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January
11th-17th, 2026
January 11th-17th, 2026
Educational Lectures & Demos By:
Jessica McKnight & Lindsay Adler & Cate Scaglione
Educational Lectures
& Demos By:
Jessica McKnight & Lindsay AdleR
& Cate Scaglione
You will embark on an epic week of photography, adventure, & learning, and you will utilize the power of mindfulness, meditation, & yoga to tap into deeper levels of creativity, rekindle your passion, and reconnect to your craft.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, at the amazing Vida Asana Yoga Retreat Center, our 7-day/6-night women's photography retreat from Jan 11th-17th, 2025, promises an immersive journey of growth and transformation. Nestled between the lush jungle and pristine beaches, this serene setting provides the ideal environment for relaxation, rejuvenation, and focused learning.
Styles & Niches Covered:
- Fashion Photography
- Swimwear Photography
- Boudoir Photography
- Fine Art Nude
Throughout the retreat, you'll have the opportunity to:
- Engage in immersive mindfulness classes, guided meditations, and rejuvenating morning yoga to unlock deeper creativity and discover new ways to experience greater joy and fulfillment in both your personal and professional life.
- Gain hands-on experience in photography lighting, posing, and styling in an intimate setting, with personalized guidance and direct instruction from top industry leaders.
- Immerse yourself in photography business education designed to keep your pipeline full with ideal clients and elevate your brand to new heights.
- Enhance your portfolio through multiple styled photo sessions, set against the backdrop of the captivating jungle and sun-kissed beaches of Playa Hermosa.
- Hone your photography skills with expert guidance and hands-on instruction.
- Connect and network with like-minded female photographers from around the globe, forging friendships that will last a lifetime.
- Experience an excursion to the exciting and diverse Rainmaker Conservation Park filled with swinging bridges, waterfalls, swimming holes, & teeming with wildlife.
- All inclusive pricing includes meals, lodging, excursion, and shuttle service to and from the airport, ensuring a seamless and stress-free experience. Indulge in delicious cuisine, unwind in comfortable accommodations, and leave the logistics to us as you focus on soaking up all the knowledge and inspiration the retreat has to offer.
Spaces for this exclusive retreat are limited to just 20 participants, ensuring an intimate and personalized experience for all attendees. Don't miss your chance to join us for this transformative journey – reserve your spot today and embark on a path to success unlike any other!
Includes:
6 nights / 7 days of In Depth Learning & Epic Adventure.
Jan 11th - Jan 17th, 2026 -Costa Rica
At Vida Asana Yoga & Retreat Center
Calle Hermosa 1 km East - Playa Hermosa
Puntarenas - Garabito - Jaco 61101
What's Included:
• One group shuttle to and from the airport, on the day the retreat starts and ends.
(If you need an individual transport, those arrangements would need to be made 7 days in advance. The price is approximately $150 each way. Some exceptions apply or you can arrange your own private shuttle)
• Rooms - All rooms at Vida Asana are equipped with air conditioning, ceiling fans, private bathrooms, and hot water.
Most rooms have a mini fridge, and our common area also has a large fridge, exclusively for our guests.
WIFI reaches every guest room on the property, and all common spaces, except for the Jungle Yoga Shala.
Rooms are also stocked with Raw Botanicals all organic soap, shampoo, and conditioners.
• Three abundant organic meals per day.
Every menu item is created using whole, and as often as possible, organic ingredients. Food is gluten free, and primarily plant-based, with eggs and yogurt at breakfast, and fish served at dinner every second night.
• Excursion Day & Photoshoot at Private Waterfall with Thrilling ATV & Military Vehicle Ride plus swim time.
• Beach Dinner with Live Entertainment
• Multiple Portfolio Building Photowalks on the Beach & in the Jungle with Pro Models.
• One on One shooting time with pro models during classes
• One Free Day to explore or relax as you wish.
• Optional Morning Yoga In a spacious open-air jungle yoga shala, with mats, blocks, straps, bolsters provided.
• Pool, sun deck with lounge chairs, hammocks, and covered lounge area.
• Bicycles for transportation to and from the beach.
• Farewell Sangria Party (Also Non-alcoholic available) & Live Band
Pricing:
Prices per person based per room occupancy type: All rooms for Beyond Brilliant 2026 are shared occupancy. Please note if you would like to share a room with someone specific, please let us know during registration, otherwise you will be given an assigned room per our choosing based on selected occupancy. (Due to limited availability, rooms are reserved for students only)
Shared Rooms:
Triple Occupancy $4,900 Per person
Double Occupancy $5,300 Per person
Flight Planning:
*Flights are not included in event ticket price.
