Welcome!

 

“It is an honor to connect with you, thank you for Being. My name is Laura Waite, I am a mother of two, a small business owner, and a proud resident of Costa Rica. This is my home and I welcome you. I am grateful to be a part of your journey. 

Yoga is my daily medicine, it is how I start my day and I am grateful to have you as a part of that ritual! My classes are mixed-level, move intuitively while honoring tradition, are fun and creative, and will challenge you physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Breath is our most important tool for it carries our prana or life force energy, which allows us to heal. I invite you to join us to connect with your breath, your center, and the present moment. Welcome to our sangha (community), I will meet you on the mat!” ~ Laura

 

About Laura:

 

Laura has been a dedicated yoga practitioner for over 20 years and a yoga teacher since 2010. After dabbling in various styles of yoga, Laura felt an instant connection to Ashtanga yoga. She dedicated herself to a regular Ashtanga practice for several years, and completed her first series Ashtanga yoga training with Tim Miller in 2010 and her second series Ashtanga yoga training with Tim Miller in 2012.

Since first meeting in 2006, Laura had the honor to practice, mentor, and work with Diana Christinson of Pacific Ashtanga Yoga Shala in California. She considers Diana her biggest influence along her journey of yoga. On her Ashtanga path, Laura attended workshops and clinics with David Swenson and Shelley Washington as well as Nancy Gilgoff to deepen her wisdom and broaden her perspective in the lineage. She also had the privilege to practice with Saraswathi and Sharath Jois.

Over the last 10 years as a small business owner in Costa Rica and a spiritual warrior at heart, Laura has cultivated her own essence of teaching. She is a Lightworker, bodyworker, teacher and guide, and leads an intuitive vinyasa practice rooted in the Ashtanga teachings. Laura’s continued education has come from personal practice and growth on and off the mat, studying her students and learning from experience, and by observing other teachers and colleagues. Books and research always play a role, but one’s life path and daily practice gift each teacher a unique presence. 

More recently in 2022, Laura dove back into training to get her Yoga Alliance credentials (separate from Ashtanga) and to evolve her skillset. She has expanded her knowledge and sharpened her tools, and is proud to pull from the influences of Functional Yoga. Functional yoga emphasizes yoga for everyBODY, it is “based on the scientifically-proven premise that our skeletons, tissues, physiology, temperament and motivation are made and organized in a way that is uniquely ours.” 

“What allows me to teach with confidence are my years as a yoga practitioner. I will always be a student and teach from the passion I have from the life transforming journey yoga has gifted me. The students that show up to practice with me are equally my teacher and we share the flow of energy that shows up for us each day, honoring and uplifting each other.” ~ Laura

 

Vinyasa Flow:

 

Vinyasa is the marriage of breath and movement. It is a synchronized method of coiling and uncoiling the body to balance opposing tendencies, move prana, and create heat. Vinyasa allows us to clear the slate after each posture to allow entry to the next one. A vinyasa practice purifies the organs, balances the chakras, calms the emotions and quiets the mind. It teaches you to overcome fears and cultivate patience, knowing when to push forward and when to pull back. Although a vinyasa flow class can be geared towards beginners, in general it is a more rigorous practice. Laura invites all levels to come practice with mindfulness and humor.

 

Ashtanga Yoga:

 

Ashtanga is a system of yoga introduced to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures. This process produces intense internal heat and a purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Ashtanga, the 8-Limb practice, is a moving meditation. The postures flow together like beads on a string, or a “mala.” This strong athletic practice results in improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

 

About Laura’s Classes:

 

Laura’s Ashtanga background impacts her dynamic and challenging Vinyasa Flow classes, but she pulls from her influence of functional yoga to make the practice approachable and fun for all BODIES stepping into vinyasa. She will lead you through fun, creative sequencing that emphasize breath paired movement and focused attention to create a moving meditation experience. Being an intuitive, massage therapist and Lightworker, she keeps you well guided in verbal alignment cues and hands-on assists when appropriate. She likes to thread in philosophy and how it applies on and off your mat, but also creates space and silence to allow you to tune in to your own wisdom. Laura offers public and private vinyasa classes. Join her privately for a traditional Ashtanga practice to fine tune your practice and to deepen your wisdom of the 8-Limb tradition of Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.

