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Conscious Contortion’s Bend & Breathe Retreat
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
November 17-22nd, 2024
Join Stephanie Ottomanelli on a 6 day, 5 night movement & breathwork retreat at Selvatica Eco Resort in beautiful Puntarenas, Costa Rica, the land of Pura Vida, or, pure life. Through daily movement, sound alchemy practices, breathwork, meditation, clearing ceremonies, ecstatic dance, Conscious Contortion & astrology workshops, along with exploring and adventuring through luscious jungles & beaches, we’ll come together in a community of the Divine Feminine, to release resistance within our minds and bodies. We’ll create space to allow our Soul to shine through and lead the way.
This retreat will be filled with endless opportunities for self-expression and expansion, energetic exploration, soul alignment, healing, transformation, plus Conscious Contortion, astrology, daily yoga, and sculpting classes, connection, community, creative photo shoots, learning and growth, joy and ease, fun, and so much more, all in a safe and accepting space within a beautiful group of women.
All levels are welcomed. Let’s bend, breathe, and flow into the beauty that is Life
(Love In Full Effect). See you in the jungle!
Itinerary
*subject to minor changes
Retreat Inclusions
5 Nights accommodation at Selvatica Eco Retreat with access to full resort amenities including jungle views, pool, yoga shala, & ice bath
Roundtrip group airport transfer (at select times)
Daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Daily breathwork + movement classes
2 Conscious Contortion Workshops + Open Play & Create Time
1 Astrology 101 Workshop
Plant Medicine Ceremony, Cacao Ceremony + Ecstatic Dance
Manuel Antonio National Park Full Day Exploration
Museo Del Agua Waterfall Adventure
Group and candid photos by Georgina (@fromthemoonseyes) with optional add on for individual photo sessions throughout the week ($)
Optional add ons including massage, ziplining, & horseback ride at sunset ($)
Workshops
Conscious Contortion: Splits, Hips, and Low Backbends (Rooted Warrior & Sensual Goddess) – All Levels
In this workshop, we will be unblocking, unlocking, and activating our Root & Sacral Chakra, and in doing
so, our inner rooted warriors and sensual goddesses. We will practice drills set to deepen flexibility, strength, and fluidity in our
hips, hamstrings, and low, spine. Working towards our front and center splits with lower
backbend variations.
Conscious Contortion: Upper Backbends & Inversions (The Lover & The Expressor Workshop) – All Levels
In this workshop, we will be opening our Heart & Throat chakras as we quite literally open our shoulders, neck, and
chest, deepening our upper backbends as we promote healing, self love, balance, & trust, activating our inner Lover and Expressor.
Working towards deep wheels, forearm stands and wheels, and cheststands.
It's Written In the Stars: Astrology 101
Astrology teaches us how to be more compassionate, understanding, & accepting of ourselves
and others, while bringing awareness and depth to our shadows and also to our Light.
Our birth charts are our soul contracts, and to be able to read them means to invite more clarity,
in remembering who we are and why we are here.
Come ready with your notebook as we dive into the basics astrology, studying and getting a feel of the
archetypes and energies of the 12 signs, the planets, elements, and houses. Please come prepared
with your birth information if you would like to read your chart (date of birth, time of birth, and
location of birth).
Excursions
Manuel Antonio National Park
A popular destination famous for its array of hill top restaurants with stunning views, world class beaches, and of course the most popular National Park in Costa Rica. The NP boasts an array of wildlife from monkeys to sloths to exotic birds. We will have our own private guide to offer insight and adventure.
Museo Del Agua Waterfall Adventure
An adventurous day starting with a typical breakfast and briefing by our nature guides upon arrival. After fueling up, we will hike to 4 unique and awe-inspiring waterfalls with time for swimming, photos, and fun at each one. This hike is fairly steep and sweaty so we will bring plenty of water and a change of clothes for the car rise home. A wonderful way to explore Costa Rica’s healing gift of nature!
What you’ll practice & learn
Meet your guide
Steph Ottomanelli
Stephanie Ottomanelli is a contortionist, movement artist, and guide. An advocate for the healing abilities of movement, Steph supports her students in moving through their emotions, restricting thoughts, and other energetic blocks that can manifest in the physical body, while simultaneously training drills set to strengthen and open the physical body, with a deep understanding and emphasis on alignment & awareness of the subtle energetic body.
Through shape shifting into the bridge of consciousness between the physical & energetic realms, we learn how to contort with ease, fluidity, & grace in all dimensions. We explore the depths with confidence and courage, with Love.
