Wellness and Yoga Teacher Training Immersion in Costa Rica

Pura Veda Gurukulam is a living school of yoga and Ayurveda, created by Sonia Kaur and her family. They have lived on this private jungle property for ten years and have planted over 100 fruit trees and countless biodiverse plants, so the land feels alive. Students stay on site and eat meals that are largely grown or sourced locally. The idea is that learning happens not only in the shala but also through daily living: how you eat, how you rest, and how you connect with nature.

The training follows an Ayurvedic daily schedule that includes a kitchari cleanse once a week to support detoxification. Days begin with morning sadhana, and there is a meditative quiet time from 8 PM to 8 AM. The curriculum covers asana alignment, sequencing, verbal cueing, anatomy, philosophy, pranayama, and meditation. Students start teaching from day one. The approach is explorative and inquiry-based, which mirrors how yoga was traditionally taught, so you aren't just memorizing facts but actually embodying the material.

Sonia Kaur, E-RYT 500, has over 5,000 hours of teaching experience and specializes in therapeutic yoga, philosophy, and Ayurvedic cooking. Her son Ciro, E-RYT 200, assists with the training and brings a grounding presence. They are supported by other teachers and the community. The family atmosphere is often mentioned in reviews, and students frequently note that the bonds they form here last long after the course ends.

San Juanillo is described as a small village that still feels untouristed, about 8 miles from Nosara and 10 miles from the Ostional Wildlife Refuge. The nearest beach is a mile away, and the property is at the base of a mountain, with a trail through the forest leading to the ocean. The school is a certified carbon-neutral operation, and trips to the local farmers market are organized to support nearby businesses.

What's included

- Airport Pickup & Drop-off from Liberia Airport (group shuttle at scheduled times) - 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course and certification - Certificate upon successful completion - Yoga Alliance registration option upon course completion - Pre and post retreat support from the team - 3 daily meals (except one lunch on the weekly morning off) - Specialized workshops (medicinal plant tour, farmers market trip, etc.) - Accommodation for 16 nights - WiFi connection - Course manual - Professional event photos (3-4 photos including graduation picture) - Yoga mats, blocks, straps, and pillows - Kitchari cleanse once a week - Daily yoga, meditation, and pranayama sessions

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - One meal per week (Sunday lunch) to support local businesses - Private airport transfers (if arriving outside group shuttle times) - Extra nights accommodation (unless pre-arranged) - Optional extras like fruit, coconut water, kombucha, and bliss balls