The Essentials Retreat Nature + Yoga

Hosted by Kirby Yoga in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica

For us, the essentials are always the same: yoga, nature, and breath. They stabilize us, draw us back to center, and continually remind us of who we are. When Kirby moved to Costa Rica in 2021, after years of nomading and teaching across Asia and Africa—always near the beach, always immersed in nature—she discovered what happens when practice and nature meet. The landscapes of Costa Rica teach us how to tune into Great Nature, live by Her, be in Her cycles. Nature isn’t something separate from life: it is life.

When you practice among the trees, you remember how to root. Beside the river, you see how your own waters create depth & flow—yet without the form of the earth, the banks, that flow would flood and lose direction. The wind reminds you of the constant, invisible change. The sun stokes the fire in your belly, the fuel that moves you forward and nourishes the wood and clear direction of the liver.

On this retreat, we’ll steep in the practices that reflect nature back to us:

• Katonah Yoga, with its 5-element theory, sacred geometry, archetypes, maps, and metaphors.

• Yin Yoga + TCM, attuning to organs, meridians, and the seasons.

• Quiet practices that nourish, remind, and reveal (meditation + pranayama)

This retreat isn’t about efforting more; it’s about distilling down to the essentials: breath, body, practice, the jungle, with you at the center. Come remember what’s essential, and come home to yourself.

Watch hummingbirds, butterflies, and howler monkeys playfully swing from the treetops, drawn to the nectar-filled flowers around you. The Essentials Retreat is hosted at Ecocoon Treevillas Yoga + Spa, an eco-wellness villa tucked into the lush Costa Rican rainforest of Santa Teresa. Here, nature is always present—from the gentle rustle of leaves outside your eco-suite to the soft breeze that flows through open-air living spaces. A flowing river and hidden waterfall thread through the property, creating natural soundscapes that invite you to slow down, linger, and simply be.

Ecocoon’s wellness amenities are designed to deepen this presence: the largest sauna in Costa Rica accommodates up to 40 guests, paired with invigorating ice-cold plunges and private natural pools that pull you fully into the moment. Two additional saunas, multiple pools, floating hammock nets, and tucked-away alcoves provide endless opportunities to rest, meditate, or simply breathe.

The villas seamlessly blend comfort and immersion in nature. The main villa features an infinity pool, two private suite-style rooms with king-size round beds, en-suite bathrooms, and A/C, alongside six semi-private open-air lofts with shared baths. Multiple kitchen spaces, including a large communal kitchen and tree-bar, invite connection and slow, shared moments. Beyond the main villa, three distinct ecocoons offer private or shared stays: Roble, our most deluxe private suite with A/C, indoor-outdoor bathroom, private kitchen, and plunge pool; and Ceiba (a two-story mini-villa) and Pochote (two side by side mini-villas), are our shared accommodations, each with their own kitchens, private pools, and indoor-outdoor baths. Every space is thoughtfully designed to immerse you in the rainforest, to create stillness, and to help you reconnect with yourself through the rhythms of the natural world.

See the space here✨

https://www.ecocoon.yoga/

At The Essentials Retreat, yoga is at the heart of it all—treated not as an add-on, but as one of life’s true essentials. We’ll gather 2x on full days for immersive 90–120 minute practices that weave together asana, pranayama, and meditation into a complete embodied practice.

Yoga practices led by Kirby Gordon and Evan McClain, both dedicated yoga teachers from Austin, Texas who love hands-on adjustments.

Having met through their shared teacher, Abbie Galvin, they bring a complementary balance of structure and flow, depth and play, masculine and feminine energies—creating an experience that is both transformative and deeply nourishing.

Evan offers a grounded, intentional approach to practice, holding a firm yet supportive container where form meets function. His teachings focus on mind-body connection, bringing the subconscious into awareness and refining practice through self-cultivation. Known for his life-changing hands-on adjustments, Evan will guide workshops on Katonah Yoga® reformation, therapeutic body readings, and restorative practices. His presence is insightful, wise, and steady, offering a depth of knowledge and masculine energy to the retreat.

Kirby brings fluidity, warmth, and intuition to the mat. Affectionately called "Mama Kirbs" by students and friends alike, she holds space with nurturing support, deep wisdom, and an infectious love for play and curiosity. With years of training in flow, yin, and Katonah Yoga®, her teaching blends Taoist principles, poetic metaphors, and embodied movement, guiding students through an experience of reciprocity, balance, and transformation. Her sessions will weave together Katonah flow and yin/stillness practices, encouraging students to explore, soften, and expand.

