(Movingtopanama)Bocas Yoga celebrates its one year anniversary this month! The custom-built studio is a welcome addition to making Bocas Del Toro a top tourist destination of Panama.
It offers visitors to the Caribbean islands of Bocas Del Toro a healthy outlet and a space to meet like-minded people. It is with an open heart, full of gratitude, that I teach yoga out of this nurturing studio, and am honored when you share your practice with our growing healing community.
No experience or flexibility is required to practice yoga. Yoga is for everyone! At Bocas Yoga you will find an air-conditioned, noncompetitive, nonjudgmental, haven in which you will have the least amount of distractions, in order for you to focus inward. Because we are a real studio with 4 walls, there are no chitres to bite you, your privacy is assured, and the energy of your practice is not dissipated.
Since being born in the Panama Canal Zone in 1968, I’ve been on a journey, which eventually led me back to the beautiful country of Panama. It was 28 years ago in the U.S. that I was first introduced to yoga and Indian philosophy. Since then my quest for knowledge of yoga has taken me to study in India, Thailand, Europe, and South America. My Yoga Teacher Training took place at the Providence Institute, in Tucson, Arizona, registered with the Yoga Alliance. I will always be a student and continue to travel to take formal trainings. It is my dream to someday be an “Anusara-Inspired” yoga teacher, which involves years of training, in addition to the basic Yoga teacher certification I already hold.
Yoga is a spiritual practice that makes the body stronger, more flexible, and generally much healthier. The purpose is to calm the mind, open the heart, and get us in touch with our True Selves. A toned body, stamina, longevity, detoxification, and youthful looks are pleasant bi-products of a regular yoga asana practice, however, the true meaning of yoga is to uncover and realize the pure goodness that resides within us.
The teaching style at Bocas Yoga is an eclectic mix of Hatha Yoga, which uses principles of alignment to promote safety and empower students to achieve their full potential. Each class interweaves heart oriented themes to connect students to the deeper purpose of yoga. Classes are challenging, yet create a sense of ease at the same time, toning body and mind – incorporating the concepts of effort and surrender.
The Bocas Yoga Studio was designed using principles of Vastu Shastra, the Vedic science of architectural alignment and placement, upon which Feng Shui is based. The way of Vastu aligns the studio with the subtle energies of nature, in order to enhance health, happiness, abundance, and contentedness to those within it. A beautiful blend of science and art was implemented in designing the perfect place for you to practice yoga. The studio is a custom-built studio with hard-wood flooring, lots of natural light, a surround sound stereo system, and beautifully uplifting murals on the walls, creating a nurturing ambience without distraction.
At Bocas Yoga we believe that the body will respond beautifully when you show it kindness, compassion, acceptance, and love. Students of all levels of ability and yoga experience are honored for their differences, limitations, and talents. The yoga we practice has an uplifting philosophy that looks for the good in all people and all things. It’s like saying a big “YES” to life! The intention for our practice is for the revelation, or the uncloaking, of our true nature – an awakening to the highest spirit. Our connection to the Universal is enhanced.
We offer daily drop-in classes integrating body, breath, and mind. The Basics class that I teach is appropriate for beginners and ongoing intermediate students. Anabel teaches an invigorating Vinyasa Flow Yoga that is appropriate for intermediate to advanced students. Private lessons are also available by appointment and held at the Bocas Yoga studio only.
Find the full class schedule at WWW.BOCASYOGA.COM or drop by the studio for a printed schedule. We are located in the big purple building on 4th Street, Bocas Town, across from La Casbah restaurant. All regularly scheduled classes are $5 per class, or a 10-class pass for $45, or a 20-class pass for $80. Private lessons are $35/hour, plus $5 for each additional person. There is a 50 ¢ mat-rental fee, or bring your own. If you are a yoga teacher and are interested in renting the studio to host a retreat, please contact Laura Kay via email at sweetlaurakay@msn.com
The law of attraction — like attracts like — influences all energy. By focusing on positive thoughts, we create a powerful magnet that draws similar energy into our lives. It’s my sincere belief that Bocas Yoga can make Bocas Del Toro an even more beautiful place to be!
No effort on the Yoga path is ever lost, nor can any obstacle ever hold one back forever. Just a little progress on this path can protect one from the greatest fear. – “Bhagavad Gita” Chapter 2, Verse 40