"Off the Mat and Off the Map" Retreat Combines Yoga and Community Service in Beautiful Rural Costa Rica

From June 23-30, Karma Krew, Inc. is hosting the "Off the Mat and Off the Map" Retreat designed to give participants a chance to combine the practice of yoga on the mat with karma yoga service projects throughout rural communities in Costa Rica. As participants assist in community revitalization projects, they will expand their definition of what it means to practice yoga and discover the essence of this ancient tradition.

New York, NY. (PRWEB) March 15, 2007 -- The "Off the Mat and Off the Map" Retreat offers individuals a powerful way to deepen their yoga practice on and off the mat through volunteering in community revitalization projects in the rural villages of Costa Rica this June 23-30th.

This retreat is part of a larger effort by Karma Krew, Inc., a non-profit organization created to promote the idea of service as a natural and necessary part of one's yoga practice and personal growth process. Karma yoga, also known as "the yoga of service or action" has always been a fundamental part of the yoga tradition, but it often gets overshadowed by the more individually-focused physical aspects of the practice. On this retreat, participants will not only practice postures, breathing, and meditation during daily morning yoga classes. During mid-day, they will also engage in karma yoga volunteer projects in different parts of the rural communities, offering their services to a variety of revitalization efforts.

The retreat will begin with a locally-led tour of the region known as the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica where participants will learn both about the beauty and hardships of living in rural Costa Rica. Then, participants immerse themselves in five days of community service and yoga practice. The community service projects are being determined with the help of Adventures Under the Sun, a Cost Rican owned and operated organization run by multi-cultural professionals dedicated to providing safe and enriching learning experiences throughout the country. The nature of the community service will vary each day and include projects like re-planting native trees and plants on local farms and beaches; cleaning up and painting elementary schools; and helping local farmers rebuild facilities and harvest crops. Service projects will last about 4-6 hours a day and will include some physical labor and daily hiking. Emphasis will be placed on community-oriented projects where participants will have an opportunity to work alongside local Costa Ricans and other volunteers as they share their stories.

Participants will be staying at Haciendo Ario nestled within a 5,000 acre working, family-owned ranch on the Pacific Coast. With little nearby development, you can expect a pristine and natural environment overlooking a long sweeping deserted beach, home to one of the largest mangrove forests and turtle-nesting grounds on the peninsula. Housing with open verandas include shared sleeping quarters, several bathrooms, private outdoor showers, and solar electricity. The closest town, Bello Horizonte, with a population of only 2000 people, will be the site of most of the locally-driven service projects. Special attention has been given to choosing safe and manageable projects that will provide fulfilling experiences for the group and the community at large.

The retreat led by Karma Krew Co-Founders, Scott Feinberg and Amy Lombardo, will be limited to 15 participants. Participants need no previous experience in yoga or volunteering. In addition to daily yoga practice and community service, there will be plenty of time for quiet reflection, group discussion, and exploring the many natural wonders of Costa Rica. There will even be the added bonus of optional side trips including horseback rising on the beach, river kayaking, and a celebratory bonfire on the last evening held on a secluded beach to say goodbye to our new Costa Rican friends. For more information on retreat details or to reserve your space, please see www.karmakrew.org (launching April 2007) or contact Amy or Scott at 646-682-7619 or 561-339-9642. Early registration deadline closes on April 30th.

About Retreat Leaders, Scott Feinberg and Amy Lombardo:
Scott Feinberg is Co-Founder of Karma Krew, Inc. and a nationally certified Yoga Instructor. Scott is a teacher of Yin and Vinyasa yoga in south Florida where he regularly teaches and leads workshops and immersions. For more information, see www.transcendyoga.net.

Amy Lombardo is Co-Founder of Karma Krew, Inc. and a nationally certified Yoga Instructor and Empowerment Life Coach. She has completed extensive training in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Anusara yoga, and many other healing modalities. For more information, see ww.truenaturewellness.com.

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