Yoga is gaining popularity in Costa Rica.

Guru Javier Ferrara is currently in Costa Rica to give talks and lectures about the art of living well, the management of money and the transcendental sexuality. Ferrara is one of the top representatives of the GFU Net (Gran Fraternidad Universal), which is are non-governmental and non-religious organization that promotes the practice of Yoga and the spiritual development of the human beings. Ferrara, who was born in Mexico, lives in total simplicity and has renounced life as we know it, left his family, business and gave all his possessions to the poor. He travels the world, sharing his knowledge in the hope of putting an end to misery and unhappiness.

Yesterday, Guru Javier Ferrara explained how yoga is not only a means of gaining control over one’s own body, but it is also a guide in which we can learn how to control our mind, and for those who have taken that path, to reach self realization. If practiced regularly and with sincerity, yoga can change people’s attitude, with the way they see themselves and the world and how they relate to it. Yoga is the tool with which we can learn to connect with ourselves. More than a practice, it is a way of life.

There are many institutions teaching Yoga in Costa Rica today, with teachers from all over the world who have had the honor to be coached by masters and world famous teachers.

For those who do not have the time or means to go to a class, books and videos are on offer in the market, and all that is needed is a quiet room and a little discipline. While the presence of a teacher is strongly recommended, those who try with sincerity and good will can only draw benefits from the experience.

Yoga has many facets. The physical side of yoga, the positions or Asanas, is what is mainly practiced today, when people are always looking for ways to better themselves and live a healthier life. Hatha Yoga, which is taught in many schools in this country, is ultimately designed to harness and control energy flows whether by breathing, moving or sitting still.

Many great teachers have modified yoga over these last few years, in order to adapt it to the modern world, and to every one’s capabilities. There are now classes of yoga for children while an 80 year old can start practicing without a problem. Yoga is not a matter of strength, but of discipline and good will.

The guru also reminded his listeners that Yoga is not a religion. It is a way of life and a tool for those who want to learn the truth about themselves, a key that can open the many doors of one’s soul and shows us our capabilities and the possibilities we all have, while living the present moment fully. He added that yoga is a living experience that needs to be practiced regularly in order to draw benefits from it. The very act of reserving a time and place for its practice is actually very much part of the deal!

We all perceive our world in different ways, defined by our background, our education and individuality, while the world itself has many different facets. Yoga shows us how to embrace the whole picture; many people today feel that there may be something else to life, another dimension that can help them with their daily life, something about themselves that can help them cope with problems they are facing on a daily basis. Yoga also provides a sense of great health and well being, something we all seek today when we are faced with too much stress and responsibilities.

Guru Ferrara, who arrived in this country on July 30th, will be presenting a talk on the “Transcendental Human Sexuality” today Friday, August 1 in the Auditorium of the Bellas Artes in the University of Costa Rica.

On Wednesday, August 5, there will be a workshop-conference on the “Art of Living Well” in the Auditorium of Philosophy and Liberal Arts in the University of Costa Rica.

Yoga centers in Costa Rica:
Yoga centers are popping up all over the Costa Rica Map from the beach to the urban centers. Here are several that we recommend:

Kapoli: San Rafael de Escazu, tel: 22 28 13 50
Ashtanga Costa Rica: contact ashtangacostarica@gmail.com, or call (506) 8393-1803
Nosara Yoga Institute: Nosara, Guanacaste, contact info@nosarayoga.com or call (506) 2682-0071

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Filed under: Living on August 1st, 2008