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Tree Of Life

Last Updated on Sunday, 03 February 2013 22:01

Just a ten minute walk down the road from our retreat center The Goddess Garden toward town is the Tree Of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Garden. If you have a spare hour or two before mid afternoon take a walk through and get up close and personal with some of the animals that you might otherwise not have a chance to see. There are several species that have been given refuge from difficult situations like accidents, loss of habitat and failed attempts at domestication. Some animals are nursed back to health and released into the wild and some take up permanent residence at the Sanctuary.

Although Howler monkeys inhabit The Goddess Garden you are more likely to hear them than to see them. Howler monkeys spend most of their life high in the treetops of the jungles of Central and South America and are said to have the loudest voice of all land animals. From their high vantage point they are the first to call in the dawn - and that's one powerful alarm clock. If you're lucky, when you visit the Tree of Life Center, you might get to see little Maggie wrap herself around one of the staff members or play at ground level in the front entryway. It's the closest you're ever likely to get to a Howler monkey.

You may see a Kinkajou, a couple of Pecarries, and some other animals that you've never heard of before. But, the most fun to watch are the Capuchin monkeys.

A diverse collection of tropical plants, complete with identification signs, make this a beautiful and educational ambling experience. And, you'll feel good to know that your $12.00 entry fee is going to a worthy cause.

New Year's Yoga & Live Music Retreat

Last Updated on Saturday, 02 February 2013 03:00

Some time last spring, four Wisconsinites dreamed of a way to take their work on the road so they could travel the world. What started out as a fuzzy vision, gained clarity and ended up becoming a reality.

John is no stranger to port towns on both sides of Costa Rica. At one time he was employed as a dancer/performer with Princess Cruise Lines until an injury ended his career and had him turn to rehabilitative yoga. John taught himself to play the guitar and was attracted to Kirtan music (and Marty!) through his involvement with yoga. Marty plays the harmonium. With an early career in accounting and restaurant work, she realized that she needed to be her own boss. Marty has now been teaching yoga for about ten years and is currently at Core Essence in Milwaukee with Shayna. Shayna, a massage therapist like the other two, offers Thai Yoga Bodywork to her students in addition to her yoga teachings. Kevin, also a self-taught guitarist, began to incorporate his own brand of folk/reggae into Shayna's classes. Acoustic Yoga became a hit with the students. So, they decided to develop a retreat. After searching many locations they zeroed in on The Goddess Garden for their first adventure because “it just felt right”.

These teachers help their students break through their "I can't" barriers. “Just put the workshop on your calendar and it will take care of itself.” they told the ones with concerns. Things just seemed to work out well. If they had any expectations at all is was that everything go smoothly and, subsequently, the experience exceeded their expectations by far. They highly praised the food - always fresh, well prepared and presented, and all dietary restrictions were taken into consideration and accommodated for.

The staff at the Goddess Garden was very helpful with coordinating excursions and the students enjoyed several different half-day jaunts including zip-lining and trips to the waterfall and the sloth farm.

In the evenings, in the palapa, the four performed a round-robin - taking turns melding different styles of music, played by the men, with yoga postures taught by the women. When the music stops, the ambient sounds of the jungle provide a backdrop for a new breath - inspiration for the next round of acoustic yoga.

The music informs the yoga. It offers something to focus on - (other than your discomfort and your mental chatter!) offers rhythm to help synchronize your breathing. Music, like yoga, has the ability to calm and rejuvenate you. And, sometimes music just makes yoga a whole lot more fun!