The Gift of Gathering

Our retreat in Nosara, Costa Rica

Earlier this year I was fortunate enough to travel to Costa Rica to co-host a yoga retreat with two of my soul sisters. We started planning this retreat very early in 2019 but then had to reschedule it twice due to the pandemic.

We became determined to make it work. Rather than fretting over attendance, we decided to go with whoever was in alignment to show up. We changed our perspective to a place of abundance, and we put our trust in Source God to carry us through.

In the spring of 2021, nine of us traveled to Blue Spirit in Nosara, Costa Rica — a beautiful town just south of the country's "Gold Coast." It's a breathtaking place, filled with stunning beaches and lush forests.

Nosara also happens to be one of the places in the world considered to be a "Blue Zone." Blue Zones have the highest concentration of centenarians. There are only a handful of places like this in the world. Thanks to the climate, available foods, and other lifestyle factors, residents of Blue Zones have amazingly long life spans. It was such a magical trip. Typically, Blue Spirit hosts between 150 to 200 participants with multiple retreats, but due to the pandemic, we had the entire place to ourselves. The "permission to be" emerged as a common thread I witnessed at Blue Spirit and retreats I have led since. The ability to allow ourselves to step off the hamster wheel and marinate in the space of being.

By gathering and reflecting, we create space for presence to gain perspective on where our thought patterns reside. From this place of existence is where we decide how and if we choose to take action.

This has inspired a monthly gathering in the Breathing Barn called Movement, Mindset, Meditation, and Discussion. It includes an hour of yoga and meditation, followed by an hour of reflection, contemplation, and sharing. The class intends to guide the process of each person's introspection in a safe and supported environment.

With gathering, we create a community of connection, compassion, understanding, and an ability to feel seen and not alone in our life's journey. My classes offer people unlimited permission to "be." And this is a gift that comes from gathering — a gift that nothing can replace.