Retreats
& Trainings
Find the Experience you Need
Now more than ever it is essential to find experiences that will restore and re-energise us, to allow time and space to heal from the challenges and re-find our own sense of balance, to explore and harness our new insights or ideas, to support and empower ourselves through the next phase of our own growth or journey.
Let the Experience Find You
Tula Vida horses are wise and experienced teachers of mindfulness, natural balance, energy management and self-discovery. The vibrant, joyful magic of this corner of Costa Rica enables the natural world to soothe, nourish and restore you as only nature can.
Join one of our organised retreats (or design your own) to find a supportive, beautiful and fun environment to go a little deeper into healing and self-discovery with transformational results.
Upcoming Retreats 2022/2023
COVID-19 Doubt – Flexibility
As travel opens up (albeit slowly), we are happy to be offering our retreat schedule for 2022. 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 appreciate that travel will continue to involve an element of uncertainty in 2022 and we do our level best to make the process as smooth and stress free as possible for you, while staying flexible on changes.
We invite you to sign up and give yourself something to look forward to, even if it is not 100% certain to go ahead. 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.
Self-Connection & Compassion
15 - 21 October 2022
What if you are already enough, exactly as you are? Let the horses guide you to feel good about yourself.
The greatest connection that we have, and the foundation for all our other relationships, is our connection with ourselves. In this retreat we will support you to go a little deeper into mindful self-discovery and give your intuition a voice.
The Art of Presence
5 - 6 November 2022
Wondering what these horse experiences are all about?
In this 2 day experience, Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the rest of the Tula Vida horse and human team will support you in learning to communicate & connect non-verbally with a horse, to mingle with the herd and see what insights may arise from your own sense of presence, self-connection and acceptance.
Swimming with Horses
23 - 27 October 2022
Only 2 spots left!
Back by popular request!
A magical 4 night, 5 day experience riding horses along the stunning Costa Rica Pacific coast, with plenty of time to swim in the ocean and play in the sand with your horse, or share some hammock time as they munch their hay on the beach.
Limited places so book now!
International Equine Summit 2022
11 - 13 November 2022
In Tucson, Arizona
Join Sally Nilsson, Co-Founder of Tula Vida, and other leading voices in the Equine Experiential Learning field at this annual gathering of horse enthusiasts, experts & professionals.
Join this community for connecting, supporting and enjoying each others' company while sharing new insights and modalities in the field.
The Art of Presence
28 & 29 January 2023
Feeling stressed or out of balance?
In this 2 day experience, Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the rest of the Tula Vida horse and human team will support you in rediscovering and reconnecting with yourself and being truly present with what is around you.
Restore & Revitalize
19 - 25 February 2023
Benefits = Peace, Positivity, Balance, Energy…
Stress is a word we use to describe many things but overall, whatever the cause, it doesn’t feel good and is actually toxic for our body systems. A powerful and scientifically proven way to reduce the impact of stress is to be in nature in a mindful way. This retreat, where you interact intentionally with horses in green, vibrant environments, will resettle your nervous system and shift you back into your natural rhythm, plus give you the tools you need to re-create this state for yourself.
Retreat to Recharge
12 - 18 March 2023
Recharge the battery and get back into balance
Nature, horse connections and gentle self-care in a beautiful place is the ideal way to do it. This classic 6-night Tula Vida retreat offers daily mindful movement, self-discovery horse experiences & practical take-home tools as well as healing massage, natural hot & cold therapies, excursions and more...
Swimming with Horses
20 - 24 March 2023
Back by popular request!
A magical 4 night, 5 day experience riding horses along the stunning Costa Rica Pacific coast, with plenty of time to swim in the ocean and play in the sand with your horse, or share some hammock time as they munch their hay on the beach.
Limited places so book now!
Fun & Freedom
11 - 17 June 2023
Come and Play!
Shake off any stagnation, disconnection or struggle with some FUN and feelings of pure FREEDOM. Horses and other animals are masters at this and do it all the time. Vibrant Costa Rica is truly nature’s playground with lots to see, do and experience that is not only enjoyable but also liberating (and healthy) – come and breathe fresh oxygen in wide, open spaces with no responsibilities and rediscover your childlike sense of wonder and joy at playing in the outside world…
The Art of Presence
8 & 9 July 2023
Feeling stressed or out of balance?
