My mum says I live in a bubble. I have debated this with her at length on several occasions but for now, let’s say she’s right. That means that the current bubble is Los Clavos Surf Camp, in the north of Nicaragua.
I came to Nicaragua in search of a place to set up my own yoga school and establish myself as an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher. Having spent 4 years in India, it was time to venture west. Nicaragua boasts both Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, volcanic lakes, mountain and forest retreats, volcanic vistas. I didn’t have anything specific in mind. I just knew that Nicaragua was not saturated with yoga, yoga teachers and yoga teacher training. I might add that I was totally unaware of the whole surf camp concept.
A few days before leaving for Nicaragua, I saw that Los Clavos Surf Camp were looking for a yoga teacher. A phone call later, I had committed to 4 weeks. Before I knew it, I was immersed in life on a surf camp in Nicaragua, who would have thought!!!
Guests from all corners of the globe come to this part of Nicaragua to surf. Surf is the ultimate activity here. The tide times dictate the daily schedules and yoga is scheduled when surf is not. As the resident yoga teacher, my job is to encourage everyone to join me for yoga. Many guests have never practiced yoga before. Some guests attend classes at yoga studios back home, others have completed yoga teacher training. Every week, I have a different group dynamic to work with, some more challenging than others. Every day, the energy is different. In some classes, I need to re-energize the students. In others, they are in need of something more restorative. Some weeks, I have guests who are here just to for Ashtanga Yoga: a strong morning practice and daily alignment/release workshops, 4 to 5 hours of practice a day. As a yoga teacher, it is an incredible opportunity to think on your feet and adapt your classes on a daily/hourly basis.
In the past weeks, I have taught Backbending Workshops, Myofascial Release Sessions, Slow Flow, Restorative Yoga, Side Line for Lotus, Vinyasa Flow….not to mention Ashtanga Led!! I even managed to schedule a Self-Practice Ashtanga Yoga Session. I take guests to the beach for meditation at sunrise and sunset…I have even led chanting at dawn. The possibilities for a yoga teacher are endless.
Surf camp life means that I have heaps of time for my practice and I am meditating a lot. I am learning to surf. I am building my business as Julia Gavin Yoga. I’m studying. I’m eating well and sleeping as and when I need to. But the best thing about being here is that I am devising and delivering yoga classes every day. I am working on new material and have people around who are keen to listen and learn from me. I am truly connected to teaching and sharing both my practice and passion for yoga.
So for now…I am happy with life on a surf camp and plan to be here at Los Clavos Surf Camp for the foreseeable future. I have made plans to return here next season and I am already looking forward to hosting trainings here. While the days are action packed and energy levels are often high, I have found a place of great tranquility. This surf camp is a place where I can be truly connected to my spirit and sustain my focus in this next chapter of my story.
Until 3rd June:
Yoga Intensive Week
Ashtanga and Myofascia Release Week
Join me in the bubble soon!!
The Yoga Academy 
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