Life In Balance:
Live your yoga.
Yoga Instructor: Catherine Paulson
(Read Bio)
As a student of yoga and Ayurveda since 1990, I have made a practice of living in balance in the world. In February of 2007, I was given the opportunity to work doing massage and teaching yoga at Playa Nicuesa Lodge in Costa Rica. This experience proved to be one of the greatest in my practice -- not only with regard to right living, but also regarding how to thrive - a beautiful time spent connecting to nature and spirit in a place that fully supports health and well being.
Playa Nicuesa is nestled in-between the Piedras Blancas National Park and the Golfo Dulce, on the interior of the Osa Peninsula. In this space where the mountains are bordered by the jungle and the jungle is greeted by the ocean, I was given the time and space to explore the exterior landscape and my inner landscape. It was a great pleasure to offer this opportunity to the guests, my students. The best working vacation I've had to date.
The lodge boasts beautiful almond floors up in the trees and a sweet deck by the ocean to practice yoga on. If you're adventurous and like a challenge, there is also a platform that you can hike up to, to do your practice overlooking the gulf in the middle of the jungle. There are miles of trails for walking meditation - an experience to bring you in to the moment like no other.
I offered bodywork sessions to clients in their beautiful guestroom or cabins. The spaces are surrounded by gorgeous plantings and the sweet mix of sounds from the ocean and the bird songs. The Costa Rican climate supports deep relaxation and the ceiling fans in the rooms kept the air flowing freely.
My free time was truly my own. I was able to take advantage of kayaking, fishing, hiking, swimming, the hammock tour, or spending time with like minded folk enjoying life. The fabulous owners, Michael and Donna, created a real paradise that gives all visitors to the property a chance to find their own perfect balance.
The food at Playa Nicuesa is fresh, healthy and delicious. The kitchen practices are in line with my own - eat local, eat fresh. Also in line with my values, is the lodge's commitment to sustainability. Playa Nicuesa is run on solar power. They practice conservation and recycling - they helped to create a recycling program for the local community! The water supply comes from a mountain stream and is pure and delicious.
Think well, live well, be well!
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Catherine Paulson
 Catherine Paulson is a certified yoga teacher, horticulturist and bodyworker from Cape Cod, Massachusetts where she lives and teaches yoga, offers massage and creates and cares for beautiful gardens. She gives workshops and classes nation wide and offers retreats in Ireland each spring. Through Catherine's comprehensive yoga classes, students learn the many facets of asana and pranayama (postures and breathwork) as well as the internal practices of stilling the mind and attuning to the subtleties of the energy body.
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The Mango
Guest House is a 2 storey accommodation that has 4 private rooms. Set in a
beautiful jungle garden area with mango trees on all sides and open views of
the surrounding rainforest. Each room has private entrance, beautiful
hardwood floors, private bathroom, private terrace, louver doors and windows
that wrap around the room to afford panoramic views. Rooms have queen beds
(or twin beds upon request) with mosquito netting and ceiling fans. The Mango
Guest House is separate from the Main Lodge. 
The mango house is great for all types of travelers. Especially a good choice
for friends or families that want to be close, but also have the privacy of
your own room with private bathroom. Also great for single travelers or those
who are a bit nervous about staying in the jungle, as the mango rooms are more
in an open area then the private cabins that are tucked into the rainforest.
Also
great for parties of approximately 6-10 that want to rent all 4 rooms at once.
These
cabins are very private and set apart from all other accommodations .Tucked
into the rainforest affording you a unique feeling of being in an amazing
natural setting, yet with design and comfort details that has been described
as simple yet jungle chic. Each cabin has a private entrance, beautiful
hardwood floors, private open air shower-bathroom, private terrace, louver
doors and windows that wrap around the room to afford panoramic views. Cabins
have queen beds (or twin beds upon request) with mosquito netting and ceiling
fans. The garden open air shower is within the cabin's bathroom, yet allows
you to look at nature all around. Look out for the peeping monkeys! 
This
is a private cabin much like the single cabins but larger with two bedrooms
and a common den that can also be converted for another bedroom. This is a
great choice for families, especially with younger children. The cabin is set
at the edge of the jungle but only a few steps from the main lodge building.
Each cabin has a private entrance, beautiful hardwood floors, private open air
shower-bathroom, private terrace, mosquito netting over the beds, ceiling
fans, louver doors and windows that wrap around the room to afford panoramic
views of the jungle. 
The cabin has one large bathroom complete with our signature
garden open air shower that is designed to allow you to look at nature all
around. The cabin can accommodate up to 5 people. 
However,
we recommend that families with older children or groups of adults that want
to be near each other also consider two rooms in the mango guest house. Two
rooms in mango guest house will give you more privacy amongst your group and
an additional bathroom.
