Pilar Salazar
Pilar practices yoga on the beach
Pilar is the grounding energy for Bodhi Surf. When the workload seems insurmountable and stress levels rise, she is the one who reminds us to breathe deeply, put things into context, and work things out patiently. This calm composure and “Pura Vida” vibe which Pilar exhibits is evident to all who come in contact with her.
As the Bodhi Surf yoga instructor, Pilar is responsible for all yoga activities in our vacation packages, half-day packages, as well as individual drop-in yoga classes. She also handles the logistics of our vacation packages, arranging transportation, booking accommodations and activities for our guests.
Background
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Pilar has always been very aware of how lucky she is to live in such a beautiful and “rich” country. From an early age, she had an insatiable desire to travel and explore more of the world. Upon graduating from high school, she made this vision a reality: she traveled and lived throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East. She came back to Costa Rica to pursue a degree in business.
During her travels and other life experiences, she also realized that many of Eastern philosophies resonated very deeply with her. Combined with her fascination of the anatomy of the body, movement and exercise, and the mysteries of the conscious and unconscious mind, she gravitated very naturally to yoga.
Work Experience
Since graduating from the Universidad Latina de Costa Rica with a degree in Business Administration (with an emphasis in Tourism) Pilar has worked in the travel industry, specializing in adventure and eco-tourism.
Pilar has worked as a travel consultant handling guest inquiries and reservations, designing trips, overseeing marketing tasks and daily operations, as well as providing customer service. Her main goal is to help visitors experience a deep connection with nature and provide a positive intercultural experience.
As an avid traveler herself, Pilar enjoys helping those who have a passion for seeing the world and all its beauty, and as a proud Tica wants to offer the best of her country to others.
Yoga Experience
Pilar has been practicing yoga, something that she and those around her have realized she was born to do, since 1999. While traveling she had the great fortune of living and working at Yogaplus Retreat on the beautiful southern coast of Crete, as well as the opportunity to assist in classes and workshops with teachers such as:
Upon returning to Costa Rica, she became certified as a Yoga Instructor at Kapoli Center, and later obtained a second instructor certification from YogaWorks.
Her foundation is based on the Ashtanga Yoga method, though the universal principals of the Anusara style has also drawn her attention. She has been formally teaching Vinyasa Flow for over 5 years now.
Pilar furthers her yoga education with fervor, learning from different teachers and different styles through workshops, retreats, and classes. All her different experiences and studies have allowed her to combine these sources together to create a dynamic, invigorating, and unique style, with her focus being a combination of yoga and meditation as a formula for a healthier lifestyle. She works hard to incorporate fluid breath, graceful movements, and light-hearted “Pura Vida” fun into her teachings.
When Not Working
When not working or practicing yoga, Pilar enjoys reading, taking walks along the beach, and meditating.
Notable Trainings & Certifications
- YogaWorks: Teacher Training Program
- Organization of American States and Fondo Verde: Diploma in Sustainable Tourism
- CPR Today: Comprehensive BLS (Basic Life-Saving) Program
