Ayurveda Series – Where is my Guru? Finding Wisdom and Spirituality in Surf + Yoga Retreats

We’ve arrived at a pretty big milestone – this is our tenth blog of the Ayurveda Series!

We’ve received an overwhelming amount of support over these last few months, and an incredible amount of messages from many of you who have enjoyed exploring this fascinating ancient science with us.

If you’re new here, we encourage you to join us from the beginning – where Pilar introduces us to Ayurveda as the ancient science of longevity.

If you’ve been on this explorational journey with us from the start, but you’ve missed one or two blogs, catch yourself up by joining us from our most recent edition – Ayurveda for Athletes in the Tropics. (link when published)

And finally, for our faithful readers that are all caught up and excited to take the next step in their Ayurvedic journey, please join us as Pilar walks us through finding wisdom and spirituality in surf + yoga retreats!

Where is my Guru?

Ever since I can remember, I’ve been drawn to Eastern spiritual philosophies.

As a young woman in Costa Rica, I was fascinated by the universe of yoga, but my first introduction to it was purely physical. After those first few classes, I felt incredible — relaxed, energized, and clear. Yet, like many who find their way to the mat, I struggled to connect the physical practice of bending my body with the idea of a spiritual journey.

After over 20 years of practice, I’ve come to this conclusion: on its own, stretching isn’t inherently spiritual. However, it is a vital component of a broader, holistic journey toward growth. When we move with awareness and calm our nervous system, our mental state shifts. We become more present, more receptive, and more attuned to the “Internal Guru” that resides within us all.

For many of the guests who join us at Bodhi Surf + Yoga — especially those navigating the high-pressure noise of a corporate career — there is a deep thirst for “more.” They aren’t just looking for a vacation, they are looking for a spiritual path. They are looking for a Guru.

The Search for the “Perfect” Teacher

I spent years searching tirelessly for “My Guru.” I traveled, studied with acclaimed masters, and waited for that magical moment where the “perfect” teacher would appear and clarify my life’s purpose.

I once heard the phrase, “When you are ready, the Guru will come.” For a long time, this frustrated me. I felt I was putting in the effort, yet my Guru never appeared. I began to wonder if I lacked the spiritual maturity to recognize a true teacher.

What I eventually realized is that I am an iconoclast. I find it very hard to put anyone on a pedestal. After all, teachers are human beings — possessing both light and darkness. Elevating someone too high inevitably leads to disappointment when we realize they are fallible.

So, where is the Guru?

What I’ve come to realize is that a Guru is simply anyone or anything that guides us “from darkness to light.” Sometimes, that Guru is a person. But often, the most profound Guru is the experience itself.

Think of it like how we’ve learned that Ayurveda isn’t a place or destination. It exists wherever we let it exist, whenever we let it exist. Read more in our Ayurveda blog: Bringing Ayurveda Home.

On our yoga + surf retreats, we have found that the ocean and the mat act as mirrors. They aren’t just activities; they are teachers in disguise. Here are the eight lessons this “Experience Guru” teaches us every day.

The 8 Lessons of the Experience Guru

When you step into the “pattern interrupt” of a retreat, you aren’t just learning skills. You are being “polished” by the elements.

Watch our video reflection on these 8 lessons below: The 8 Lessons of the Experience Guru

1. We Are Used to Change

In our modern lives, we often resist change, clinging to the comfort of our routines. But in the ocean, change is the only constant. Every day — every hour — brings a different set of conditions, tides, and winds.

• The Lesson: We do not resist this change; we immerse ourselves in it. We acknowledge that fickleness is just the way things are. We learn to adapt, improvise, and overcome.
• Deep Dive: Incorporating Ayurveda to embrace change and accept its true beauty

2. We Can Hold Our Breath

When life gets heavy, our instinct is to gasp, to panic, or to fight. In the surf, a “hold-down” is a literal masterclass in surrender.

• The Lesson: We know from experience that the struggle cannot last forever. Straining only makes the situation worse. We conserve our energy and maintain our composure until it is time to resurface.
• Deep Dive: Learn how this breath-awareness transforms your life in our guide to The Benefits of Pranayama.

3. We Are Resilient

The “impact zone” is where the waves break, and it can feel like an endless onslaught.

• The Lesson: We are not phased by the challenge. We know that respite is on the horizon. The struggle is what makes the “good stuff” so satisfying. Even though falling is a regular occurrence, we continue to rise to our feet time and again.
• Deep Dive: Learn more about the physical, mental, and spiritual health benefits of surfing

4. We Are Subject to Nature

We often live as if we are separate from the world around us. A spiritual retreat reminds us otherwise.

• The Lesson: We ebb and flow according to her rhythms. We revel in the mystery and recognize that we are just a strand in the web of life. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
• Deep Dive: Read Pilar’s insights on how surfing has helped her realize that “all is one” in our January Guest Experience Blog

5. We Are Connected to the Source

When you sit on a surfboard at the edge of the Pacific, you feel the weight of forces far greater than yourself.

