3 Reasons Why August is Magical at The Sanctuary at Two Rivers

By Liz Lindh

August is a magical month at The Sanctuary at Two Rivers Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica for many reasons. Here are my top three:

1.) August is one of our Yoga Teacher Training Certification months. Today, we are at the half-way point of a three week 200hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification Program intensive. I am learning and growing by participating in several aspects of this yoga teacher training myself. I am a guest yoga instructor so I spend my afternoons at the yoga pagoda teaching posture clinic, pranayama, and how to create a yoga class. This is one of my favorite ways to spend time. It is a remarkable process to be a part of the transformation and development of the beautiful souls that have showed up from across the US and Canada to attain their yoga teacher training certification. I am bearing witness to bodies getting strong, minds becoming clear and lifetimes of conditioning being questioned. I can see the awareness and confidence building everyday as this group of seekers dives into the timeless wisdom of yoga.

The Sanctuary herself is the primary teacher of our trainings. Individuals must confront their fears here. For example, a fear of spiders, bats, being alone in the dark, conversing with strangers at dinner, or simply a fear of the unknown may surface and our guests must then realize their intrinsic power and connection to Nature. This empowerment provides a new outlook on life, one with less constraint and fewer limitations. 

2.) Our Resident Yogis have collaborated over the past two months designing a three week menu of the

most delicious meals I have ever eaten. We have mindfully created unique dishes inspired by global flavors using the freshest local organic ingredients available.  Our entire menu is gourmet vegetarian, and much of it is vegan and gluten-free. I have been spending some time in the kitchen and love preparing sensuous, nutrient dense food from the highest quality vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, whole grains and legumes. I love picking the fresh herbs and smelling their aromas. I am fascinated by the alchemy that takes place when the components are combined into something much greater than the sum of the individual parts. The action of preparing food to nourish myself and others is a very deep form of spiritual practice. It goes beyond being of service, it is the magical ability to evoke the sacred in daily tasks and to live life as art. If you thought the food was good the last time you were here, we have taken it to a whole new level.

3.) It’s the Green Season in Costa Rica! The Sanctuary at Two Rivers is located in a tropical dry forest which does not get any rain from December to April (this is a welcome reprieve from the harsh winters of the northern hemisphere). From May through November the rains come; sometimes soft and warm, sometimes fierce and dark, always cleansing and lovely. Mother Earth is happy to receive the frequent tropical rains that replenish her. The Green Season is luscious and fertile. The gardens are bursting with scented flowers, butterflies are flitting past at every moment and the rivers are full and clear. The sky is rich with color as the sun rises and sets. The Pacific waves at the end of our driveway are majestic and good for surfing. We are immersed in Natural beauty. This season is a time to revitalize.

Perhaps I will see you here next August to experience the magic for yourself. In August 2015 we have a very special yoga teacher training certification program on our calendar, Tantric Alchemy with Marg Mahan and myself, Liz Lindh. In this unique training, we will be learning about jyotisha, palmistry, ayurveda, samkhya, and vastu as well as exploring asana, pranayama and meditation. Visit http://www.thesanctuarycostarica.com/universal-wisdom-yoga-teacher-training for the full details.