Rocket Yoga Vancouver at Stretch

I began teaching Yoga in 2006. I initially resonated with teachers who taught powerful but creatively flowing classes. My classes would always be different and very playful.
The problem I found with this style of teaching, is you tend to do more of what you like and what feels & looks good in your body!
Over time this will misalign you, because the poses you don't like are generally the poses you truly need!

Following an intelligent set sequence that ticks off all the boxes, but still allows you to be creative within those boxes.... Is Rocket Yoga! It was created in the late 80's by Larry Schultz.
Since then it has been taught in many countries around the world.
I learned the Rocket sequences from Dustin Fruson initially and then did my Rocket Training in San Fransisco with Steve Pyka.
This "Ashtanga based" practice became my new JAM and saved me a lot of Physio money!

I have been teaching Rocket since 2014 and the owners of Stretch have opened their arms, to be the home of "Rocket Yoga Vancouver!"

Rocket #1( More forward folds similar to Ashtanga Primary ) Rocket #2 ( More Back Bends )
2/3 of Rocket 1 & 2 are the same!
Rocket #3 ( Rocket #1 with the back bends of #2, plus some optional inversions! )
Playful Rocket ( Rocket Inspired class that will offer some optional creative Playful poses/balances )

Stretch offers 5 Rocket classes a week:
Monday 7am Rocket 2 60min. & 6pm Rocket 1 75min.
Tuesday 6pm Rocket 2 75min.
Wednesday 7am Rocket 1 60min.
Friday 7am Rocket 2 60min.
Sunday 10am 75min. Playful Rocket

This practice will help you build internal strength with the focussed work on Bandhas ( lifting pelvic floor "Mula Bandha" and drawing low belly in and up "Udiyana Bandha" )
Keep your practice aligned and fundamentally focussed, and challenge you in creative ways within the sequences!

20HR. ROCKET IMMERSION:
Rocket Immersion's are amazing for Power/ Flow Yoga Teachers, to add these incredible sequences into their teaching regime! You will still need a 50hr. Rocket Training to become an official Rocket Teacher, but you can add these sequences into your Power/ Flow classes as
"Rocket Inspired"!

We will be breaking down the 3 sequences ( Sun Sals, Standing Series, Wide-Legged Series, Seated Sequence, Back Bend Series, Core Work, Closing Sequence ), teaching them, learning adjustments, improving cueing and cadence! The teachers will also fine tune their own Rocket practices to deliver quality alignment based creative classes!
Only 14 spots available... stretchvancouver.com

Once the Immersion is completed and Teachers have a regular Rocket or Rocket Inspired class
at a Studio, they will be added to the @rocketyogavan Teachers Page!

Here's the first group of Teachers that took the first Rocket Immersion at Stretch.
Next on will be in October... More information to follow.

The Rocket Community is strong... I often have students sent to me from the UK, Seattle, Colorado, Calgary and Puerto Rico... Where Rocket classes are thriving!
I'm very proud and humble, to be representing for Vancouver.

ROCKET #3 will be offered as a Workshop at Stretch
Check schedule for upcoming events and workshops!

Risto Duggan
- Oct 22
- 2 min read

Why Host Yoga Surf Retreats?

It's hard to believe that I am hosting Retreat number 19 & 20 this year!

It all started with Long Weekend Retreats in Tofino many years ago!

They went from renting a House and having classes in the Living Room to renting out an entire Lodge and having up to 30 patrons.

This was the 10th Retreat in Tofino and the Crew was obviously AWESOME!!

We had 3 classes a day ( Rocket, Acro, & Yin with Live Music )

Unbelievable Vegan, Vegetarian meals by Home Grown Living Foods and Surfing at Long beach with Relic Surf Shop.

It was a blast but I really enjoyed the connection that is created with week long Retreats in warm water climates!

Nicaragua was totally my JAM! I Co-Hosted Retreats in Mexico, did a Surf Retreat in Costa Rica, but when I hosted my first RAD Yoga Surf Retreat at Costa Dulce... I knew I found my place!!

Costa Dulce is a gated community with a Private Surf break called Playa Escameca Grande.

A busy day on the water is about 15-20 surfers with zero attitude, because they are the staff and patrons of Costa Dulce!

The surf break is beginner/ intermediate.

Then 15 minute walk up the coast is Playa El Yanke which is an intermediate/ advanced break.

Tyson and his staff are so welcoming and accommodating.