Both teachers are highly experienced in hands-on adjustments and will create a workshop-style atmosphere, inviting practitioners of all levels—whether new to yoga or seasoned—to engage deeply with the material. Expect tons of laughter, exploration, and insight as you dive into conversation, movement, and the magic of practice in paradise.

All brunch and dinners are included in your retreat cost, lovingly prepared by our on-site private chef using fresh, locally sourced tropical ingredients. We’ll share vibrant brunches and nourishing dinners together each day, creating a slow, delicious rhythm that invites us to savor the moment, connect deeply, and fully enjoy the gorgeous retreat space. *With some additional lunches included.

Arrival & Departure
Fly into Liberia International Airport (LIR). A return group shuttle is included in the retreat cost (approx. 4 hours to Santa Teresa).

• Arrival: Shuttle departs 9 AM from a designated Liberia pickup point on February 12, 2026. We recommend arriving a day early (February 11) and staying overnight. If you miss the shuttle, private transport is approx. $150 per person.

• Departure: Fly out of Liberia on February 17, 2026 no earlier than 5 PM, or stay an extra night in Liberia and depart on February 18.

Main Villa

• Infinity Pool with jungle views

• 2 Fully Private En-Suite Rooms — round king beds, ensuite bathrooms, A/C

• 6 Semi-Private Open-Air Loft Rooms — round beds, shared bathrooms, A/C, jungle breeze

• 3 Kitchenettes + 1 Large Communal Kitchen

• Tree Bar for sunset gatherings

ROBLE Deluxe Private — Most Deluxe Private Option

• 1 guest or couple | Private king suite with A/C

• Tucked away from the main villas

• Indoor/outdoor bathroom

• Private kitchen + private pool

• Huge private veranda

POCHOTE (2 separate side by side) & CEIBA (2-story) shared cabinas— Shared Jungle Villas

• 2 guests | King (couples) or Twin beds, A/C

• Indoor/outdoor bathroom

• Private kitchen + private pool

• Huge private veranda

• Do I need to have prior yoga experience to join?
  Of course not! While genuine curiosity about the practice and a like-minded community are preferred, all levels are welcome.

• Where do I fly into and when?
  Fly in and out of Guanacaste International Airport (LIR) located in Liberia to take advantage of the included airport shuttle. Plan to arrive on February 11 and stay one night in Liberia; the shuttle will depart the morning of February 12 from a designated pickup point (shared after booking). For your return, schedule your flight for the evening of February 17 (after 5 PM) or on February 18 for a more relaxed departure with an extra night in Liberia. If you choose to fly into or out of San José International Airport (SJO), transportation to and from the retreat center will be at your own expense.

• Can I walk to the beach from the retreat center?
  Yes and no! It is a 45-minute walk through a jungle road to the town/beach of Playa Hermosa with cafes and a stunning beach. However, we are happy to book you a shuttle ride, taxi, or horseback ;) at extra cost outside of the scheduled beach time.

• What is Katonah Yoga?
  Katonah Yoga is a syncretic practice blending Taoist theory, geometry, breathwork, and metaphor to create a functional and transformative experience on and off the mat. Rooted in alignment and longevity, it uses techniques like breath wraps, TCM, and imaginative language to create stability and insight.

• What should I pack for the retreat?
  Think Costa Rica wellness vacation! Pack bathing suits, yoga clothes, hiking gear, sundresses, light layers, sandals, and tennis shoes. Essentials include sunscreen, a hat, and any personal wellness items you love, like journals and oracle decks.

• Is there free time to explore Santa Teresa and the surrounding areas?
  Yes! Many afternoons have free time, and we’ve included a free day in the itinerary. One of the days, we’ll visit the main town of Santa Teresa for its charming atmosphere. If you’d like more time to explore, we recommend extending your stay!

Pricing & Discounts

Retreat pricing does not include airfare or some lunches.

Deposit & Payment Terms

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required upon booking. This deposit will be deducted from the total amount payable. The remaining balance is divided into 2-3 payments depending on the booking date, with all final payments due by January 12, 2026.

