AmaTierra Yoga Retreat & Wellness Center

Healing the Emotional Self & Somatic (Body) Memory--It's all in the Belly!

2011-09-26T15:46:00.007-06:00

Much of what we call healing can be accomplished by understanding a problem, using the right therapies, and changing our attitude, our thoughts, our habits and our lifestyles. But the emotional Self often dominates our whole energy field and healing this aspect can be the most difficult. How do we handle anger, grief, loneliness, anxiety, and fear? And how do these emotions really affect our health?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ system has a corresponding emotion. Liver disorders, for example, may be accompanied by anger and one could go as far as saying excess or unexpressed anger can cause liver problems. It doesn't really matter which comes first, and when we address the physical aspect through liver cleansing, eating fewer fatty foods or subduing rising liver fire with herbs or acupuncture, for example, a person generally becomes less angry. And contrarily, if we find ways to release the anger, the physical symptoms of liver imbalance may actually subside.

What I have been shown over and over again in my practice as an herbalist and massage therapist is that there truly is no separation between the emotional and physical bodies.

Our modern culture puts tremendous demands on us and gives us few tools to deal with the onslaught of stimulus to which our little bodies must react.We take it all in and don't know how to let it out!

As one of my teachers of the abdominal massage modality CHI NEI TSANG, Gilles Marin, explained:

Everything we encounter gives us an emotional charge, and some charges are easier to digest than others. The tougher ones stay in the belly and get held there until we make the time to unravel them.

It is no wonder that over 80% of North Americans take some sort of digestive medicine on a regular basis. We're all carrying a belly full of tangled, unexpressed emotional charges.

The Abdominal Chi Mover has become the most popular treatment here at AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in Costa Rica. People come here to destress, to confront and change old patterns, and to get FREE of these pent up emotions. In our busy lives we need time to process and digest our feelings.
Here is one small exercise you can do to move the energy and the somatic memories that may be stuck in your belly.

1) Lay down on your back with your knees propped up

2) Put both hands on your belly and breathe deeply, feeling your breath rise and fall

3) Ask yourself: What am I feeling right now? Stay in your body, in your belly, and feel the answer. Try to stay out of your thinking mode, just be with your breath. Perhaps nothing comes up. That is ok too.

4) If you do feel an uncomfortable emotion rising in your belly (or anywhere else) try to go with the feeling of it. Treat it as just energy; don't judge it, fear it or repress it. You also don't need to trace it back to any kind of history or storyline. Just be with the emotion and breathe it out, let yourself cry, make sound or pound your fists, kick your feet if you like.

5) End with soothing thoughts and your hands once again on the belly. Perhaps a mantra such as "I am safe, all is well" will now help you regain your balance. Let yourself feel the freedom now that you have made space in your belly for true healing to happen. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh....

For further information about our emotions, the belly etc. I recommend a simple book by my main teacher of this work, Allison Post. The book is titled Unwinding the Belly, and you can find it on line at www.unwindingthebelly.com

Watch for Allison's new book to be released in electronic form soon!

Look for our Next blog: Exercises & Herbs for Resolving Anger & Frustration

Jill Ruttenberg is a registered AHG herbalist and the owner/wellness director at AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in Turrubares, Costa Rica. To learn more about AmaTierra please visit www.amatierra.com

The Healing Spiral Part 2: Observations from an herbalist

2011-09-04T14:01:00.007-06:00

We were talking in the last blog about how healing happens in a spiral rather than any kind of linear progression, and we left off with the question of what are the true healing influence? What really heals human beings?

Within each of us is the Power to heal ouselves, Whole books have been written on this subject (Andrew Weil, MD, Spontaneous Healing & Lewis Mehl Medrona Coyote Healing are 2 good ones), written from both a Spiritual and Medical perspective. But it seems if we are to truly heal a wound, a chronic illness, a deep emotional hurt, we must be willing to go IN there, and to ask the hard questions. One thing I ask myself, when I get injured or sick is, "Did I need a break?

Was I pushing too hard, doing too much and my body rebelled?" Another question might be, "How is this pain or illness or clinging to the past serving me?" Finding honest answers, and being willing to face those answers without judging oneself harshly can be tricky. Everyone experiences times in life when things just feel too hard to handle, and if we can focus on how sick we feel or how sad we are, we might decide to ignore the very things/people/solutions that might help us feel better. Could it be we are wanting to avoid responsibility for our lives? I know for myself this is a natural response when things feel too hard to handle.

