200-HR Yoga Teacher Training - Costa Rica April 2018 - WAITLIST ONLY!

Led by Steph Góngora & Erin Kelly. Guest Teachers To Be Announced!

Join Steph Góngora (@casa_colibri) and Erin Kelly (@erinkellyart) for a 27 day, 28 night 200-HR Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) on the beautiful South Pacific coast of Costa Rica! Bliss, beaches, and ALL the yoga you could ever wish for at Flō Retreat Center, Steph’s personal paradise just outside of Uvita, Costa Rica.

An intimate and community building experience, this YTT is the perfect setting for those wishing to start their yoga teaching experience, as well as those looking to revive their practice or delve deeper into their teaching and asana. And remember, teacher training isn’t only for those looking to teach! It’s also a great opportunity to hone your personal practice and body awareness.

Come flow with us as we plant seeds, tend to our gardens, and work our way into the intricate, but rewarding world of yoga. Upon completion, you will be able to register as an RYT-200 with the Yoga Alliance, and start your journey as a yoga teacher, if you so choose. Days will be full, but gratifying, and what better place to immerse yourself than our beautiful river & waterfall hide-away?

Training Basics

Training Dates: 7:00am Tuesday April 3rd – 9:00pm Sunday April 29th, 2018

It is highly recommended that you arrive at Flō Retreat Center on Monday April 2nd (after 2pm) to give yourself time to check into your room and prepare. Your lodging for the night of April 2nd is included in each Accommodation Package. Similarly, lodging is covered the final night of the training (April 29th), and all trainees must be checked out by 12pm on Monday April 30th, unless other arrangements are made for a longer stay.

*****TRAINING PRICING***** 

EARLY BIRD: $3200 USD

After Aug 1st, 2017: $3500 USD

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*****ACCOMODATION PRICING*****

Includes your stay for 28 nights at Flō Retreat Center + THREE Freshly Prepared Meals Each Day + Coffee/Tea. For more info on lodging and accommodation, please scroll down to the Accommodation Section.

DORM STYLE (Bunk Beds – 6 people per room): $1700 per person

DOUBLE ROOM (Bunks or Twins – 2 people per room): $2200 per person

SHARED CABINA (Coming Soon! – 2 – 4 people per room): $1900-$2200 per person

****TOTAL COST OF YTT = TRAINING FEES + ACCOMMODATION FEES****

*

PRICES FOR TRAINING & ACCOMMODATIONS INCLUDE Include:

  • Lodging @ Flō Retreat Center – Check in April 2nd (after 2pm), check out April 30th (before 12pm)
  • 27-Day Intensive-Style 200-Hour Teacher Training – Hatha/Vinyasa Style
  • Course Book w/ Syllabus
  • THREE Freshly Prepared Meals Each Day (Dinner Provided April 2nd, Breakfast April 30th)
  • Daily Coffee/Tea/Fruit
  • Daily Flow Classes in a Variety of Styles
  • Courses on Alignment, Adjustments, Teaching, Sequencing, History, Anatomy, Philosophy, Sanskrit
  • Workshops on Business Ethics, Social Media, Marketing, Public Speaking, and MORE!
  • LOTS OF ACTUAL TEACHING EXPERIENCE
  • Free Tank Top
  • Room Service Charge & Tax
  • Ability to Register as an RYT-200 with the Yoga Alliance Upon Completion

Additional Items (Not included):

  • Round trip airfare (suggested airport -SJO).
  • Transfer to/from airport (we can assist with booking this)
  • Snacks
  • Optional Excursions including taxi rides up/down the mountain

This training is open to ALL-LEVELS, however some proficiency in yoga (asana) practice is helpful in order to make the most of your time with us. We will be spending quite a lot of time on the mat, and discussing/practicing teaching, so we suggest at least one year of regular yoga practice for all applicants. Not sure if you’re the right fit? Email us!

Sample Schedule

*6:30am – 7:30am – Coffee/Tea + Fruit

*7:30am – 9:30am – Morning Flow Class

*9:30am – 11:00am – Breakfast + Break

*11:00am – 1:00pm – Lecture + Workshop + Teaching Methodologies

*1:00pm – 2:30pm – Lunch + Break

*2:30pm – 4:30pm – Lecture + Workshop + Teaching Methologies

*4:30pm – 6:00pm – FREE TIME

*6:00pm – 7:15pm – Restorative/Yin/Slow Flow

*7:15pm – 8:45pm – Dinner

This schedule may vary on a daily basis, and there will likely be more free time on some days (either morning/afternoon) to allow for rest and relaxation, as well as short and helpful homework assignments. If everything goes smoothly, we will also structure in multiple FREE days, where we can help you set up taxis to town, the beach, nearby attractions, etc.

