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A 200HR YTT

IMMERSE

STUDY, PRACTICE, FIND YOUR VOICE
DECEMBER 27TH, 2019 - JANUARY 23RD, 2020 

payment plans available

Set on the southern pacific coast of Costa Rica, this training intensive is a deep dive into the philosophy, practice and worldview of yoga. The first half of the retreat you will be soaking up and learning to embody the teachings of yoga. You enjoy being in the seat of a student. The second half of the training will be a strategic and meticulous exploration of teaching techniques, leadership skills and the business of teaching yoga. You will take the seat of the teacher and find your unique voice. You will emerge from this nourishing experience with lived experience of this ancient system and full of powerful tools to help share them in the modern world.

IMMERSE

OUR LOCATION

Flō Retreat Center is a Health & Wellness Escape deep in the rainforest of South Pacific Costa Rica. Flō sits on 20 acres of secondary rainforest and used to house a small-scale cacao farm, so amongst the wild assortment of local flora, visitors will also see hundreds of cacao trees sprinkled throughout the property.

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THE LODGING

27 nights and days lodging in dorms (6 people per room), quads, triples and two double occupancy rooms rooms are available.  Each room has A/C, Wifi and a mini-fridge. Linens, blankets, pillows and towels are provided for all guests. 

THE FOOD

Each day you will enjoy 3 local, organic meals provided by our personal chef. Delicious raw, gluten free, vegan/vegetarian and fish/chicken meal options will be available and  a variety of exotic fruit from Costa Rica will be served daily. 

THE LAND

Guests are encouraged to explore Flō’s expansive jungle trails, where they can play in SIX on-site waterfalls, a spacious river pool, and miles of winding rainforest paths. Plus, at just a quick 10-minute drive down the mountain (via 4x4 vehicle), Flō is only a quick stop from town, the many beaches of the South Pacific, and dozens of adventures, tours, and opportunities!

ACCREDITATION

Alaya Yoga School is a Registered Yoga Alliance School at both the 200 & 500HR levels. At the completion of your 200 Hour Training/Intensive, you will receive an Alaya Yoga School Teacher Training Certification at the 200 Hour Level. If you choose you can then register your certification with Yoga Alliance for your 200 Hour Registration.

NEW YEAR'S EVE

Our event will include a conscious, celebratory event on New Year's Eve including music and a cacao ceremony. Please bring white clothes to wear on this evening ceremony as well as any sacred items you wish to place on our collective altar. We will usher in the New Year with clear minds, opens hearts and dancing feet. 

WEEKENDS

As much as we all love yoga we wouldn't want you to spend your ENTIRE time in Costa Rica inside a yoga classroom! To maximize your experience of one of the most bio diverse places on the earth, you will have weekends "off" where you are free to explore beaches, local towns, waterfall hikes, horseback rides, paragliding, zip lines and more. 

Learn More about Flō Retreat Center

Visit Flō's Guest Portal

This training will explore:

  • Clear, healthy foundational alignment techniques for the yoga postures (asanas)
  • The unique effects and benefits of each of the poses,
  • Useful modifications for the varying poses
  • The power of intention as it relates to yoga practice and everyday living
  • The potent art of sequencing a personal, private or group practice for maximum, intentional effect
  • The 8 Limbs of Yoga, demystified for practice in everyday life
  • Therapeutic Yoga – tapping into the healing power of yoga
  • Pranayama (breath practices) and the varying effects of different practices
  • The power of meditation and different meditative techniques that can help to optimize mind and energy
  • Tools for finding and optimizing your authentic voice
  • The art and business of teaching yoga
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ALAYA YOGA SCHOOL: IMMERSE

