I am officially on the yoga schedule at Rancho Santana! After half a year on the sub list, I now teach Slow Flow every Sunday at 5 p.m., and I honestly couldn’t ask for a more beautiful place to end the weekend (or kick off the coming week!) Note: I don’t teach on the Second Sunday because I’m at SoulTribe for the Ecstatic Dance event every month!)
If you haven’t visited, Rancho Santana is a resort and residential community near Popoyo, Nicaragua, with 2,700 acres of rolling hills, tropical forest, and five beaches. There’s also a sea turtle sanctuary. So yes, plenty of reasons to fall in love with this place before you even roll out your mat.
Sunday Slow Flow Yoga at Rancho Santana
What is Slow Flow? Well, exactly what it sounds like: vinyasa yoga, but slowwwwed way down.
We move with the breath, spend a little longer in each pose, and give ourselves time to feel what’s happening in our bodies. There’s movement, but there’s also room to pause.
Which feels absolutely perfect for this setting. You’re surrounded by jungle, with the occasional monkey passing through the treetops or an iguana lying lazily on a branch. The ocean stretches out below, and suddenly, slowing down feels pretty natural.
The studio overlooks Playa Santana, also known locally as Jiquelite. If you surf here, you know the waves don’t necessarily share our slow-flow philosophy. It’s a fast, punchy beach break, so be prepared to get shot out like a rocket and maybe even get barreled.
Whether you’ve spent the day surfing or simply want to move and unwind, I’d love to share a Sunday evening practice with you.
Jungle Hikes, Kundalini & Empowerment Experiences
Another thing I’m very excited about: bringing my practice onto the trails.
I’m working with Rancho Santana on a private guided hiking experience through the jungle to Playa Escondida, which literally means “Hidden Beach.”
My part of the experience will focus on empowerment, weaving together Kundalini kriyas, breathwork, and intuitive practices to help you connect with your own energy, strength, and inner guidance.
There’s something about moving through nature that makes it easier to hear yourself. Away from the phone, the to-do list, and everyone else’s opinions, you get a little space to notice what feels true for you.
And sometimes, a little space is exactly what you need.
Full Moon & Spring Equinox Events
I’ll also be collaborating with a fellow yoga teacher, sound healer, and dear friend on events in the coming year, including a full moon gathering and a spring equinox experience.
We’re bringing together some of our favorite things: movement, sound, nature, and time to reconnect with yourself. I’ll share the details here on Popoyo Yoga as they come together.
From the Ocean to My Inner Jungle Fairy
More than anything, I feel grateful to have access to this space.
Recently, I was walking along a trail called Howler Loop, completely surrounded by jungle. The deeper I moved into the dense vegetation, the louder everything seemed to get. The birds, the buzzing, the howlers.
It almost felt as though the animals could let their guard down out there. And somehow, that helped me let mine down, too.
I breathed in that damp, earthy smell and felt my whole body begin to settle.
How lucky am I to call this place home? To surf and feel myself become part of the ocean, and then, when the waves aren’t working, head into the trees and connect with my inner jungle fairy.
And now? I get to share some of that with you.
To join my Sunday Slow Flow class or ask about an experience with me, contact the spa at Rancho Santana and request Nicole. I’d love to see you in the jungle.