Discover Writing, Discover Costa Rica — January 2012

Namaste Gardens Writing & Yoga Retreat

Playa Herradura, Costa Rica

with guest speaker, award-winning novelist William Deverell

January 21 to 30, 2012

Pura vida … It’s Costa Rica’s unofficial slogan and it means “pure life.” Costa Ricans use the expression as a greeting and a farewell, and to mean thank you and you’re welcome, but more than this it symbolizes their philosophy of letting things go and just enjoying life …

Experience pura vida with writing instructor Allyson Latta and yoga instructor Jamie Wood during this creativity-nurturing and restorative 10-day tropical retreat in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Region. It’s open to participants of all ages and writing levels who enjoy travel and want to discover—or rediscover—a path into creative writing, whether memoirs, fiction or poetry.

Namaste Gardens is nestled at the end of a quiet road in the sunny beach town of Playa Herradura, on the Pacific coast. With its comfortable and colourful accommodations, lush jungle garden, and backyard pool and lounge area, this small retreat offers a tranquil escape that encourages both mindfulness and playfulness.

Gentle morning yoga practice, suitable for beginners (and optional), is designed to refresh body and soul and open your “writer’s mind.” Relaxed writing sessions—a combination of instruction, discussion and exercises—will motivate and inspire you.

Afternoons will offer you time and space to focus on freewriting exercises or personal writing, to enjoy solitude or connect with others in this small group, and, best of all, to allow Costa Rica to fill your senses. Sway in a poolside hammock, stroll to the beach (its horseshoe shape makes it safe for swimming), go for a bike ride, visit five-star Los Sueños Resort, or head to Jaco, 6 kilometres south, for shopping (regional information here; click on map to enlarge). During several evening reading salons you’ll have a chance to hear others’ writing and, if you wish, to share your own.

Registration fee covers San Jose airport pickup & drop-off; 9 nights’ accommodation (single or shared; arrive Jan 21, depart Jan 30); meals & snacks that include fresh tropical fruit and other local fare; 7 writing workshops and yoga sessions; reading salons; and a complimentary massage.

Excursions may be planned to Carara National Park and/or to Manuel Antonio National Park.

Interested? E-mail lattamemoirs@gmail.com to register or inquire.

 

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ALLYSON LATTA has edited fiction and nonfiction books—including national and international award-winners—for major Canadian publishers as well as University of the West Indies Press in Jamaica. She teaches Memories into Story: Introduction to Life Writing for University of Toronto, and has led workshops in Canada, the U.S. and Chile. Her students have had stories published, won literary competitions, and self-published books. A former newspaper and magazine writer/editor, Allyson moved into book editing in 1996 and in 2004 developed her first memoir course for Ryerson University. She makes her home in Toronto, but once upon a time lived for three years in Japan and still travels any chance she gets. Click here to read what participants said about her Tucson retreat.

JAMIE WOOD, owner of Namaste Gardens, is professionally trained in Restorative, Arkaya, Yin and Ashtanga yoga. Her primarily focus is on these calmer styles of yoga, which promote relaxation and restoration, and de-stress the body. Students new or advanced will benefit from her caring approach and guidance. Jamie first made her way to Costa Rica over 5 years ago to work at Los Sueños Resort. She purchased a home nearby and spent two years transforming it into Namaste Gardens, a sanctuary where she shares her love of yoga, health and her beautiful adopted country. Jamie divides her time between Herradura, CR, and Vancouver, Canada, where she runs her downtown studio, Yaletown Restorative. Visit Namaste Gardens.