If you find yourself in this state of mind, try to really SEE it and don't criticize yourself for falling into this attitude, but instead just KNOW: This is where I'm at right now. And trust that when you are ready (either you are tired of feeling bad or you've stayed long enough in that space) you will eventually get to asking yourself "How do I WANT to feel?" And you'll notice a little shift happening, pulling you back into the center of the Healing Spiral once again. Chances are you will also begin to attract tools to enhance your own body's ability to heal itself. Someone will recommend a certain herb, you'll decide to visit your acupuncturist, a friend will call and lift your Spirits or you'll suddenly decide to go outside and be in nature.

Did you know that being in nature, noticing a beautiful tree, butterfly or flower can instantly raise feel-good hormones? So can receiving a hug (don't be afraid to ASK for one! It will serve the other person well too!) I believe we humans not only have the power to heal ourselves, but we have a natural urge (call it survival?) to want to feel better. When you are in distress, ask yourself: What tiny shift can I make that will make me feel just a little bit better? Simple things may come to mind: a warm bath, a phone call to a friend, picking a flower, 20 minutes of meditation, reading a poem...Your inner wisdom will answer you, and you will be led by that ever-present healing force.

Next blog: Healing the Emotional Self & Somatic (Body) Memory--It's all in the Belly!

Jill Ruttenberg is a registered AHG herbalist and the owner/wellness director at AmaTierra Retreat & Wellness Center in Turrubares, Costa Rica. To learn more about AmaTierra please visit www.amatierra.com

The Healing Spiral: Observations on the Healing Process

2011-08-21T14:56:00.010-06:00

During these last 20 some years as an herbalist and massage therapist I have noticed patterns that seem universal no matter what a person is healing from. Many people come to a wellness center such as AmaTierra to regain their energy and to heal from any number of things: a broken relationship, grief over loss, long-term stress and fatigue, chemotherapy, chronic health issues. And the one common misnomer I see is that people believe and expect that the healing process is a linear one…one that progresses from point A to point B and eventually to Z as though one is climbing a staircase.

“I should be over this by now!” many say, especially regarding emotional pain. And if the problem is physical (although I also now believe there can be no actual separation between the mental/emotional/physical body) people will say “The doctors say the procedure was a success, that I should have this (limp, pain, whatever).

The truth, as I see it, is that healing happens as a spiral, ultimately an upward one, and sometimes with dips. Imagine a spiral beginning at the bottom where the problem first manifested, and as the body/mind begins to understand, respond and use its innate healing power, together with helpful influences such as herbs, supplements, therapy, bodywork to put itself right, we progress more and more toward the Center, toward wholeness and good health. However, being a spiral, we generally return to the place of the original hurt (a song may bring back the grief, steep stairs re-injure the knee), but as the body has gained more wisdom, the pain is less acute. We recognize the return to woundedness and say “Ah, yes, you are part of me, but I have progressed. I feel different, more whole, more healed.

Why is it important to notice that healing happens in a spiral? One, to let ourselves off the hook and stop pulling on the leash, wrenching ourselves into rightness when we are not yet ready (“I should be over this…”). And if we accept that in order for true healing to occur the body must remind itself of the original injury then I believe we can become more conscious of our humanity, and more accepting of where we might be in the present moment.

Is there anything we can do to speed up the healing process? Actually, I think there are many things we can do, and I will save that for the next blog….

Jill Ruttenberg is a registered AHG herbalist and the

owner/wellness director at AmaTierra

Retreat & Wellness Center in Turrubares, Costa Rica.
To learn more about AmaTierra please visit
www.amatierra.com

Yoga Expo Costa Rica 2011

2011-03-01T20:42:00.005-06:00

This year, Costa Rica's annual Yoga Expo was a great success! Bringing together the Central Valley's yoga studios, retreat centers from the Pacific coasts, yoga-inspired clothing designers, alternative medicine professionals, delicious vegetarian and ethnic foods, jewelry designers and local artisans, the old Customs House in downtown San Jose hosted this wonderful yoga event in its unique brick and stained glass structure. 50+ vendor booths lined the inside of the building, coming together at the center stage, where we watched yoga clothing fashion shows, a belly dancing showcase, partner acro-yoga and a beautiful kirtan performance by Marianela of Yoga Lamat in Curridabat and drummer Carlos "Tapado" of Malpais and Editus fame. It was great to see Tapado in this intimate setting, and we were happy to reminisce about his private performance with Manuel Obregon at AmaTierra 2 years prior.

