Pura Vida Retreat
A unique mother daughter retreat held in Nosara, Costa Rica
July 12- 17, 2025
Pura Vida Retreat
A unique mother daughter retreat held in Nosara, Costa Rica
July 11-16, 2024
*Pura Vida translates to pure life. It’s a Costa Rican philosophy that values life’s simple treasures; to live a peaceful, uncluttered life with deep appreciation and connection to nature, friends, and family.
Pura Vida Retreat
The Pura Vida retreat will be a moment in time rooted in connection, love, and strengthening the mother daughter bond.
Have you noticed your daughter spending more time indoors and less time outside exploring?
Do you miss her wild imagination and creative spirit?
Have you felt your daughter prioritizing screens?
Is she grabbing food that depletes rather than nourishes?
Do you worry about maintaining a deep connection during middle school and high school?
Here is an invitation to co-create a profound experience with your daughter.
The time is now. Secure your spot.
Our fast paced world may prevent us from taking time to slow down and to be present with the beautiful moments that sit right before us. Let’s rise together as we tap into the healing powers of nature. Allowing ourselves to just be. A thoughtfully curated experience includes time to connect with your daughter, with other moms, and with yourself. Life is about collecting experiences and memories. This will be a memory you’ll hold in your heart for a lifetime.
The Retreat Leaders
Grace Dunn
Grace has spent the last 20+ years as an elementary school teacher, learning specialist guiding neurodivergent students, and university professor at UNCA. She is the founder and executive director of Asheville Earth School. Additionally, Grace is a certified mindfulness and yoga teacher. Grace’s personal journey led her on a quest to find peace and contentment. She discovered ancient wisdom traditions, positive psychology, and nutrient dense food was the formula for living an intentional life full of joy. Grace also believes nature is our greatest teacher and writes about it in her bi-monthly newsletter on Substack.
Grace lived in Nosara, Costa Rica from 2018-2019. It was a transformative experience for the family. Grace and her two daughters were always drawn to the healing powers of nature, but living a barefoot lifestyle for a year created an even deeper connection to the Earth. Grace and her girls return to Costa Rica as often as possible to embody the Pura Vida life, reconnect with friends, and remember why it is so important to slow down.
Shanan Burk
Shanan has been an entrepreneur and business owner since 2007. She is a mother of a 13 year old daughter and a 11 year old son. Shanan and her family have traveled to Costa Rica multiple times over the course of the last twenty years. Nosara feels like their second home. Shanan’s personal journey has led her to explore positive psychology, health & wellness, nutrient dense food and spirituality. She has spent years investing in personal development and gathered wisdom from various healers, thought leaders, and yoga philosophy. Homesteading is one of her deep passions and she has a wealth of knowledge pertaining to raising goats, chickens, fruit trees, veggies, herbs, and even wine making. Her garden feeds her family all year round.
Shanan lives with her husband, two children, and countless animals on their farm in Northern California, located 40 miles north of San Francisco. Shanan is beyond excited to lead this retreat and share the wisdom, joy, and experiences that Nosara has given her over the years. Life in the Blue Zone gifts visitors with a perspective shift. She is honored and humbled to bring a beautiful and life changing experience to you and your daughter.
Heartfelt Reflections from Our Retreat Community
Our Guests
Straight out of the concrete jungle of Toronto, to barefoot alongside the Mother Tree of Nosara, Jody meets us on the journey of parenting and re-parenting ourselves and our children. Being the mother of two teenagers, she combines her own experiences with her studies, research and certification in Connected Parenting to support and guide fellow parents and families through their unique life journey. With an infusion of naturalness, Jody’s artistry of care also incorporates her own daily practices of reiki, meditation and movement. Come and allow yourselves a jungle bathing experience, surrendering in the comfort of care.
- Jody Shulgan
Inés is a fine art photographer and a certified yoga teacher based in Costa Rica. She has photographed over 1000 people from around the world, each with their own unique story and character. In the realm of corporate and social media content, Inés’ versatility shines, crafting outstanding photographs for businesses and individuals. Her photography not only captures but empowers, celebrating diversity and beauty in every click.
- Inés Prelovšek
What’s Included:
- 5 nights accommodation
- Daily yoga and movement for the group
- 2 delicious, organic, locally sourced meals each day – catered to any dietary requirements
- Daily group sessions focusing on themes of gratitude, resilience, sparking joy, connection, and self-love
- One surf lesson
- Aerial yoga, local waterfall hike, sound healing, ecstatic dance, and more
- One dinner out at our favorite local restaurant
- Transportation to and from Liberia or Nosara airport
- Additional “add ons” - massage, or mother/daughter photography session, zip-lining, horseback riding, reiki, sauna/cold plunge, acupuncture
