Springtime Wandering

I had traveled through Panama teaching a retreat with Hoop Connections - yoga, pilates and hoopdance in the cool(er) mountain air of Boquete. Sixteen beautiful souls from all parts of the world with at least 2 things in common - the travel bug, and the hula hoop - shared full days and laughter-filled nights - and a whole lot of drooling over the new polypro hoops. The last morning together we said our goodbyes over Desayuno Típico (beans, rice, patacones and eggs) and myself and Tammy Firefly (Luciernaga in spanish) prayed to the patron saint (when in rome) of travel and jumped on a local bus bound for the border of Costa Rica. Two days later and a satisfying series of adventures left me soaking wet from the waters of the Golfo Dulce on the pier in Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Pennisula. It was later that week at the Iguana Lodge that I first thanked the Stars for carrying fire gear in tow. An impromptu fire show began during the owner’s weekly barbecue on the beach that afforded me and my partner free drinks all night,  and despite the harry debacle that fire spinning on sand brings in, the Quick Wicks held up beautifully - on and off before my Piña Colada was done.

Next up, Envision Festival. 4 days and 4 nights of non-stop performance with the rest of the displaced - yet somehow fitting - West coast tribal scene. By this time I was a pro at sliding on and off each wick, choosing (because I could) to match my fire gear with my outfit - hey, it’s the little things. The UV glow of the hot pink polypro was perfect for my stage show during another epic Random Rab sunrise, reflecting electric in the humid pre-dawn sky.

I shook, rattled and prayed my way up the Costa Rica coastline on two of the most terrifying flights of my life in “windy condition” as the pilot explained in broken, heavily accented English. Oh boy... landing finally to kiss the earth in Nosara on the Nicoya Pennisula to assist a week long Yoga retreat with Sianna Sherman, Amy Ippoliti and Douglas Brooks. Here’s a shot from the last night together - what bonfire could be complete without a little show?
 

And now, finally, as the sun sets low over Santa Teresa, I stand in front of another group of yogis and yoginis. MC Yogi announces me - “Sunday, is the day of the Sun, he says, “Sunfire”. I find myself feeling particularly tuned in to all that surrounds me - particularly grateful for these experiences. I cue the bartender to cut the music, and find myself asking the audience to come close, to feel the heat pass them, to listen to the song of the flames as they move to dance with the air. Woosh woosh woosh, they say, and I smile...