Artisans in Oaxaca Mexico: Vacation Travel

"Off the Mat and Off the Map" Retreat Combines Yoga and Community Service in Beautiful Rural Costa Rica

New York, NY. (PRWeb) March 15, 2007 -- The "Off the Mat and Off the Map" Retreat offers individuals a powerful way to deepen their yoga practice on and off the mat through volunteering in community revitalization projects in the rural villages of Costa Rica this June 23-30th.

This retreat is part of a larger effort by Karma Krew, Inc., a non-profit organization created to promote the idea of service as a natural and necessary part of one's yoga practice and personal growth process. Karma yoga, also known as "the yoga of service or action" has always been a fundamental part of the yoga tradition, but it often gets overshadowed by the more individually-focused physical aspects of the practice. On this retreat, participants will not only practice postures, breathing, and meditation during daily morning yoga classes. During mid-day, they will also engage in karma yoga volunteer projects in different parts of the rural communities, offering their services to a variety of revitalization efforts.

The retreat will begin with a locally-led tour of the region known as the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica where participants will learn both about the beauty and hardships of living in rural Costa Rica. Then, participants immerse themselves in five days of community service and yoga practice. The community service projects are being determined with the help of Adventures Under the Sun, a Cost Rican owned and operated organization run by multi-cultural professionals dedicated to providing safe and enriching learning experiences throughout the country. The nature of the community service will vary each day and include projects like re-planting native trees and plants on local farms and beaches; cleaning up and painting elementary schools; and helping local farmers rebuild facilities and harvest crops. Service projects will last about 4-6 hours a day and will include some physical labor and daily hiking. Emphasis will be placed on community-oriented projects where participants will have an opportunity to work alongside local Costa Ricans and other volunteers as they share their stories.

Participants will be staying at Haciendo Ario nestled within a 5,000 acre working, family-owned ranch on the Pacific Coast. With little nearby development, you can expect a pristine and natural environment overlooking a long sweeping deserted beach, home to one of the largest mangrove forests and turtle-nesting grounds on the peninsula. Housing with open verandas include shared sleeping quarters, several bathrooms, private outdoor showers, and solar electricity. The closest town, Bello Horizonte, with a population of only 2000 people, will be the site of most of the locally-driven service projects. Special attention has been given to choosing safe and manageable projects that will provide fulfilling experiences for the group and the community at large.

The retreat led by Karma Krew Co-Founders, Scott Feinberg and Amy Lombardo, will be limited to 15 participants. Participants need no previous experience in yoga or volunteering. In addition to daily yoga practice and community service, there will be plenty of time for quiet reflection, group discussion, and exploring the many natural wonders of Costa Rica. There will even be the added bonus of optional side trips including horseback rising on the beach, river kayaking, and a celebratory bonfire on the last evening held on a secluded beach to say goodbye to our new Costa Rican friends. For more information on retreat details or to reserve your space, please see www.karmakrew.org (launching April 2007) or contact Amy or Scott at 646-682-7619 or 561-339-9642. Early registration deadline closes on April 30th.

About Retreat Leaders, Scott Feinberg and Amy Lombardo:
Scott Feinberg is Co-Founder of Karma Krew, Inc. and a nationally certified Yoga Instructor. Scott is a teacher of Yin and Vinyasa yoga in south Florida where he regularly teaches and leads workshops and immersions. For more information, see www.transcendyoga.net.

Amy Lombardo is Co-Founder of Karma Krew, Inc. and a nationally certified Yoga Instructor and Empowerment Life Coach. She has completed extensive training in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Anusara yoga, and many other healing modalities. For more information, see ww.truenaturewellness.com.

