Mary Byerly has been practicing yoga for over 20 years, and has been teaching for 13 years. She studied and received her 200 hour certification from Lilah Schwartz in Asheville, North Carolina. Mary has continued her education through workshops with her main teacher and others, along with classes from instructors of various styles, and continued personal study of the philosophy of yoga.
Mary’s main mission is to help students continue to grow in their own practice of all eight limbs of yoga in Costa Rica. Whether she’s helping a new student begin to learn the poses or guiding a long time practitioner to find a deeper level, Mary’s expertise is in designing classes that work for everyone. At Panacea de la Montana, she blends her style based on the students that are there, working with everything from basic alignment to lines of energy, grounded in her belief that what happens on our mats is a microcosm of what happens in all of our life.
Here are a few things that will enhance your practice of yoga while here at Panacea:
- Remove shoes after entering the rancho, we practice in our bare feet.
- Come to practice with a fairly empty stomach (unless a specific condition prevents this).
- Refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, or strong essential oils, and large jewelry.
- Wear comfortable exercise clothing in which you can move easily.
- Be mindful of everyone’s sacred practice space. Enter and exit if needed during class mindfully and quietly. Come a few minutes before class begins to get comfortable and ready to practice. If you are late, wait at the entrance until eyes are open and movement or talking has begun.
- If you have any health issues (medical conditions, injury, or illness), please tell the instructor before class begins.
- No experience is necessary. However, be kind and respectful to yourself by accepting where you are. It is ok to come out of a pose before the instructor says to. Yoga should always feel good, never painful. Your body will appreciate and respond when you treat it with love, kindness, and acceptance. Rest when needed. Do what you can today, without concerns about yesterday or tomorrow.
- Breathe in and out through your nose. If you find your breath gets “ragged” or you are holding your breath, this often indicates you are pushing yourself. Back off a bit from the intensity and regain the evenness of your inhales and exhales.
- Ask questions if something is not clear to you. If it is something that will take away from the focus of the class, wait and speak with the instructor after class.
- Yoga is a spiritual life practice that continues whether you are on or off your mat. The benefits are more than just increased flexibility in your body. Yoga can help you calm your mind, open your heart and aid your spiritual growth. Remain aware and grateful of how this occurs in your life.
- We will chant “Om” at the beginning of class. This sacred sound consists of three sounds (a), (u), and (m). A very small syllable, with a profound meaning, Om represents the union of body, mind, and spirit; the whole universe of seen and unseen things. As we chant Om three times at the beginning of our practice, we are becoming one with the sound of creation, with all things.
- The other Sanskrit word you will hear typically at the beginning and at the end of our classes is “Namaste”. One simple translation of this word is: “The spirit (or light) in me recognizes and honors the spirit in you”. It is a greeting and a sign of respect.
- Remember to smile and have fun!
Personal Home Practice
Come to Panacea de la Montaña, and have a personalized home yoga practice designed for you. This practice is perfect for anyone who would like to have a vitalizing home practice based on your personal health, emotional status, and that is aimed at improving your whole self: mentally, physically, and spiritually. This practice goes beyond just how to do a better handstand. It will look at who you are now, and where you want to be to live your best, most vibrant life.
You will need to be here for at least four days, so that you can meet with Mary for the initial assessment/interview, and then once again to go over and through your personalized practice. This practice will provide you with a personal prescription of the asanas (physical postures), pranayama (breathing practices), and meditations to help you achieve the desires of your soul, mind, and body. The rate for the development of this is $150.
If you want to experience healing and relaxation through Yoga in Costa Rica, click here to contact us.
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