In this 2 day "taster" experience, Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the rest of the Tula Vida horse and human team will introduce you to the world of horse-led self-discovery and support you in rediscovering and reconnecting with yourself to be truly present with what is around you.
EFL Apprenticeship
NEW DATES ANNOUNCED!
May, August, November 2023
Become a certified Eponaquest / My Horses My Healers
Equine Facilitated Learning Instrucor
This apprenticeship is led by Shelley Rosenberg, renowned horse-woman with over 20 years experience in EFL, one of the original team at Eponaquest with Linda Kohanov and founder of My Horses My Healers sanctuary. It consists of 3 x 8-day modules at Tula Vida in Costa Rica and a final 8 day module with Linda Kohanov in Arizona.
Self-Connection & Compassion
2 - 8 September 2023
What if you are already enough, exactly as you are? Let the horses guide you to feel good about yourself.
The greatest connection that we have, and the foundation for all our other relationships, is our connection with ourselves. In this retreat we will support you to go a little deeper into mindful self-discovery and give your intuition a voice.
Equine Craniosacral Training
Date to be announced - 2023
Hands-on, experiential training in bodywork for horses
Experienced practitioner and teacher, Sidsel Sommer, is a master at both explaining the science and demonstrating / supporting practical application of her energy-based techniques. You will learn how to scan for blocks and direct your hands to the area of greatest restriction on the horse, and then you will learn how to unwind the block and notice the horse’s release and reaction. Not to be missed!
Click here to learn about our Community Events.
Or....Design Your Own Retreat to fit your plans!
2 days
RESET YOURSELF
5 days
TAKE A DEEPER DIVE
10 days
JOURNEY WITH US
1 month
IMMERSION
Our mission is to provide a deeper connection with self, through horses, nature and experience.
Switch Off and Switch On Again
Everyone experiences stress or challenge differently and, during this unprecedented period of social isolation, economic change and global health fears, for many it feels like riding an emotional rollercoaster. This obviously has an impact on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and - just like when a computer starts to freeze or overload – if you consciously “switch off and switch on again” you create a reset for yourself, and go home ready for the next phase.
Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the Tula Vida horses are offering private retreats for rest, healing and rejuvenation for those affected by the recent COVID-19 and other societal events.
Come alone or with some of your “social bubble” and, supported by Eric and Sally, let nature and the horses work their magic.
Change your relationship with stress
It is accepted wisdom that being in nature is one of the best ways to calm your nervous system and get out of the survival mode “fight, flight, freeze” reaction we have been experiencing for many months. When you feel safe, relaxed and connected to nature all your healthy and positive energy can flow. This is your optimum state for learning - and through experiential activities with the horses and with us, you will find the tools that work for you to keep recreating your own natural balance after you leave.
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.
What They Say
“Working with horses taught me so much about myself, they make excellent teachers. It was a wonderful and insightful experience.”
Dave, Executive Coach
Create extraordinary shifts within by:
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Examining your own reactions to equine behaviour, which leads to powerful new insights into your own natural abilities and talents.
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Stepping out of your comfort zone while feeling accepted and not judged by a large, powerful being, growing your confidence and self-trust.
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Working with self-reflection and discovery to enhance and promote personal and professional growth.
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Working deeply with horse activities like:
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Learning how horses use clear non-verbal communication – and practicing your own
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Understanding how your own “energy” and vibe impacts others, and learning to modulate it
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Asking your horse to follow you freely without a lead rope (through energy connections and natural leadership models)
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Achieving a personal set goal with your horse
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Practicing setting and responding to effective boundaries, both energetic and physical, and see how this creates mutual trust
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(Activities will be mainly on the ground – no need to worry if you don’t have any horse experience!)
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.
Custom Experiences
& Internships
Design your own experience, our little slice of paradise in Costa Rica is the ideal place to reboot your internal system with whatever it needs.
Groups & Families
We love families at Tula Vida and offer family experiences so you can unwind, connect and really enjoy your time together.
Share something different and fun with your group of friends or work team.
Individuals
Need some time to rest or
re-energise - or want to work from abroad - in a beautiful natural setting, surrounded by bird song?
This is the place for you.