###

MORE ARTICLES:

More Vacations at Puerto Vallarta MX
Puerto Vallarta MX is definitely one of the places where people can stay and enjoy more vacations Puerto Vallarta MX is in the state of Jalisco and is one of Mexicoýs premier resort cities

A Mexico Vacation Special To The Maroma Resort In The Mayan Riviera
Some very good reasons for booking a Mexico vacation special and choosing the best of luxury hotels the Maroma Resort in the Mayan Riviera

Puerto Vallarta: The City of Festivals
After Puerto Vallarta found its way onto the international tourism map following the release of ?The Night of the Iguana,? the city became a meeting place for artists, musicians and anyone seeking a cosmopolitan destination amongst incredible natural beauty As a result, numerous festivals have developed in Puerto Vallarta, celebrating everything from independent film to haute cuisine

A Mexico Travel Special To The Mexico Caribbean Coast
A Great Mexico Travel Special should include time spent on the Mexico Caribbean Coast, where you will find so much to do and so many things to enjoy. You can easily organise a Mexico Vacation Package that will allow you to travel around Mexico seeing some of the Country?s amazing sights and then allow you to finish with a relaxing time on the Mexico Caribbean Coast.

Exploring Vacation Destinations: Oaxaca, Mexico
Located in southern Mexico, Oaxaca is the historic homestead of the Mixtec and Zapotec peoples With over 3

Puerto Vallarta Vacation Review
Just returning from a wonderful trip to Puerto Vallarta, I've decided that tropical vacations are good for the "soul". It's important to take the time to get a way from the everyday routine.

In-Suite Spa Treatments Exude Romance in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
New In-Suite Spa Treament and Diamond Bath for Couples at Grand Velas All Suites & Spa Resort

Spring Break Soccer Training and Spanish Language Camp in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Spring break soccer training and Spanish language camp will take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Dream Destination Wedding in a Puerto Vallarta Villa
Every woman dreams of her wedding at some exotic destination with beautiful white sand beaches, pristine clear waters, magnificent Villa and surrounded by her close ones. If you thought this is just a dream then you could not be more wrong. You can have your wedding with great style and sophistication in a luxury Villa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Discount Last Minute Puerto Vallarta Packages To The Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita
We managed a discount last minute Puerto Vallarta package to the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. In truth the discount was the bonus, because we fully intended to go there anyway, and pay the full price, but thanks to some work online, we got a huge discount. A quick thank you to The Vacation Bargain Finder, details of which can be found at http://www.worldwidevacationspots.com/pages/Vacation-Bargain-Finder.html

Iconic Mexican Performers Take Flight In Puerto Vallarta
Every weekend in Puerto Vallarta, a group of famous Mexican performers take flight From a central location on the Malec?n ? Puerto Vallarta?s beloved boardwalk ? the Papantla Flyers dazzle visitors with six performances each Saturday and Sunday

The Beaches Of Puerto Vallarta
The beaches in and around Puerto Vallarta may be the most diverse in Mexico. Located at the midpoint of Banderas Bay, the area surrounding Puerto Vallarta boasts 34 miles of coastline, 26 of which are sandy beaches. Within the city, the beaches are elegant and pristine, bordered by restaurants and resorts. Beaches to the north of the city tend to be longer and wider, with great opportunities for surfing and swimming. South of Puerto Vallarta, the mountains topple into the sea in places, creating placid coves and intimate sandy pockets.

Casa Velas in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Receives AAA Four Diamond Award
Casa Velas Hotel Boutique in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, is again joining the ranks of AAA Four Diamond Award winners. Casa Velas is the only adults-only all-inclusive golf resort in Mexico to receive this AAA Four Diamond award.

The Southern Pacific Coast has Snatched the Attention of Investors from the Northern Pacific Coast
There are so many wonderful things abouth Costa Rica's Southern Pacific coast. Each city has its own unique attractions that have really sparked interest with investors who see the vision and want to be part of the growth in Costa Rica.

Livin' La Vida Loca at Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Mexico is in itself a paradise with its lot of places that offer nothing but the best comfortable life to anyone. Out of the several coastal resort-type offerings in the region, Puerto Vallarta is possibly the greatest epitome of wonderland.