Rediscover your Essence
MINI RETREAT
In this shorter retreat, Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the rest of the Tula Vida horse and human team are offering a special deal to support you in rediscovering and reconnecting with yourself (the first step in feeling in balance and connecting with others) after the challenges of the past year.
Dip your toe into mindful self-discovery with a wise, gentle, healing herd of horses in the middle of the tropical, vibrant jungle – let nature, horses and experience be your teachers, and let your own intuition be your guide. We are here to support you.
Renew your mind, body and spirit!
Horses don’t spend their time worrying about what other people think, or pretending to be something they are not. They are comfortable to be themselves in an ever-changing world.
In this reflective workshop, 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, fully connected
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Explore creating relationship and connection with a sensitive being who has 56 million years of wisdom living together in harmony with his herd, his environment and the constantly changing world.
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Learn tangible take-home tools to balance your nervous system and restore your sense of energy and peace, and fine-tune these with the horses.
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Let the horses support you in uncovering any blocks to feeling more joy, purpose or fulfilment.
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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.
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Feel your life force return little by little…
Our mission is to provide a deeper connection with self, through horses, nature and experience.
RETREAT DETAILS
15 - 17 july 2022
(ask us if you would like to extend your stay or go to the beach afterwards)
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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:
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3 nights at magical Living Forest Retreat hotel, Lake Arenal (see below for details)
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All meals – delicious homecooked, farm fresh meals or meals out in a stunning lake view restaurant
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Airport transportation (at set times) to/from Liberia Airport (LIR) and all transportation during the retreat
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Daily yoga/mindful movement on the peaceful yoga deck overlooking the river (see below for details)
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Daily Tula Vida horse experiences – includes all facilitation, materials & equipment
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Wood-fire sauna next to a jungle river – enjoy hot and cold therapy as you heat your body in the sauna then wade into the cool, refreshing water
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90-minute relaxing massage
ALL INCLUSIVE PRICE is $1,250
If you would like to guarantee a single room, $200 supplement
Excluded: flights, tips, alcohol & soda
No prior horse experience required.
What They Say
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
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.
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.
These Special Horses will:
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Magnify the parts of you that are hidden inside, the tender and true parts. Through their innate horse communication skills and non-judgemental presence, they show us humans what is buried in our unconscious, beyond the mind chatter and busy brain: the non-verbal part, the intuition, the senses – our true authentic selves.
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Sense and respond to subtle changes in our body language and energy. As highly sensitive animals, horses provide immediate, powerful and visual feedback on our presence in that moment so we get to practice and modulate how we want to come across, and how to find true internal peace and balance of the nervous system (self and co-regulation).
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Welcome you as part of the herd. Horses are wired for connection and will actively work with you to allow your real and best self to be seen and accepted without words.
What They Say
Stay at beautiful Living Forest Retreat Center
Living Forest is a small retreat hotel in a tranquil and beautiful corner of the Costa Rican rainforest, where you will enjoy comfortable down-time, meals and sleep. Spend some time in the hammock breathing in the pure air, watching the toucans and monkeys in the trees above you, perhaps after a wood-fired sauna and a dip in the sparkling river or a chat with your warm and friendly host, Johanna and her dog, Nela and cat, Tigre.
This natural and tranquil experience has plenty of Pura Vida (the locally used expression for pretty much everything good, which translates as Pure Life!)
ENJOY DAILY Mindful Movement
We take a holistic approach in all our retreats, supporting mind, body and soul to feel nourished and restored. The pace of modern life, as well as the challenges of living through the pandemic, can be hard on our mental, physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.
You will enjoy daily Mindful Movement with Eric Kolesar to rebalance your whole being and give you take-away tools manage life stress and live more mindfully – the essential ingredients in adapting to change and uncertainty, as well as keeping your own energy topped up.
“I feel more grounded and connected to myself, through mindful movement and interaction with the horses.” Angela, Therapist
What is Mindful Movement?
