A Day on Retreat
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Nosara, Costa Rica
In early 2025, we followed an inner calling to Nosara to join a retreat led by Lisa Jane White. What unfolded was a journey of deep healing, joy, and awakening — a return to wholeness that deepened our connection to the purpose behind ANANDAYA: to create a space where others can experience the beauty of transformation and discover a new way of living. And so, we wanted to share a little glimpse of a day on retreat — shaped by movement, restoration, and the grounding beauty of Costa Rica’s nature.
6:45am — Morning Meditation & Mantra
The day begins in the shala, overlooking the ocean and surrounded by jungle. Lisa opens with a dharma talk, her words pouring straight from the heart — spontaneous, raw, and always exactly what we didn’t know we needed to hear. She guides us into mantra and meditation, settling us into stillness and presence. We close in silence, with time to journal or simply take in the quiet of the morning.
8am — Nourishing breakfast overlooking the jungle
We gather for breakfast, with views over the jungle and the sound of monkeys playing in the trees. The food at Blue Spirit is a true highlight: fresh, seasonal, mostly vegetarian, and full of flavour. You can taste the love and care in every dish. We all came back feeling lighter and more energised — nourished from the inside out.
10am — Yoga practice
Lisa guides us through her unique flow, intuitive and alive. Breath, movement, music, and mantra all woven together in a way that feels both grounding and expansive. We move to the rhythm of the ocean, releasing, softening, and waking something up inside. It’s a return… a coming home to the body.
12pm — Beach time followed by lunch
After practice we make our way down to the beach, a quiet and secluded stretch of coastline that feels raw and untouched. There is something primal and elemental about the setting. Being in the warm ocean waters, surrounded by jungle, makes you feel completely alive.
Back at Blue Spirit, lunch is another fresh and colourful spread. The rest of the afternoon is open for treatments or simply taking it slow and soaking in the surroundings.
3pm — Somatic Breathwork
We are back in the shala with Ash Moraca for somatic breathwork — a potent practice that helps regulate the nervous system, release stored emotion, and reconnect with the body’s natural intelligence. Ash holds space with such calm, grounded presence that it feels safe to fully let go. The session is powerful and cathartic, offering a full-body reset on physical, mental, and energetic levels. It’s hard to explain what happens in words, but everyone feels it. We walk out feeling lighter, clearer, more connected.
4:30pm — Exploring Nosara & sunset beach walk
We head into charming Nosara to explore the bohemian shops and grab matchas. It’s the embodiment of pura vida, with its laid-back feel, and friendly people. On the way back, we walk along the beach as the sun sets, with the most breathtaking palette of colours spilling over the sky. It’s a connection to the present moment like no other.
7pm – Dinner under the pink sky
Dinner is served just as the sky turns shades of rose and lavender. Plates of fresh fish and vibrant vegetables are passed around, shared among old friends and new faces. Some chat, some write, others sit quietly taking it all in. It’s one of our favourite moments of the day, with space to integrate and simply be.
Your Reset Awaits
Interested in joining the next one? Lisa Jane White will be back at Blue Spirit in Norasa for two upcoming retreats, including one co-led with Ash Moraca.
NOSARA, COSTA RICA
NOSARA, COSTA RICA