14-Day Yoga Retreat: Vinyasa, Hatha & Yin-Restore with Alignment Focus in Playa Negra, Guanacaste Costa Rica, February 15-28, 2025

Soma Yoga Immersion Retreat in Costa Rica

Take a deep dive into the transformative world of therapeutic yoga with this 14-day immersive experience! This is more than just a retreat—it’s a journey designed for those passionate about deepening their practice, expanding their knowledge, and retreating with meaningful purpose. Explore poses through safe biomechanics and anatomy-informed alignment, ensuring that your learning empowers you to maintain a lifetime of healthy, vibrant practice. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your journey, this therapeutic experience is tailored for all bodies, all ages—from 18 to 70 and beyond. Immerse yourself in a supportive environment crafted for genuine study, practice, and personal development.

Highlights

• Learn from world-class instructors with 25+ years of experience, including certified C-IAYT Yoga Therapists
• Recharge in a Blue Zone – Thrive in Costa Rica’s tranquil paradise, where wellness and longevity come naturally
• Unlock Ancient Wisdom – Explore yoga philosophy, Ayurveda, and the Chakras to deepen your practice.
• Sustainable Yoga for Every Body – Align with anatomy for a safe, lifelong practice.Enlightening pose study sessions, learn to do the poses for a lifetime of healthy practice
• Explore the best of Costa Rica—swim, surf, stand-up paddleboard, and unwind at the beautiful Playa Coyote beach
• 13 nights of all inclusive comfortable housing and free airport transfer from Liberia (LIR)
• Enjoy three healthy, super-nutritious meals daily, lovingly prepared by local chefs with the freshest ingredients
• Receive a private session with a C-IAYT Therapist, tailored to your specific needs, whether healing or deepening your practice

What’s Special about this retreat
This retreat offers a rare blend of therapeutic yoga, expert anatomy-informed teaching, and immersive Blue Zone living in Costa Rica. Led by world-class instructors with 25+ years of experience, you’ll enjoy 1-on-1 yoga therapy, explore yoga philosophy, and engage in sustainable practices tailored for all bodies and levels.
With personalized care, nourishing meals, and rejuvenating adventures, this retreat provides the perfect balance of learning, relaxation, and transformation in paradise.

Skill level

• Beginner
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Yoga styles

• Hatha
• Vinyasa
• Yin
• Restorative

Accommodation

Facilities

• Shopping
• Swimming pool (outdoor)
• Café
• Dining area
• Environmentally friendly
• Garden
• Meditation garden
• Poolside bar
• Restaurant
• Special menu request
• Yoga deck
• Yoga shala
• Free Wi-Fi
• Internet access
• Laundry
• Library
• Patio

Accommodation options vary from double or single-shared cabinas and an open-air bath-house and single-stall bathrooms, as well as private indoor rooms with ensuite bathrooms and attached balconies – all with safes, ceiling fans, and fresh linen service.

Shared Accommodations:
Casa Verde Private Quartered Dorm: Enjoy a comfortable stay in a shared dorm with access to a community bathhouse.
Jungle Cabina Double Occupancy: Experience a stay in a charming cabina, sharing a community bath house with fellow guests.
Double Room in Casa (Om, Samadhi, or Shanti Room): Stay in a cozy double room with an en suite bathroom for added convenience.
Double Bungalow: Relax in a spacious double bungalow with an en suite bathroom and air conditioning for a more comfortable stay.

Single Accommodations:
Jungle Cabina Single Occupancy: Choose a single occupancy in a Jungle Cabina with access to a shared community bath house.
Single Room in Casa (Om, Samadhi, or Shanti Room): Enjoy a private room with an en suite bathroom for a more personal retreat experience.
Single Bungalow: Experience a luxurious stay in a single bungalow, complete with an en suite bathroom and air conditioning for optimal comfort.

Program
Embrace the pura vida lifestyle at this peaceful Costa Rica Retreat

Join at The Peace Retreat in Playa Negra, Costa Rica, where peace and rejuvenation converge in a wellness-focused eco-resort. This nature lover’s paradise offers an immersive yoga experience with two open-air yoga studios, a 10-foot deep pool for refreshing swims, and soothing spa treatments to enhance relaxation.
Nourish the body with delicious, Ayurvedically-inspired meals from Nourish at Peace, and unwind in charming accommodations equipped with safes, ceiling fans, and fresh linens for comfort. Just a short walk from the beach, The Peace Retreat invites relaxation and the embrace of the “Pura Vida” lifestyle, where wellness and balance flow seamlessly.

Therapeutic approach to yoga
The program emphasizes a therapeutic approach that takes a holistic view of wellness, integrating body, mind, and spirit. Expert instructors, including highly experienced C-IAYT Yoga Therapists and E-RYT 500 certified teachers, bring over 25 years of combined experience to guide each practice safely.
With a focus on biomechanically sound and anatomy-informed alignment, the program ensures that practice supports overall health and keeps the body safe. Whether addressing injuries or seeking a deeper understanding of body mechanics, the approach promotes a practice that is both healing and sustainable.
In this immersion, participants will engage in a variety of yoga learning experiences.