We ask that students do not bring cell phones to class and please be on time to avoid delays. Some morning or evening studio time will be silent time to allow those with a meditation practice to create a calm and comfortable space.

Instructor Details

Meet Steph Gongora & Erin Kelly

Steph Gongora (@casa_colbiri) is a 200-HR E-RYT, 500-HR RYT certified yoga and aerial teacher currently based in Uvita, Costa Rica. She completed her first formal 200-HR training with Meghan Currie, and continued to pursue an additional 300-HR training with Christina Sell at The San Macros School of Yoga. During her many years in Austin, TX, she regularly attended additional training and continued education with Erinn Lewis of Sukha Yoga, and recently started another online 200-HR study with Alanna Kaivalya.

An athlete her whole life, Steph practiced gymnastics until high school, taught pole fitness during college (where she studied Biology and Chemistry), and started a serious daily yoga practice over three years ago. Her teaching style combines precise breakdowns of form and anatomical cuing with a creative flow style, stressing unusual transitions and authentic movements practices. She has developed a deep love and respect for inversions of all kinds, which is what promoted her to write her first two books in early 2016 – The Beginner’s Guide to Handstand & The Beginner’s Guide to Handstand Pressing. She later added The Beginner’s Guide to Starting a Yoga Practice for those looking to deepen their personal asana exploration.

Steph is happily married with five furry children and officially moved down to Costa Rica in the fall of 2016 to start construction on a Functional Medicine/Yoga retreat center on the South Pacific coast. She is overjoyed to share FLŌ Retreat Center with other beautiful souls, and hopes you enjoy her paradise as much as she does! When she isn’t doing yoga, she enjoys reading, writing, anything outdoors, writing more books (probably about more Yoga), and spending time with her (not so) little family.

 

Erin Kelly @erinkellyart is a traveling yoga teacher based in Venice Beach, California. She is known for her personal grace and fluidity of movement in both practice and teaching, and can often be found upside down or cultivating creativity through unusual transitions. Her teaching style is refreshing and playful, while still incorporating precise cues and pose breakdowns to help students understand the movements of their bodies and the path to personal growth.

She continues to develop a strong personal practice, studying various lineages, and consciously chooses not be defined by a particular school or style. Erin has studied under Megan Currie and is a regular in the LA yoga studio scene. She has also spent many hours training with Tearson Bickmore, as well as received extended hours in Dharma and Rocket under a Yancy Schwartz mentorship.

Erin has written for or been featured in Mantra Magazine, Yoga Guide Magazine and Yoga Journal, as well as made many appearances on national and international media sources. These days, you can find her focusing her time on creating unique, informative, and stimulating classes, workshops ,and trainings, often with her teaching partner Steph Gongora.

A true artist by nature, Erin received a BFA in Oil Painting with a minor in Art History from The Maryland Institute College of Art. She is passionate about the idea that if we open our bodies up physically, we can tap into all sorts of creative, emotional, and psychological breakthroughs. Whether it’s with a paintbrush in hand or just through body movement, Erin is continuously creating her own form of art and expression and believes we all have this freedom of expression.

Accommodation Details

Flō Retreat Center - An Eco Friendly Wellness Venue

Flō Retreat Center is currently under construction, so please excuse the lack of building photos! This 19 acre property is located in Uvita, Costa Rica (South Pacific Coast) and is home to Steph Góngora and her husband Dr. Ben House (plus a variety of furry creatures – wild and otherwise).

Situated only 2KM up the mountain from Central Uvita, Flō is secluded and peaceful, yet convenient and accessible (by 4×4 car please). The long winding private drive to the main building plantel translates to extreme privacy in both the practice and living space. Wake up to monkeys and toucans playing in the trees above you, and fall asleep to the soothing sounds of crickets and tree frogs.

