Sri Lanka Interview Series: Yoga & Surf Instructor, Kori

As a surf enthusiast and devoted yogi, she now takes groups of people on her applauded Surf and Yoga retreats with a luxury Ibiza villa – Stella Beach Villa – as the back drop.  The beautiful property and surrounding area play an integral part in this journey of physical and self exploration. Here, Kori speaks to Dynamic Lives about these powerful retreats and her experience in travel, life, and of course yoga and surfing.

What do you think it is that links surfing and yoga and why the two work so well together for a retreat?

In my opinion, surfing and yoga go together incredibly well.  For 15 years I travelled around the world doing training sessions and retreats and all too often, they were in cities in India and spiritual centres like Ubud in Bali.  The thing is you are only doing yoga for max a few hours a day. Lets be honest, that leaves you a lot of time to do other things.  For me, it’s really nice to spend those extra hours not only on the beach, but surfing too if I can.  Also, both yoga and surfing have a meditative quality about them that makes them both spiritual practices.  Even for those who don’t surf, it’s fun to watch others enjoying a ride going with the flow of the ocean.

What are some of the characteristics retreat goers all share?

Most guests at our retreats share a sense of adventure.  It takes a very ambitious, free spirited and adventurous type of person to travel across the globe and to throw themselves into an exotic culture. As well, most of the guests enjoy being around like-minded individuals who share the same passions.  With a general appreciation for the ocean, yoga and travel, we are already all on the same page.

How did you get into both yoga and surfing? 

I began practicing yoga when I was in college.  My favourite creative writing professor was also a yoga teacher and she asked me to join her.  She changed my life. I feel so fortunate to have had her as such a massive influence not only for introducing me to a practice that has enriched my life, but also for her support in my writing. I was pretty strict on myself with yoga for many years. I spent long amounts of time in India, meditating, and training.
 
Eventually as I got older and life started changing for me, I decided to travel with a purpose.  This is where surfing came in. Suddenly I found myself a student again, feeling like a child.  Through surfing I remembered to laugh when I wipe out and that life (as do the waves) change every single day.
 
Now I have started realising that there are a lot of poses and types of yoga that are beneficial for surfers.  Its a happy marriage. A marriage I am sure that will stay together for life.

What are the spiritual and mediative qualities found in surfing?

Surfing is extremely meditative.  Most of the time in the water is not spent riding waves, but sitting there.  Staring into space, floating.  It’s a surrendering to nature and many people say that the ocean is their church. That is exactly how it feels to me and many of the guests that come on the Santosha Society retreats.

Can you describe how Sri Lanka as a back drop plays a part in the retreat experience?

When life fell apart for me, I went to Sri Lanka.  I soaked in the saltwater.  I studied Ayurveda.  I began surfing the gentle long boarding waves, many times alone.  It is my favourite place on the planet. Sri Lanka is stunning country with beautiful beaches and a very colourful culture. It is somewhere that I go to in my mind when I need a little escape to paradise. It is a place I go to every chance I get if time and money allow as well.

What are a few of the best things about Stella Beach Villa?

Stella Beach Villas are absolutely breathtaking. The reason I began my retreats here is because I knew that the space is sacred. It is the most special spot to me. Most guests upon arrival, stop in silence, then they take a run through the palm tree lawn before jumping into the insanely gorgeous pool. The food is phenomenal and the staff are the sweetest most helpful people I know.

Can you sum up Stella Beach Villa in three words?

A Sacred Magical Paradise

Can you sum up the retreat in three words?

Adventure, Relaxation, and Fun

What could a newbie expect on one of your retreats?

A newbie can expect lots of freedom. Some people come to surf, some to stretch, and some for reasons all their own.  We only ask that everyone make an intention for the week.  That can be to read by the pool everyday, learn to surf, relax, or meditate more.  We just want to give people the freedom to do just what they feel and the inspiration to dream.

Why do you think travel is so important? 

If I am an expert at anything, I am an expert at travel.  It is what I was born to do.  Travel has given me education, confidence and experiences that have altered who I am and how I think.  As travellers, we tirelessly guide ourselves through a planet of unchartered confusion. This life of travel has taught me to be adaptable, to change, to alter my plans in an instant, and to find an open door when all appear closed. I believe there is no other option but to float downriver, flowing over rocks and blindly drifting around bends in a river whose path is uncertain.  The river eventually leads you to the ocean of accomplishment, to the beach or the temple or the city you have always dreamed to see. The journey is a learning experience, the destination is your reward.  Why travel is important is different to everyone.  But I assure you that travel is very important.

Technology and social media links us together like it is doing now, what are few apps or gadgets you can’t live without?

To be honest, considering I lived off the grid in Alaska for nearly 12 years and have worked as a boat captain. I can live without any of them. Now I run my own business and its essential to connect with others that aren’t in the same place as me.  So of course, I always have my phone, computer and camera nearby.

What was some of the feedback received from your retreat goers?

Perhaps I just attract really amazingly inspirational humans to my retreats, because so far all the feedback has been amazingly positive.  It has kept me going when the workload seems too large. When I have self doubt about my abilities as a yoga teacher, travel organiser and business woman, it is the words of my sweet guests that remind me I must be doing ok.

What is next for you?

As awareness grows to what we are up to at Santosha Society, the options and possibilities grow as well.  We have lots of trips coming up.  Some in the remote jungle and perhaps I will even take a group back to Alaska with me and show them a place I fell in love with for nearly 12 years.  What I do know… is only the universe knows what is next, but I am super excited about the unknown.