monkeys had been hanging over the edge, hanging out with me. I don’t do a ton of outdoor yoga practice these days, so to be in Savasana, surrounded by sounds of nature and feeling the breeze on my skin, is a feeling I’ll remember for years to come.
2. You’ll Learn From a Brand-New Teacher
Most likely, the teacher you take class with is one you’ll be meeting for the first time. A vacation yoga class is a great opportunity to strip away expectations and really go with the flow of what you’re learning. Your teacher may have a different native language than English, completely different ways of naming and describing poses, and/or new perspectives on how to sequence flows. This is true of all teachers, but when you’re country-hopping on your way to do yoga, the new things you encounter can be even more profound.
We all have varying approaches to yoga based on the yoga lineages we’ve encountered. Taking a yoga class while on vacation, especially in a new country, can help make your approach to yoga more complex and nuanced. This can help you widen your perspective as a student and expand your reach if you’re a teacher yourself.
3. Yoga on Vacation Is a Great Way to Start Your Day
Vacations can be relaxing, but they can also be stressful, because they pull you out of your routine and comfort zone – sometimes your time zone, as well. Yoga is a grounding exercise that can help you connect to your true essence, which is with you no matter where you are. Connecting with your inner state can help you feel calmer, more confident and more ready to tackle your day, including when you’re on vacation.
Plus, yoga offers a form of exercise, strengthening and stretching that benefits you while you’re on vacation. Whether you’re stiff from sitting on planes or in cars, or you need a warmup before you hike around a new country, yoga offers physical support. I know I often indulge in lots of food and tasty drinks when I’m on vacation. Taking a yoga class made me feel a little better, with some exercise to balance out the indulgences.
4. You’ll Typically Get Personalized Attention
I’ve taught and practiced in classes that were 60+ students. It’s difficult for a single yoga teacher to offer personalized attention to every single student in a giant class. A cool thing about vacation yoga classes is that they’re typically smaller. In my class in Costa Rica, I was actually the only student, so I was able to get a one-on-one practice that included personalized attention and adjustments that’s really rare in typical studios.
I was really surprised to be the only person in my yoga class, but it’s a reminder that, like my past self, many vacationers would rather sleep in or skip exercise while on vacation. If you are able to take yoga at your hotel or in a small group while on vacation, you can typically expect an intimate experience that’s unlike what you’ll usually get at a recreation center or public studio.
5. You Broaden Your Yoga Worldview
I feel like with every class I take from a new teacher or in a new location, I’m adding to the richness of my overall yoga experience. This deepens what I can offer as a teacher and contributes to my yogic knowledge as a student. I’ve taken unforgettable yoga classes in places like beer tap rooms and poolside in Arizona, and simply being in a new environment may inspire you to try new things or go a little farther in your practice.
I’ve already started incorporating some of the new things I was exposed to during my Costa Rica practice in the classes I’m teaching. Taking this class in Costa Rica also reminded me how important it is to seek out new yoga experiences, including from new teachers and in new environments. The more I can continue to learn as a yoga student, the more I can offer as a yoga teacher.
Where’s the Coolest Place You’ve Taken Yoga?
I’m now adding Costa Rica to my list of awesome places I’ve practiced yoga. As I mentioned, I used to practice in a hot studio in Sydney, Australia, and I’ve gone to as many studios as I was able to in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. If you invite me to a yoga class in Washington, DC, or the DMV area, I’m going to say yes! I also recently taught an outdoor yoga class on a restaurant patio at Continues Arcade in Alexandria, VA, and the experience of being outside in early spring was another magical class I’m sure to remember.
Tell me about your coolest yoga class environment in the comments. Have a topic you want me to write about next on this yoga in Alexandria, VA, blog? Contact me.
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