Anusara Yoga Mixed Level Retreat in Costa Rica

With Amy Ippoliti, Manorama and musicians, Benjy and Heather Wertheimer.

February 28-March 7th 2003: Luna Lodge, Osa Peninsula
 
Surrounded by 60 acres of rainforest, Luna Lodge is a natural, luxurious haven nestled within an area described as "...the most biologically intense place on Earth" by National Geographic Magazine.

This is Carate, a secluded paradise on the Osa Peninsula which borders Corcovado National Park, home to countless birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and trees.

The natural beauty of Carate defies description, with verdant ridges full of monkeys and rare birds cascading down to a wide black sand beach with nothing but driftwood and coconut shells for miles on end. Tall palms burst with coconuts, almond trees teem with scarlet macaws, overlooking emerald-turquoise waves that peel offshore.

When you arrive in Carate, a sparsely populated outpost at the end of the road, you are at the true frontier of this precious land.  From Luna Lodge's vast circular deck overlooking the Carate River valley, you can spot hundreds of rare and exotic creatures. Luna Lodge's five waterfalls offer swift flowing chutes and refreshing wading pools, while a much higher set of falls just a few minutes down the valley thunders from a 40 foot drop.

Program:
Amy looks forward to sharing this sacred place and leading a program that takes you more profoundly into the heart of Anusara Yoga. In the evenings and some afternoons, Manorama will lead us in chanting, story telling and the wonders of the Sanskrit language and Benjy and Heather will provide a musical backdrop for the whole experience.  Luna Lodge and the focused environment of retreat provides the perfect space in which to relax, discover the thrill of nature, while at the same time transforming your being.   Those seeking Certification in Anusara Yoga will receive 35 credit hours during the retreat.

Your day will look like this:
	Sunrise pranayama and meditation overlooking the ocean or early morning guided wildlife hikes
	Breakfast break
	Three hour Anusara Asana class
	Lunch break
	90 minute Anusara Asana class
	Dinner break
	Evening chanting, Sanskrit alphabet and story telling

During Breaks from Yoga:
Explore the lodge's outrageously beautiful grounds, swim in the falls, give yourself an all natural, whole body mud pack by the water, hike the forest, go to the beach or bird watch. There are also some excellent surf breaks in the area, for those looking for the 'perfect' wave.

Yoga facility:
The open-air yoga space is in our experience the most stunning yoga facility in Costa Rica. Cantilevered out over the hills, the smooth wooden deck includes a round meditation area and shady roof. With magnificent views of the Carate River valley framing the ocean in the distance, and fragrant earthy breezes coming up from the sea and rainforest, this breathtaking space is the perfect setting to delve more deeply into the heart of Anusara Yoga. Complete with changing area and bathroom facilities.

Accommodations:  
Each luxurious, spacious bungalow provides two double beds, and a private bathroom with garden "outdoor" shower and bathtub. Large screened windows and high thatched-palm roof provide for ample air circulation, and each also has its own private deck out front. Most bungalows overlook vast tropical rainforest views. Since the lodge is located up above the Carate River Valley, it is generally cooler and there is almost always a light breeze, so there are rarely any mosquitoes or other insects.

Roomy stand up tents sit on secluded platforms with a shaded deck, screened windows, and two twin beds. Fresh bedding and towels are provided. There is a shared bathroom close by and most tents also have views of the valley.

Cost:
Pay in full by October 27th - $1650 tents, $1800 bungalows
Pay in full by December 15th - $1750 tents, $1900 bungalows
January 5th deadline - $1850 tents, $2000 bungalows

Double occupancy.

Those enrolled in the 2003 Winter Anusara Teacher Training Intensive receive the early registration rates through January 5th.

	All meals and snacks
	8 nights, 9 days accomodations
	Yoga instruction
	2 eco-tours
	Domestic airfare and transfers from San Jose airport to Carate
	Transfers to and from the Carate airstrip and Luna Lodge

Lynn Hazan, VIRAYOGA, 580 Broadway, Suite 1109 New York, NY 10012.
Email Lynn at lynn@virayoga.com or Amy at amy@wildspirityoga.com
for more information.

Travel:
Airfare is roughly $425 with our travel agent from the NYC to San Jose. The domestic flights are included in the retreat cost. Book early, as flights fill fast. Please let Lynn know your plans ASAP so she can arrange your domestic flight.

Refund policy:
50% of your deposit is refundable until January 5th, 2003. No refunds thereafter.

About Amy Ippoliti: A student of yoga since 1986, Amy is both a certified Anusara Yoga instructor and designated Teacher Trainer by Anusara founder, John Friend. She has studied hatha yoga, pranayama and yoga therapeutics under the guidance of John Friend for the last 5 years and continues to apprentice and travel with him nationally. Additionally, she studies closely with Tantric philosopher, renowned scholar and yogin, Douglas R. Brooks. Amy leads Anusara retreats, workshops and teacher trainings in the USA and internationally. Her openhearted, enthusiastic teaching style helps to create class environments that foster personal transformation and remembrance of our innate beauty.

About Co-teacher Manorama: Manorama (Thea D'Alvia) teaches Sanskrit, meditation and yoga philospophy at the Jivamukti Yoga Center, the Integral Yoga Institute, and the Laughing Lotus Yoga Center. She also leads workshops nationally and abroad. Manorama studied Sanskrit, meditation and yoga philospophy with Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati, (Dr. Ramamurti S. Mishra, M.D.), author of The Textbook of Yoga Psychology and The Fundamentals of Yoga. She worked as Shri Brahmananda Sarasvati's assistant and has continued teaching since he took his Maha-Samadhi in 1993. She continues her studies in Sanskrit with Dr. R. K. Sharma, the president of the international Sanskrit Association (ISSA). She is a certified Sanskrit instructor for ASI. For more information on Manorama visit www.sanskritstudies.org

About Benjy Wertheimer: A dynamic performer and professional producer, Benjy tours with Krishna Das and composed the soundtrack for John Friend’s "Anusara 101" CDs.  A student of Indian classical music for a quarter of a century, Benjy co-founded the internationally acclaimed Ancient Future world fusion music ensemble in 1978. He has toured the US, Canada, and Japan with renowned bamboo flute master G.S. Sachdev, and has opened for such artists as Carlos Santana, Paul Winter, and Narada Michael Walden. He was also a contributing composer/member of the Zakir Hussain Rhythm Experience (along with Mickey Hart of the Grateful Dead).