The main two story building will hold a common area for eating and working + large communal kitchen and shared bathrooms on the first floor. Eat breakfast overlooking the incoming freshwater pool and watching the ocean tides out on the distance. Turn your head slightly in either direction for just-as-stunning jungle and foliage views. The perfect place to sip tea, catch up on some emails (“jungle wifi” available), or just swing in a hammock and relax.

The second floor of the main building holds a large portion of the lodging space with two dorm style rooms (3 bunks each), and two double rooms, which can be fitted with queens (for a couple/friends/partners) or one set of bunks in each. The dorm rooms share a large bath between them, and the double rooms have beautiful ocean view sliding doors. All rooms will have access to a wrap around deck and come equipped with screens, ceiling fans, and AC units for hotter jungle nights.

Stroll slightly toward the cacao grove next to the main building, and you will run into the beautiful yoga studio. Mostly open air (with screens for bug blocking), this space will provide ample area to explore the practice on your mat. Full use of blocks, blankets, straps, wheels, (and hopefully aerial hammocks) will be offered during this intensive, and it’s a quick walk to the main house for bathroom breaks or snacks.

Keep walking toward the jungle, and you will enter the sacred cacao forest. Here the laden cacao trees will shade our future Shared Cabinas, small but efficient bungalows housing 2-4 attendees. Shaded, quiet, and peaceful, these adorable shipping container-esque sleeping quarters will come equipped with screens, AC, and have access to a communal shared bathroom.

But what about when you’re not practicing?! The days will be full, but in your free time, we encourage you to cool off in the pool, or take the short 1/2 KM walk down to the river, where you can explore one of the property’s SEVEN waterfalls, splash in one of the multiple natural swimming holes, or just explore the jungle walking paths. Town is an affordable cab ride (again, 4×4 recommended) away, where you can access grocery stores, beaches, national parks, restaurants, farmer’s markets, and souvenir shopping.

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: And we are off! The main building is currently under construction as of June 2017. Rough concept drawings are finished for the Flō main house and shared cabinas. They have been added into the gallery below. Construction is fairly slow June-October due to wet season, but will pick up quickly in December of 2017. Our reliable crew has assured us that all basic lodging, practice, and gathering space will be done by early February, leaving plenty of wiggle room for our April training. More pictures provided as we progress! Thanks for your patience!

 

1. DORM STYLE ROOM – $1700 / person including THREE MEALS / DAY – SOLD OUT

*Three bunk beds, six people per room

*Shared bathroom

*Mini Fridge(s)

*AC, Screens, Ceiling Fan

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. DOUBLE ROOM – $2200 / person including THREE MEALS / DAY – SOLD OUT

*One bunk bed set (2 people) or a queen bed for 2 people – PLEASE NOTE – REMAINING BED IS A TWIN W/ 1 Roommate

*Currently no private (1 person only) option, sorry. Email to discuss if you want to book privately.

*Shared bathroom (separate from dorms)

*Mini Fridge

*AC, Screens, Ceiling Fan

 

 

 

3. Shared Cabina – $1900-$2200 / person including THREE MEALS / DAY – SOLD OUT

*$1900 / person for the four person cabinas (2 bunks) – SOLD OUT

*$2200 / person for the two person cabinas (1 bunk) – SOLD OUT

*Shared bathroom

*Mini Fridge

*AC, Screens, Ceiling Fan

*Privacy of the Cacao Forest

PLEASE NOTE: SHARED CABINAS WILL BE THE LAST BUILDING PROJECT BEFORE THIS TRAINING AND WILL ONLY BE BUILT IF THE NEED ARISES FOR MORE SPACE. FOR THIS REASON, IF YOU WANT A CABINA, PLEASE LET US KNOW IN YOUR APPLICATION EMAIL, HOWEVER, YOU WILL BE PLACED IN A DORM SPACE (OR DOUBLE ROOM) UNTIL THE MAIN HOUSING IS FULL. ONCE FULL, YOU WILL HAVE THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY TO UPGRADE TO A SHARED CABINA. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING. 

*You can sign up for a dorm room or shared cabina (Option 1 or 3) without a roommate in mind, and we will do our best to match you up with an equally awesome roommate for the week. If you sign up for a shared double room requesting a queen bed (meaning you are sharing a bed with another person, person, you must apply with a friend or partner. If you are fine having a bunk in the double room, you need not apply with a friend or partner, and again, we will do our best to match you up with a compatible party.*

HOW TO APPLY

...And Claim Your Space in Paradise

THIS IS A TRAINING, NOT A RETREAT, SO AN APPLICATION AND DEPOSIT ARE REQUIRED FOR ADMISSION.

TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION VIA EMAIL TO [email protected]

  • SUBJECT: COSTA RICA YTT 2018
  • NAME
  • ADDRESS
  • PHONE NUMBER
  • ROOM RESERVATION PREFERENCE – If Shared Double, please specify bunk or queen
  • 2 X EMERGENCY CONTACTS WITH #’s & RELATIONSHIP
  • AGE
  • ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS/MEDICATIONS
  • YOGA EXPERIENCE
  • OTHER MOVEMENT/FITNESS BASED EXPERIENCE
  • SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT (IF APPLICABLE)
  • WHY YOU WANT TO COME TO THIS YTT
  • TANK TOP SIZE
  • ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE
  • TWO PHOTOS, INCLUDING ONE (1) HEADSHOT & ONE (1) YOGA POSE

Upon acceptance, students are required to put down a non-refundable $500 deposit via VENMO or PAYPAL to reserve their spot. Your spot will only be secured once we have received both a completed (accepted) application AND the deposit. If you would prefer another method of deposit and payment, please email [email protected] to discuss.

  • The deposits go toward the total cost of the training – TRAINING FEES + ACCOMMODATIONS.
  • Deposits are non-refundable after 10 days from the date of payment. Please see the Full Cancellation Policy below.
  • Travel Insurance is highly recommended for any unforeseen circumstances.
  • In order to be eligible for your Yoga Alliance Certificate, you must complete all required hours, both in person, and privately (homework) for this teacher training. Erin and Steph have no responsibility or obligation to provide a certificate to those with missing hours or whom them feel have not put in the necessary effort and attention. Extended hours missed (due to illness or other unforeseen causes) can be made up, but will be at the cost of the student at $50/hour missed.

Questions? Shoots Us An Email At [email protected]

To Place Your Deposit Via Venmo Please Send To [email protected] (@StephGongora) Or To Send Via Paypal to [email protected] (Please select Friends & Family if possible)

You will receive a confirmation email after your application and/or deposit within 48 hours.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

*$500 deposit due after application is accepted

*$1,000 payment due by Sep 1st, 2017

*$1,000 payment due by Dec 1st, 2017

*BALANCE due by Feb 1st, 2018

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Erin and Steph are offering one (1) partial scholarship for this 200HR Yoga Teacher Training. The scholarship brings the price down to $1500 total, including training fees, meals, and lodging in one of our dorm rooms. It does not include airfare and shuttle rides.

TO APPLY for this scholarship, please answer the application questions above AND add these two questions to your response:

  • Why do YOU deserve this scholarship?
  • How will the significantly reduced price help you make this work?

Finally, please post a video or picture on Instagram(TM), using the hashtag #authenticmovements, and explain WHY you would like to come to THIS teacher training. If you don’t have Instagram, please email the pic and caption to [email protected]

Scholarship Recipient will be announced on August 25th, 2017, and will have 2 weeks to put down a $150 deposit to reserve this spot. If recipient is unable to reserve or chooses to forgo their scholarship, another winner will be chosen and announced. Current accepted applicants are invited to participate.

 

Cancellation Policy & Legal Fun

We understand that life happens and things change. We will do our best to be flexible, however, the closer the cancellation is to the actual start date, the less likely it is that we will be able to fill your space. Since we have already paid for the training, we are committed, and late cancelled rooms would mean payments out of our pockets. We highly suggest you purchase travel insurance in case of any emergency change of plans, and are happy to answer any other questions that you might have!
Date of Cancellation Payments Made Deposit
6 months (180 days prior) to the start date Fully Refundable Non-Refundable (although exceptions will be made)
Between 120-180 days prior to the start date 50% Refundable Non-Refundable (after 10 days since date of payment)
Less than 120 days prior to the start date Non-Refundable Non-Refundable

***Once the program begins, there are no refunds of fees, no exceptions.***

Videography and Photo Release: There will be Photographs and video taken during training and used for promotional purposes. By signing up for this retreat, you are agreeing to allow any photographs taken of you to be used by Steph Gongora, Erin Kelly, Casa Colibri, Flō Retreat Center, or Authentic Movements.