Airport:-Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO)
Alajuela Province, Río Segundo, Costa Rica
**A group shuttle is provided for those arriving and departing in coordinating with retreat dates. To be part of the shuttle, guests should book their flight to arrive by 1:30 pm on start date, and depart after 12pm on end date. Any guest arriving or departing outside of these dates for extended vacations are responsible for arranging their own transport. (Note: Vida Asana does not have parking available for guests)
Tentative
Schedule of Events
- A group shuttle will transport all students arriving at SJO airport to Vida Asana Yoga & Retreat Center.
- Receive refreshments & light snack upon arrival
- Evening Dinner
- Welcome ceremony, introducing educators & students to one another
- Evening Meditation
Sunday: 1/11
7:15 AM-8:15 AM: Morning Yoga in the Sky Shala
8:30 AM-9:30 AM: Breakfast in the Dining Hall
9:30 AM-10:00 AM: Morning Break
10:00 AM-1:00 PM: "Learn To See The Light" with Lindsay Adler
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in the Dining Hall
2:00 PM-3:00 PM: "Optimizing Your Website To Scale Organically" with Jessica McKnight
3:15 PM: Bus Departure
3:30 PM-5:30 PM: Beach Photowalk
6:00 PM- 6:30 PM: Evening Break 1
6:30 PM-7:30 PM: Dinner in the Dining Hall
7:30 PM- 8:00 PM: Evening Break 2
8:00 PM-9:00 PM: "The Four Noble Truths & The Yoga of Work" with Jessica McKnight
9:00 PM-9:45 PM: Evening Guided Meditation with Jessica McKnight
Monday 1/12
7:15 AM-8:15 AM: Morning Yoga in the Sky Shala
8:30 AM-9:30 AM: Breakfast in the Dining Hall
9:30 AM-10:00 AM: Morning Break
10:00 AM-1:00 PM: "Fierce Fine Art Nudes" with Lindsay Adler
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in the Dining Hall
2:00 PM - 4:30 PM: "Wild Allure" with Cate Scaglione
5:00 PM- 6:30 PM: "Redefining Your Image" Post Production Class with Jessica McKnight
6:30 PM-7:30 PM: Dinner in the Dining Hall
8:00 PM-9:00 PM: Night Time Pool Photoshoot
Tuesday 1/13
7:15 AM-8:15 AM: Morning Yoga in the Sky Shala
8:30 AM-9:00 AM: Breakfast in the Dining Hall (**This is a quick breakfast)
9:00 AM: Bus Departure
10:00 AM-3:00 PM:
- Military Vehicle / ATV Ride
- Jungle Waterfall Photoshoot
- Lunch
- Waterfall Free Swim Time
4:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Bus Departure for Dinner. Meet at Dining Hall
7:00 PM-8:00 PM: Beach Dinner @ Vida Hermosa Restaurant & Bar (Alcoholic beverages not included, must be purchased separately at the bar)
8:00 PM-8:30 PM: Local Costa Rican Fire Dancer - Performance
8:30 PM-10:00 PM: Optional fire dancer night shoot or enjoy drinks/socializing )
10:00 PM: FINAL Bus Departure for return to Vida Asana (Those wishing to remain out after 10PM are responsible for own transportation back to Vida Asana)
Wednesday 1/14
A variety of off-site excursions & on-site services are available to enhance your experience. These options are not included in the price of your retreat and would be paid for separately by you. Some of these options can be arranged directly through Vida Asana for your convenience, while others would need to be organized independently. All to be scheduled after arrival to Vida Asana (Note Some excursions require minimum of 4 people)
Off site excursions available:
- Rainmaker Conversation Park
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- Surf Lessons
- Stand Up Paddle Boarding
- Zip Lining
- Sweat Lodge
- Horseback Riding
- Massage (Massage menu available)
- Reiki
- Cocoa Ceremony
6:30 AM: Fruit & Coffee in the Dining Hall
7:15 AM-8:15 AM: Morning Yoga in the Sky Shala
8:30 AM-9:30 AM: Breakfast in the Dining Hall
Leisure Time
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in the Dining Hall
Leisure Time
6:30 PM-7:30 PM: Dinner in the Dining Hall
Leisure Time
Thursday 1/15
6:30 AM: Fruit & Coffee in the Dining Hall
7:15 AM-8:15 AM: Morning Restorative Yoga in the Sky Shala With Jessica McKnight
8:30 AM-9:30 AM: Breakfast in the Dining Hall
9:30 AM-11:00 AM: Morning Break / Free Time
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM: "Elevate The Client Experience" with Cate Scaglione
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch in the Dining Hall
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: "Mindset Matters" with Jessica McKnight
4:00 PM - 6:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM-7:30 PM: Dinner in the Dining Hall
7:45 PM: "Glow & Grow" A Farewell Circle Discussion
8:00 PM: Farewell Party!!! - Live Music, Local Cultural Marketplace, Sangria, & Dancing 🎸🍹
Friday 1/16
6:30 AM: Fruit & Coffee in the Dining Hall
8:00 AM-8:30 AM: Breakfast in the Dining Hall
8:30 AM: Bus Departure for Airport & Checkout All Others
Saturday 1/17
Jessica is the owner of Jessica McKnight Photography & Brilliance Key. As a photographer, she has over 25 years of experience working in just about every niche within the industry and has built a successful photography business allowing her to travel the world doing the work she loves. Her business is frequently voted best of the best in the markets that she serves. She has photographed in almost all of the 50 states as well as Germany, Iceland, England, Hungary, and more while working with Miss USA Models, Athletes, Musicians, Influencers, Celebrities, and Entrepreneurs & Business owners.
