The Lost and Found is one of the coolest hostels you will find not only in Panama but the world! The Lost and Found attracts travellers of all cultures, interests, and ambitions. Though many love the Lost and Found for its social atmosphere, the beauty of the surrounding environment and grande size and variety of common areas makes this hostel an ideal place to get away from typical life and spend some time cultivating your own inner peace.
I currently work as the Lost and Found’s very own yoga teacher. Before I made my way up the hill, I was a bit nervous that my wellness practices would take a hit by staying at the hostel. However, just the opposite happened! I have been able to keep up and even strengthen my usual yoga and wellness routines, all while staring out at the gorgeous peak of Volcán Barú. To give you an idea of how to live like a yogi at the Lost and Found, here are some of the staples in my routine…
Meditate, Meditate, Meditate.
As the Lost and Found is located on a remote jungle reserve, there are few places in the world where a traveller will find nature as pristine and untouched as at the Lost and Found. Meditating at the hostel has been such a magical experience. Listening to jungle sounds or focussing on the sensation of breathing in the fresh air right from a cloud never fails to clear the mind and make way for a more enlightened state of consciousness. There are plenty of places to meditate around the hostel; I personally love going to any of the hammocks or lookout points.
As well, never forget that meditating doesn't have to mean sitting still in one spot. The point of meditation can come from writing, listening to music, and even dancing! However, I would recommend that anyone looking to do an active meditation at the hostel check out the many hiking paths the Lost and Found has to offer. You can trek to rivers, lookout points, waterfalls and more! While looking for these beautiful locations, you might just find yourself.
Yoga!
As the resident yoga teacher, I get plenty of chances to work on my practice. The Lost and Found regularly employs a yoga teacher and or fitness trainer who will put on classes daily. Just like with meditating, the Lost and Found has mind-blowing places to do yoga. I have done sun salutations to the rising and falling sky, held yin poses while watching a thunderstorm light up the world around me, and chanted with the birds as I centered myself for an afternoon practice.
Another thing I love about doing yoga here is that if you're looking for somewhere to do a private practice and dive deeper into yourself, the Lost and Found is expansive enough that there is always somewhere to get away to. Below are the spots I like to go to when I need some time for a reflective session
Connecting With Nature and Others
Living like a yogi isn’t all about meditating and doing yoga. Keeping your spirit happy also means connecting with the life around you.
Connecting with nature at the Lost and Found is as simple as walking outside. I often eat my breakfast (usually avocado toast with an egg overtop) with the hummingbirds who frequent the common areas. You might also find yourself eating dinner with a monkey or stopping by to visit Rocky, the hostel’s rescued Kinkajou. As well, though I don’t necessarily consider myself a fan of bugs, some of the insects in the jungle are fascinating enough to win the heart of any entomophobic. I have personally fallen in love with the Golden Beetle (pictured below). These rare bugs can sell for thousands on the internet and entomologists (bug scientists!) come from all over the world to see these creatures at the Lost and Found.
By far the best part of the Lost and Found is the people the hostel attracts. When you're not bonding with animals, insects, or trees, you will find yourself connecting with some of the coolest human beings on the planet. I have met nomads, musicians, tech experts, and artists of all kinds at the hostel. Whether everyone is sitting down at the family table together, playing games, having drinks at the bar, or just heading to the hammocks to hang out, there is never a dull moment to be had at this hostel. It is so soul-fulfilling to end my nightly yoga session only to come to the dining area and watch the sunset over the gorgeous peaks of Volcan Baru, surrounded by the voices and laughs of friends