For bookings made after January 1, the total amount will be due in full at the time of booking. You are responsible for ensuring payments are accurate and adhere to the agreed schedule.

If full payment is not received by January 12, 2026, we reserve the right to cancel your reservation and fill your spot without a deposit refund. We will send a reminder when the balance is due.

All deposits are non-refundable. Please book confidently, as no refunds will be granted.

Cancellation Policy

To cancel your retreat, you must notify us in writing at kirbyyoga@gmail.com

• The $700 deposit is non-refundable.

• Cancellations made on or before Dec 1, 2025, will receive a 50% refund of any remaining balance paid (excluding the deposit).

• Cancellations made after Jan 1, 2026, will receive no refund.

You may transfer your booking to another person by notifying us via email by Jan 1, 2026 (unless in shared accommodation). Exceptions to our cancellation policy will not be made for any reason, including but not limited to weather, terrorism, civil unrest, COVID-19, health changes, government mandates, or personal emergencies. No refunds or price adjustments will be given for late arrivals or early departures.

Retreat Cancellations

We reserve the right to make necessary changes, including adjustments to staff, class styles, excursions, transportation, and meals.

If we cancel the retreat before departure, you will be offered a transfer to a future retreat or a full refund of payments made to us. We are not responsible for any expenses incurred due to retreat cancellation, including airline tickets, travel documents, or other costs. Please do not book travel arrangements until we confirm the retreat has met the group size minimum.

We will not be responsible for delays, expenses, or inconveniences caused by circumstances beyond our control, including flight delays, civil disturbances, severe weather, government actions, or natural disasters. No refunds will be issued for "no-shows" or unused retreat days due to these circumstances.

Ecocoon Liability

Participants are responsible for any damage to the property.

Room Allocations

• If booking a shared room as a solo traveler, you will be paired with another guest.

• If no other traveler is available to share, you may need to pay for a single room.

• Rooms are allocated on a first-paid basis.

Travel Documents & Immunizations

It is your responsibility to obtain valid passports, visas, and any required travel documents. Most passports require at least six months of validity for travel.

Travel Arrangements

You are responsible for arranging your own travel. With your permission, we can connect you with other guests for shared travel options, but you assume full responsibility for any arrangements made. We are not liable for any risks associated with shared transportation, including injury or death.

Insurance

We highly recommend comprehensive travel insurance for all attendees, particularly for those traveling from the USA. This insurance should cover unforeseen events, cancellations, injuries, and travel interruptions.

Participation in retreat activities, including yoga and excursions, is at your own risk. We assume no liability for injuries, illnesses, or death occurring during the retreat. You must have appropriate insurance coverage.

Health Disclaimer

• You must disclose any medical conditions, disabilities, or injuries upon booking.

• If we determine that the retreat is not suitable for your condition, we may refuse your booking.

• Failure to disclose medical conditions may result in cancellation without refund.

Allergies

We cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment. We are not liable for allergic reactions due to food, insects, plants, or environmental factors.

Responsibility & Behavior

You are responsible for any damages caused by you or your party. Payment for damages must be made immediately.

We reserve the right to terminate your retreat participation without refund if behavior is deemed inappropriate, discriminatory, disruptive, or dangerous to yourself or others.

Media Release

By booking, you grant permission for photography, video, and testimonials to be used in marketing, social media, and promotional materials.

Medical Waiver

By participating, you acknowledge and assume all risks associated with retreat activities. You waive any liability claims against Kirby, Evan, and their staff for injuries, illnesses, or damages incurred.

• You confirm that you are physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to participate.

• You accept full responsibility for your well-being during the retreat.

• You acknowledge that instructors are not licensed medical professionals.

• You agree to modify activities as needed to suit your individual needs.

By booking, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to these terms and conditions.

• Coffee 7:00am - early morning coffee, tea, tropical fruit before practice

• AM Practice 7:30am - 9:30am – katonah fluency practice. accessible to any and all levels. the flow through the form, opening your potential.

• Brunch 10:00am - 11:30am

• Montezuma Waterfall 12:00pm - 4:00pm *lunch offsite

• PM Practice + Shares 5:00pm-6:30pm A slower, lower, more restorative evening practice, breathwork, and reflections/sharing circle to end the day

• Dinner 7:00pm - 8:30pm

• Evening Group Sauna 9:00pm