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FUN & FREEDOM

For many people it has been a tough couple of years.  Often this has manifested in different ways for each of us so there is not even a sense of shared struggle to connect on.  At Tula Vida we believe that we can shake off this stagnation, disconnection or struggle with some FUN and feelings of pure FREEDOM.  Just like horses and other animals do all the time….

 

Play, from an early age, creates the impulses for learning, creativity, openness, connection, enthusiasm and much more.  According to the National Institute of Play it “shapes the brain, opens the imagination and invigorates the soul.”  As adults we can lose sight of our impulse to play and life becomes hard work, uphill with no sense of space or spontaneity.

Join us for this fun-filled week of play, open spaces and experiences aimed at re-introducing a sense of joy and balance for all of us.

Play With Us!

Tula Vida horses live in a state of relaxed alertness, fully connected to their herd, free to play, rest and be fully themselves.  Imagine if we lived like this.

 

In this fun-filled workshop, you will join our extraordinary horses in their home - the spacious and vibrant green fields, rivers and rainforest near the Arenal volcano in Costa Rica – and experience becoming part of the herd, fully connected to yourself, the horses and the natural world, free to frolic and play like a puppy!

  • Join us and become part of the herd, feeling safe and accepted, allowing yourself to play in the lake, splash in the river and wander through the long grass with no expectations – creating an open space for joy to re-enter.

  • Explore creating relationship and connection with a sensitive being who is able to process and accept his emotions, release stress as it arises and get back into balance – true freedom arises when we can relax and let go.

  • Draw, paint and rediscover your inner creativity and child-like appreciation for hands-on crafts, and play with toys and sand in an Equine Facilitated Sand Play experience.

  • Learn tangible take-home tools to release stress and take this feeling back into your own life.

  • Cherish and nourish your body with healthy food, gentle movement designed to get your energy flowing, beautiful natural surroundings, restorative wood-fire sauna and healing massage. 

  • Feel your energy and sense of self expand as you allow the feelings of fun and freedom to top up the well and bring you back into balance.

Our mission is to provide a deeper connection with self, through horses, nature and experience.

RETREAT DETAILS

Date: please ask us for planned dates

(ask us if you would like to extend your stay or go to the beach afterwards)

  • Limited to 10 Participants to ensure a personal experience for each of you.

 

What’s included:

 

We want to look after you during your stay so you don’t have to worry about any of the details or extra costs – it’s all included and arranged for you, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy a multi-sensory experience, with the following highlights:

  • 6 nights in a charming local guesthouse

  • All meals – delicious homecooked, farm fresh meals or meals out in stunning lake view restaurants

  • All transport to and from activities

  • 60-minute relaxing massage

  • Daily mindful movement on the peaceful yoga deck overlooking the river (see below for details)

  • Daily Tula Vida horse experiences – includes all facilitation, materials & equipment - lots of fun involved

  • Offsite play adventure either paddleboarding on Lake Arenal or horseback riding to a private waterfall – visit a 500 year-old Ceiba Tree (the inspiration for the Avatar movie) on your way

  • Visit and soak in beautiful, natural local hot springs

  • Wood-fire sauna next to a jungle river – enjoy hot and cold therapy as you heat your body in the sauna then splash into the cool, refreshing water

ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE is $2,995 + 13% service tax

If you would like to guarantee a single room, $500 supplement

 

Excluded: flights, airport transfer, tips, alcohol & soda

No prior horse experience required.

covid-19 doubts - flexibility 

As travel opens up (albeit slowly), we are happy to be offering our retreat schedule for 2023. As the world continues to find its new normal, we need ways to find balance and restoration more than ever.  It is easy to escape from all the stresses of Covid and society in Costa Rica, where nature carries on blooming and the vibe remains peaceful and positive.   

We invite you to sign up and give yourself something to look forward to.  Any deposit or booking you make with us that you cannot attend due to a Covid-related situation will be transferable to another group or private retreat or, if no other dates work, refundable minus a small booking fee.  

 

We are looking forward to welcoming you onto a retreat soon.

What They Say

“As a non-horse person, it was so impactful to interact with these beautiful animals. Having a horse listen and feel your energy and respond is an experience I can't even explain in words. Awesome!”

Lisa

Recover, Restore and Renew

In these reflective experiences, you will join our extraordinary horses in their home - the vibrant green fields, rivers and rainforest near the Arenal volcano in Costa Rica – and experience becoming part of the herd, tuned in to your own senses, safe and free to be yourself, connected to the great wisdom of Mother Earth for healing, balance and growth.

Let the horses show and teach you how to just “be” rather than doing or thinking.  Take a dive into your own consciousness through the transformative modality of Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy and find healing at the deepest levels.  Allow yourself to play in the bubbling, carefree streams.  Cherish and nourish your body with healthy food, gentle movement designed to get your energy flowing, beautiful natural surroundings and healing massage.  Feel held and supported by the natural world.

About Your Facilitators

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Sally Nilsson 

Sally Nilsson is an expert facilitator, certified executive coach, experienced mentor and certified advanced instructor in Eponaquest Equine Facilitated Learning and Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy.  

 

In 2019, Sally co-founded Tula Vida together with her partner Eric Kolesar to offer transformational experiences with the talented Tula Vida horse herd.  Read more about Sally and the Tula Vida Team.

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Eric Kolesar

Eric Kolesar is a certified instructor in Eponaquest Equine Faciliated Learning and Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy, a 500 hour certified yoga instructor and expert in a multitude of energy modalities. 

 

In 2019, Eric co-founded Tula Vida together with his partner Sally Nilsson to offer transformational experiences with the talented Tula Vida horse herd. Read more about Eric and the Tula Vida Team.