A Yoga Holiday IN Europe

Is finding the perfect spot for that long deserved vacation proving to be a bit more work than you expected? Have you visited all the holiday hot spots you can think of and now think you have experienced it all? Do you simply want to try something different, but have no idea where to start?

Well, you needn’t worry. We’ve got you covered at Sunflower Retreats. Here you will find all the information you need on holidays and beautiful vacation locations from around the world. In fact, we’ve got one for you to start!

Welcome to Europe

If you are the kind of person that prefers a more veritable location for a holiday, then you need not look any further. Europe is just perfect for you. 

Home to a variety of countries with different cultures, languages, and lifestyles, Europe is one of the best places to start when looking for the next perfect spot for that big vacation. And the reason is not far-fetched… It’s got everything you need.

What’s so special about Europe?

Where tourism is concerned, Europe has one big advantage: it offers you almost everything. In Europe, almost every sort of tourism is possible. From business to recreation, sports to cultural tourism, there is just an infinity of options to choose from; and while you might not want to spend your holiday on a business tour, this doesn’t make this fact any less impressive.

Some impressive places to visit in Europe

Here’s one absolute truth; no amount of description can really do Europe justice. You need not take it from me - all you need do is check it out yourself. Below are a few hot spots in Europe and what makes them special.

Rome - Home to one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, it is hardly any surprise that Rome is one of the most popular tourist centers in the world. From the Colosseum to St. Peter's Basilica, there is much to be seen in Rome that you can never find anywhere else in the world. This is a perfect destination for lovers of the ancient world and everything mythological.

London - A mix of the modern and classic, London is a perfect destination for a grand holiday. From the Big Ben (London’s giant clock) to the London tower, London is filled with grand structures you sure wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Iceland - Looking for a more nature-rich location? Well, Europe’s got you covered, visit the absolutely enchanting Iceland. Home to some of the most fascinating landscapes in the world, this location is like land pulled out of a fairytale. Visit the Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, Selfoss, Hellnar, or any of the other wonders in this land, and you will know EXACTLY what we mean.

Does Europe sound fascinating already? Well, there’s more: The locations mentioned above are just a few of the several wonderful locations to choose from. To find out more, contact our specialists at Sunflower Retreats to help you find the perfect vacation spot for you.

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Holistic Holiday? Try Mal Pais

There are holidays, and then there are holidays. Some are bland and boring, and basically are just like every other day; except with just a little less stress. And then there are the ones that you are sure to remember for a long, long time. Now THOSE are the real holidays.

And when it comes to memorable holidays, Holistic Holidays are quite high up on the list.

What Are Holistic Holidays?

Think holidays with a pinch of perfection. Holistic Holidays are a gift to the soul. Generally speaking, a holistic holiday is usually a journey, in most cases a cruise to some exotic part of the world. Does that sound delightful to you? Well you’re surely going to love what comes next:

Unlike other forms of vacations or holidays, on Holistic Holidays, the fun doesn’t start when you get to your destination, IT STARTS THE VERY MOMENT YOU BEGIN THE JOURNEY.

What’s So Special About That?

If you think you know how to have a good time on your holidays, then you’re about to be introduced to a whole new level of fun. After all, how many things do you know are more fun than a five star cruise?! There is more to enjoy on a Holistic Holiday than just the cruise, however. Below are just a few of them.

• The journey. As stated earlier, in a Holistic Holiday, the fun starts the very moment the journey begins. You can bet there would be no dull moments on this trip.
  The cruise is designed with comfort and pleasure in mind. Picture this: a luxurious ship, a cruise to an exotic location, and absolutely no heartbreaks. Could the holiday ever get better? Well here’s the good news. It can!

• The food. If you thought Holistic Holidays sounded fun before, then you haven’t seen anything yet. With all the fun you are sure to have on the journey, you are definitely going to work up an appetite. In this case, that’s a good thing. With all the delicacies prepared for the cruise, being famished has never been better. 
  Now get this; all the meals on the cruise are healthy. Enriching your health is the major reason for a Holistic Holiday after all; and eating healthy has never been better than this!

• The destination. This is the holy grail of it all. If the journey was great but the destination was a let-down, that would be a great disappointment now, wouldn’t it? Well, you need not fear. Locations for Holistic Holidays are usually among the most beautiful places in the world. With a Holistic Holiday, you are sure to not only enjoy the trip, or the vacation, but BOTH!

