Retreats
& Trainings
Find the Experience you Need
"People find themselves here."
Restore and re-energize
Reconnect heart & mind - passion & purpose
Allow time and space to heal
Re-find a sense of balance
Explore & harness new insights or ideas
Support & empower yourself through the next phase
of your own growth or journey
Let the Experience Find You
Tula Vida horses are wise and experienced teachers of mindfulness, natural balance, energy management and self-discovery. The vibrant, joyful magic of this corner of Costa Rica enables the natural world to soothe, nourish and restore you as only nature can.
Join one of our organised retreats (or design your own) to find a supportive, beautiful and fun environment to go a little deeper into healing and self-discovery with transformational results.
Upcoming
Retreats & Trainings
UPDATE - EXCITING NEWS!
We have just announced our exciting transition to glorious Tula Vida Ranch!
We are in the process of revamping our website with beautiful photos of our new horse and human sanctuary and including details in our retreats, so if you are looking for a retreat or experience with us, please send us a message.
You can see upcoming retreats below with more details to follow. In the meantime you can see photos and read about our new home at Tula Vida Ranch here – and be one of the first to book!
Or join our email list to get all the upcoming offers and details.
Balance & Connection
25 - 29 September 2024
Our biology is wired to connect - and the horses can show us how to tune in
We have lost touch with our nervous systems but the horses have not. With principles of neuroscience, polyvagal, mindfulness and more we can dive into practising connection with our experienced, wise herd of master teachers!
The Art of Presence
1 & 2 November 2024
Feeling stressed or out of balance?
In this 2 day "taster" experience, Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the rest of the Tula Vida horse and human team will introduce you to the world of horse-led self-discovery and support you in rediscovering and reconnecting with yourself to be truly present with what is around you.
Finding Balance
1 - 7 December 2024
What if you are already enough, exactly as you are? Let the horses guide you to feel good about yourself.
The greatest connection that we have, and the foundation for all our other relationships, is our connection with ourselves. In this retreat we will support you to go a little deeper into mindful self-discovery and give your intuition a voice.
Take home mindfulness tools to head into 2025 with a new perspective & a refreshed nervous system.
Practice Mindfulness with Masters
Reflection & Restoration
14 & 15 December 2024
Reflecting back on the year, what needs to be back in balance & what do you want to create more of in 2025?
Join us for this special 2-day workshop to focus on creating more of what we want in our lives. We will reflect back, set powerful intentions & ask the horses for their input. And use experience as the te
Exploring Connection
6 - 9 January 2025
Imagine feeling connected in your life, world and self.
What would be different?
You get to fully explore & experience the secrets to the connection you are craving in this 5 day, 4 night retreat. Clue: horses, nature & experience are the best teachers as they have it all the time!
Swimming with Horses
Early January 2025
A magical 4 night, 5 day experience riding horses along the stunning Costa Rica Pacific coast, with plenty of time to swim in the ocean and play in the sand with your horse, or share some hammock time as they munch their hay on the beach.
Limited places so book now!
Let the Wild Lead
14 - 18 January 2025
A collaboration between Chris Lombard, Tessy Seward and Tula Vida
Are you longing for soulful connection with others who share your love for the natural world, your spirit of adventure, and your willingness to explore the untamed territory of the heart? Relax into the rhythms of nature in this immersive retreat.
Sand Play Training
19 – 24 February 2025
Intermediate Level Sand Play Training Certificate with Equine Facilitated Sand Play (18 CEs available)
Deepen your knowledge of Sand Play or get a refresher with a like-minded group of peers. In this one-of-a-kind training the horses support the process, interact with clients & even engage with the figures. The magical backdrop of 3 volcanos & rainforest music supports it all as your nervous system settles back into balance.
Your Trainers: Gretchen Morgan & Toni Zachos Kaplan of Lighthouse Counselling & Sand Play Training
Equine & Earth -
Reconnect to You
9 - 14 February 2025
Tula Vida is excited to collaborate with aligned & passionate facilitators Jane Marchant, Islena Faircrest & Tara Casagrande (physical therapist, IFS trauma informed therapist, yoga/meditation teacher).
An unforgettable journey of self discovery, centering & reconnection, including daily somatic practices that lead you to a reawakening of your wild soul, your vitality & your radiance.
Managing Stress &
Finding Balance
25 February - 3 March 2025
An experiential retreat with practical take-home tools and mindfulness masters
Sometimes things need to be unplugged for a while to recharge and recalibrate. Stress activates the nervous system and we can get stuck on "go". Learn how horses, nature - and us too - can let it all go and find a more balanced state of being as well as just doing.
Take home mindfulness tools, insights & a refreshed nervous system, ready to dive into life again.
Practice Mindfulness with Masters
Mindfulness with the Masters
31 March - 6 April 2025
Benefits = Peace, Positivity, Balance, Energy…
Stress is a word we use to describe many things but overall, whatever the cause, it doesn’t feel good and is actually toxic for our body systems. A powerful and scientifically proven way to reduce the impact of stress is to be in nature in a mindful way. This retreat, where you interact intentionally with horses in green, vibrant environments, will resettle your nervous system and shift you back into your natural rhythm, plus give you the tools you need to re-create this state for yourself.
Wellness & Connection
5 - 9 March 2025
Imagine feeling connected in your life, world and self.
What would be different?
