We have been lucky enough to meet these wonderful souls along our paths and they’ve brought some incredible offerings to the centre!
Yara Elarabi
Growing up, I have always longed for a deeper connection to myself and the world around me. I was always captivated by movement, as it allowed me to explore this union between my body, mind, and soul. I discovered yoga in my teen years, but it wasn’t until my early 20s that I started to dive deeper into my yoga practice. Yoga has provided me with that connection that I have always longed for.
I was able to tap into my divine power, while also connecting to others and the world around me. Yoga has provided me with the space to heal and love myself, and I wanted to share this powerful practice with others. I began my teaching journey in 2014. I’ve completed the Moksha Level 1, Moksha flow, yin, and Prana Vinyasa trainings. I am grateful to be able to share the power of this practice in one of my favourite places. I have been to many places around the world, and there’s something so special about Costa Rica. Every time I am there, surrounded by its beautiful nature, I feel this sudden sense of grounding and peace. I look forward to holding space and sharing this beautiful practice with you.
Katarina Wittkamp
Through the practice of yoga I have seen myself soften and that is what I see in others too when I teach. This has been my most consistent and reliable form of self-care that I can do no matter where I am, no matter what state of mind or body I am in, and no matter the resources I have. This practice reminds me what is possible of what we can do for ourselves with limitless options in how to care for oneself based on the traditional teachings.
That is why I love working with all different kinds of students of different levels of experience, physical abilities and mental & emotional states, because this is when the teaching becomes the most creative.
Over the past 8 years I have been training and teaching around the world in countries such as India, the U.S., Australia and Vietnam, though I am originally from London, Ontario. I am excited to continuing the journey in Costa Rica in 2019!
Christa de Ridder
In recent years I have started to combine my passion for cooking with my Yoga & Ayurveda practice, which inspired me to cook food that supports our bodies to be more balanced, comfortable and in their best health.
It amazes me to see how much unhealthy food is marketed as health food, how we get mislead by the media and how we think we are healthy, but are not connected to our health at all. We believe what someone else is telling us, but we mistrust our own bodies, our own intuition, our own inner guide. I am inspired to create change!
Through Ayurveda I have come to learn that the body can be more intelligent than the mind. I am fascinated about how the body simply tells us what is going on and even more about how we (learn to) ignore the signs. We’d rather have someone else tell us what to do. Ayurveda & Yoga teach us how to tap into the knowledge we already possess and learn to connect back to our bodies.
Over the past years I have been cooking at ashrams in Vietnam & the U.S. and other public yoga events, including retreats and workshops. Recently I founded the catering company Sage & Saints to continue to provide good food for people to create better health. With my partner Katarina Wittkamp I organize retreats to share the practice of Yoga & Ayurveda so more people can benefit from it.
Maryl Clyke
I believe my purpose in life is to care for others through education. This includes my family, my friends, and those I haven’t met yet. I fell in love with Costa Rica in January 2016 whilst studying to become a Thai Massage Practitioner at the retreat centre. I was transformed by the way I learned not only about the power of compassionate touch, but also about life, humankind, and most of all the influence nature can have on a journey to self discovery.
I’m a single mom of two Tweens who has enjoyed an active lifestyle during the last 15+ years of my life, and I know the power that an experience completely outside your comfort zone can have on your life. I hope to share my personal and professional experiences with others to help them unlock their inner potential.
I’m embracing my gift and looking forward to sharing it with you.
Robynn ‘Freebird’ Nierop
I believe my life’s purpose is to help and support others in living life to the beat of their own drum, simultaneously assisting individuals in their self exploration through confidently expressing their unique and authentic being!
I am a humanist; a lover of yoga; a risk taker; a world traveler; a nature admirer; and an individual who strives to live life off the beaten path, following my heart and my passion.
I am a Pilates and Yoga Instructor, supported by knowledge gained from my designation as a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, which led me to becoming an Authentic Life Coach. I love what I do and you can too!
“It’s impossible,” said Pride. “It’s risky,” said Experience. “It’s pointless,” said Reason. “Give it a try,” whispered the Heart.” — Unknown
Sara Salehi
My background as a scientist is in psychology and neuroscience. As an educator and teacher, my style comes from a unique marriage between knowledge of the human brain and body. I focus on guiding students through a conversation with their bodies, while using the breath as an awareness tool.
Over the years, I have completed an array of teacher trainings in different styles of yoga, including Moksha, Moksha Flow, Pre and post natal yoga, as well as yin and restorative. Recently I went to the jungle to add Thai yoga massage to my repertoire and completed multiple intensives in the jungle at Navina Costa Rica.
I can’t wait to show you around this magical healing environment. We’re combining the natural elements with reiki, Thai massage, daily yoga, to create an environment of limitless relaxation and personal growth.
Leah Von Zuben
I see my roll as a guide for individuals whose desire it is to use yoga, meditation and massage for enhancing their own life; whether by healing, creating peace & happiness, or getting stronger & more flexible. I am passionate about peoples’ holistic experiences in these modalities.
I entered my first yoga class in 2002, completed my first yoga teacher training in 2006, and since then developed my study and practice through numerous avenues of yoga, meditation and massage education. Of note: in 2010 I undertook Thai massage training level 1 in Thailand and level 2 in Toronto. Most recently in 2017 I earned my registration as a Massage Therapist having attended Sutherland Chan school in Toronto.
Sean McKeown
After years of working as a Sales and Marketing Corporate Manager, a clear fork in the road presented itself, and the Moksha teacher training opportunity fell into my lap. This experience completely opened my eyes to the interconnectivity of so many subjects I had been interested in. A deep curiosity for the unknown has always existed but I did not see how these curiosities could possibly develop into a career. It was not until the philosophy behind the physical practice began to take form in my own understanding that I realized this is my calling.
Since my early adult life, I would use Yoga as an occasion tool for the physical benefits, to counteract strain of weight training or running. As I built a career and evolved professionally, a craving for a daily practice of yoga and meditation developed, to stay centred. Through meditation, my childhood catholic upbringing gained a whole new perspective; my adolescent self doubts and insecurities finally had purpose; my recent cognitive psychology degree was shone with new light. I saw how needed all of my hardship was, and how much better I am because of it. My full aspirations have shifted to facilitating self discovery and assisting in Karmic cleansing of all forms.