Yoga postures

• Learn how to do yoga poses with alignment and healthy biomechanics to ensure a safe and effective practice.
• Deepen your practice and explore yoga poses across all categories, including standing poses, hip openers, forward bends, backbends, twists, inversions, and balancing poses.
• All bodies and all ages 18 to 70+ and beyond are welcome. Variations and modifications are offered for beginners and advanced practitioners.
• Revolutionize your practice
• In a typical 60-minute class there is no time to go in-depth with how to do the poses and with details on alignment. Learn skills to keep your body safe for a lifetime of yoga.

Beyond the postures

• Practice breath awareness and pranayama to harness the power of your breath, calming the mind and invigorating the body.
• Engage in meditation and contemplation practices to transform limiting thought patterns and cultivate a life-affirming mindset.
• Develop a regular meditation practice to regulate the nervous system and invoke clear seeing.
• Dive into the philosophical wisdom of yoga, including Ayurveda, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and the
• Chakra System, to enrich understanding of yoga’s holistic benefits.

Expert instructors

• The faculty are highly experienced C-IAYT Yoga Therapists and E-RYT 500 certified teachers, each bringing over 25 years of experience to guide students safely through the practices.

It’s more than a retreat- it’s a journey of self-discovery
This 14-day immersion is more than just a retreat; it is a journey of self-discovery, growth, and empowerment through the practice of yoga. Experienced and passionate instructors are dedicated to providing a supportive and nurturing environment where participants can explore yoga deeply and safely.

Attendees are encouraged to come with the intention to learn, grow, and transform, and to leave with a deeper connection to themselves and their practice.

Spaces are limited to ensure a personalized experience, so reserve your spot today and prepare to embark on a transformative journey.

Daily Schedule

• 06:00: Silent morning tea or coffee
• 06:30 – 07:30: Gentle movement, breath practices, and meditation
• 07:30: Breakfast
• 08:30 – 10:00: Alignment lesson and pose study
• 10:00 – 12:00: Active yoga practice
• 12:30: Lunch
• 16:30 – 18:00: Yoga practice to down-regulate your nervous system: Restorative/Yin/Somatics/Yoga Nidra practice
• 18:00: Dinner
• 19:00: Optional talks on yoga philosophy and history

This structured schedule is designed to give you a full day of learning and practice, with time to reflect, rejuvenate, and integrate your experiences.

Instructors

Liz Heffernan, E-RYT 500 C-IAYT Yoga Therapist

Heffernan, E-RYT 500, C-IAYT, is an international yoga teacher and Integrative Yoga Therapist with over 25 years of teaching experience. She draws on extensive training in Hatha, Vinyasa, and therapeutic yoga to create adaptive practices for ALL BODIES. Liz leads yoga teacher trainings, workshops, and retreats worldwide, offering personalized mentoring and private therapeutic sessions. Known for bridging ancient yoga wisdom with modern biomechanics, her teaching emphasizes alignment, self-inquiry, and personal empowerment. Her approach weaves together mindfulness, creative sequencing, and bio-mechanically safe alignment, offering students an accessible path to vibrant health and self-transformation. As the founder of Soma Yoga Institute, Liz is dedicated to making yoga accessible to all. Her heartfelt commitment to the transformative power of yoga continues to inspire students worldwide.

Molly Masaoka, E-RYT 500, Owner of Yoga Centered

Molly Masaoka, E-RYT 500, is a highly experienced yoga teacher and studio owner with over 20 years of practice and more than a decade of leading yoga teacher trainings. Innately perceptive and wildly passionate, Molly applies a level of determination and delight to her yoga instruction that’s truly one of a kind. Her approach is focused and intense; a union of effort and surrender that she believes is key to unlocking one’s deepest level of awareness and joy. While the core of Molly’s teaching is alignment-based flow and restorative yoga, a deep level of therapeutic guidance governs all she offers—from her public classes, workshops, and private sessions to her ongoing teacher trainings and retreats. As the owner of Yoga Centered Studio in Hawaii, she continues to inspire students worldwide through transformative yoga education and personal healing.

Food
Food is medicine at the Peace Retreat in Costa Rica. The cuisine is delicious, healthy, and locally sourced, with organic ingredients used whenever possible. Guests can expect three nourishing meals a day, prepared with love using a variety of local, minimally processed ingredients and Ayurvedic food principles. Vegetarian meals are provided, with vegan options and occasional protein sources available.
Students with special dietary requirements are encouraged to inform the retreat in advance, and every effort will be made to accommodate them. Snacks and smoothies featuring fresh tropical fruits are also available for purchase at the on-site restaurant.

