Dear Friends,
Pura Vida
“Pura Vida” is one of Costa Rica’s most beloved expressions. More than a phrase, it is a way of seeing life with ease, gratitude, presence, and appreciation for what is simple and essential. It is a greeting, a farewell, and a way of saying everything is okay. It carries joy, kindness, resilience, and connection to life just as it is.
As I finish this year here in Costa Rica, I feel how this spirit of Pura Vida has woven itself through my journeys, teachings, challenges, and blessings of 2025.
The year began in Curitiba, Brazil, at the Center of Buddhist Studies (CEBB) with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche’s teachings, followed by me sharing Tibetan Yoga with their wonderful community. Their Tudo joia (“all joy”) spirit set a joyful tone that supported me even through more difficult moments.
In February, I traveled to Nepal for the 100th birthday celebration of my teacher, Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche. It was deeply meaningful to be present at the conference and contribute to the commemorative book. Afterward, our first Tibetan Yoga travel retreat took us from monasteries to mountains, stupas, and cremation grounds. A profound journey of practice and presence.
In April I helped coordinate and joined Ligmincha International’s Spring Wellness Retreat. In May I taught at Awoken Space in Malibu. June brought the passing of Yongdzin Rinpoche, and his final teaching of obtaining real peace, through what is called tukdam, in Tibetan—remaining in meditation after his death for 8 days.
July was a khora or circumambulation, as I was at Menla (Upstate NY), then Nepal, and Esalen (Big Sur, California). These Summer months held grief, gratitude, devotion, and reflection. Important milestones also unfolded, including IRS non-profit approval for Tibetan Yoga Wellbeing, and a generous support from the Huffington Foundation to support its start.
August, that started at Esalen, followed by Poland with Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and I taught Trul khor Tibetan Yoga in Warsaw. September included Shambhala and returning to Curitiba for The 3 Doors Academy.
October was rich and moving, with Ligmincha International’s “Being Present at the Moment of Death” impressive conference, and then the Ellenhorn 20 years celebration True North conference on “Dignified Care”, where I also was one of the presenters.
November led me to France, Morocco, and Spain. Morocco was especially meaningful as our second Tibetan Yoga Wellbeing Retreat, a big step for me personally and in sharing these practices in new contexts. The landscape (especially the desert), the practice, and the heart connection were truly powerful.
And now, I close the year in Costa Rica and Argentina, visiting my family. To be here, warms my heart. I feel deep gratitude for teachers, family, friends, students, and each of you who continue to walk this path together.
As this year comes to an end, may we each carry a little Pura Vida in our hearts. May we pause, breathe, appreciate simplicity, stay open to joy, and meet life with kindness, resilience, and gratitude.
And, I will be starting the year teaching in Costa Rica and then Esalen, California, surrounded by nature, community, and the spirit of “Pura Vida,” feels like the perfect way to end this year and start the next.
Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to what we will continue to explore together in the year ahead.
With warmth, deep gratitude and pura vida,
Alejandro
