Join us for a life-changing week of yoga and self-discovery, where nature, horses and experience will open your eyes to new possibilities and insights. 

We use a blend of ancient teachings and modern science - life is slower, simpler and sweeter here in Costa Rica. 

There’s no need to be a horse lover or have prior horse or yoga experience. 

Just bring your curiosity, and an open mind and heart. 

Yoga, Qi Gong, Mindfulness

Our Ranch is surrounded by 3 volcanos, a sunset view and rainforest, with rivers, springs and ponds - the horses roam freely in this stunning environment where you will find you can breathe more deeply and re-discover your flow...

In this beautiful setting, we will practice yoga together, enjoy Qi Gong outside with the horses (they love to come and join us) and meditate to the live rainforest soundtrack as the sun goes down over the valley.

Our stunning rooftop yoga deck has 360 degree views of the giant Tenorio volcano, the Miravalles and Rincon de la Vieja volcanos, the valley and fields, and the primary rainforest of the national park.

Nature and Horse Experiences

With cutting edge neuroscience and psychology based principles and tools, we will explore the world of the horse through their eyes, a non-verbal and energetic way of being, and learn to recalibrate our own nervous systems – with tools we can take home to continue the practice.

Perhaps the monkeys or the toucans will show up to bring a smile, as the vibrant flourishing forest stirs up your life-force, and you rest your eyes on the many shades of green, settling back into balance - the perfect conditions to feel safe, supported and inspired to explore whatever comes up.  

Horses will be your guides and teachers.

Build a Flexible and Resilient Nervous System

Imagine an untethered horse choosing to walk by your side through the field, or leaning their head in, or grazing peacefully around you, or staring into your eyes - seeing the real you and allowing you to do the same.  

Horses don't avoid the present moment with stress, thinking or stories, they allow their (very efficient) nervous systems to respond and to relax. They are wired for connection and living together in harmony and they know the secrets. 

What if we could learn to do the same?

At Tula Vida, you can.

Highlights

You’ll wake up each morning in a beautiful, comfortable room with the sun illuminating Tenorio and Miravalles volcanos.  Head out onto your expansive terrace for a coffee or some hammock time before you start the day.  

Immerse yourself in nature with daily guided yoga practice, soak in a mineral hot springs, take a paddleboard trip on Lake Arenal, explore the miles of trails, journal, meditate, enjoy delicious healthy meals, and of course bond with your own personal horse partner. 

Through specially designed activities and coaching sessions, you’ll leave feeling more grounded, rejuvenated and empowered to live life at a higher vibration as your authentic self. 

Your Teachers

Eric Kolesar is the co-founder of Tula Vida, guiding people to self-empowerment through experiences with horses, yoga, coaching and adventure. 

With understanding, compassion and mindfulness as the cornerstones of his beliefs and life work, Eric uses a variety of techniques firmly grounded in neuroscience to balance both mind and body, and liberate your authentic self to share your gifts with the world. 

Eric is a 500 hour Certified Yoga Instructor, equine facilitated learning facilitator, life coach, paddleboarding & SUP yoga instructor, and an expert in multiple modalities of energy and mindfulness work.

Sally Nilsson co-founded Tula Vida with Eric to focus on supporting others to find and access the life they truly want and to believe that they can create it.  

Understanding the mind, body, spirit connection is at the core of Sally's approach, with a focus on the transformational power of feeling truly safe and the foundational belief that each of us has  all the wisdom and power we need inside ourselves - we just need the right environment, support and tools to slow-down and tune-in. 

Sally is a certified life coach, equine facilitated learning facilitator, instructor in Polyvagal principles, as well as a lawyer and experienced facilitator of leadership and personal development activities. 

Away from the sights and sounds of busy human life, we have created an oasis for both humans and horses. Every time we step onto the land we feel the power of the natural world to soothe, nourish and restore us. 

Tula Vida Ranch

Tula Vida Ranch is surrounded by 3 volcanos, an expansive sunset view and pristine rainforest, with rivers, springs and ponds - the horses roam freely in this stunning environment where you will find you can breathe more deeply and re-discover your flow.

Accommodation

Our rooms are beautiful and comfortable with a terrace and individual bathrooms.  

The Villas are double rooms with private bathrooms and a stunning terrace. The Horse Manor has private rooms with a shared kitchen/living area and a stunning terrace where the horses may come and join you for your morning coffee. 

Our communal lodge is where we share meals, practice yoga and is a safe, comfortable space to rest. 

Nourishment

Meals are home-cooked with love, using fresh local ingredients.  Our water comes from our abundant natural springs and we have air fresh from the trees to breathe - everything is designed to be in harmony with the surroundings and support your mind, body and spirit to rest, re-energise and renew.

Environment and Herd

We are 100% off-the-grid with our own solar power and fresh spring water living in harmony with nature while remaining a safe, comfortable human retreat. We even have good internet!

We have planted 1000s of trees and plants already, including a food forest and a nursery for endangered trees, to encourage the forest to regenerate and give wildlife corridors to pass through the neighbouring national parks.  It is a true sanctuary for all visitors, which includes shy tapirs, rare bell-birds and plenty of toucans, sloths and monkeys.

We spend a lot of time out on the stunning 72 acre property - with trails, rivers, waterfalls, valleys, primary rainforest and abundant wildlife - truly accessible nature.  

Tula Vida Foundation is a 501c charity registered in the US with a mission to rescue horses in Costa Rica and sponsor people to come for transformational horse experiences and retreats.

A visit to us supports not just yourself but also the natural environment, the rescue horses, the local community who work with us and people without the means to have these kind of experiences.