Many thanks to Katrin from Atlanta for this blog post about her Yoga Teacher Training with me in January…….
“Going to a surf camp for Yoga Teacher Training in northern Nicaragua is no small feat. The flight from Atlanta to Managua, Nicaragua’s capital, is a less than 3 hours. The real journey begins when you get on your way from the airport in Managua to the remote surf camp location in the north of the country. I arrived in the small hours of the morning, I hadn’t been able to see this beautiful country by day but even when the sun is down you can feel the vibe of this central American country and its Latin/Spanish influence.
It’s a 3 hours drive from the airport to the surf camp. The road turned from asphalt to paving stones and eventually to a dirt road. I have been to this part of Nicaragua before and so knew what to expect. The last 2-3 km of the journey were long , the road was pretty bumpy after the last rain season. Finally, I arrived at the gates of Los Clavos Surf Camp. Last time, I was here for a Yoga Retreat with Julia. This time, I was here for my 200 hours Yoga Teacher Training Course in Ashtanga and Restorative Yoga.
The next morning, I woke up to the sound of the waves crashing into shore and the light of the rising sun. There is something magical about starting your day when nature does. The camp is so pretty, with its 4 cabañas set back from the ocean with stunning views of the Pacific and magnificent sunsets.
And in the light of day, I explored my surroundings on the way to nearby surf beach, Nahualapa Bay. The remoteness of the camp means that it is situated far from civilisation and in a rural area. Some of the nearby houses of the local people are small, some look to be just simple structures of driftwood or whatever building material they could get their hands on, maybe a palm leave roof. Most of everyday life happens outdoors. Depending on the time of day, you will see the residents going about their day washing laundry in a large sink outside; run with water from a nearby well, herding their cattle or just hanging out in their hammocks because if it is too hot to do any hard labor. Compared to modern standards, these people are undoubtedly poor. Most of them live a very simple life, the cattle and pigs are probably their most valuable possessions. However, they seem so content and happy with what they have. Each person you pass greets you with a friendly “Hola” or “Buenos dias.” They always have a smile on their faces and are always friendly to the tourists visiting Nicaragua.
At the conclusion of Yoga Teacher Training and on my way back to the airport in Nicaragua, I reflected on the experience of the last few weeks. What does it really take to be happy? Nicaragua and Yoga Teacher Training have taught me it doesn’t take much and it certainly doesn’t take a lot of worldly possessions. Having a roof over my head, food in my belly and something that feeds my soul, i.e. yoga or some salsa music, is all it takes for me.”
Thanks for you reflection Katrin. We hope to see you again soon at Los Clavos Surf Camp!!
19th May & 9th June: 200 hours in Ashtanga and Restorative Yoga
9th June: 300 hours in Ashtanga Yoga and the Integrated Body