Why Mal Pais?

That’s simple; It’s one of the most beautiful places you can find. From beaches to scenery and all there is in between, Mal Pais ranks there among the best that the earth has got to offer. Located in the amazing Republic of Costa Rica, one of the most beautiful countries in the world, Mal Pais is a popular tourist center. With so many people from all over the world visiting Mal Pais all year round, don’t you want to witness exactly what keeps them returning?

Go on a Holistic Holiday in Mal Pais today. Click here for more information.

Our Holistic Therapies in Costa Rica

Energy and Kundalini Awakening in Yoga.

The search for enlightenment and transformation of the human consciousness have always been one of the aims of yoga, and in a way, one could say yoga has been successful in doing this. After all, haven’t practitioners of yoga been able to achieve some impressive feats, even those who are only beginners?

Now, though you might claim that there haven’t been any yoga practitioners (at least not in the recent age) who have displayed abilities like flight or teleportation, it doesn’t have to be something out of a comic book to be impressive. It has been proven time and time again that the practice of yoga can indeed grant some more-than-natural abilities. From near-absolute control of one’s body temperature to total control over one’s emotions (including pain), the abilities just get more amazing from there.

How is this possible?

Now, you might be wondering how this could be possible. Well here is the thing: Every living creature is made up of matter, and matter contains energy. Even science proves this. This energy is what is being accessed through and being used to achieve these astonishing feats.

Energy in yoga

Just as you learned about matter and energy in your elementary science classes, there is also a lot to learn about energy in yoga. In yoga, however, the focus is mostly on life energy; the principal energy that permeates all life. This energy which is contained by every living creature has different names (chakra, chi, pranic magic, etc.) in different cultures and can be awakened by a number of practices.

Kundalini.

In yoga, Kundalini is one of the most popular teachings about energy. Kundalini is a form of primal energy located at the base of the human spine. This ever-present, life-giving energy has been coiled up in every human since his or her birth and keeps growing with us until it is finally released back into nature as soon as the person dies. While this energy lies dormant in most humans, this energy can be unlocked with yoga and meditation. 

How to access and unlock Kundalini.

Basically, Kundalini is awakened by two approaches:

• The passive approach.

• The active approach.

The Passive Approach

This is when one awakens or attempts to awaken Kundalini by removing the hindrances to its awakening. This approach deals with letting go and surrendering to Kundalini itself. This is what you are actually trying to do (unconsciously) when you meditate. 

The Active Approach

This is when one awakens or tries to awaken Kundalini by actively attempting to induce the experience. This is done with a by a series of yoga practices and is always best done with a competent instructor. 

What does awaking Kundalini feel like?

The experience of awakening Kundalini is usually different from practitioner to practitioner. Though practitioners may share experiences, it is important to realize that there are a variety of  experiences that may happen.

One thing all experiences of Kundalini have in common, however, is a feeling of energy flowing through and into the body. This energy might be soothing or invigorating, or even pull you into a trance.

Kundalini is actually something we experience every day, it’s just that most people have trouble identifying and activating it. You feel it when you meditate, when you are about to go to sleep, or even when you kiss a loved one. That feeling of untapped energy, that light shining gently but surely… That’s Kundalini. All you need to do is learn to awaken it.

Do you need help with awakening Kundalini? Contact us at Sunflower Retreats. We are here to help.

Ayurveda: What Is It, And How Can It Benefit Me?

Did you hear about Ayurveda in a conversation with a friend or was it prescribed for you? Did you hear some impressive things about Aryuvedic medicine and look to confirm them? Well, you came to the right place! 

What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

Also known as Ayurveda, Ayurvedic medicine is a complementary and/or alternative form of medicine that originated in India over 3,000 years ago. Unlike contemporary medicine, Ayurvedic medicine is a system targeted at promoting healthy living rather than terminating infections or health problems. This, however, doesn’t mean this form of treatment is ineffective for combating health issues.

What are the Effects of Ayurvedic Medicine?

Apart from the overall effects of promoting the general well-being of practitioners and patients of this alternative form of medicine, providing them with holistic treatment, Ayurvedic medicine also provides the following health benefits:

1. Detoxification and cleansing.
   Ayurvedic medicine has been reported to have immense cleansing and detoxification effects on people, capable of taking care of both specific toxins and giving a general cleansing effect.

