Yoga and Meditation: A Journey to Soul Whispers and Sweaty Mishaps

Hitting Pause to Find My Flow

Picture this: I’m perched in an open-air yoga shala, high in the jungle canopy of Nosara, Costa Rica, at the Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort. The air hums with jungle birds and the occasional thunk of a coconut smacking the roof. Twenty-five spiritual seekers, including my new friend—an Instagram-famous psychic medium named Malaurie—are setting intentions under a pink sunrise. I’m a total yoga retreat newbie, no clue what’s coming, but the universe practically screamed, “Go to Costa Rica, Amy!” So here I am, chasing magic, adventure, and maybe a few answers.

This is my gap year, my rebellion against the soul-sucking grind of a 25-year finance career that left me drained. I ditched the corporate hamster wheel to explore passions, find my true north, and listen to the universe’s whispers. This retreat? A wild leap into the unknown, sparked by Malaurie’s invite and the allure of Costa Rica’s jungles. It was transformative—new friends, new countries, vivid dreams that dropped clues like breadcrumbs, a hilariously sweaty hot yoga flop back home, and a fated studio discovery that felt like destiny. Yoga (breathing with purpose through poses) and meditation (quieting the noise to hear your soul) became my gap-year compass, guiding me to purpose, healing my body alongside my daily CrossFit gym habit, and introducing me to the most magical yogis. Let’s dive in.

The Costa Rica Retreat: My First Yoga Adventure

The Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort was straight out of a dream. Jungle bungalows, open-air shalas for sunrise flows, and a cozy indoor space for stormy nights—like the epic thunderstorm that crashed our sound bath, rain roaring like a cosmic drumroll. The food? Fresh, natural, and stupidly delicious. The bar had light refreshments (think kombucha and smoothies, and plenty of margaritas!). Dirt paths led to adventures—hikes, beaches, or just vibing with the jungle’s pulse. Our crew? Twenty-five strangers-turned-friends, all chasing spiritual vibes, connected by Malaurie through many different intersections.

One morning, I’m catching a few more winks in that ‘in-between’ space that comes between sleep and fully awake. Then the dreams—vivid, wild, and oddly specific. First, an old woman in a red robe, silver hair flowing, rocked in a chair and said, “You’ll be working for Johnson Concrete within three months.” I blinked, like, “Lady, who are you, and what’s with the concrete?!” She repeated it, slower, like I was missing the point and a little slow lol. The next morning, I dreamt of my friend Nicholle dressed like Audrey Hepburn in a yellow dress, pregnant, rocking a cute 60s style bob. Woke up, happened to check Instagram, and bam—her daughter Audrey’s 18th birthday post. Mind blown. The final night, I saw intricate, light-brown henna tattoos covering a new friend’s hands—stunning, but weird, since she is completely ink-free.

These dreams planted a seed. I knew I had to bring yoga and meditation home, not just as a hobby but as a lifeline. Try this: Find a local yoga class or an online session. No retreat needed—just an open heart and a willingness to stretch.

The Hot Yoga Hiccup: A Sweaty, Hilarious Misadventure

Back home, I hit Google to find a yoga studio. Easy, right? Wrong. I signed up for a hot yoga class, clueless that it’s basically yoga in a sauna. Picture me, slipping on my mat, sweating buckets, gasping like I’m running a marathon in hell. The instructor says, “If it’s too hard, stay where you are,” and I’m thinking, “F yes, I’m staying on this floor forever.” Except lying down in 105-degree heat is its own torture. Does anyone know how HARD that shit is?! I was a newbie, overconfident from my Costa Rica glow, and this class humbled me fast.

I laughed at myself, though—sprawled on the mat, looking like a drowned rat. That flop taught me growth comes with wobbles. It pushed me to keep searching for my yoga home, not quit. Reflect: Think of a time you tried something new and face-planted. How did it nudge you toward the right path? Write it down.

Finding My Yoga Home: A Tattoo-Inspired Sign

Scrolling studio websites felt an endless sea—nothing clicked. Then I landed on a site that stopped me cold. The logo? A circle of intricate, light-brown design, identical to the henna tattoo I saw on H’s hands in my dream. Chills. Tears. The universe was winking, and I was listening.

This studio was magic. Welcoming vibes, classes like Kundalini, slow flow yoga, and stretch-and-sound sessions with singing bowls that made my soul hum. My teacher, a healer and emotions coach, was glorious—part yogi, part wizard, guiding me to dig deeper into my practice and myself. This wasn’t just a studio; it was home, proof that dreams and passions lead you where you’re meant to be.

Challenge: Notice a sign this week—a song, a symbol, a gut feeling. Act on it and see where it takes you.

The Gifts of Yoga and Meditation: Soul Whispers and Sound Healing

Yoga’s intentional breathing through poses grounds me, especially paired with my CrossFit grind (CrossFit for strength, yoga for flow). Meditation quiets the noise, letting my soul’s whispers come through loud and clear. Sound healing with singing bowls? Pure magic, like a reset button for my spirit. Kundalini sparked energy I didn’t know I had, flow yoga released tension, and stretch-and-sound sessions brought calm I could carry. My teacher’s emotional coaching tied it all together, helping me unpack feelings and find clarity.

These aren’t just exercises—they’re tools to hear your soul and align with your purpose, which for me ties to my gap-year quest and my Gap Year Movement. Try this: Set a timer for 5 minutes of deep breathing or a guided meditation (Moonly and Headspace apps have great guided meditations and sound healing recordings). Notice what bubbles up. That’s your soul talking.

Keep Stretching Toward Your Truth

From a Costa Rica jungle retreat to a sweaty hot yoga disaster to a studio that felt like fate, yoga and meditation became my gap-year compass. They healed my body, boosted my strength alongside CrossFit, and connected me to magical humans who light up my path. They’re not about perfection—they’re about listening to your soul and finding your way.

I’m still chasing passions, from yoga to my bakery dream, Any Way You Knead It (stay tuned for that!). My Gap Year With Amy blog and book share this journey, and I’d love for you to join me. Try a yoga or meditation class this week—online, in a studio, or in your backyard with your chickens clucking along. Write a sentence about how it feels and tell someone (or your dog). Share your yoga or meditation stories in the comments below—I’m all ears. The universe is cheering, and so am I.

xoxo Amy – your professional gap year guide and emerging yogi