YOUR GUIDES

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ASHLEIGH SERGEANT ERYT500

Lead Teacher
Growing up with a yoga teacher as her mother, Ashleigh began her exploration of yoga at an early age, dedicated to the pursuit of healing a lifelong spine condition. As the Head of Yoga Content for Gaia.com, Director of Yoga and Movement for The Envision Festival in Costa Rica, and co-founder of The Ālaya Yoga School, Ashleigh Sergeant also spent five years as the Global Yoga Trainer for Adidas and was honored to be the youngest Certified Anusara Yoga Instructor in the world. With more than 15 years teaching experience, Ashleigh’s first teachers include Bryan Kest and Baron Baptiste. She received her first 200-HR teaching certification at the Himalayan Institute, strongly influenced by Rod Stryker’s ParaYoga, something she continues to study. Today, Ashleigh brings thousands of hours of experience to her teaching, including the knowledge of therapeutic asana gained from traveling with and assisting John Friend, the founder of Anusara Yoga. Ashleigh’s present passion is the deep exploration of the mystical and energetic side of yoga practices. For this her primary teacher and long time inspiration is the great Sally Kempton.
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ARIELLE SHIPE ERYT500

Assistant Teacher
Voted one of 15 millennial yoga teachers to watch out for, Arielle Shipe is best known for her adventurous spirit and passion for personal development/growth which she shares on Instagram and YouTube. With over a decade of practice and nearly 1500 teacher training hours, the yoga tradition is the foundation for all the things she teaches and shares. Her motto is: Work Hard, Play Hard. Rest hard. Yoga is a multifaceted gem that is there to meet you wherever you need it most. In her classes you can expect to sweat, to smile, relax, and to start to uncover that there’s way more to yoga than downward facing dog. Join the Dream Life Revolution on Instagram @arielleshipe.
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EDGAR ORTIZ

Anatomy Guest Scholar
Edgar Ortiz is a physiotherapist, body therapist and yoga instructor with more than 20 years of experience.He has offered yoga workshops and seminars throughout the world. He lived for more than a year between India and Thailand studying yoga in Rishikesh (with emphasis on Iyengar Yoga), in South India he studied Ashtanga (in Mysore) and Vini-yoga studies in Tamil Nadu (in Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram). His work is a blend of music, storytelling and a precise alignment, with deep internal intention to create an atmosphere of fun, willpower and surrender.

Ashleigh is one of my favorite people to teach and be with. She creates a safe space for learning, but not sheltering you from the truth of your own body. Whenever I'm with Ashleigh I feel more confident within my self and more connected to my path of truth and service.

Dr. Mike Lane, DC

Ashleigh’s teaching connects my body to my breathe, my heart-spirit to my mind. Opening, rejuvenating, and calming my entire being.

Rooted in yoga's ancient teaching, inspiring through her modern experience and interpretation, Ashleigh’s classes not only give me a better understanding of the original ideas and philosophies of yoga, they also inspire me to try and embody these sacred thoughts in a modern life.

Physically, Ashleigh’s classes take on a level of intuition and spontaneity that only the best teachers and guides I know can reach. Reacting and responding nimbly to the group dynamic of those practicing. Not leaving anybody behind while creating challenge and interest for the most experienced. We all reach our personal summit smiling and aware of the beauty in every step we've taken.

Creating music through movement, mantras and meditation. Your classes sing to me.

Kitt Doucette

Rolling Stone Magazine

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FAQ

If you have more questions, please contact tish@followyourblisscr.com.

Where is Costa Rica? Expand

Costa Rica is a country located in Central America that has unlimited tourist potential and is ranked as one of the most visited international destinations. It's no surprise Costa Rica is considered the "happiest place on earth." Once you land, you'll find it's easy to experience what CostaRicans have been talking about since 1956: Pura Vida - a phrase that truly encapsulates the friendly vibe of Costa Rica, and is used by locals and means everything from "Hello," to "This is the life!" If you're looking to fall into the "Pura Vida" lifestyle, check out some of the top activities and accolades.

Is Costa Rica safe? Expand

Costa Rica is considered one of the best and safest places for a solo traveler to visit.  Although petty theft can happen and one should always be smart about leaving values unattended, violence is very rare.

Where do I fly into? Expand

International visitors fly into the San Jose International Airport (SJO). Most places in Costa Rica, including taxi drivers and bus stations, accept $USD. Uvita is only a three hour drive from SJO. You may also opt for a short flight from San Jose to the Quepos Airport and drive an easy 60 minutes to Uvita.

What else is there to do during free time? Expand

Besides the planned retreat activities you will be able to relax in your room, swim in the onsite pool and jungle walks to lush waterfalls. For more adventure we can help you book trips to the beach, local town excursions, paragliding, zip line, waterfall tours and more.

Things to bring Expand

Here are some items we recommend you bring with you. Please also visit the Flō Guest Portal (link above) for a more comprehensive list.

Backpack – to carry towels, sandals, sunscreen, water, etc with you on day trips

A small wallet for easy access to money and change (in your pack)

Sunscreen. It is very expensive here and not as effective.

A broad rimmed hat and sunglasses

A copy of your passport to carry with you at all times

Water bottle (always travel with water)

Comfortable shoes or sneakers for walking and minor hiking

Bathing suits and cover up

Electrical charging and adapters for your phones or tablets

 

What is the currency? Expand

Costa Rica uses the US dollar and Costa Rican Colones (the local currency) Most places do not take credit cards so it is best to have cash. It's best to carry cash in denominations of $1.00, $5.00 and $10.00 as the vendors often do not have change. You can also withdraw money using your debit card from bank ATM's.

What about the food? Expand

Flō's private chef will handcraft every exceptional meal during your retreat stay. All meals specialize in local, organic gourmet cuisine.

What is the weather like? Expand

January is the best time for a Costa Rica experience. January the first reliably dry month at the beginning of Costa Rica’s Pacific side dry season, with temperatures from

Low Temperature 14°C 57°F

High Temperature 20°C 67°F

Phones and Internet Expand

There will be wireless internet available but we encourage you to take this time to unplug. You may want to ask your phone service provider about an international plan if you will be calling internationally. WhatsApp and Skype and Facetime are recommended for no cost calls via wireless.

Do Not Bring Expand

Expensive jewelry – you won’t need it here
Expensive clothes – you won’t need it here
Travelers Checks or large bills – no one takes them

YOUR INVESTMENT

  • Dorm Style Room (6ppl per room), single bunk beds, shared bathroom between two dorm rooms - $4,299     Dorm Early Bird $4,000 (ONLY 6 Early Bird Spots available)
  • Cacao Cabinas (4ppl per room), single beds, private bathroom - $4,650 / Early Bird $4,350 (ONLY 4 available) 
  • Double Room (2ppl per room), two singles or one queen bed, shared bathroom with one other room - $4,850

*payment plans available: email admin@experiencealaya.com to inquire

Registration/Cancellation/Payment

TERMS

  • Tuition includes: 27 nights stay, 3 meals per day, a 200HR Alaya Yoga School Teacher Training Manual, New Year's Eve Celebration
  • Tuition doe NOT include: Transportation to/from the retreat center, sales tax and credit card processing fees. A 3% processing fee will be added to all payments. 
  • Early Bird Rate is on a first come first served basis, once paid in full. A $1500 deposit will reserve your spot in the training. However, you will not receive the EARLY BIRD rate until you've paid in full, and unless you are one of the first 6 people to Pay in Full for a Dorm, or FOUR people to Pay in Full for a Cacao Cabina. 
  • ALL payments made after July 15th will be the FULL PRICE and are due by October, 15th.
  • IF YOU DO NOT MAKE YOUR FINAL PAYMENT BY OCTOBER 15TH, YOUR SPOT WILL BE OPENED TO THE NEXT PERSON ON THE WAITING LIST AND YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR DEPOSIT
  • All deposits are non-refundable AND non-transferable
  • If cancelled in writing 60 days prior to the training, a full refund (less the $1,500.00 deposit) will be issued.
  • If cancelled in writing between 31 and 59 days prior to the training, and 80% refund (less the $1,500 deposit) will be issued.
  • If cancelled 30 days or less prior to the training, no refund will be issued

 

REGISTER NOW

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ABOUT ALAYA

Experience Alaya is a community dedicated to the unfolding of the human spirit.

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Yoga Teacher Trainings

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  • 300HR Accelerated YTT | Lake Tahoe | 2020-2021
  • 300HR Customized Yoga Teacher Training | Ongoing
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Immersions & Retreats

  • Living Through the Lens of the Goddess | Reno, May 2020