Yoga Retreats in Ashtanga Yoga Mama

Ashtanga Yoga Mama is a wellness retreat located on the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. This region is a recognized Blue Zone, associated with exceptional longevity. The retreat specializes in traditional Ashtanga yoga and holistic wellness programs for the mind and body.

Academic and Traditional Foundations

Irena Bartolec leads the retreats with over 20 years of experience. She holds a degree from the University of Zagreb in Croatia, where her research focused on the influence of yoga on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. She was authorized to teach by the K. Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute (KPJAYI) in Mysore, India.

Bartolec established the first traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa program in Croatia at her studio, Body Element Yoga. She later managed the Ashtanga Mysore program at Seminyak Yoga Shala in Bali. Today, she hosts curated retreats on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, mentoring students of all experience levels.

Retreat Programs and Specialties

The retreat offers curated programs for individuals and groups, including:

• Private Tailored Retreats: Includes a personalized yoga program and one-on-one mentorship.
• Group Tailored Retreats: Designed for groups of up to 9 people, such as families, friends, or teams.
• Motherhood Workshops: Specialized programs using yoga and mindfulness to assist with the daily challenges of parenting.
• Cultural Wellness Retreats: Includes women-only experiences like the Día de los Muertos retreat in Mexico.
• Forest Escape Retreats: Held at Ekodrom Estate, an eco-friendly property near Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia.

Methodologies and Wellness Services

Programs combine traditional yoga with meditation and mindfulness techniques. Tailored retreats in Costa Rica incorporate unstructured time to practice the "Art of Doing Nothing" and include afternoon restorative yoga sessions. The Group Private Paradise Retreat in Costa Rica also includes a 60-minute massage.

Sessions may include Metta meditation, a practice from the Buddhist tradition used to cultivate loving-kindness. Bartolec also applies Ayurvedic principles to help balance the body's energy. For summer, she recommends slower yoga sequences and dietary modifications to regulate Pitta Dosha, which governs metabolic reactions and can manifest as irritation or inflammation when in excess.

Facilities

Retreats in Costa Rica are hosted at Rancho De Linda, a beachfront villa overlooking Playa Azul and the Pacific Ocean. Features include:

• Open-air yoga shala with panoramic ocean views and a shaded roof.
• Saltwater lap pool.
• Private beach access.
• Lush tropical gardens and meditation spaces.
• Traditional Herbal Steam Detox treatments.

Guests stay in boutique villas featuring rustic stone interiors, natural wood decor, and natural light.

Guest Services

Ashtanga Yoga Mama serves an international community, including students from France, Canada, and Australia. Meals follow a farm-to-table approach using organic ingredients from local farmers. Private chefs prepare vegetarian and vegan dishes, and gluten-free options are available. Available services for specific programs include:

• Initial consultations to assess experience levels.
• Personal concierge services.
• Airport group shuttles (included in the Ashtanga Tropicana retreat).
• Integration support (included in Private and Group Tailored retreat packages).