You get to fully explore & experience the secrets to the connection you are craving in this 5 day, 4 night retreat. Clue: horses, nature & experience are the best teachers as they have it all the time!
Yoga, Mindfulness & Horses
9 - 15 June 2025
Imagine practising yoga surrounded by 3 volcanos & tuning into nature with these wise, sentient beings
Horses have much to teach us about mindfulness, balance and living in harmony - with ourselves, each other and the natural world. As well as deepening your yoga practice you will deepen your connection with yourself. This retreat is a dive into experiential, embodied movement and mindfulness practices and learning the gifts and secrets straight from the horses' mouth.
Recalibrate your
Nervous System
4 - 10 August 2025
An experiential retreat with practical take-home tools and mindfulness masters
Sometimes things need to be unplugged for a while to recharge and recalibrate. Stress activates the nervous system and we can get stuck on "go". Learn how horses, nature - and us too - can let it all go and find a more balanced state of being as well as just doing.
Take home mindfulness tools, insights & a refreshed nervous system, ready to dive into life again.
Practice Mindfulness with Masters
Create your Personal Retreat - Get Back in Balance
Various weeks in 2024-5
Recharge the battery and get back into balance
This individual experience is available to 1 or more people looking for a relaxing personal retreat with nature, horse connections, gentle self-care & optional add-on activities in a beautiful place.
This personal 7-night Tula Vida experience offers mindful movement, an introductory self-discovery horse experience, restorative massage, meals, accommodation & more so you can relax & feel taken care of as you re-find your sense of balance
EFL Apprenticeship
Become a certified Eponaquest / My Horses My Healers
Equine Facilitated Learning Instrucor
This apprenticeship is led by Shelley Rosenberg, renowned horse-woman with over 20 years experience in EFL, one of the original team at Eponaquest with Linda Kohanov and founder of My Horses My Healers sanctuary. It consists of 3 x 8-day modules at Tula Vida in Costa Rica and a final 8 day module with Linda Kohanov in Arizona.
Equine Craniosacral Training
Message to join waiting list
Hands-on, experiential training in bodywork for horses
Experienced practitioner and teacher, Sidsel Sommer, is a master at both explaining the science and demonstrating / supporting practical application of her energy-based techniques. You will learn how to scan for blocks and direct your hands to the area of greatest restriction on the horse, and then you will learn how to unwind the block and notice the horse’s release and reaction. Not to be missed!
Click here to learn about our Community Events.
Our mission is to provide a deeper connection with self, through horses, nature and experience.
Switch Off and Switch On Again
Everyone experiences stress or challenge differently and, during this unprecedented period of social isolation, economic change and global health fears, for many it feels like riding an emotional rollercoaster. This obviously has an impact on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being and - just like when a computer starts to freeze or overload – if you consciously “switch off and switch on again” you create a reset for yourself, and go home ready for the next phase.
Sally Nilsson, Eric Kolesar and the Tula Vida horses are offering private retreats for rest, healing and rejuvenation for those affected by the recent COVID-19 and other societal events.
Come alone or with some of your “social bubble” and, supported by Eric and Sally, let nature and the horses work their magic.
Change your relationship with stress
It is accepted wisdom that being in nature is one of the best ways to calm your nervous system and get out of the survival mode “fight, flight, freeze” reaction we have been experiencing for many months. When you feel safe, relaxed and connected to nature all your healthy and positive energy can flow. This is your optimum state for learning - and through experiential activities with the horses and with us, you will find the tools that work for you to keep recreating your own natural balance after you leave.
Recover, Restore and Renew
In these reflective experiences, you will join our extraordinary horses in their home - the vibrant green fields, rivers and rainforest near the Arenal volcano in Costa Rica – and experience becoming part of the herd, tuned in to your own senses, safe and free to be yourself, connected to the great wisdom of Mother Earth for healing, balance and growth.
Let the horses show and teach you how to just “be” rather than doing or thinking. Take a dive into your own consciousness through the transformative modality of Equine Facilitated Sand Play Therapy and find healing at the deepest levels. Allow yourself to play in the bubbling, carefree streams. Cherish and nourish your body with healthy food, gentle movement designed to get your energy flowing, beautiful natural surroundings and healing massage. Feel held and supported by the natural world.
What They Say
Create extraordinary shifts within by:
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Examining your own reactions to equine behaviour, which leads to powerful new insights into your own natural abilities and talents.
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Stepping out of your comfort zone while feeling accepted and not judged by a large, powerful being, growing your confidence and self-trust.
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Working with self-reflection and discovery to enhance and promote personal and professional growth.
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Working deeply with horse activities like:
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Learning how horses use clear non-verbal communication – and practicing your own
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Understanding how your own “energy” and vibe impacts others, and learning to modulate it
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Asking your horse to follow you freely without a lead rope (through energy connections and natural leadership models)
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Achieving a personal set goal with your horse
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Practicing setting and responding to effective boundaries, both energetic and physical, and see how this creates mutual trust
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(Activities will be mainly on the ground – no need to worry if you don’t have any horse experience!)
Explore our other options...
There are different options here at Tula Vida, tailored to suit your needs. We offer individual, group and family experiences with the horses. Perhaps you are looking to design your own experience, or would love an internship...we can help with that too. Take a look at the options below, and if you don't see what you are looking for just get in touch.
