# Namasté Yoga Studio

> Namasté Yoga Studio was an ashtanga shala near Hospital México in San José, founded in 2001 by Mariela Cruz, the first Central American authorized to teach ashtanga by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. We couldn't confirm it still runs, and Cruz has been based in India since about 2016, so check before you plan a class.

Source: https://costarica-yoga-retreats.com/namaste-yoga-studio/
Last checked: 2026-11-04

**Update, November 2026:** We couldn't confirm Namasté Yoga Studio is still running. Its old website no longer works and we found no current schedule. Its founder, Mariela Cruz, served as Costa Rica's ambassador to India from 2016 to 2018 and has lived in India since then, according to a 2021 podcast interview. Check directly before you plan a visit.

![woman doing ashtanga yoga](/static/img/old/2012-10-ashtanga-yoga-costa-rica.webp)

For years, Namasté was the place in San José for serious ashtanga practice. Mariela Cruz, a Costa Rican lawyer turned yoga teacher, founded it in 2001. In 2012 The Tico Times marked the studio's 11th anniversary and reported that Cruz was the first Central American, and the third Latin American, authorized by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois to teach ashtanga. She has studied with his grandson, R. Sharath Jois, since 2003, and the 2021 interview says she completed the third series with him in 2019.

![woman doing ashtanga yoga on yoga mat](/static/img/old/2012-10-ashtangayogacostarica-com2.webp)

## What it offered

The studio was in a private home west of Hospital México, with no sign outside, and only opened for classes. In 2012 it offered:

- **Mysore-style classes**, where each student works through the ashtanga sequence at their own pace with the teacher's help, plus led classes where the whole room moves together.
- **An introduction to ashtanga**, covering the breath, the *bandhas* (internal locks) and *drishti* (where you look in each pose).
- **The primary series**, which ashtanga teachers call *yoga chikitsa*, Sanskrit for "yoga therapy".
- **Workshops and yearly retreats.**

![woman doing ashtanga yoga on concret base](/static/img/old/2012-10-ashtangayogacostarica-com3.webp)

## Teacher training

Namasté also hosted YogaWorks teacher trainings in Spanish: a 200-hour course in two-week blocks and a longer 300-hour professional program with a mentor, monthly weekend workshops and weekly philosophy sessions. We found no sign of these courses running now. For trainings with current dates, including a Spanish-language course in San José, see our guide to [yoga teacher training in Costa Rica](/yoga-teacher-training-costa-rica/).

![couple doing water yoga](/static/img/old/2012-10-ashtangayogacostarica-com4-1.webp)

## Yoga in San José today

If you want a studio in San José now, [Yoga Mandir](/yoga-mandir/) in San Pedro and [Krama Yoga](/krama-yoga-center/) in Santa Ana are both open. Our guide to [where to do yoga in Costa Rica](/where-to-do-yoga-in-costa-rica/) covers the rest of the country.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Namasté Yoga Studio in San José still open?

We couldn't confirm it as of November 2026. Its website no longer works and we found no current schedule.

### What is Mysore-style ashtanga?

A self-paced class where each student practices the set ashtanga sequence from memory, while the teacher moves around the room giving help and adjustments.

### Who is Mariela Cruz?

A Costa Rican ashtanga teacher who founded Namasté in 2001. The Tico Times reported in 2012 that she was the first Central American authorized to teach ashtanga by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois.