Posts by Spencer Dunlap
Nature Therapy: The Case for Spending More Time Outside
Here at Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we spend an inordinate amount of time out of doors. We are constantly soaking up the flourishing beauty that surrounds us in our quiet little town of Bahia Ballena. Not only do we live and work in a small, relatively undeveloped community — nestled between tree-laden mountains and the…
Read MoreWhy Humans Should Care About Ocean Health
Did you know that over 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by oceans, and yet we have more scientific data about the surface of Mars and the Moon than we do about our own planet’s seafloors? How can that be? As evidenced by the estimated 8 million metric tons of plastic pollution our…
Read More10 Years of Awesome Reviews: Bodhi Surf + Yoga Camp on Tripavisor
We may not be able to travel right now because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but there will come a time when it’s safe to do so again. Not only will the world be a different place (one that is hopefully more clean, kind, and connected), but the travel industry may be as well — more…
Read MoreFinding Flow State Through Surfing + Yoga
In his bestselling book West of Jesus: Surfing, Science, and the Origins of Belief, author Steven Kotler recounts how — after being bedridden for two years and on the brink of death with Lyme disease — he was able to overcome the illness by embarking on an epic globetrotting surf odyssey in search of answers…
Read MoreCoronavirus Pandemic: Collective Calamity or Global Awakening?
Bodhi Surf + Yoga has made the commitment to keep our permanent staff (making 10 of us) despite our inability to operate normally. Until the time comes that travelers are able to safely and comfortably visit us, we will be working hard to create valuable resources to our network and beyond. If you enjoy them…
Read MoreWhy You Should Learn How to Bodysurf Before Learning to Surf
When teaching beginner surf lessons, I often find myself having the same thought: “Man, this would be a lot easier if so and so already knew how to bodysurf”. When it comes to learning how to surf, the more ocean experience the better. If you want to reduce your learning curve, then you should spend…
Read MoreThe Benefits of Yoga for New Surfers
“If waves are the practice of water, and thoughts the practice of mind, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we all learned to surf?” – Jaimal Yogis, Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea Yoga for surfers: Want to learn how to surf? Try yoga first Here at Bodhi Surf + Yoga,…
Read More3 Reasons Why You Should Learn to Surf in Costa Rica
With warm water, beautiful jungle backdrops, surf on both coasts, and waves suitable for all experience levels. Costa Rica is truly a surfer’s paradise. Unlike Hawaii, where most of the waves break over dangerous coral reef and are frequented by advanced surfers only, Costa Rica has plenty of safe waves for beginner surfers. And if…
Read MoreEverything You Need to Know About Bodysurfing
“To me [bodysurfing is] the best interaction between man and nature that exists.” – Mike Stewart. Bodysurfing is an elusive activity about which not a whole lot of information is widely known or disseminated to the masses. Most ocean people — surfers, coastal-dwellers, fishermen and women — know how to or at least understand the…
Read MoreGenerating a Surf Report: 4 Things to Know Before Paddling Out
An important step toward progressing as a surfer is understanding what to look for when arriving at the beach. Here at Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we provide a style of teaching that empowers students to become independent surfers. This means that we impart a great deal of information and tools advise our students to observe…
Read More