• The Lesson: We foster humility by surrendering. We are recipients of energy that has traveled a great distance; all we can do is turn this dynamism into something beautiful.
• Deep Dive: Watch our video on what this incredible connection between us and the ocean means to us: Creating Ocean Guardians.

6. We Are Independent

Even though we are part of a strong community, the “ride” is ultimately yours.

• The Lesson: We march to the beat of our own drum, striving to express our own unique style on the wave and the mat. We keep space from one another, yet we know that we all have each other’s backs.
• Deep Dive: Check out our most recent Guest Experience Blog to learn more about our beautiful balance between community and independence when it comes to a transformational vacation.

7. We Smile

The world tells us that “spiritual growth” must be serious and somber. But the Guru of the experience tells us something else.

• The Lesson: Smiling forces us to relax. It serves as a reminder of why we are here: we are here to play. Play is the ultimate medicine for the “restless” mind.
• Deep Dive: Explore the true meaning behind our “Smile while you paddle” philosophy at Bodhi Surf + Yoga!

8. We Live in the Now

The most profound teaching of any spiritual yoga + surf retreat is the return to the present.

• The Lesson: We cannot predict the future or change the past. We chase the eternal present because that is when we are at our best. Like water, we continually flow from one moment to the next.
• Deep Dive: Check out our Ayurveda bog on Satvritti to learn more about living in the present and using the mind as medicine.

Recognizing the “Gurus” Among Us

While the ocean and the mat are powerful teachers, I’ve realized that Gurus are often among us in our daily lives, if we pay close enough attention.

A few years ago, I had a challenging relationship with a coworker. At the time, I only saw the difficulty. But after years of reflection, I understand that person was my Guru. They brought my shadows to the surface, forcing me to confront them.

Sometimes, you have to wait for the waters to settle to see with clarity. When turmoil is at its peak, the turbulence stirs up the dirt, obscuring your vision. You must give yourself space and time so the water calms, the dirt settles, and clarity returns.

My Biggest “Tiny Gurus”

Today, my greatest Gurus are my family. My two daughters teach me something new every single day. They act as mirrors, reflecting my words, beliefs, and unconscious patterns. And my husband — Travis – he is the toughest Guru I have ever had. The strong Gurus come to “polish” your soul. They show you the truth about yourself, stripped of the pretenses we carry in the outside world.

Whether it’s a difficult colleague or a “tiny guru” at home, these relationships help us peel away layers and rediscover our most vital lesson: how to love and how to be kind to ourselves and others.

On the topic of kindness, we invite you to explore Mauna: The Yoga of Silence in our Ayurveda blog series. Here, we explore the role that silence plays in kindness and compassion.

Where is Your Guru Now?

Ultimately, not everyone is destined to find a single, external teacher. The true Guru may not be a figure in a robe, but rather any experience that makes you see the wisdom residing within you.

Perhaps the Guru is the journey itself. It’s about recognizing the teacher in every person you meet and every wave you paddle for. When we embrace this perspective, you understand that you are both the student and the teacher on this sacred path.

So, where is your Guru? Look around. It’s here — in your heart, in the kindness of others, and in the silence within the “Sanctuary of Enough.”

Our lived experiences can also very well be our Gurus. Head over to Travis’ most recent blog – Building Bodhi Before the Internet, to get a sense of how this lived experience at this stage of our lives acted as our biggest Guru.

Frequently Asked Questions about finding wisdom and spirituality on Yoga + Surf Retreats

Can surfing really be a spiritual practice?

Absolutely. Surfing requires total presence, humility, and a connection to the natural world. At Bodhi Surf + Yoga, we view surfing as “moving meditation.” It forces you to quiet the mind and listen to the rhythm of the ocean, which is a foundational aspect of spiritual growth.

What if I’m not “spiritual” in the traditional sense?

You don’t need to be. Our approach is grounded and practical. We focus on mindfulness, awareness, and the “lessons” the experience naturally provides. Whether you call it “spiritual growth” or “personal development,” the result is the same: a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you.

Why is a small group size important for this kind of retreat?

Spiritual growth requires a “safe container.” By limiting our groups to a maximum of 10 guests, we ensure a high-touch, intimate environment where you can actually process your experience. You aren’t just a number; you are part of a community where the “Founder-Run” care allows for real reflection.

How does yoga prepare me for surfing?

Yoga prepares the nervous system. Through conscious breathing and movement, you learn how to remain calm under pressure — a vital skill for the “impact zone” of the ocean. It creates the physical and mental flexibility needed to meet the Guru of the experience.

Ready to Meet Your Guru in the Waves?

Each of us are very different. You might find a Guru in someone or something, and I might not. For me, my Guru could be found in something completely different.

Regardless, we’re certain that – whether they end up being your Guru or not, there are lessons and insights in the waves, the breeze, the yoga, the nature, and in intentional community engagement.

Thank you for joining us in what is our tenth edition of our Ayurveda blog series. If you’ve made it this far with us, we really do think you should consider coming and living the Ayurveda experience, instead of just reading about it!

For whichever reason you’re seeking the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda, we’re sure you’ll find it in our award-winning surf + yoga vacations.