Our Story
Founded in 2021, The Yoga Sanctuary is a sacred refuge nestled in nature, created to support individuals on the path of returning to their center. This space was born out of a deep calling to help people reconnect with the wisdom of their bodies, the rhythm of the Earth, and the truth of their hearts.
Here, we offer heart-centered retreats, yoga immersions, healing arts, and community gatherings that invite you to slow down, remember who you are, and live from a space of inner alignment. Whether you come to rest, study, create, or be held this sanctuary meets you where you are and offers tools for real embodiment and soulful living.
The Sanctuary is also home to the Brown Girl Yoga Tribe—a community movement that amplifies the voices and healing journeys of women of color through yoga, ritual, and sisterhood. While the Yoga Tribe is not the central focus of the sanctuary, its spirit of collective healing and representation lives here.
The Soul Who Founded the Sanctuary
My name is Jowana Marshall, I am the founder and creator of the Yoga Sanctuary
I’m a mother, teacher, writer, and space holder who found freedom through the practices of yoga, energy work, and ancestral remembrance.
After growing up in the U.S. and surviving layers of trauma, loss, and silence, I followed the call of my soul and moved to Costa Rica seeking peace, healing, and a new way of living.
I didn’t come here to escape. I came here to remember:
To remember that I am whole.
To remember that I am love.
And to create a life that reflects that truth.
Since then, I’ve built The Yoga Sanctuary as a living altar for healing, embodiment, and heart-centered living. It’s where I guide retreats, host sacred gatherings, raise my children, and teach others how to live a life rooted in presence, spiritual practice, and community.
I hold over 700 hours of yoga teacher training, am certified in Reiki and Thai Massage, and I’ve spent years studying Ayurveda, metaphysics, and yogic philosophy, not only in books, but in life. My approach weaves the sacred and the everyday. I believe that healing happens when we return to the body, honor the seasons of our soul, and allow ourselves to be seen.
I’m also the founder of the Brown Girl Yoga Tribe, a global sisterhood devoted to reclaiming our magic through movement, stillness, and storytelling.
This work isn’t just my offering.
It’s my prayer.
Daily Life at the Sanctuary
Our days flow with intention and simplicity, following the Ayurvedic clock to bring you back into balance. Mornings begin with self-led rituals and guided yoga at 8 a.m., followed by nourishing meals, daily workshops, mindfulness walks, and nervous system resets. As the sun sets, we gather for sacred ceremony and reflection. Every moment is designed to support your return to center, guided by rhythm, rest, and presence.
Our Offerings in the Sanctuary
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The Yoga Sanctuary is a lush, heart-centered refuge nestled in nature, offering thoughtfully designed double rooms with private options available for an additional fee. Each room carries a unique theme and energy, creating a space that feels both grounding and inspiring. The sanctuary features a serene yoga shala, cozy common areas for rest and connection, and plenty of quiet nooks for meditation, journaling, or simply being. Every corner of the sanctuary is designed to support reflection, presence, and peace.
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Our plant-based meals are a vibrant fusion of Costa Rican roots and soulful American comfort, crafted with love and creativity. Each morning begins with a colorful spread of fresh local fruits, followed by thoughtfully prepared dishes that nourish from the inside out. We also offer refreshing mocktails, green smoothies infused with healing tinctures, and herbal teas to support your body’s natural rhythm and renewal. Every meal is an opportunity to reconnect with the earth, with your senses, and with the joy of mindful eating.
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Yoga is the foundation of life at the Sanctuary, not just as a physical practice but as a way of being. We honor all eight limbs of yoga and offer daily classes that support both movement and stillness, including Hatha and restorative yoga, breathwork, and philosophy. In addition to our daily yoga offerings, we also integrate other movement-based practices such as African dance, Tai Chi, and Zumba, depending on the theme of the month. These experiences invite joy, expression, and embodied connection to complement the more traditional yogic path. Whether you come to ground, to move, or to remember, there is space for you here.
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The Sanctuary Spa is a peaceful space for restoration and renewal, offering a variety of healing treatments to support your body, mind, and spirit. Our menu includes Ayurvedic massage, bamboo therapy, deep tissue, relaxing massage, and traditional Thai massage, each designed to release tension and restore balance. We also offer nourishing facials, as well as pedicures and manicures available upon request. Whether you are looking to unwind, detox, or simply be cared for, our spa offerings provide a sacred pause for deep rest and inner harmony.
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Our workshops at the Sanctuary are heartfully crafted to support your journey of wellness, self-discovery, and intentional living. Each month, offerings shift to align with a central theme, creating space for deeper exploration and alignment. Workshops may include herbalism, cacao ceremonies, cycle syncing, emotional processing, breathwork, and other holistic tools that nurture both inner and outer transformation. Whether you're learning new practices or reconnecting with ancient wisdom, these workshops are here to help you live a more rooted, empowered, and heart-led life.
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Mindfulness walks are an integral part of sanctuary life, offering a chance to slow down, reconnect with nature, and be fully present with the world around you. Just steps from the sanctuary lies the Tirimbina Biological Reserve, a lush expanse of protected rainforest with winding trails that stretch across hundreds of acres. We walk there often, immersed in the sights and sounds of the jungle where it is common to spot sloths, howler monkeys, and a stunning array of tropical birds. Within our own neighborhood, you will also find a nearby river, perfect for reflective walks, quiet meditation, and even a refreshing dip. These walks are more than just movement. They are a return to rhythm, wonder, and deep listening.
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For those who feel called to explore beyond the sanctuary, we offer a variety of excursions and tours that showcase the richness, beauty, and diversity of Costa Rica. From immersive experiences like cow tours, pineapple farm visits, birdwatching walks, and ant tours to adventurous outings such as ziplining, ATV rides, and waterfall hikes, there is something for every spirit. Guests can also enjoy day trips to the La Fortuna hot springs, the Caribbean coast, the cloud forests of Monteverde, and the breathtaking Poás mountains. Garden tours and other nature-based experiences offer gentle ways to connect with the land’s abundant life. Whether you are seeking quiet awe or bold adventure, these excursions offer a deeper taste of the magic that surrounds us.
Contact us
Want to book a private stay, collaborate or connect with The Yoga Sanctuary? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!