She started Brilliance Key as a way to share her love and knowledge with other photographers to help scale their businesses to above the six-figure mark. Her business systems that she uses within her own business are the systems that she teaches in her online group mastermind program and retreats. Jessica is also a Yoga Alliance 200-Hour Certified Yoga Teacher in which she completed at Vida Asana.
Jessica McKnight
"I love seeing my clients grow their
business and become successful.
The best is yet to come for you!"
Meet Your Host & Educator
Fashion and beauty photographer Lindsay Adler has risen to the top of her industry as both a photographer and educator. Based in New York City, her fashion editorials have appeared in numerous publications including Vogue, Marie Claire, Numero, Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and more. As a photographic educator, she is one of the most sought-after speakers internationally. Lindsay enjoys teaching on the industry's largest platforms and most prestigious events. She has worked with some of the top brands in the photographic and related industries including Canon, Adobe and Profoto. Her client list features a range including NBC, Grey, Edelman, Pat McGrath Labs, Morphe, Aveeno, Unicef, Origins, Saatchi and more.
A clean, bold, and graphic style has become the hallmark of her work. Lindsay is renowned for her creativity and collaborating with designers and stylists in order to create fresh looks.
Lindsay’s energy and enthusiastic teaching style showcase her excitement to share her passion and knowledge with others, whether it is world-wide through prestigious platforms and the industry's largest conferences, or through her video tutorials or her five books.
She is honored to have been named a Canon Explorer of Light as well as a Profoto Legend of Light, and the Rangefinder Icon of the Year 2020!
Lindsay Adler
Educator
Cate Scaglione is an internationally award-winning women’s portrait artist specializing in boudoir and intimate portraiture. Her unique storytelling approach celebrates women’s feminine energy through tasteful sensuality, inspiring them to embrace their power. Recognized as one of the top boudoir photographers in the U.S. and awarded Boudoir Photographer of the Year in 2022, Cate has been featured in various media outlets and television shows. As a sought-after International speaker, she educates audiences on the significance of her work and integrates aspects of luxury and holistic wellness into her client experiences. Previously, Cate was the Director of Global Advertising and Sponsorships for a Fortune 500 company and consulted for several small businesses, including many brands in the photography industry. She is also a brand ambassador for Floricolor USA, Geekoto, and other popular photography brands. With her studio Based in coastal New Jersey, she also serves clients in NYC and The Hamptons.
Cate Scaglione
Educator
Ale, a native of Costa Rica, lives in the stunning region of Playa Hermosa in the Central Pacific. Her yoga journey began in 2006 during a period of darkness and self-discovery, helping her overcome anxiety, trauma, and reconnect with her true self. To Ale, yoga is a sacred ritual that honors the body as a temple and serves as a pathway to authentic living.
India has always held a special place in Ale’s heart. She answered its call in 2011, returning three more times to immerse herself in the study of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Kashmir Shaivism under esteemed masters. Ale has also completed extensive trainings and workshops in Costa Rica and India, continually deepening her knowledge as a practitioner and teacher.
Today, Ale leads weekly classes, transformative retreats, and teacher training programs in Costa Rica, blending modern postural yoga with mobility drills and approaches to flexibility and stability. Her teaching equips students and aspiring teachers with the tools to nurture creativity, embrace self-discovery, and grow into their true selves.
Ale
Yoga Instructor
