Hands-On Massage & Thai Yoga Bodywork Training Retreat in Costa Rica

This retreat combines two distinct bodywork disciplines into one integrated experience. Your first three training days are dedicated to Holistic Massage Foundations with Adri, who has over 20 years of experience in bodywork. She teaches through demonstration, hands-on practice, and personalized feedback, covering everything from pressure and body mechanics to creating a flowing treatment. Completing this segment earns you a Certificate of Completion from Kamala Massage.

The fourth training day shifts to Thai Yoga Bodywork & Assisted Stretching with Fern Olivia, a 500-hour Yoga Alliance-certified instructor and certified Thai Yoga Therapist. You'll learn a step-by-step approach that merges assisted yoga stretches, acupressure, joint mobilization, and mindful movement into a cohesive bodywork sequence. The emphasis is on safety, communication, and adapting techniques to different bodies.

The program is intentionally paced. Each training session runs 2.5 to 3 hours a day, leaving afternoons open for you to enjoy Costa Rica. You'll have time for the beach, which is a short walk from Dragonfly Retreat Center, or to explore nearby Punta Uva and Puerto Viejo. The retreat also includes daily morning yoga, which complements your learning by deepening your awareness of anatomy and movement.

Accommodations are at Dragonfly Retreat Center, a beachfront property with lush gardens and an open-air yoga shala. You can choose from a simple, cozy Tiny House Studio or a more spacious Private Jungle Bungalow, both with private bathrooms and kitchens. You'll join a small group, typically just one or two people, which means your training can be truly personalized.

The teaching duo is what makes this retreat stand out. Adri, a Costa Rican native with a background in physiotherapy and Ayurveda, brings a holistic, therapeutic perspective. Fern, with her background in finance and biomedical engineering, merges science with somatic healing and breathwork. Together, they offer complementary approaches that give you a versatile foundation in bodywork.

What's included

- 5 nights of accommodation in Punta Uva - Daily tropical brunches (with vegetarian/vegan options) - Approximately 12 hours of personalized hands-on training - 3-Day Holistic Massage Foundations training - Holistic Massage Foundations Certificate of Completion - Thai Yoga Bodywork & Assisted Stretching training - Comprehensive course manual and handouts - Welcome massage with Adri - Opening cacao ceremony and intention setting - Daily morning yoga classes - Closing integration session

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Dinners and other meals not mentioned - Additional excursions and treatments - Airport transfers