Overview of the location: “Apoyo Lodge offers students and teachers the perfect environment; a unique secluded and natural setting ideal to pursue a mindful, health-conscious lifestyle in peace and solitude. The lodge specialises in plant-based global cuisine and sources seasonal, local, organic produce when available.

Some guests describe the lodge as "the perfect place to unplug from the outside world" to further remove themselves from daily distractions in order to connect with their highest selves in the natural world. Lake Apoyo is an ideal location to escape the daily distractions of city life and reacquire a connection with your true self in the stillness and tranquility that the nature reserve offers. The water of the lagoon is believed to have special healing properties and is coined as “the jewel of Nicaragua.”

Twice daily yoga will fine tune your body, mind, and spirit. Registration will close at 10 maximum participants ensuring that the group size is intimate. We grow and learn in relationship, and the group will learn just as much from each other as they will from the teacher and the topics explored. Room types are below and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Retreating can be the space needed for introspection, reflection, and reconnection in order to come back to our daily lives with more attention and intention. da Vinci would step away from his canvas in order to see it with fresh eyes and new perspective. This retreat will be a deep dive into living the practice of yoga, for returning to our lives with more mindfulness, openness, and freedom. Through the lens of yogic philosophy, Buddhist meditation, and somatic psychology, this retreat will encourage participants to hone the tool of standing strongly in themselves in order to come back to the helm of their own lives. In yoga, we won’t mess around-- the 2- hour morning practice will be the usual LA signature intended to deepen your practice, both physical and spiritual, and invite homecoming to and uniting of body and spirit. The practice is adaptive and can accommodate all abilities. The evening 75- minute practice, depending on the night, will include meditation, restorative, chanting, and continuing education topics in the realm of yogic philosophy that will be intentionally woven together and built upon each other from night to night and from day to night that will reinforce our learnings together. We will unwind the nervous system to glimpse the benefits of repatterning and releasing habitual ways of being so we can approach life with more intention and choice.

We will eat three meals on each full day of the trip (dinner will be provided on the first day and breakfast will be served on the last), the resort is known for their absolutely mouth watering plant based meals that respect the planet and animals and are mostly grown locally. While not in practice, relax on-site, explore the surrounding area, a spa treatment, or enjoy an excursion to some of the wonders nearby.

Excursions: are optional but so enriching to the trip: A half-day trip to Granada City and the 365 islands allows you to enjoy a tour of the colorful colonial city of Granada and a boat trip through Las Isletas in Lake Cocibolca, the great lake of Nicaragua, situated at the foot of the impressive Mombacho Volcano. A half day tour of the Masaya Artisan Market and Volcano National Park includes a visit to the town of Masaya, the Nicaraguan capital of folklore and handicrafts, and a trip to the Masaya Volcano National Park where you can admire the majestic and imposing crater of Santiago, the most heavily venting volcano in Nicaragua. The Mombacho Volcano and Zipline Tour trip includes a ride in an army truck from the base of the volcano to the top, stopping along the way to visit a coffee plantation and the lush cloud forest with incredible panoramic views of Granada and Lake Nicaragua. This hike is 4hrs long and includes an expert guide with an optional zipline through the treetops. The San Juan Del Sur trip and tour takes you to the once sleepy fishing village of San Juan del Sur, known these days as the surf capital of Nicaragua. Enjoy a surf lesson in one of the famous beaches in the area, or just relax by the mighty Pacific Ocean. 

Service and outreach: Apoyo Lodge is also heavily involved in Seva (the Sankrit word for selfless service). If you should choose to on your trip, you are welcome to inquire about contributing your time in service to one of the organizations they support in your free time during the day between practices.

The following rooms are available (first-come, first-served):

2 Lake View Suites with Private Balcony, each sleep triple occupancy. Each suite is equipped with two queen beds, one single bed, private modern American standardised washroom, ceiling + floor fan and two sets of double french doors which lead to private balcony with direct views of the lagoon. 

 2 Lake View Rooms with Private Patio, each sleeps double occupancy. Each room is equipped with two single beds (which can be pushed to form a king), private modern bathroom with hot water, and a set of double french doors which lead to a private covered patio area covered with direct views of the lagoon. 

4 Forest Rooms, each sleep double occupancy. Each room is equipped with two single beds (which can be pushed to form a king), private modern bathroom with hot water and ceiling + floor fan. All rooms have direct views of the lush garden and surrounding woodlands.

Twice daily yoga. 

3 communal plant-based meals per full retreat day (including dinner on retreat day of arrival and breakfast on day of retreat departure). 

Roundtrip transportation. 

Unlimited coconut water, morning herbal tea, drinking water, bananas, and limes. 

Daily maid service (all linens and beach towels provided). 

Unlimited wifi. 

Hot water and all natural locally handmade shower products provided. 

Unlimited beach access.

Not included, but available: extra snacks and beverages, spa treatments, tours, and excursions.

Please make sure to read the following terms and conditions:

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $500 is required for your reservation to be confirmed. You are not confirmed until we have your deposit. If your booking is made after November 1st, 2017 then the full amount must be paid at the time of booking, which includes your non-refundable deposit. The deposits are never refunded. 

Final Payment: The final non-refundable payment is due by November 1st, 2017. Payment should be made out to Laura Ahrens Yoga and either give them to Laura or Lina in person or mail to Laura. If you sign up after November 1st, the payment will be due in full upon your reservation. Note: If the balance is not paid on or before the due date, we reserve the right to treat your booking as cancelled. If you are in another country and/or have to use a credit card, please email us to set up arrangements. Additional fees may apply. 

Cancellation Policy: All monies received, excluding the non-refundable deposit, will be refunded if the cancellation is made 90 or more days prior to scheduled arrival date of January 12th, 2017. If the client cancels less than 90 days in advance of the arrival day, or if the client does not show up, or leaves early for any reason no credit or refund is available.

Passport: It is the responsibility of the traveller to make sure they have a valid passport and are able to enter Nicaragua.

Arrival and Departure: Please do your best to arrive at the center by 7pm on January 12th (though you can check-in as early as 2pm). You must check-out of your room by 11am on January 17th