Steph’s love for connection, expression, and expansion through movement inspired her to create her signature practice, Conscious Contortion - using breathwork, sound, and contortion training to break through blocks, create space, and to dive deeper into one's Self, quite literally through physical shape shifting, but spiritually as well, to promote healing, alignment, and truth to radiate through.
Steph has taught students from all over the world, hosts workshops throughout the country, and hosts retreats in Costa Rica. As the Conscious Contortion community continues to grow, Steph looks forward to connecting and supporting other open hearted, empathetic, and compassionate beings (aliens, starseeds, goddesses, baddies, earth angels, fairies, cat enthusiasts) along the journey.
Testimonials
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"We've connected with each other through sisterhood & movement. through connecting with others I've connected with myself. It's been very healing & grounding as well"
Sophie, Aries
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"It was a really great experience from the moment I got off the plane. I feel like everyone who joined the retreat really enjoyed each other's company and we all connected super quickly. Throughout the week I feel like all the classes Steph has taught has really helped me. I learned a lot, from the ceremonies, the excursions. it was super fun, yeah"
Stephanie, Pisces
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“Connection to myself and with nature was strong. thank you for providing such a safe space for feeling all the feelings, to be truly seen and held, and to go deeper into my Self"
Megan, Scorpio
Location
Costa Rica is a laid back country, full of friendly welcoming people that fully embrace the “Pura Vida”. Pura Vida meaning “pure life” is a happy feel-good expression used for everything from saying hello and goodbye, to telling people you’re having an awesome day. Locals embody this Pura Vida mentality and have woven it into their lives in a very real way. You can quickly see how this laid back philosophy has become a pivotal part of people living long, healthy and happy lives down here.
Experience your own version of Pura Vida. Fully immerse yourself in all the experiences people have come to love so much about Costa Rica. Soak up the healing energy of the jungle at Selvatica Eco Retreat, enjoy energizing and therapeutic daily yoga and contortion classes in our private yoga shala and delicious locally sourced food. Take a surf lesson, indulge in a relaxing massage, horseback ride at sunset, relax by the pool, or even invigorate the senses and boost your dopamine levels with an ice plunge. Whatever mood you’re in, we’ve got you covered.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can attend this retreat?
Our retreats are for every woman and femme being. It doesn't matter what your age, race, weight, height, flexibility and level of experience - the practice of movement is for every single being. New to Yoga? New to Contortion? We all have to start somewhere and retreats are the perfect space to start and/or grow your practice. Don't worry about how advanced others may be and remember this journey is yours, take all the time and be patient with yourself. If you're new, let us know so we can make sure our teachers are prepped to assist you.
2. I've never travelled before and I don't have anyone to go with. Can I come alone?
Yes! Before you go, we are here to guide you and get you prepared as much as possible for this retreat and travel experience. With Conscious Contortion, you're never alone! We set up a group chat to communicate with one week prior to the retreat to check in and update each other as you start your travel from wherever you may be. We'll pair you up with a roommate, who will most likely end up being a lifelong friend. You may come alone, but you'll end up leaving with a community of like minded and open hearted beings who will forever be connected through this experience.
3. What do I need to pack?
30 days before your retreat, we'll send you a guide of what to pack and bring.
4. What type of travel insurance do I need and why is it mandatory?
Your insurance will need to cover emergency medical and trip cancellation/interruption. This is to protect you in case of any unforeseen circumstances either before or on your retreat.
5. Do you offer monthly payment plans?
Yes! Once you've paid the deposit amount, the remainder of your balance can be split and paid by the remaining months left until the full balance due date. If you would like this option, once you've paid your deposit please email us at hello@stephottoyoga.com to set up a payment plan for you.
Booking Terms & Conditions
All deposits & payments are non refundable. By booking a retreat, you agree to the Terms & Conditions listed here.
Sign Up Today
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Use code Fluid for $333 off: first 5 sign ups! Sign Ups Now Open
I hope to see you in the jungle! This retreat will be intimate, with only 12 spots available, so that everyone may receive the attention and connection they deserve. It is always my intention to cultivate a safe and supportive space for us to be honest, open, explorative, expressive, and in a space of expansion for ourselves and for the other participants on our retreat. We will spend this week contorting, breathing, meditating, hiking, dancing, creating, learning, connecting, and ultimately rising into the next chapter of ourSelf, the next level of higher frequency, or brighter radiance.
First 5 sign ups using the code “Fluid” will receive $333 off at checkout. $500 is needed to secure your spot. Payment plans are available. Please note to avoid the service fee on We Travel you may instead use your banks routing and account number.
Invest in yourself today. Here’s to our next adventure!
With love and care,
Steph
