Rachel is a San Francisco based yoga teacher and writer, her Vinyasa classes are a music- and philosophy-infused blend of athleticism, dance, song and spirit. She brings her background in the arts and theology to the mat, creating an intense flow-based practice rich in yoga philosophy, sweaty with hard work, and celebratory in tone. She also writes for Yoga Journal and cooks amazing food with local vegan establishment called Bhakti Kitchen. Rachel has studied with Rusty Wells and Bikram Choudhury; her flowing classes are filled with music, wisdom and kindness. She hopes you’ll laugh as much as you sweat, and maybe walk out feeling a little stronger, a little softer, and a lot more balanced. You can find Rachel’s bio, playlists and more on her website: http://www.rachelmeyeryoga.com/

Summary:

Join us for this beautiful journey into the Jungle and out to the Sea. The beauty of Belize is found in both of these magestic places, so in order to experience this country fully we’ll start the trip with 4 nights surrounded by the rainforest at the beautiful Black Rock Lodge. Here we’ll practice daily, breathe in the crisp clean air, visit Mayan Ruins, float down the Macal River and soak in all the beautiful nature that embraces us. From there, we’ll head to the sea where the golden sand of the Caribbean will welcome us to relax and rejuvenate. Our days will beat to the rhythm of the water as we take our practice to a beautiful platform over the sea and fill our afternoons with relaxation, snorkeling trips, kayaking, and more in this world class diving destination.

Accommodation:

Black Rock Lodge – 4 nights at the unique eco-lodge of Black Rock Lodge nestled in the dense rainforest above the Macal River in the Mayan Mountains of Belize.

Thatch Caye – 3 nights on the private island at Thatch Caye.

Includes:

• 4 nights at Black Rock Lodge
• 3 nights at Thatch Caye
• 2 delicious meals daily
• All yoga classes
• Mayan Ruins Adventure
• Snorkeling/Sailing Trip
• All Transportation

Does not include: Airfare, tips, optional excursions, alcoholic beverages.

Optional:

• Scuba Diving
• Horseback Riding
• Additional River Adventures
• Bird Watching
• Spa Treatments
• Beach Extension

Airfare and Travel Insurance

You are responsible for purchasing airfare and travel insurance. It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance and we reserve the right to deny participation if it is not purchased. Participants will cover any additional costs due to arrival/departure outside of the dates and time ranges listed below. More information in Trip Planning Guide …

Flight Information:

• Airport: Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport, Belize City – (BZE)
• Arrival Date: Dec 3rd, 2011
• Arrival Time Range: 12:00pm – 4:00pm
• Departure Date: Dec 10th, 2011
• Departure Time Range: 2:00pm or later

Pricing:

Non-Refundable deposit due upon registration.

• Deposit – $500 USD | Register For Your Trip Now by Making a Deposit Prices if trip is booked after September 1st, 2011.
  • Backpacker Occupancy – For travelers on a budget – dorm style, shared beds, cots – ask for more detials
    Price: $1,995.00 USD, per person | book now
  • Shared Occupancy – shared room separate beds or couple in private room
    Price: $2,195.00 USD per person | book now
  • Single Occupancy – single, private room
    Price: $2,695.00 USD, per person | book now

  *Airfare not included.
  *Travel insurance not included, but is mandatory.
  *Non-refundable deposit due upon registration.
  * Payment in full due 45 days before departure or upon registration.

Escape and Connect:

Escape Work
Escape Technology
Escape the city
Escape society
Escape!

Connect to your body
Connect to the earth
Connect to your true self
Connect to the ocean
Connect to your food
Connect!

You can stop day-dreaming about being on a deserted island in the Caribbean and come with us on this Yoga and Surf adventure to Panama.

Most days, after waking up to the sounds of ocean, you’ll start with a meditation followed by a delicious healthy breakfast on the water. Afterward you’ll pull out your mat for your daily yoga practice with Heather. After lunch jump on the boats with our Surf Instructors. They’ll take us to beautiful beaches to learn how to Surf or to get better at it if you already know how. There is so much to do in Bocas, snorkeling, diving, deep sea fishing and more. Of course, you can always just choose to soak up the Caribbean sun and relax.

Check out a blog post and pictures from our last trip:
Blog: Finding peace in Panama
Pictures: Panama Yoga and Surf Retreat 2011

Includes:

All yoga sessions with Solyoga
Surf Lessons and rentals *pending on weather
Local guides for tours
Transportation
Accommodation
2-3 meals daily and drinks (at meals excluding alcohol)

Optional

Biking, spa treatments, snorkeling, kayaking, fishing, dolphin bay tour

Airfare and Travel Insurance

You are responsible for purchasing airfare and travel insurance. It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance and we reserve the right to deny participation if it is not purchased. Participants will cover any additional costs due to arrival/departure outside of the dates and time ranges listed below. More information in Trip Planning Guide …

Airport: Bocas
Arrival Date: Januray 24th, 2011
Arrival by: 1:00pm to take our water taxi
Departure Date: January 29th, 3022
Departure Time Range: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Trip Planning
For more detailed information regarding travel, passport and visas, travel insurance, packing lists and more, please see our Trip Planning Guide.

Pricing
Non-Refundable deposit due upon registration.
Deposit – $500 USD | Register For Your Trip Now by Making a DepositEarly Bird Prices if trip is booked before November 5, 2010 – Save $200.00.

Shared Occupancy – shared room separate beds or couple in private room
Price: $1,595.00 USD per person | book now
Single Occupancy – single, private room
Price: $1,895.00 USD, per person | book now

Standard Prices if trip is booked after November 5, 2010.

Shared Occupancy – shared room separate beds or couple in private room
Price: $1,795.00 USD per person | book now
Single Occupancy – single, private room
Price: $2,095.00 USD, per person | book now
*Airfare not included.
*Travel insurance not included, but is mandatory.
*Non-refundable deposit due upon registration.
* Payment in full due 45 days before departure or upon registration.

Costs:
Price: $750
Single supplement: $400

Price includes: 4 nights hotel accommodation in downtown Santa Fe, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, guides, transportation included in events above, and local taxes

Price includes: 4 nights hotel accommodation in downtown Santa Fe, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, guides, transportation included in events above, and local taxesOutdoor cooking classes in the mountains!
Enjoy the beautiful and scenic mountains just north of town in the Santa Fe National Forest in a special way. One of our chefs will prepare a gourmet, Southwestern meal right before your eyes! Ask questions, sit around d the campfire and learn cooking techniques to help with your next camping endeavor or just relax and enjoy the sights and smells, while enjoying the expansive skies of northern New Mexico. Sample Meal cooked in the mountains:

• salsa fresca and guacamole
• Southwest paella, flour tortillas
• vegetable skewers
• peach cobbler

Costs:
Price: $750
Single supplement: $400

Interested in sharing? We do our best to pair up same-sex travelers so as to avoid the single supplement. However, priority is given to the first deposits received. If you’re interested in sharing – PLEASE send in your deposit as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this benefit. (Why a single supplement charge? See this FAQ page for an explanation.)

Final payment due no later than July 20, 2012.

Price includes: 4 nights hotel accommodation in downtown Santa Fe, 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners, guides, transportation included in events above, and local taxes

Price does not include: airfare, airport transfer or alcoholic beverages, gratuities .

We recommend MedEx Assist for travel and/or evacuation insurance.

This trip is limited to 15 people and requires a $250 deposit to secure your spot.
Minimum required: 8 people

Vallecitos Ranch

Homesteaded in 1898, the ranch is a spectacular 135 acre “in-holding”—completely surrounded by 300,000 acres of the Carson National Forest, including some of the most majestic old growth forest in the Rocky Mountains. The ranch is a dedicated wildlife refuge and showcases lush alpine meadows, beautiful mountain lakes and wetlands, towering stands of ponderosa pine timber, sweeping groves of aspen, and bountiful game and wildlife. Our network of trails, including a stunning section of the national Continental Divide Trail, offers extraordinary opportunities to re-connect with nature. The exquisite Vallecitos River, designated wild and scenic, runs through the ranch

Katie Silcox, recently named one of San Franciscoʼs Best Yoga Teachers Under 30by Common Ground Magazine, has studied with the world’s pre-eminent teachers, scholars and visionaries in the world of mind-body health. She is a senior student and assistant to Yogarupa Rod Stryker, one of the worldʼs most well-respected yoga and meditation teachers today. This style of practice, known as Para Yoga, blends the three rivers of Tantra Hatha Yoga, Ayurveda and the Yoga Sutras into one comprehensive study.Katie was also taught yoga in south India, in the home of the yogis A.G. and Indra Mohan, authors of Yoga for Body Breath and Mind, and two of Krishnamacharyaʼs last students. She is a certified Ayurvedic Wellness Educator and Bliss Therapist from the country’s most recognized school of Ayurveda, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Hindu Religion and Philosophy. Her Ayurvedic studies includes personal mentorship with Devi Mueller, President of the Ayurvedic Medical Association. Katie currently teaches local classes, workshops in the San Francisco Bay area, and periodically teaches on a national and international scale (www.yoginiwarrior.com).

Our goal this year was to uncover the most spectacular adventures for under $1000. Man are we glad we did that. We’ve teamed up with Rouge Wilderness, named one of Outside magazines best adventure travel companies on earth to bring you a ridiculously SWEET adventure.

Join us for 4 days of river runs, yoga, swimming, hiking, fires and delicious food on the Rouge River in Oregon, recently named one of the best river rafting experiences in the country.

Welcome to the Wild and Scenic Rogue River. Rogue Wilderness Adventures is your gateway to this beautiful and pristine wilderness area. For over 38 years Rogue Wilderness Adventures has been the leader in adventure travel on Oregon’s Rogue River.

Novelist Zane Grey felt the draw of this beautiful area; he wrote many of his western books in a cabin which still stands along the Rogue today. The area is steeped in history and lore from Native Americans to recent stories told around the campfire. The Rogue has famous fun rapids like Rainie Falls, Upper and Lower Black Bar Falls and Blossom Bar that will leave you memories of the sun dancing off of frothing warm water through beautiful rock formations and narrow canyons edged by towering cliffs.

Our adventures will open your eyes to the legendary wildlife viewing the Rogue River canyon. Deer, black bear, river otters, mallard ducks, turtles, bald eagles, and osprey are usually seen during your 34 mile trip from Grave Creek to Foster Bar. Enjoy your wilderness adventure on the nation’s first national Wild and Scenic river. Whitewater rafters are guaranteed an uncrowded, pristine adventure.

The Rogue River canyon from Grave Creek to Foster Bar features a historic hiking trail just above the river so hiking to side creeks and hidden swimming pools is easy and the views are spectacular. Checkout our new 28″x10″ waterproof Rogue River Hiking Trail Map. The Pacific Northwest Cascade Mountain Range near Crater Lake National Park in southern Oregon is where the Rogue River starts its journey to the Pacific Ocean.

Register:

Price: $960

Price includes: 3 nights catered camping, 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 3 dinners, guides, skilled professional guide service, expedition equipment including 2-person shared tent and waterproof bags, high-quality inflatable rafts and kayaks and related river equipment including paddle and helmet and personal flotation device, gratuities and local taxes.
Price does not include: airfare, airport transfer, pre- and post-trip accommodations and meals, alcoholic beverages, sleeping bag & sleeping pad (these items may be rented on site for $40) or items of personal nature

Look, if you want to go to Tulum, Mexico, you can do it the standard “yogi tourist” way and stay at places like Maya Tulum or Amansala, or you can add a little more magic to your experience. Add a little more attention to detail. Add the most consistently delicious food on the entire beach. Add the coziest yoga studio in all of Mexico. Basically, everything about our retreat is just more magical.

Join us for this for this unique yoga retreat to Tulum in the Yucatan Peninsula. There is no better way to embrace the magic of this special place than to do so during the full moon. Add the amazing teaching of Dagmar Spremberg, with the music of the Hang Drum and all of this just after December 2012… Talk about magic!

Dagmar will lead you through dynamic flows in the mornings and a sweet slow flow at night accompanied by the Daniel on the beautiful hang drum. Shambala Petit Hotel is the most charming spot on the entire beach and will be the perfect place to dive into our practice, jump into the ocean and relax on the white sand beach. In addition to visiting Mayan Ruins and swimming in underground catacombs, we’ll have plenty of free time to explore, snorkel, kayak, kite-surf and more. We’ll enjoy 3 healthy meals a day and have access to spa treatments influenced by ancient Mayan tradition.

see pictures from last year!

About Dagmar

Dagmar believes that yoga is more than just bringing the foot behind the head. It is about re-connecting and feeling good about ourselves. It allows us to remember our own strength and beauty and re-align ourselves with something that is bigger than us. Through yoga we can get out of the mind and into the body and heart. We learn that we are free to make choices, so instead of turning away from the world, we engage with it in a conscious way with a new set of tools and new awareness and clarity. Our goal is to create balance and remove any blockages that keep us from living with joy. When we are living our truth and free from fear, we will inspire others to do the same.

To learn more about Dagmar visit Our Team Page

Daniel Gautschi – Hang Drum

In this very special yoga retreat we will do dynamic vinyasa flow in the mornings. During the evening slow flow classes Dagmar will be accompanied by Daniel Gautschi, playing the beautiful melodies of the Hang drum, a very unique, handmade instrument created in Switzerland. Daniel has been living in Costa Rica for over 20 years and is well known as an artist.

For more info please see his website at lacandelacostarica.com

About Shambala Petit Hotel

I’ve visited many yoga retreat centers around the world and this may be the most charming and special place I’ve seen so far. It feels like a family as the owner, Roberto helps serve the dinner plates. And speaking of food, one person on our last trip expressed that this was the most consistently he had eaten such good food in his entire life. I agree. Fresh juices, avocado and goat cheese for breakfast along with other fruits. Soups and salads to die for and main courses that will soon be featured in a spectacular cookbook. This is a place for yogis and foodies as everything is made with love and attention to detail.

Check out more pictures on their website: Shambala Petit Hotel

Schedule and Flight info:

Please click here to see our yoga retreat schedule: Tulum Yoga Retreat Schedule

Includes:

• 7 nights at Shambala Petit Hotel
• 3 delicious meals daily
• All classes with Dagmar
• Mayan Ruins visit
• All Transportation
• Local Guides

Does not include: Airfare, tips, optional excursions, alcoholic beverages.

Optional:

• Kite Surfing
• Horseback Riding
• Snorkeling
• Bird Watching
• Spa Treatments
• Beach Extension

Registration:

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due to hold your space.

Early Bird Pricing: Save $200!!

*Purchase in full before December 1st, 2011

Shared Bathroom (4 spots available)- $1695
Double (8-10 spots available) – $1795
Single (2-4 spots available)- $2395

Regular Pricing:

Shared Bathroom (4 spots available)- $1895
Double (8-10 spots available) – $1995
Single (2-4 spots available)- $2595

*Airfare not included.
*Travel insurance not included, but is mandatory.
*Non-refundable deposit due upon registration.
* Payment in full due 45 days before departure or upon registration.

Our most dynamic adventure

All of our retreats our interesting and inspiring, but none quite capture the essence of a country and of a people like this one. None quite illuminate the lessons of perspective, gratitude and generosity like this one. Four days doing service work in the farmland of Masaya, two days in and around the colonial city of Granada and three days on what we think is the most beautiful beach in the world.

Pictures from last year!

The Trip

Day 1 – Arrival/Managua: Welcome to Nicaragua! We’ll spend the first day getting oriented and establishing some goals for the rest of the trip. We’ll also visit La Churreca (garbage dump), in order to understand Project Chacocente better before we head out there.

Day 2-5 Masaya/Project Chacocente: We’ll spend 3/4 days in the countryside of Masaya where Project Chacocente is located. We’ll work with the Project, get to know the families and practice yoga once or twice a day. Fortunately the families have invited us to stay with them while we visit.

Day 5-6 Granada/Laguna De Apoyo: On our way to Granada we’ll stop at the stunning Laguna de Apoyo. A perfect opportunity to dive deeper into our practice, connect to nature and recharge for the rest of the trip. After, we’ll explore the beautiful colonial city of Granada, with its great restaurants, shops, cafes and nightlife. We’ll hike up and zip-line on Volcano Mombacho and kayak in the islands (Las Isletas) around Granada which are rich with wildlife.

Day 6-9 Tola: Our trip will end just north of Tola, at the most magical beach in the world. We’ll take surf lessons, practice yoga in hidden coves down the coast and soak in the Nicaraguan sun.

About Stephanie

Stephanie Sandleben was first hooked by yoga in her teens through her mother, a Kripalu style Hatha yogini, along with inclusive spirituality and awareness of breath from her father, a Sufi Sheikh. After several years of exploring different styles and teachers, and a mind-blowing trip to India, she completed her 200-hr teacher training with Alison West at Yoga Union in NYC. Stephanie is currently inspired by the precision of Iyengar yoga, the freedom and creativity of Vinyasa, the poetry of Anusara, and continues her studies with Tias and Surya Little.

She teaches a slow, steady, and intelligent vinyasa class. Her aim in the practice is to build heat to open the body, along with balancing the nervous system, so that each student can begin to observe their own internal dialogue. Each class is sequenced with care and attention to alignment.

Stephanie is also a certified Reiki Master by her teacher Vanessa Gonzalez. She started on this path three years ago as a way to understand the subtle play of energy in the practice and the communication of touch. Her experience with both Reiki and Yoga instilled the importance of Seva (self-less service) as part of her practice and she’s excited to share the gift of giving with others.

For more information please visit Stephanie’s website at Samayoga.com

Trip Planning & Contact

To contact us about this trip please email ben@solyogatrips.com
For more detailed information regarding travel, passport and visas, travel insurance, packing lists and more, please see our Trip Planning Guide

Sample Day

• Morning Meditation
• Breakfast
• Morning Yoga
• Work at Project
• Lunch
• Afternoon yoga or Teach at Project or Adventure!
• Dinner
• Fire side chat OR out on the town

Accommodation

We will be staying in various accommodations during our trip. In Masaya, at the project we will have a choice of staying with a host family or in a nearby hotel. In Granada we will be staying either on a small hotel by the lake or in a funky hostel with hammocks, delicious food and friendly people. In San Juan del Sur we’ll step it up to some very nice accommodations with a view or right on the beach.

Lodging in Tola – Aqua Nicaragua

Includes

• All yoga sessions with Solyoga
• Accommodation
• Transportation
• Visit to Coffee Plantation
• Visit to Crater Lake
• Guided Hike
• 2-3 meals daily and drinks (at meals excluding alcohol)

Optional:

• Massage and spa treatments
• Kayaking
• Surfing
• zip-lining

Money

Nicaragua uses the Cordoba. $1 is worth about 22 cordobas and prices in Nicaragua are relatively cheap compared to Costa Rica, Panama and especially the US. We advise that you only take a small amount of money out upon arrival as we will have opportunities to visit atms and banks in Granada and San Juan Del Sur.

Tips – Tipping works like any other country for guides. You are encouraged to give any of our guides a tip if you think they did a good job. Of course this is completely optional but we like to treat the people we work with well when they treat us well!

Airfare and Travel Insurance

You are responsible for purchasing airfare and travel insurance. It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance and we reserve the right to deny participation if it is not purchased. Participants will cover any additional costs due to arrival/departure outside of the dates and time ranges listed below. More information in Trip Planning Guide …

*Important: Overnight flight departs on June 5th and arrives on June 6th

• Airport: Managua, Nicaragua: Augusto C Sandino International Airport(MGA )
• Arrival Date: August 13th, 2011
• Arrival Time Range: 6:00am – 1:00pm
• Departure Date: August 21st, 2011
• Departure Time Range: 12:00pm – 6:00pm

Suggested flight from New York
tbd
tbd

Trip Planning

For more detailed information regarding travel, passport and visas, travel insurance, packing lists and more, please see our Trip Planning Guide.

Registration:

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due to hold your space.

Early Bird Pricing: Save $200!!

*Purchase in full before May 1st, 2012

Double – $1595
Single – $2095

Regular Pricing:

Double -$1795
Single -$2295