2. Skin care.
   One of the many benefits of Ayurveda is smooth and healthy skin. This form of alternative medicine has a number of tricks and techniques for nurturing your skin and fighting skin infections at a very small cost. 

3. Disease prevention and reduction.
   Probably the most fascinating effect of Ayurveda is its proven ability to not only prevent illnesses but to also REDUCE them. Yes, you heard me right. Ayurveda has been proven to reduce symptoms of illnesses, sometimes even to the point where they disappear altogether.

4. Weight loss.
   Ayurvedic medicine has also been known to promote weight loss in patients and practitioners over a period of time. This is no magic weight loss program, but a result of consistent and diligent practice.

5. Stress relief.
   Ayurveda has also been known to relieve stress and anxiety almost instantaneously. This is probably the most acknowledged effect of Ayurveda.

How believable are these claims?

It is quite understandable to be skeptical about information like this when just coming across them for the first time or when you find yourself with limited information about the subject. You have nothing to be worried about in this case, though.

Though you might have never heard of the name Ayurveda before, you have definitely heard of some of its more famous techniques, Yoga being one of them. Considering the effects of yoga and the testimony of practitioners of other Ayurvedic techniques, it is safe to say this alternate form of medicine is, at the very least, worth giving a try.

How to get started.

Planning to give Ayurveda a try? Well, welcome to the club. You will need help going through the process and getting things right, and this is exactly why we are here. Visit us at Sunflower Retreats for more information about Ayurveda, how it can help you, and all you need to get started. 

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Why You Need A Yoga Vacation In Santa Teresa

It’s well known that the world has never been busier. Every hour of the day, every day of the week, there is always something important to do, or something important to prepare to do. Think about it. When was the last time you simply took a break? Not because you were so exhausted you were forced to, or because you were recovering. When last did you actually REALLY relax?

If it was not so long ago, then congratulations, you are doing something right. But if it was a long time since you last felt relaxed, as I suspect, then you need to take a break the very moment that you get a chance. In fact, you need more than just a break. You need a vacation; one that would both refresh you and leave you ready to tackle the hustle and bustle of the 21st century head-on. What you need is not just any vacation. What you need is a yoga vacation.

What Is A Yoga Vacation And Why Do I Need One?

A yoga retreat is quite simply a retreat from the struggles of the everyday life to a place where you can relax and get revitalized, usually with the practices of yoga. The major aim of this sort of vacation is not to simply get you away from your job or school for a few days to have some fun, but to get you somewhere away from your everyday stress, where you can relax and get reinvigorated to tackle the work ahead. After a yoga vacation, you do not feel disappointed on returning to your everyday life, you instead feel ready.

Why Santa Teresa?

If there is anything that easily motivates yoga practitioners, even beginners, to concentrate, relax and unwind, and let go of any frustration, anger or stress, then it is the scenery of the location of the yoga session. Indeed, yoga can be practiced anywhere, but most yoga practitioners will agree that beautiful and natural scenery goes a long way in clearing your mind. And when it comes to natural scenery, Santa Teresa has got it in spades; From the beaches to the coast, Santa Teresa provides you with a beautiful and calming scene, one that is sure to get you relaxed very quickly. With such a beautiful scene, a yoga vacation in Santa Teresa is one you will not forget any time soon.

Yet Santa Teresa has more than just a beautiful scenery to offer. The beach offers one other effect apart from providing a beautiful background: Waves. The sounds of waves crashing on the shore have been discovered to have a bit of a hypnotic effect on people, and San Teresa’s beach is no different. Meditating with the sound of the waves hitting the shore is a magic that can’t really be explained within the lines of any page, or on any screen. It´s something you simply have to experience for yourself. 

So there you have it. If you are looking for a great place to go on a vacation, one that would get you refreshed and relaxed, and ready to face the world you left when you return, then you should really consider going on a yoga vacation in San Teresa. If you are already planning on visiting San Teresa, and would like to book a hotel or lodging, you can contact Sunflower Retreats. If you have already visited San Teresa, but would like to go on a vacation somewhere else, Sunflower Retreats also has a list of yoga vacation hotspots just right for you. 

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