Ashtanga Yoga Mama

I was supposed to come with a friend who then broke her arm and could not come and my other arrangement changed location, but something told me to go. I luckily found Irena who was able to accommodate me. This trip the trip was the trip, I never knew I needed. The yoga was amazing and I learned other styles as well. Irena filled the day with as much and little activities as you wanted. The beach walks and ocean swim were so memorable. The food made by Jamie and others were plentiful and delicious. The location is perfect 🤩 The pool is located overlooking the beach and my mornings always started with a beach run.

Do not hesitant and book!

Well-planned and organized. Very relaxing retreat, nice villa, excellent location, with infinity pool.

Irena was amazing, fun, friendly, authentic, and hospitable

Irena is an excellent yoga teacher. I loved her classes. She’s incredibly knowledgeable and her cues are always spot on.

Practicing yoga while listening to the sounds of the rip curl waves crashing to shore is amazing. It’s a beautiful setting with spectacular sunsets.

I was looking for a place to relax, enjoy nature, enjoy Costa Rica and the pacific, focus on my yoga practice, reflect, and all in all have a perfect break from my daily life.

From the moment I arrived at Rancho de Linda I knew I had made the right decision booking this retreat.

The house, the place, the location, the view, the energy. It was all so beautiful and amazing and I am so grateful to have experienced a week in this paradise. Irena is the most welcoming host, making her guests feel at home without any pressure, holding space and helping out depending on individual needs of everyone. Darling Bambi (Irena's dog) brought SO much joy to each of my days there. The ashtanga yoga practice and individual and attentive teaching of Irena was so great, making me feel strong and centred after several days. Ready to take on my life back home again :)

The house and surroundings truly are amazing, I have never seen a beach so beautiful and calm (secluded). It just shares this indescribable energy - that made me stick around for 4 days more than I had initially planned to :D

Leaving this place was honestly very hard for me. Which is how I can tell: I will be back. Dear Irena, thank you SO much for having me and enabling me to have this wonderful experience. Big hug for both you and Bambi!

Vivian

Serene, private and secluded oasis right on the water.

Yoga: intimate and tailored specifically to you, personal instruction. I learned so much of the correct posture of common poses and several poses and postures new to me. So many nuances that are hard to receive from yoga in a large group.

The people: they make you feel like part of their extended family with their graciousness, personal attention to your dietary allergies and food requests. From the local chefs, housekeeper, driver, masseuse, and of course to Irina.

Location: 2 hours drive south of Liberia. Definitely have them arrange the driver. Exquisitely Picturesque location, small private pool, 30 minute morning walks at low tide to a swimming beach, the beach here is accessible/walkable, but a bit too rough to swim right here.

Accommodations: this is a private ranch house retreat location, not a hotel type property. It is spacious, and comfortable — Like you are staying as a guest in a friend’s home, not a luxury hotel. Several places to sit, swing in the hammock, contemplate and totally unplug. Very quiet and your pretty much have the place to yourself.

Food: just think Yum and local and nourishing - local team made wonderful breakfast and dinner daily in the ranch kitchen. Expect to be well nourished, with flavorful meals, and the kitchen has food and frig for snacks and such.

Irena is a highly professional yoga teacher with an excellent knowledge of physiology. She is a pleasure to be with and an excellent host. Both the location and accommodation were great. The food was healthy and really tasty with special wishes considered. We had a blast of a time there and learned a lot in a short time.

Rancho de Linda was one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. My room was spacious, yet cozy and the pool and yoga area overlooked the ocean. The best part was Irena though. She made me feel welcomed right away and was accommodating with dietary restrictions and with adding activities to the yoga schedule.

Since the yoga sessions were all 1:1, Irena was able to help me with micro-adjustments that made a huge difference. She’s very observant, and adapted the yoga sessions to what my body needed i.e. restorative after surfing or working around my shoulder injury.

The food was delicious and plentiful, and the common areas invited relaxation. Thanks Irena for a wonderful stay! It was a pleasure being at your place.

Instruction, location and food couldn't be better.

Irena improved my practice so much! She is very knowledgeable and adapts quickly and efficiently. She is the kind of person you want to meet in life. ❤️

Everything was perfect! I went into this trip not quite knowing what to expect, and it was incredible. The spot where we practiced yoga has the most amazing view and breeze. Irena is absolutely sweet and welcoming! The food was incredibly fresh and amazing! There is nothing I would change about my time there, other than to have more time :) I would absolutely love to come back next year!!

I felt comfortable and relaxed from the moment that I arrived. Irena is a wonderful host and yoga instructor. I had the best yoga experience of my life and I wish that I could have stayed longer. Irena has so many years of experience, and she gives very individualized instruction. Every morning started with 30 minutes meditation and one hour yoga. We also had yoga in the afternoon. Irena stayed with me to watch the beautiful sunsets and we had very warm conversations. She is a good listener. The food was fantastic and healthy. I had a beautiful house and a lap pool to myself. Beautiful views overlooking the beach. It was nice listening to the waves and the birdsong. There is also an adorable little cat, Sunny.

You will find Irena welcoming, genuine, compassionate, affirming, and knowledgeable. Irena is the only certified ashtanga teacher in Costa Rica and the first in Croatia where she began teaching. She trained in India 10 years 2-3 months each year. Irena begins her work with you before you start your trip, calling to talk with you about your body, any injuries, and where you are in your practice currently. She is genuinely interested in you as a person. Throughout your stay, she uses what she learns about you to enhance your meditation and practice. Her instruction is so individualized she quickly knows your body’s abilities, limitations, open spaces, and growth opportunities, working to maximize them. While encouraging and compassionate, she is insistent on proper technical form to ensure you get the best a pose has to offer, pointing out tiny details that add depth to the pose. She also pushes you in a compassionate and affirming manner to go beyond any blockages or deeper into a pose, insuring you’re working towards a fully energizing practice and gaining inner and body strength. The afternoon restorative practices are focused on the trouble areas arising in mediation and the asanas. I gained a month’s strength in one week of practice with her. What’s more,I found openings in my body’s painful creaky places that took away the pain! Irena arranges everything for you: a ride from the airport; ample daily breakfast and dinner of superb quality; massages or adventures.