Dare To Go Solo
Dare To Go Solo
I recently spent a week in Costa Rica with a “stranger”. Yes, it was on purpose. Let me backup a bit. Earlier this year I met another bossbabe through Instagram. She commented on one of my posts so I returned the chit-chat and then proceeded to stalk her account. I decided that I wanted to meet her because she seemed cool AF on her IG profile, the Feral Yogi.
The Feral Yogi (AKA Jenn Dodgson) is a yoga instructor (one of the best in town actually) so I went to one of her classes in early January. We talked after class and she said “I’d love to collaborate on something.” I secretly was freaking out that she actually wanted to work with me but thankfully kept my composure and casually said “yeah, that’d be cool.” We made plans to meet for coffee the following Friday and after chatting for several minutes, I told her I had a crazy idea to host a retreat in Costa Rica. Not like any other retreat: I wanted to take my guests to different locations and move around like I normally travel. I wanted to stay in unique places run by locals, not large resorts. She told me that she didn’t think that was crazy and said she’d love to come along on the scouting trip that I had planned.
I came home and told my husband that I was going to Costa Rica with a stranger and he casually mentioned his lack of surprise and to have fun (reason #1,000,006 that he’s the best.) My girlfriend, Sondra, needed to get away too so her and Jenn took their chances and met for the first time in the security line at the airport.
The three of us had the best time ever. We set intentions and read them to each other. We looked out for each other; each one of us got sick on a different day of the trip and we picked up the slack on travel days and took care of each other. We cried and we laughed basically nonstop. I’m now experiencing separation anxiety and planning future dates so that I can see their faces more often!
I was talking to Jenn and Sondra about how I have a hard time convincing potential retreat guests to sign up for a retreat without a partner or a friend. Jenn suggested that I write about how we basically did the same thing on this scouting trip to Costa Rica. I loved that idea; it’s an incredibly beautiful experience to spend time with people that are in the same space supporting each other’s highest. It’s difficult for me to capture how powerful these experiences are so just take it from Jenn (because I think she’s an amazing writer):
“I can’t really translate it into words yet as I am still mentally, emotionally, and spiritually digesting the experience, but one thing I can say is traveling through the rainforest with two “strangers” changed my life🙏🏼✨
It was a teaching in trust...
a teaching in community...
and with each step on the trail seeing the same spark of wild across us all✌🏼
Together we hiked volcanos...
drove up and down mountains...
and dove full force into life🤘🏼
We laughed until our faces hurt...
we connected..
we cried...
we sweat our asses off...
learned how to pronounce each others last names....
and inspired each other to go light up the damn world🤘🏼✨
If you’re one of those people who thinks traveling with “strangers” to a yoga adventure retreat will be “weird”, I challenge you to journey outside of your comfort zone...
our tribe is caring, wild, strong, and fiercely loyal.
and you never know...
traveling with “strangers” may just change your life”🙏🏼✨
It definitely changed my life and I hope you will join us a for a retreat soon...solo or with a friend.
Images by Personal Branding Maven Elise Kutt at Mod Bettie Portraits
My name is Anna VanAgtmael, and I am a certified yoga instructor with a passion for yoga, travel, and connecting with others.
I believe in trying everything once. My values lie in collecting memories over things. Though we desire adventure and authentic experiences, naturally our fear holds us back.
My ambition is to inspire and encourage you to unmask your fears and jump into the unknown.
Anna VanAgtmael | Yoga Enthusiast | Travel Designer