Eric started his movement expertise in martial arts, going on to become a 500 hour certified yoga instructor and energy practitioner. Through his lens as a life coach and equine facilitated learning facilitator, and hearing about intimidating experiences some people have had with “yoga”, Eric has combined the neuroscience, flow of energy, physical benefits of movement and natural rhythms to create what he calls “Mindful Movement”, a powerful and gentle blend of stretches and movements designed to calm and rebalance your body so the energy can flow freely again.
Imagine standing in a lush green space, birds singing in the background, horses grazing in the distance. Tune in to the rhythm of nature and breathe out. Let the tension melt away and experience feeling part of something whole. Start mindfully and gently moving with the rest of the group, in ways designed to get the energy flowing again through your whole body. You feel balanced, relaxed, alive.
“The mindful movement with Eric was by far the best yoga experience I have encountered as it was a spiritual and soul replenishing moving meditation not just a work out.” Jennifer, Real Estate Agent Owner
Additional Activities and Excursions
As well as sharing Sand Play experiences and exploring the natural world with your horse, you will have the opportunity to see some of the local area and eat out at some local restaurants. Tula Vida and Living Forest Retreat are located next to the stunning Lake Arenal in the shadow of the Arenal volcano.
If you want to add on days or activities, you have the opportunity to either go paddleboarding with Eric on Lake Arenal itself, or go horseriding with Sally and our friend and expert naturalist guide, Enrique Molina, to a private waterfall near the Arenal volcano. Stand in the shadow of a giant 500 year old Ceiba Tree, the inspiration behind the Avatar movie and finish the day at paradise natural hot springs where you can soak your body and relax in the warm, healing waters.
What Will This Retreat REALLY Be Like?
Each day you will experience uniquely designed activities with the horses on the ground, as well as sand play work, nature, mindfulness and movement activities, and outside excursions. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be at Living Forest or at a local restaurant. There will be a mixture of group and individual exercises, with processing and down-time in restorative nature, together with healing massage and other experiences aimed at settling the mind, body and spirit.
The vibrant colours and sounds of the rainforest as the sun rises and sets, and the clean, fresh oxygen and water, all support your body to get back in tune with its natural rhythm and find balance at a deep level.
Who is it for?
Anyone who has been drawn to this site, is curious and has read this far should take the plunge and give themselves this retreat! We are all unique and activities will be designed and de-briefed to create a rich experience for all.
No prior horse experience is necessary – all levels are welcome. Tula Vida horse activities will be mainly on the ground.
What is so exciting about this experience?
The world is in need of healing. We have a beautiful corner of the world that we are keen to share with you - we really feel the benefits of living surrounded by nature and a “pura vida” (pure life) attitude of the Costa Rica people, with the incredible support and wisdom of the Tula Vida horse herd. We want you to feel these too.
THE (NOT SO)
SMALL PRINT
Cancellation Policy and Insurance
Cancellations more than 60 days before the start of retreat will receive a refund less a 20% processing fee. Cancellations 60 days or less before the start of retreat will not receive a refund. A deposit is required to secure your place. Payment in full is required 60 days before the event.
Travel insurance is required to attend all workshops and retreats. Travel insurance should cover changes in plans and emergency medical care and evacuation. Retreat organisers will not be liable for any injuries or illness.
Medical or Mobility Questions
We will do our best to accommodate all ADA or accommodation requests. However, participants should know that the retreat is located in a jungle in the northern part of Costa Rica. Please inform retreat organisers of any medical issues which may affect your participation in the retreat so that necessary adjustments can be made where possible. If you have medical/mobility concerns, please contact Sally to discuss modifications.
COVID-19 tests
We have at-home testing kits which everyone will take upon arrival to reduce any concerns of transmission (although most people may already be vaccinated in any event). If tests are required to re-enter your home country, there are many testing facilities nearby (including at the airport) and we can help you arrange this.
For other questions, terms & conditions see Frequently Asked Questions in our FAQs
Explore our other options...
There are different options here at Tula Vida, tailored to suit your needs. We offer individual, group and family experiences with the horses. Perhaps you are looking to design your own experience, or would love an internship...we can help with that too. Take a look at the options below, and if you don't see what you are looking for just get in touch.
