a place to return home
NEW YEAR BLISSFUL RECHARGE
AND SOULFUL ADVENTURE for women
FEBRUARY 3 - 10, 2024
BLUE OSA, COSTA RICA
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
“Julie facilitated a fabulous week at Blue Osa and I feel unbelievably grateful for the safe and inviting space they created in a very magical part of the world. I didn't know a single other participant taking the trip and found that there were many other women in my shoes who joined the retreat. There was an incredible age range and women who had a wide variety of job types and life experiences to share. We all got along so so well and Julie did an incredible job teaching yoga classes to match student's needs. Our time together went far beyond yoga classes. Dance and barre classes were offered and beautiful, heartfelt and tender chants were sung together at the yoga shala with a harmonium and those songs filled my soul in a powerful way. I would love to attend another retreat with Julie in the future!!”
— Marina V.
“This all-women yoga retreat was definitely food for the soul: highly recommend to those who want to spend a week at a retreat where you nourish your body and spirit. Most of us woke to greet the sunrise; there was silence until 9:30 am, meditation at 7:30 followed by a flow class. In the afternoons was another class, usually more restorative. Julie Aiello is a wonderful person and was a fantastic instructor and leader. Most of us were strangers to each other but we quickly connected to create an inclusive and beautiful circle of friends.” —Gretchen C.
“I can honestly say this retreat changed my life. Julie helped me reawaken a self love and self care that I had been ignoring for many months, and brought together such a beautiful community of people and teachings that are helping me continue this positive change back home. Thank you!!” — Elizabeth H.
OUR RETREATS ARE for women of all ages
to come play, rejuvenate and celebrate life!
What you can expect:
A glimpse of why retreat // our core elements here for the Costa Rica Retreat.
To experience wild + rugged NATURE + BEAUTY that is the Osa peninsula. A very much untouched part of Costa Rica, experiencing the remote, wildness of the Osa is very special. 2.5% of the worlds species here. The earth hums with vitality and raw beauty.
Reconnection to your body + feeling in healthy rhythm. Watching the sunrise, daily morning yoga, beautiful healthy meals, hiking, swimming in the warm ocean.
Self-honoring. To be in the practice of honoring yourself, at all levels. Choose your adventure day to day, with multiple class options, an invitation to tune in to your body as well as try new things! And plenty of free time, and within the structure of retreat.
Nourishing, powerful movement. There are yoga practices for all levels. We will offer foundational slow flow yoga as well as power yoga and barre in the morning. In the afternoons we offer restorative yoga, dance and other workshops like chanting/ singing and intro to reiki. We have multiple offerings to suit all-levels of practitioners.
Receive. Receive support and nourishment — from nature, from community, from yoga practice and us as your guides for the week. To truly allow ourselves to receive is such an important part of rejuvenating our feminine energy, vitality and creativity, and has been one of the ultimate teachings for me.
Radical love! To be held in radical love, warmth and kindness. The space we seek to provide on retreats is one where you can trust that you will feel welcome and celebrated exactly as you are.
Beautiful community. To experience the gift of living in community for a week, where women of all ages are welcome, seen, celebrated and cherished. In the space we co-create, we inherently remember we all have gifts and to offer one another, and bask in the joy of connection around meals, nature exploration, and in practices together.
Solo integration time. You will also have plenty of your own time and space to do as you wish.. we have 7 hours (9:30am - 4:30pm) between practices, for you to rest, eat, adventure, read.. whatever your pleasure.
Soulful home away from home. The team at Blue Osa is the welcoming and supportive family and home away from home you could ever imagine. Their way of being is kind, devoted to service, and truly inspiring. The resort is also an incredibly special and beautiful place.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me with questions: julie@outdooryogasf.com
the most beautiful yoga shala !!
home to powerful, gentle, profound moments of joy, release and REMEMBRANCE.
ITINERARY:
6AM - Coffee, Tea and Light Breakfast Available
7AM - Meditation + Pranayama (guided breathing)
7:30am - 9AM - Movement practice. The days will alternate with all-levels vinyasa yoga practice, and barre practices with some cardio! On days Julie teaches barre, Kirin will offer a stretch class as well in the morning.
10AM - 1PM - Activity option
1PM - Lunch
4:30PM - Afternoons will include restorative yoga, free dance (think 5 rhythms), reiki and singing workshops. All are blissful practices, and an opportunity to shake it, set your soul free and dance! As well as alternating days to really rest and soak in restoration.
We recommend using the retreat as inspiration to practice yoga at least twice a week leading up to this time.
6:30PM - Dinner
While it sounds like the day starts early, you will settle into a natural, early to bed rhythm here! Nearly everyone does.. the sun sets at 6:30pm (we are near the equator) and rises around 5:30am, so you will likely rise early, and get to enjoy the incredible peace and quiet of the morning time. We have morning silence in place on this retreat, so there is no talking until 7:30am, which really tends to be more like after yoga around 9:30am, and allows you to take in the beauty and stillness of the morning. Sometimes people go on a sunrise swim or beach walk, or just sit in the chairs and drink coffee, watching the sunrise.
