On riding the wave
EDUCATION CONNECTION EXPERIENCE
That's what it's all about at our studio. Everything we do is infused with these three values.
A group of us spent a week where the jungle meets the sea. None of us having ever surfed, put on (a lot) of sunscreen, got beat up by surf rash, fell, and fell, and fell some more, and then something happened... it started to click.
A bunch of midwest folks started popping up, riding waves, with big smiles on our faces. Cheering each other on, yelling "Yaaaaa!"
We had so much fun learning how to surf, connecting with ourselves and each other, and experiencing the warmth of Costa Rica and its people.
This month's journal is a collection of reflections.
Words can’t describe the amount of love, joy, and happiness this retreat brought me. I’ve gained a new skill that i’m already yearning to go back for- surfing and learning to ride the waves. The ocean forces you to be present, in the moment with no outside distractions, just you and your board. I’m inspired to bring this concept home with me and embody in my daily routine, to truly live and be AWAKE in the present moment.
As I come back to life in the states, I realize the small changes I can incorporate into my day to day that I took from Costa Rica and Pura Vida.
Costa Rica, and specifically learning to surf, teaches us to slow down. That life still moves forward even when you take it at a slower pace. When I was in the water Veronica would say,
Check the wave,
Breathe
Turn your board
Paddle
Look up
Stand up
There was such a calm and no rush to turn the board or get up. Feeling the comings and goings of the ocean you realize there is time. And if one wave wasn't the right one, there was another soon to follow.
I think all of this applies to day to day.
Check the wave: see what is headed our way.
Breathe: pause as it gets closer, you have time
Turn your board: head yourself in the direction of the most momentum (what gets you excited and gives you energy) and let them take you in the right direction.
Paddle: go in the direction the universe is pushing you, and also, you need to give some effort as well.
Look up: look in the direction you are headed and want to go, don't look backwards
Stand up: find your balance and stability, take up space, get tall, get big and own it all (don't shrink or you will get swallowed)
Look around, take it all in along the way.
Enjoy the journey even if you fall.
And if you fall down, get back up and try again.
You don't learn to walk from giving up the first time you fall as a baby, same goes in adulthood.
Pura Vida
Slow down, breath, look around, go with the flow!
I never believed in a million years that my body was capable of surfing, and when I proved that self doubt wrong on the first day I felt myself let go of expectations and find a little bit of peace in the ocean. Being able to go with the slow flow of Costa Rica and not rush from place to place, even for just a week, is an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life.
This retreat allowed me to unplug in a way that is typically not available to me and not take life so seriously. I work in a caregiving field with constant "fires to extinguish," so it was great to refill my cup and just live in the present. I was also pushed out of my comfort zone and experienced many "firsts." I met and reconnected with beautiful people, moved my body, and grew closer to God. This trip allowed me to have a cluster of beautiful memories and glimmers with my mom that will live on forever.
Every trip I've gone on with Muddy Waters Yoga has both changed and inspired me.
This recent trip to Costa Rica was about
living in the moment,
experiencing new things,
and having fun.
These are things I don't get to do everyday and it's so amazing to be reminded that it's ok for adults to play!
We are often so busy that we don’t take the time to be playful with life.
Take the time to do things that aren’t serious.
Life is short so take the trip.
There is beauty everywhere.
I loved how we saw people rooting for other people.
Root for your friends, your competitors, your family and others.
Pura Vida
There are so many things I could say about this trip to Costa Rica, but here are my main take aways:
live in the moment,
say yes to any opportunity that excites you,
laugh more, everything will work itself out,
and lastly always take the chance to surf!
I’ve read a few memes lately stating that the best investments you can make are those in yourself.
When I saw the Muddy Waters Costa Rica retreat I was hesitant to go because of the focus on surfing. I had some preconceived notion that I can’t and/or won’t surf and that it’s scary and dangerous. However, something made me go against that notion and book the trip.
It was truly amazing.
I learned to surf with everyone else on the trip,
had an opportunity to detach from my regular work life,
and will never forget the experience.
I surely would have gone through my entire life having never touched a surf board or experiencing riding the energy of the waves.
I probably wouldn’t have ever done yoga listening to monkeys in the trees either if I hadn’t encountered this opportunity and listened to that little something inside me that said, “book the trip!”
My take away for the rest of life is:
do/learn the thing that sparks interest,
the process and experience of doing/learning it will enhance everything else that comes your way.
Trust the inkling and trust yourself and abilities.
As Heather says, “what you study you will learn.”
This trip was beyond incredible! Heather brings the most amazing, talented people to work with our group. I learned so much physically, mentally, and emotionally.
I was out of my comfort zone, but so supported. Our coaching was top notch and the food was amazing!
I left highly stressed and returned so nourished, body and soul.
I am forever changed,
zero regrets, and
full of GRATITUDE!
This retreat unlocked something in me that I didn't know was there.
It reminded me to slow down,
not to take life too seriously,
believe in yourself when things get difficult,
and truly see the beauty in each and every day.
The entire trip was filled with so much love and support - I'm ready to do it all over again!
