Vinyasa Yoga, Surf and Sun: A Baja Retreat with Kevin Elander
Mar 1, 2009 - Mar 8, 2009
Todos Santos, Baja Mexico

Surfing

2 optional days will be spent at Cerritos Beach, the best beach for swimming and learning to surf. 2 hour lessons with Local instructors will get you up and riding waves. They share the fundamentals of surfing in a safe friendly environment. Keep the board for the rest of the day to practice your new techniques.

Yoga & Movement

The yoga sessions will be a balanced combination of Vinyasa sequences, Iyengar-inspired alignment & therapeutics, and calming meditation & pranayama.

Each morning session will begin with meditation and pranayama followed by a spirited physical practice to energize the mind and body for the day ahead. Each afternoon the practice will explore the asanas more deeply; working to calm, restore and heal body, mind & spirit.

Together the two styles of practice will enable you to feel balanced in your yoga and your life.

Teachers

Kevin Elander has been a student and teacher of yoga for ten years. His yoga journey began with a focus on the physically challenging Ashtanga tradition. More recently he has studied under a senior Iyengar teacher, Hart Lazer. Kevin continues to study the therapeutic principles of the Iyengar tradition at the same time that he draws from a range of philosophies and styles to support each student to find what is right for their own practice.

His teaching is based on the belief that Yoga should be fun, safe and challenging. He provides modifications to ensure that all students are inspired and safe, whether they have been on a yoga mat once or a 1000 times.

Kevin owns Yoga Mandala with his wife Melissa in Calgary, Alberta. They have two beautiful children that will join us on this journey. Ethan and Grace. Check them out at Yoga Mandala

Food

You will be nourished with Prana-infused organic meals prepared by Shani Cranston with love and consciousness. Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included in your package. Most meals will be vegetarian, with fresh fish and seafood served occasionally throughout the week.

Raw Concepts and Living Food will be incorporated into the menu to encourage healthy eating habits. The kitchen is an open concept and you are welcome to join Shani and learn with ‘hands on’ preparation. She will be creating divine dishes such as Avocado Gazpacho, Raw Almond Mylk and Living Choconut Pie.

Accommodation

Flora del Mar Located on the outskirts of Todos Santos, is our communal home for the week. Meals, Yoga classes and Massages will take place at this peaceful ocean front oasis. Situated on 3 private beachfront acres with a variety of gathering areas and patios, a large pool, fully equipped professional kitchen and many other amenities that make communal living a dream.
Accommodations are available here and at private residence all within a 5 minute walk.

The Flow

The first night will be spent in the quaint Mexican town of San Jose at El Topicana Inn. This will give you a Taste of the local cuisine with time to explore San Jose before departing to Todos Santos the next day.This small colonial town has been known for centuries as an oasis of the southern Baja. Priding themselves on park-like setting and traditional ambiance, San Jose, rated as one of the cleanest small towns in Mexico, enjoys temperate climates year round, tranquil beaches and a slow, relaxed lifestyle.

The next day, after a morning Yoga class and Brunch, we will transport you from San Jose to your home for the next 6 days, Flora del Mar a 1 ½ hour scenic drive. Flora del Mar, “Flower of the Ocean” is an ocean oasis in the Baja desert. A relaxing alternative to “Cabo madness” offering the perfect blend of resort comfort and undisturbed natural surroundings.

Location

Todos Santos, Baja, the closest town to our home for the week, is a 20 minute walk. A vortex where the Tropic of Cancer, Sierra de Laguna Mountains, Baja Desert and the Pacific Ocean meet, Todos Santos is a charming artist’s community bustling with galleries, cafes, and authentic Mexican stores filled with pottery and keepsakes. Also home to an abundance of Organic produce that will infuse the week’s menu.

Getting There

Our Retreat starts with Dinner in San Jose at La Panga on March 1st. Flight Arrivals should be planned anytime in the afternoon. Once you arrive and pass through Customs, a Transportation representative will be waiting to take you to El Tropicana Inn.

Our time together will end with Brunch at 11am on March 8th. Airport transfers will be scheduled at noon to have you back at the Airport by 2pm. Please arrange flight departures for late afternoon on March 8th
We recommend the following websites to book flights to San Jose ~ airport code SJD

West Jet
Kayak