CLASS OFFERINGS
MORNING SESSIONS:
3 FOUNDATIONAL FLOW CLASSES - Foundational Flow classes focuses on practicing one category of movement, like twisting, hip openers, or backends. It’s a well-rounded class, with extra emphasis on creating a strong foundation to build your yoga practice.
2 POWER FLOW CLASSES - For practitioners who have a yoga practice, and desire more flow and less instruction. An opportunity to drop into a strong and mindful flow. These classes are 2 out of 3 on advance scale, not super advanced, but a familiarity with yoga is helpful.
2 MINDFUL STRENGTH CLASSES - Barre style classes with some cardio. These classes are intentionally designed to target small muscle movement, increase body awareness and strength, and offer great all-around cross training for all the ways you love to move your body. They are some of my favorite classes to teach and take, and I’m excited to offer these classes to you!
LATE AFTERNOON SESSIONS:
1 SONG WORKSHOP - Open to the healing and expressive power of your voice! We will practice vocal tuning, a few singing excesses, and share in an uplifting song circle.
1 REIKI WORKSHOP - Learning the foundations of reiki, universal healing energy. Practice giving and receiving reiki in this workshop. Reiki is a subtle and powerful practice that empowers us to remember we are all healers, and with intentional, compassionate touch we can be of great service to each other.
1 ECSTATIC DANCE SESSION - This session will begin with guided instruction and after about 30 minutes, open up to free movement. This dance session can be whatever you want it to be - slow, sensual, wild, powerful, sweet, fun, playful, healing.. and maybe all of that. The music is a mix of tribal music, pop-remix favorites, and world beats. Check out some of Kirin’s playlists here.
2 RESTORATIVE YOGA SESSIONS WITH GUIDED HYPNOSIS FOR HEALING AND VISUALIZATION
1 HEALING + CREATION WORKSHOP - A workshop to connect with our shadow and our light. What do we desire to tend in our hearts, mind and body, and what do we desire to create? A journal and discussion oriented workshop.
MORE DETAILS
MEALS: Meals here are plant-based and gluten-free. Eggs are served as an option with breakfast, and animal protein is served as an option for 2-3 dinners. Delicious plant-based options are the mainstay at every meal. Special dietary requests can be made within reason, as the kitchen is so accommodating.
ROOMS: Most people who join the retreat share a room with someone they haven't met yet! I consciously pair people based on my intuition and the information I receive from you. Sharing rooms is very common on retreat, and always works out beautifully. If for any reason your room situation doesn't work out, there is always another option we can work out for you. Check out the beautiful accommodations here.
QUESTIONS // BOOKING: If this retreat is already feeling like an easy yes, great! Jump on in! If you'd like to connect on the phone to see if it's a good fit for you, please email me at julianneyoga108@gmail.com with a few times that work for you to connect. I love meeting and talking with people, and I’m happy to talk without any pressure on you to join.
OTHER ACTIVITIES: Just being in the Osa is so much of the experience. And, Blue Osa offers a few incredible daily excursions. Some of the most-loved activities have been surfing, horseback riding, and kayaking through mangroves. Any adventures you want to partake in can be decided upon once you’re there, so you can see how you feel, and sign up for something the next day.
As a dedicated student of yoga for over a decade, I truly believe that nourishing ourselves nourishes all life. Investing time and energy back into ourselves is essential to remember we are not only here to be of service, but to know ourselves as divine and worthy of receiving as well. We will use the yogic philosophy of the 8 limbs of yoga as a foundational teaching of this retreat, and explore how we can use the limbs to experience the joy of the inner most self, and express that in our being. We will also have a couple afternoon workshops on invoking possibility, learning energy tools and yoga philosophy that support clear and intuitive visioning. This material is deep and rich and I reserve for retreats when we have time and space to dive in.
This retreat is a time for you to slow your roll.. to live in the present, be wonderfully pampered with delicious meals, transformative yoga, immersed in nature and open to all that possible for your life!
Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
With love, Julie
TRAVEL
Getting there from Bay Area:
Option 1- Fly Friday, daytime. Sleep in San Jose, and take little plane to retreat center on Saturday morning.
Option 2 - Fly overnight on Friday night red eye, and travel to retreat center on Saturday morning.
Getting home to Bay Area: You can leave retreat center in the morning, and fly home to Bay Area in one day. The longer part is getting there, because little flight from San Jose to retreat center only flies during daylight hours.
Travel to Costa Rica: Fly into Juan Santamaria International Airport / SJO.
Fly from SJO to Puerto Jiminez on Sansa Airlines. 45 minute flight.
Retreat staff will pick you up from Puerto Jiminez, and it's a 20 minute ride to the resort (transportation included in retreat)
Sansa flights operate during daylight between 6AM and 4PM.
Hotels in San Jose
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cariari Costa Rica
Costa Rica Marriott Hotel Hacienda Belen
Alajuela City Hotel in Alajuela - 10 minute ride to airport. This is where I stay, and its simple and run by a mid-western lady and I enjoy it :)
You are welcome to arrive early to Blue Osa on Saturday.
It's likely your room will be ready, and if it's not there are plenty of places to relax on site. Including at the beach / pool!
The retreat starts at 3pm on Saturday! And ends with the closing dinner on Friday night.