Re-Imagine Legacy: 6 Days of Restoration, Transformation & Cultural Immersion in Costa Rica with Naimah Efia

Welcome to your first day of restoration and renewal in the heart of Costa Rica. As you land at the SJO Airport, you’ll already be invited into the energy of the country's Pura Vida lifestyle. A group transfer takes you through the stunning landscapes of the country and towards your rejuvenating oasis, the Sonora Caribbean Jungle Retreat. Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed by the verdant embrace of the tropical jungle, a harmony of sights, sounds, and scents that speak of tranquility and rest. You'll be guided through the check-in process, with each guest being shown to their individual haven of relaxation; each room designed to celebrate the warmth and vibrancy of the Caribbean lifestyle.

Once settled, you’ll be given ample free time to explore and commune with the encompassing natural beauty or indulge in some personal quiet time. As the sun starts to lower in the vibrant sky, we’ll gather for a collective dinner. This shared meal is an opportunity for each of us to introduce ourselves, connect, and understand our collective journey for the coming days. We’ll go over any housekeeping matters, ensuring your stay is as comfortable and seamless as possible.

As night descends, we’ll gather for our first healing session – SANKOFA 'Dream Weaving'. The evening ritual will call on legacies of our past, present, and future and invite us to begin manifesting a new world for our families. We’ll move together through a collective experience of storytelling, introspection, and sharing wisdom, as we begin shaping a liberated vision for our future generations. Release, re-imagine and prepare for transformation in paradise.

Embrace the warmth of a new day with our Morning Pages & Reflection, a practice offered to invite you to set an intention for your day and ground your experience in your inner knowings and truths. This is followed by a grounding morning yoga practice, focused on #FreeToo Foundations, designed to help you connect with your breath, your body, and the energy of the natural surroundings. Breakfast awaits you next, a nourishing spread of local, organic foods to fuel your day, while our Affirmations Practice serves to nourish your spirit, sowing the seeds of positive intention and self-recognition.

Embrace the magic of Costa Rica's stunning coastlines with our group beach outing. Here, we'll engage in a sacred ritual of making offerings to Olokun and Yemaya at the watah, invoking the blessings of these revered deities and honoring the profound connection between us and the natural world. The afternoon invites you into your #Free(Too) time – a space for you to explore, rest, or engage in personal practices, aligning with your unique rhythm and needs.

As the evening unfolds, we’ll convene for a Community Care Practice, a time for collective sharing, support, and nourishment, followed by a lovingly prepared dinner. For those who want to add a little extra spice to the close of the day, we’ll have Game Night + Kiki Time, an optional gathering for communion, fellowship and a good ol’ fashioned kick back. Engage with the group or rest up for another day of growth and possibility.

Awake to another transformative day of healing and connection as we begin with our Morning Pages & Reflection. Alongside our breakfast spread, we’ll engage in an Affirming Black Parents Practice, a dedicated space for honoring and affirming the vital role of parenting within our communities and legacy building.

We’ll then embark on an enlightening tour of the Bri Bri tribe’s Indigenous village located in the Indian Reserve of Puerto Viejo. Immerse yourself in their vibrant culture, learning about their way of life, and participating in a unique chocolate-making workshop. The tour concludes with a refreshing visit to the stunning Talamanca Waterfalls, a place for relaxation, swimming, and awe at the beauty of our natural world. A traditional Costa Rican midday meal awaits us there, filled with hearty flavors and authentic recipes.

Upon our return, #Free(Too) Time unfolds, offering space for personal exploration, rest, or engagement in chosen activities. The energy of the day winds down with an afternoon yoga session that honors the cooling, calming energy of the moon. We then gather for our Community Care Practice, sharing a nourishing dinner and camaraderie.

The day culminates in a community discussion and debrief from our Bri Bri immersion, providing a space to reflect on and share our experiences. For those wishing to continue the connection, enjoy more Games & Kiki Time (minus the beef over counting books - - - yes, Spades)!

Our Morning Pages & Reflection session prepares your mind for a day steeped in cultural enlightenment, conscious dialogue, and activities that feed back into the communities of Costa-Rica who share our lineage. Following breakfast we’ll engage in a Community Cypher on Reimagining Black Parenting, redefining the dimensions, complexities, and possibilities of Black parenting through our collective wisdom.

Our journey continues with an enriching Afro-Caribbean cultural immersion, stewarded by our cultural expert and freedom family, Chosen Collective. We’ll be guided through activities to explore Afro-Caribbean influence within the tapestry of Costa Rican culture, as well as our shared heritage. We’ll engage with Black-owned businesses, unique workshops, and more!

Upon returning, a restorative evening yoga/movement practice will be offered to gently bring you through honoring and connecting with your body, mind, and spirit. As always, there will also be #Free(Too) Time and opportunity to relax, explore, or engage in personal practices at your leisure.

As twilight descends, we gear up for an exciting outing – a shared Dinner & Black Joy + Play Experience. This evening is a celebration of unity, laughter, and shared experiences, designed to ignite joy and elevate the magick of our connections.

Information about Chosen Collective Consulting & Reset-Retreat, LLC
Chosen Collective Consulting & Reset-Retreat, LLC is a community-based consulting and wellness firm committed to supporting organizations’ leadership around DEI-Justice. The founder, Dio Aldridge, is a Blatinx Trans Man, who hails from strong Afro-Caribbean and Latinx roots — born in Limón, Costa Rica. Chosen Collective consults and curates yearly retreats and believes in a world where BIPOC and/or LGBTQIA+ folks no longer have to 'rest' or 'retreat' from oppressive systems and culture.

Embrace the dawning of our final full day with our Morning Pages & Reflection, a nurturing practice underscoring unity and interconnectedness, followed by a morning yoga practice to awaken your body and mind. Post-practice, join us for a wholesome breakfast while engaging in our Affirmations Practice, ‘Affirming the Village’, designed to foster a sense of communal strength and possibility.

To move into the afternoon, we’ll embark on a group outing to an Afro-Caribbean dance class. Here, you'll connect with the local tradition and move your body freely. It's an excellent way to express yourself through movement, and you will feel a stronger relationship with your body and your surroundings when the class is complete.

Upon our return, a restorative yoga practice awaits to help ease your body and spirit from the day's adventures, and begin synthesizing all that we’ve shared and grown together throughout our journey.  This will be alongside #Free(Too) Time for personal leisure or exploration. As the sun sets, we’ll come together for a group dinner, using this time to reflect upon our shared experiences over the past week.

Our day concludes with a sacred Closing Ritual & Celebration. This final gathering is not just a farewell, but a celebration of our journey, marking the unity, learning, and new world possibilities that we’ve co-cultivated during our time together.  Here we can honor the imprint we’ve already made on a new legacy and a new way forward for our families and ourselves.

As our final day begins, we’ll gather one last time for a Community Connection & Commitment Closing. This is an opportunity to reflect on our shared experiences, honor the connections we've made, and commit to carrying the transformative energy of our retreat into our everyday lives. Post-cypher, enjoy a light, grab & go breakfast, a selection of fresh, local fare, thoughtfully prepared for your journey ahead. We’ll say our goodbyes and hop in our group transfer to the airport, providing a final opportunity for shared reflections, fellowship, and farewells.

Though our journey together may end as the plane lifts off, the bonds formed, the growth experienced, and the memories made during this retreat will remain, a testament to the power of community, healing, and the beauty of Costa Rica. Remember, this retreat was not just a moment in time, but a stepping stone on our continuous path towards a new world for Black families. May we all carry the spirit of Pura Vida with us as we make our departures and prepare for the freedom journey ahead.