A 7-Day Retreat in Costa Rica
Location: Costa Rica
Venue: Vida Mountain Resort Teacher: Cory Muscara Dates: January 28th - February 4th, 2017 Times: Starts @ 7:00PM on Saturday, January 28th Ends @ 11:00AM on Saturday, February 4th Cost: Starting at $2350 (*all-inclusive except travel*) |
"Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."
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Did you know that your brain has a negativity bias? As humans, we've evolved to be better at focusing on what is "bad" or what could go "wrong" in our lives. This often leaves us with a skewed perception, toward the negative, of our lives and our world. Fortunately, science shows us that we can rewire our brains to also be able to focus on the "good" in our lives, to savor and appreciate our moments more deeply
This 7-day retreat will be oriented around just that: The ability to tap into and experience what is good in our lives; strategies to cultivate joy, gratitude, connection, and relaxation; and ways to recharge and restore yourself.
Open to practitioners of all meditation experience (including none at all), the program is highly participatory, supportive, and structured. You will learn and practice through:
Retreat Themes
In addition to daily meditation and teachings by Cory Muscara, the retreat package includes all meals, fruit smoothies and snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, daily yoga classes and ground transportation to and from San Jose Airport, as well as plenty of free time to explore this exotic location or venture our on your own excursions.
This 7-day retreat will be oriented around just that: The ability to tap into and experience what is good in our lives; strategies to cultivate joy, gratitude, connection, and relaxation; and ways to recharge and restore yourself.
Open to practitioners of all meditation experience (including none at all), the program is highly participatory, supportive, and structured. You will learn and practice through:
- guided instruction in a variety of mindfulness meditation practices/compassion & lovingkindness practices, gratitude and savoring meditations, and more
- gentle stretching and optional daily yoga by Vida Mountain yoga teachers
- activities and exercises to elicit the qualities and understanding of mindfulness, joy, gratitude, savoring, and ease
- individually tailored instruction
Retreat Themes
- Cultivate joy, gratitude and compassion
- Increased appreciation for the goodness all around us
- Develop awe and wonder in life
- Strengthen attention, focus and presence
- Develop the capacity to relax more deeply and be grounded
In addition to daily meditation and teachings by Cory Muscara, the retreat package includes all meals, fruit smoothies and snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, daily yoga classes and ground transportation to and from San Jose Airport, as well as plenty of free time to explore this exotic location or venture our on your own excursions.
"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response.
In our response lies our growth and freedom." -Viktor Frankl
In our response lies our growth and freedom." -Viktor Frankl
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner will be served at 8:00AM, 12:00PM, and 5:00PM, respectively. These periods will also include free time for relaxing, napping, swimming, exploring or socializing with others. Unlike some of my other retreats (e.g. Camp DeWolfe) this retreat will offer longer periods of free time to explore and take advantage of the beautiful country. There will be one day that is completely free for you to use as you like, and other days with much free time in the afternoon or evenings.
Meeting Hall for Workshops and Meditation
(chairs, backjacks, mats, and cushions will be provided)
(chairs, backjacks, mats, and cushions will be provided)
This private mountain retreat center offers guests beautiful and comfortable accommodations situated in the mountains of Costa Rica. Take a moment to browse the pictures; you will see why we also call Vida Mountain Retreat "Paradise Mountain."
The views are awe-inspiring, surrounded by lush green, wildlife, and nature.
In addition to the general teachings, you can take a nature walk, meditate in the zen garden, enjoy a spa treatment, explore Costa Rica and do an eco-tour or excursion, take a yoga class, bask in the sun or take a dip in our infinity saltwater pool. Whatever you choose, way you will find your bliss at Vida Mountain.
Vida Mountain offers mostly vegetarian meals with special menus for diet restrictions and allergies-upon request, and amenities include: spa/healing services, yoga, hiking trails, Zen Garden & 3 healthy meals daily.
Vida Mountain provides transportation arrangements to and from the airport for you as well as excursions-upon request.
Take a nature walk, meditate in the zen garden, enjoy a spa treatment, explore Costa Rica and do an eco-tour or excursion, take a yoga class, bask in the sun or take a dip in our infinity saltwater pool. Either way you will find your bliss at Vida Mountain.
The views are awe-inspiring, surrounded by lush green, wildlife, and nature.
In addition to the general teachings, you can take a nature walk, meditate in the zen garden, enjoy a spa treatment, explore Costa Rica and do an eco-tour or excursion, take a yoga class, bask in the sun or take a dip in our infinity saltwater pool. Whatever you choose, way you will find your bliss at Vida Mountain.
Vida Mountain offers mostly vegetarian meals with special menus for diet restrictions and allergies-upon request, and amenities include: spa/healing services, yoga, hiking trails, Zen Garden & 3 healthy meals daily.
