Deep Reset - Active Release 2
May 23 7-10pm Kou Studios

Deep Reset: Active Release Through Yoga, Breathwork, and Live Music

Hey there, yoga enthusiasts! I’m thrilled to share our upcoming event,

Deep Reset, returning for its second session after the phenomenal reception we received last time! This immersive experience will blend Active Yin Yoga, Breathwork, and Live Music, creating a unique space for transformation and healing.

Join us on May 23rd, 2025, from 7-10pm at Kou Studios.

Located at 2008 Manitoba Street, Vancouver, BC.

This is a chance to dive deep into your practice in a supportive environment!

The event will begin with some Ceremonial Cacao from Guatemala, which supports heart opening and enhances our journey into self discovery.

This nourishing drink is the perfect companion as we dive deep into the depths of our emotions and physical sensations.

I’ll be leading a full-body Active Yin Yoga Session.

Unlike standard Yin, this practice incorporates Functional Movement, which lubricates and prepares the body, for the internal work. We’ll explore deep stretches and mindful holds, allowing you to release tension and cultivate awareness in every part of your being. Whether you’re familiar with the practice or new to it, each pose invites you to connect with your body’s unique rhythm.

In addition to the yoga, we’re excited to have the amazing Harry Isaac guiding us through an Incredible Breathwork Journey. Harry is West Coast's main Breathwork Practitioner. His techniques facilitate emotional release and personal insight, allowing participants to tap into deeper levels of awareness.

Many attendees from our last event experienced profound joy and emotional catharsis. Each journey uniquely beautiful.

Adding to the ambiance, the talented David Yates will provide live music with his remarkable array of instruments, including Didgeridoo, Flutes, Handpan, and Singing Bowls. The melodic sounds will enrich our practice, helping you to flow more freely and connect deeply with your breath and movement.

Don’t miss this chance to reset your body, mind, and spirit in the calming environment of Kou Studios. Let’s come together to breathe, move, and share in this powerful experience of Active Release.

Reserve your spot at koustudios.com

Thank you so much for sharing your practice and for doing the work. Please try and respect and be kind to everybody out there, namaste.

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!

Stretch offers 4 Rocket classes a week:
Wednesday 7am Rocket 1 60min.
Friday 7am Rocket 2 60min.
Saturday 10am Rocket 1 90min. ( Starts Jan. 4 )
Sunday 10am Rocket 2 90min.

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 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!

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.

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

Riding the Waves of Wellness: The Connection Between Yoga & Surfing

Risto Duggan
Jun 12
2 min read

Updated: Jun 14

As a Yoga Instructor and former Semi-Pro Snowboarder, I've always been fascinated by how physical movement can create a harmonious relationship with our bodies and the environment. With this in mind, let's explore the synergy between Yoga and Surfing, and how it enhances my upcoming RAD Yoga Surf Retreat in Nicaragua this November.

Surfing is not just about catching waves, it's a full body workout that requires balance, strength, and flexibility! These qualities are cultivated through Yoga. When you paddle out to face the Ocean, you engage your core, shoulders, and legs, mirroring the challenges that we face on our mat! The paddle is "Cobra", the pop is "Up Dog", riding is "Warrior 2". This connection makes Yoga a fantastic complement to Surfing, helping to improve your performance on the waves.

But the benefits go beyond the physical. Both Yoga and Surfing encourage mindfulness.

In Yoga we focus on our breath to remain present in each pose. Similar to when you're riding a wave, the sheer exhilaration and need for concentration pull you into the moment. This practice can lead to a state of flow, creating a natural high that many Surfers seek!

At the Nicaragua Retreat, we'll not only practice Yoga to enhance our Surfing skills, but also cultivate a deeper connection with ourselves and our surroundings. Set against the stunning backdrop of Playa Escameca at Costa Dulce, we'll embrace the healing power of the Ocean, nourish our bodies with locally inspired "Farm to Table" cuisine, and forge connections with like-minded individuals.

Here's the crew after the morning Rocket Yoga practice. Rocket Yoga is a "Power Flow" practice with Ashtanga roots.

The Retreat experience also provides an opportunity to explore emotional and physical release. Just like in Yoga, Surfing can provoke a myriad of emotions! From joy and exhilaration to frustration and fear. The waves can challenge you, just as tough as a pose on your mat can. They also offer a chance to let go find freedom and go with the flow.

After the evening Active Yin Yoga practice. Active Yin adds Functional Movement to Yin Yoga. Healing combination!

If you're looking to deepen your practice, experience the thrill of riding waves at a Private Surf Break, and connect with a community of fellow seekers, this Retreat is for you!

Let's celebrate the union of Yoga & Surfing, where movement, mindfulness, and the ocean collide to create a transformative experience.

So grab your Surfboard ( Surf Instruction & Rentals available ) and your Yoga Mat, and join me in this Jungle Paradise, for an unforgettable adventure this November 1-8!

Thank you so much for sharing your practice and doing the work.

Please Try to Respect & Be Kind to Everybody out there. Namaste

Why Host Yoga Surf Retreats?

Risto Duggan
Oct 22, 2023
2 min read

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!

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

Risto Duggan
Jun 29, 2023
1 min read

Updated: Oct 22, 2023

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