 

• Vinyasa (Mixed/Slow Flow): Suited for all levels that enjoy and are ready for a more rigorous practice. We start off slow to establish the breath and to warm up the body. Laura will give you options for variations and tips on alignment to create a comfortable and safe experience. She will challenge you to explore your edge and encourage you to trust you internal wisdom, knowing when to push forward and when to pull back.
  • Mixed-Level Vinyasa varies in intensity depending on the levels of the students and the energy of the day. We typically start slow to establish breath, warm up our spines and joints, and to briefly review proper alignment for our “vinyasas.” Then we heat it up with sun salutations and a strong standing sequence. Standing balancing postures and an arm balance are often included. To finish, we move to the floor again to cool down, stretch and close.
  • Slow-Flow Vinyasa is similar to mixed-level, but we slow the movement down, simplify the sequencing, and focus on deepening the breath. For those just stepping into vinyasa or who prefer a slower pace, slow-flow is the place to land.

• Ashtanga Led Half/Full Primary: A step up in intensity from Laura’s vinyasa classes, she will guide you through the traditional primary series or half-primary up to Navasana. As the students build stamina and strength, new poses are added over time leading to a full primary series practice. Ashtanga is a set sequence and consists of 6 progressive series. Laura will introduce the 1st series which begins with opening the back of body and cleansing the organs. Ashtanga focuses on breath, drishti, and bandhas. (*available for private sessions)

Morning practice with Laura meets Monday-Friday at 8:30am, however she modifies her schedule in June and September and closes for October. Some supplies provided, we have plenty of mats, blocks and straps. Enjoy an outdoor, ocean front setting with a garden view. It’s just a short beach walk from the main street in beautiful Playa Samara, Costa Rica. Please arrive 10-15 minutes early to my settle in. Private yoga sessions are also available.

 

Current Yoga Class Schedule:  

*We start at 8:30am, but due to the nature of tourism, sometimes we can start a few minutes behind to get everyone settled. It is recommended to arrive early so that we can start punctually. However, please note that we may finish 5-10 min later based on our start time to accommodate the Pura Vida vibe and to allow a proper close to practice. Namaste! *

 

Monday:

Mixed Level Vinyasa 8:30am, 90m with Laura

Tuesday:

Slow Flow Vinyasa 8:30am, 75m with Laura  (seasonal: not offered in June and September)

 

Wednesday:  

Mixed Level Vinyasa 8:30am, 90m with Laura

Thursday:

Slow-Flow Vinyasa 8:30am, 75m with Laura  (seasonal: not offered in June and September)

Friday:

Mixed Level Vinyasa 8:30am, 90m with Laura

 

*Please pre-register for class on the “Book Now” page to secure your spot and to get the details on location, supplies, and payment. Doors close at 8:25am. We fill up in high season, best to arrive at 8:15am.

*Registration closes 30m before class time, you are welcome to drop in to see if we have space, we have a large rancho and can usually accommodate everyone.

 

You can email Laura on the contact page with any related questions. She recommends that you arrive 10-15 min early to settle in. Doors close at 8:25am. 

 

Location:

 

Classes meet in the center of Samara at the Intercultura Language School. Located beach front, please enter the school grounds through one of the gates and head straight to the far end of the garden to a half moon shaped rancho. We have a garden setting with an ocean view. Enjoy the sound of the waves while we practice. Pre-registration recommended, you will get a confirmation email with details. 

 

*Note: The yoga shala is in a separate location from the massage office*

Prices:

Drop-In: $20

5-Class Package: $75
(1 month expiration, for individual use only)

10-Class Package: $130
(2 month expiration, for 1-2 people) 

 

Please pay Laura direct, she operates separately from Intercultura School

 

Private Yoga Sessions:

 

$150 private group sessions (for the first 3-15 people, $10 per extra person)

$120 private or semi-private sessions (1-2 people)

 

Please note: additional costs may apply for travel, private sessions are limited

Refund Policy: 

There are no refunds, transfers or holds on unfinished yoga packages. Please honor your commitment and the expiration date and invest accordingly. Thank you. 

 

Cash preferred for all services, dollars or colones. Venmo payment accepted, no credit cards. Thank you.