The food is incredible and a majority of it grows on the land, or is caught right near our beach!

These Retreats combine all my passions... Rocket Yoga, Flexibility Yin Yoga, Surfing ( Formerly a Semi-Pro Snowboarder who really wants to be a Surfer! ) and quality amazing Meals!

I absolutely love sharing this experience with my like-minded friends and making it as affordable as possible.

Do I make a lot of money doing this? Most years... Not so much!

Could I charge more? Yes... But it really is about the experience and getting down there is a lot, so I try to make these getaways as cheap as possible!

This is really just my Vacation, that I teach at and organize.

The Yoga classes, although challenging are there to heal and strengthen the body, to sustain all the physical activity we do.

The quality food is there to nourish you and keep you going, to protect your body and keep it pliable.

Getting together around the dinner table creates community, and the excursions that they offer unite us even more.

I always leave these events with dear friends that will have these memories for a lifetime!

If you would like to join the crew this year we have a few spots left!

November 4-11

I have 1 Bungalow for a couple and room for 1 female to share a Bungalow

November 11-18

I have 1 Bungalow for 3 friends and room for 1 female to share a Bungalow

DM me to book your spot!

Risto Duggan
- Jun 29
- 1 min read

RAD Yoga Surf Retreats Nicaragua #6 Costa Dulce. November 4-11/11-18 2023

Updated: Oct 22

My first Retreat to Costa Dulce was in 2016. I fell in love with this Jungle Paradise immediately!

A lot has been added since our first Retreat. This Pool and Bar are relatively new and Tyson has taken over Curtis' property "Casa Horizon", so Costa Dulce can house up to 50 people now... 20 more than previous years. But that still doesn't make the Private Beach, "Playa Escameca" busy.

They've also added a Sweat Lodge and Massage Rooms.

Tim the Turtle Guy still runs vitalactions.org from the land and the Turtle Sanctuary is right on the Beach.

This year I will Hosting 2 retreats back to back. November 4-11 & November 11-18

Week 1 Nov. 4-11 has 1 Bungalow left!

Colibri $2600 for a couple

Week 2 Nov.11-18

Has 1 Bungalow left ( Big Bungalow )

$4000 US Perfect for 3-4 People

*I can fit 1 Female in each week to share the Congo Bungalow $1500 US

( We would change the King for 2 Twins )

Schedule:

Coffee, Fruit, Granola & Yogurt in the morning

7:00am Rocket Yoga/ Movement

9:00am Breakfast

1:00pm Lunch

4:30pm Flexibility Yin Yoga

6:00pm Dinner

Surfing daily at high tide. Surf lessons available. Excursions available ( Waterfall Hike, San Juan Del Sur trip, Horseback Riding ), Massages, Hammock Time

Lindsey was the Surfing star last trip!

Ren & Grant at the Waterfall

Ryan upside down in the Yoga Shala

Prices include:

Accommodations, Meals, and Classes

Extras:

Cabs, alcohol, excursions, surf rentals, surf instruction

DM me to book your Bungalow

Risto Duggan
- Jul 16, 2022
- 1 min read

RAD Yoga Surf Retreats Nicaragua Nov.12-19

This will be my 5th retreat on the Costa Dulce land and the first retreat @santoshasurfsancturary … This will also be my first 2 week retreat!

The first week November 5-12 is SOLD OUT, but I have a few rooms left for the second week… November 12-19.

Prices range from $1500US to $1800US… This includes accommodations, meals, and classes.

I will be offering 2 classes daily and Santosha will 3 meals a day with fruit & coffee available before the morning class.

Rocket Yoga/ Movement Flow classes in the morning

Flexibility Yin classes at night before dinner.

The deposit is $500US is non-refundable… The second payment was due June 15th ( half of

the remaining balance )… October 1st will be the remaining payment.

Surfing daily at Playa Escameca and Playa Yankee ( on either side of Santosha )

Surf Instruction will be available and Heidi ( Owner ) will be offering excursions as well ( Waterfall hike, snorkelling, San Juan Del Sur day trip, Boat surf trip )

Cabana’s hold 2-3 ( discount for 3rd person ) $1800US

Duplex’s hold 2-3 ( discount for 3rd person ) $1600US

Private for 1 with shared bathroom $1500US

DM me to reserve your spot!

Heidi mentioned to me that new flights will be added as we get closer to the dates and air travel eases up a bit!

Floating Yoga Shala over New Restaurant over looking the infinity pool and ocean!