Vida Mountain provides transportation arrangements to and from the airport for you as well as excursions-upon request.
Take a nature walk, meditate in the zen garden, enjoy a spa treatment, explore Costa Rica and do an eco-tour or excursion, take a yoga class, bask in the sun or take a dip in our infinity saltwater pool. Either way you will find your bliss at Vida Mountain.
Location DetailsEl Salvador, Piedades Sur, San Ramon, Alajuela, Costa Rica *Remember: Transportation will be provided to and from the airport
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Cory Muscara is the founder of the Long Island Center for Mindfulness, where he utilizes his extensive professional training in Mindfulness, Positive Psychology, and Integrative Health Coaching to facilitate a client's creation of, and movement toward, their optimal vision of health and wellbeing.
Cory has undergone professional training to integrate mindfulness within healthcare, schools, and businesses, through teacher training programs in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) at UMass Medical School with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Mindful Schools, Search Inside Yourself, and Breathworks Chronic Pain. He has completed his Integrative Health Coach training at Duke Integrative Medicine, his 200-hour Yoga Teacher certification, and holds a Masters degree in Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) from the University of Pennsylvania, where he now serves as an Assistant Instructor. |
"Cory Muscara is one of the nation's leading
experts in mindfulness meditation." -Dr. Oz, The Dr. Oz Show |
In 2012, Cory spent six months in silence practicing mindfulness meditation 14+ hours a day as a Buddhist Monk in Southeast Asia. The experience taught him how powerful mindfulness can be as a transformative practice for cultivating greater peace, clarity, wisdom, and wellbeing in one's life, and became the inspiring force behind his mission to share this work with others.
He currently serves as faculty at Columbia Teachers College, offering self-awareness training for over 150 Principals at the Summer Principals Academy masters program. He has been featured on News 12 Long Island discussing mindfulness and regularly appears on the Dr. Oz show as a guest expert in the topic of mindfulness meditation. Cory has lectured and taught mindfulness for NYU's "Science of Happiness" course, MBA students at the Wharton Business School of University of Pennsylvania, Stony Brook University Hospital, and more.
He currently serves as faculty at Columbia Teachers College, offering self-awareness training for over 150 Principals at the Summer Principals Academy masters program. He has been featured on News 12 Long Island discussing mindfulness and regularly appears on the Dr. Oz show as a guest expert in the topic of mindfulness meditation. Cory has lectured and taught mindfulness for NYU's "Science of Happiness" course, MBA students at the Wharton Business School of University of Pennsylvania, Stony Brook University Hospital, and more.
*If you are traveling with friends, family, or a large group and would like to request housing together,
you will have the opportunity to do so in the retreat questionnaire on the registration page.
you will have the opportunity to do so in the retreat questionnaire on the registration page.
Yoga Casita/Cabin |
Within a few steps of the Yoga Studio, this beautiful Cabin is cozy & spacious. The Yoga Casita/Cabin has 2 bedrooms, each with 2 twin beds and a private bathroom, a full kitchen, a large deck and patio area with Chimeneas. This Casita is located next to the Yoga Studio and it also has a HD TV.
*All prices are per person and include
three meals each day of the retreat. |
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Hummingbird Palace |
The Hummingbird Palace can accommodate up to 8 people.
This is a 4 bedroom, 4 Bathroom house with a shared kitchen. There is a heated pool, cabana and gorgeous mountain views. Enjoy as your home away from home in the Central Highlands of Costa Rica! *All prices are per person and include three meals each day and housing for each night of the retreat.
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Papaya House |
The Papaya House is great for larger groups or if you simply desire more space! The Papaya House is a shared house for up to 8 people, it has 4 bedrooms each with a bathroom & walk-in shower, a kitchen, patio with Gazebo, BBQ, firepit, 8 person Jacuzzi, in-house washer/dryer (at an additional cost), shared Zen garden & private parking.
*All prices are per person and include three meals each day and housing for each night of the retreat.
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Papaya Cabin |
A cozy yet spacious option for guests. The Papaya Cabin is located on the same property as the Papaya House. Great for smaller groups, couples or those who want more privacy.
Maximum occupancy 2 people; private kitchen, bathroom & walk-in shower, deck with fire pit, private hot tub, a Zen garden, private entrance and parking. *All prices per person and include three meals each day and housing for each night of the retreat.
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Toucan Cottage |
This is a stand alone cabin in close proximity to The Hummingbird Palace and The Papaya Cabin. The Toucan Cottage gets its name because of the Toucans that can be observed just outside of the cottage every morning. This is a single room cottage with bathroom, kitchen and laundry facilities. A maximum of two people can enjoy the sweeping views of the mountains while listening to the delightful tunes of nature.
*All prices are per person and include three meals each day and housing for each night of the retreat.
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