The following meals are included:

• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Drinks

The following drinks are included:

• Water
• Coffee
• Tea

The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:

• Vegetarian
• Vegan

If you have special dietary requirements it’s a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation

Things to do (optional)
Playa Negra is a small beach and surf community located off the beaten track, surrounded by unspoiled nature on the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The beach is just a 25-minute walk from Peace Retreat via a jungle path or a 5-minute shuttle ride. Playa Negra features a large, beautiful beach with warm ocean waters and magical sunsets. It offers both surf waves and a safe swimming area.

During free time or for day-off adventures, visitors can explore a variety of activities Costa Rica has to offer, including surf or paddleboard lessons, local eco-excursions, kayaking, bird watching, horseback riding, hiking to waterfalls, and stargazing. This tropical paradise, nestled in Central America, is a safe travel destination for solo travelers and a haven for nature enthusiasts with its unparalleled natural beauty and abundant biodiversity.

What’s included

• Twice daily yoga practices including Vinyasa, Hatha, Restorative, and Yin yoga
• Comprehensive yoga lessons covering alignment, pose study and philosophy
• Three healthy meals per day
• Daily room service and towels
• Cacao ceremonies with ceremonies at Peace & a Surf or Paddle Board lesson
• A rejuvenating 60-minute massage session designed to nourish both body and mind, leaving you refreshed and revitalized
• Private one-on-one yoga therapy session with a C-IAYT yoga therapist
• Take-home 60-minute yoga practice tailored to your needs and goals
• Transportation to and from Liberia Airport (LIR)
• 13 nights accommodation

What’s not included

• Flights
• Additional excursions
• Additional spa services
• Additional transportation

Seasonal Information

Low Season (Aug-Oct)
Rainfall is highest, but storms bring swells to the Pacific and the best surfing conditions. Rural roads can be impassable due to river crossings. Accommodation prices lower significantly.

High Season (Dec-Apr)
‘Dry’ season still sees some rain, a beautiful time of year to visit.

Weather Information
The average annual temperature in Costa Rica is between 70° and 81° Fahrenheit (12° and 27° Celsius). During the months of February to April, you will find the highest temperatures.
Similarly, months like September through November are generally the coldest months that the country sees, however, this does vary from region to region. The amount of rainfall in Costa Rica does fluctuate fairly drastically.

From May to November, the rainfall is quite heavy, with the most rain coming in September and October. Opposite of that, December through April has very little rainfall if any.

Responsible Travel
In addition to choosing sustainable hotels, transportation, and tours, there’s still more you can do to be a responsible tourist:

Clean Up: Always remove your trash and recyclables, and find the proper place to dispose of them. Most hotels offer recycling programs

Don’t Collect Souvenirs: By law, Costa Rica prohibits the removal of shells and other nature from national territory. Instead of collecting your own souvenirs, spend a leisurely afternoon shopping an open-air marketing for local, handmade products

Consider the Animals: For the most part, Costa Rica protects its wildlife: you can’t swim with dolphins or walk solo on turtle-nesting beaches. Do your part by not riding overworked horses or visiting bullfights
Eat Local: Whenever you can visit restaurants owned and staffed by Costa Ricans

Volunteer: If you have an afternoon to spare, consider volunteering at a local wildlife center. If you have more time (minimum: one week), you can also work with local conservation projects, turtle nesting, and national parks

Electricity And Outlets
​Costa Rica uses 110 volt, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat types so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adapter.

How to get there

WE MAKE TRAVEL SAFE AND EASY FOR YOU
Please book your flight to arrive at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) or Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO). Transfer from and to the airport on the group shuttle is provided for a reduced fee (specified times only).

From Liberia International Airport

Arrange to fly into the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica.
The group shuttle departs from the airport at 12:00 am and 3:30 p.m. on arrival day and returns to Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) for flights departing after 12:00 p.m. on departure day.
Shuttle from Liberia to Peace Retreat takes approximately 1.5 hours. The group shuttle charge is $50 USD per person each way. Some students choose to fly in one day early and stay near the airport in Liberia.
The Hilton Garden Inn is recommended as it is very nice and convenient, and good rates can often be found on booking sites such as Expedia.

From San Jose International Airport
Arrange to fly into the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) in Costa Rica.
The group shuttle departs from the Adventure Inn (near the airport) in San Jose at 10:00 a.m. on arrival day and returns departing Peace Retreat at 8:00 a.m. on departure day for flights departing after 3:00 pm.
The group shuttle charge is approximately $100 per person each way. Shuttle from San Jose to Peace Retreat takes approximately 4 hours.

Visa Stuff
Visa usually not required for stays less than 90 days, but return ticket out of CR required. Please check visa regulations for your country.

What To Bring

• Sarong or quick dry towel
• Sunscreen
• Rain jacket (if traveling during the rainy season)
• Comfortable shoes for walking
• Flip flops or sandals
• Hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun
• Insect repellent
• Power adaptor

Vaccinations Requirements
Please check with your local doctor and or the Center for Disease Control.