Lux Surf and Yoga – The Start of Something

I returned to Toronto in May 2015 with high hopes of finding a job and jumping into the next phase of my next career as soon as possible. Months passed, interviews took place and with that came one rejection after the other.

I took it very personally. Your head knows you’re not suppose to because the job hunt is a numbers game. I re-visited a crazy idea I had while I was down in Santa Teresa – to start my own surf/yoga/adventure week in Santa Teresa that’s filled with everything I fell in love with.

Lux Surf and Yoga is my passion project. What keeps my brain active as I continue to find a job and what’s beginning to be a great joy in my life. It started off as a simple thought at sunset when I saw a group of surf and yoga retreat’ees (is that a word?) wandering back and forth from one end of their beached off area to the other.

I remember thinking “I wish I could take these guys out of their hotel grounds and show them the real side of Santa Teresa.” There’s so much more to offer beyond the walls of the resorts! As a traveller it’s so hard to go to a destination and discover the local beauty of a place with such limited time. That is the core of Lux. The comforts of all inclusive luxury without being stuck on a beach. To share the true local adventure/fun/beauty of a destination with a small group of rad people.

I wanted to create a week where every detail would be something travellers would really feel that it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The launch of Lux Surf and Yoga ended up being a 15/10. The adventures, lessons, lush meals and amazing company blew everyone’s expectations out of the water. Watching the look of wonder on their faces when a flock of parakeets flew by or a family of monkeys were calling to each other was absolutely priceless.

What could a week of “the best time of my life” look like?:

• 7 nights and 8 days at a private multi-million dollar hillside Villa
• A personal Chef for lush organic daily breakfast & dinners’ (literally from ocean to table fresh)
• Daily private yoga sessions with internationally renown instructor Nancy Goodfellow
• Daily Private Surf Lessons with top ranked TripAdvisor, ISA certified Instructors
• 1 Waterfall Adventure Tour
• 1 Jungle/Beach Adventure Tour to Playa Coyote
• Zip lining through the jungle
• Daily visits to local tide pools and local beaches
• Access to an ATV at all times for transportation
• Wi-Fi throughout the property
• A/C in each bedroom
• Private infinity pool

Optional Activities:

• Private Massages up at the villa
• Deep Sea Fishing tours
• SUP Tours
• SUP Yoga
• Kayaking
• Scuba Diving
• Sunset Horseback Riding

It was a joy to watch people catch their first wave, ride through the jungle in awe of mother nature, practice yoga above the jungle and witness each of them fall in love with Santa Teresa. How could you not fall in love with a country who’s phrase is literally “Pure Life” (aka Pura Vida).

Private Massage Above the Jungle

I always thought to start my company, I needed to learn A to Z and have all the pieces to make sure I succeeded. What this project taught me was that passion truly makes the difference. When you genuinely love what you’re about, then even the hard days are worth it.

Check the experience out and don’t be shy to reach out !

Gloria Kim
Founder || Traveler || World-Explorer || LUX SURF AND YOGA