On Saturday, Krishna Das performed an incredible Kirtan show, and the turnout was amazing! The weekend featured yoga classes, spiritual workshops and guided meditations. Jill, Bob and Tara all attended the Yoga Expo on Sunday, sharing brochures with fellow yogis, tasting strange and delicious culinary concoctions, like sweet-potato ice cream (they also had beet and avocado!), molasses bliss balls, homemade pesto and Indian curry empanadas, trying on fun, flow-ey yoga clothes, and feeling a part of the Costa Rican yoga scene. After five years here in the yoga biz, it's been such a learning experience to get to know the local yoga culture, meet its pioneers and join in as part of the community. AmaTierra is a member of AsoYoga, Costa Rica's yoga association, and it was fun to mingle with the other members who had booths at the Expo, and who welcomed us with open arms. When we attend events like the Yoga Expo each year, we are reminded of what a special country we live in. The vibrancy of Costa Rican culture continues to impress us in all of its nuanced ways, and we are so proud to be a part of it for over five years now.

For more photos and video of the Kirtan and acro-yoga performances, visit our facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/amatierra#!/amatierra

New Mayor of Turubarres - Hope for the Future!

2011-02-22T14:53:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago we attended the inauguration of the new mayor of Turubarres county: Alcalde Ingeniero Bolivar Monge Granados of the center-right political party Partido de Liberacion Nacional (PLN). The ceremony took place in the church of San Pablo, and all of the newly elected members of the Municipal government attended, presenting a number of inspiring speeches to the townspeople. Most notable of the speakers The President of the Municipality, Victor Mora, is a long-time friend of AmaTierra, and many of you may know him as the famous tour guide of Carara National Park. Over the past year that he has been President of the Municipality, we have worked with him to begin strengthening environmental action in Turubarres. Under his guidance, the municipality now collects trash around town with a truck once every 2 weeks, and we continue to pursue dialogue with them on how to incorporate a recycling program into the municipal waste management system. This has been a battle that the AmaTierra Foundation continues to fight, and we are hopeful that the new mayor will help support our efforts in establishing a sustainable long-term solution to waste management and recycling in Turubarres.

Last week, the new mayor (Bolivar Monge Granados), the President of the Municipality (Victor Mora), the First Vice Mayor, and the Second Vice Mayor (many of you know him as Beto, one of the drivers for AmaTierra) all joined us for dinner on the balcony, where we were able to discuss ideas for the recycling project. They were all on board to support a group of local women who aim to take on recycling as a private business with municipal support, creating a recycling center just outside of San Pablo, and committing to sorting the recycled trash from the central park. While this project moves forward, the AmaTierra Foundation has offered to support the women's salaries for the first three months while they get things up and running. From there, the recycling program will be up and running, with the municipality taking on the role as benefactor until the recycling itself can generate a sustainable income.

We are grateful for the reinvigorated support of the municipality, and look forward to helping this group of motivated women make recycling a realistic and sustainable project for Turubarres county and its residents.

Marietta Pucillo's Yoga Retreat at AmaTierra

2011-02-18T14:33:00.003-06:00

Harley-riding Marietta Pucillo and her Milwaukee-based yoga students came to AmaTierra for an action- and adventure-packed 5-night yoga retreat, February 5-10, 2011. We were so amazed by their go-get 'em attitude, with daily double sessions of strenuous yoga taught by Marietta and Paige, plus excursions to the Adventure Park and Playa Jaco for the zip line canopy tour and kick-butt surf lessons. They were loving the food each night at dinner, and with good reason - this group had a jam-packed itinerary of yoga and Costa Rican adventure at its best, sure to work up a serious appetite!

Tara took one of Marietta's evening classes and came back saying "that was the gnarliest class I've ever taken!" Marietta's famous arm balances, martial arts-inspired vinyasas and extra-challenging binds were incredible, bringing the essence of "pretzel" back into the yoga experience. On Super Bowl Sunday, the football-loving yogis payed a visit to San Pablo's Coco Bongo bar to watch and celebrate the Green Bay victory, and from what we heard, it was a great party. Thanks for all of your energy, guys. We can't wait to have you back next time!

AmaTierra Foundation Donates School Supplies & Uniforms

2011-02-11T14:38:00.004-06:00

We are so grateful for AmaTierra Foundation donors who have been so generous with their donations in the past, and especially so far in 2011. With the new school year beginning this week, many kids in our local county of Turubarres faced the reality that they would not be able to attend school this year, since their families could not afford school supplies and the required uniforms. Learning this, we saw it as an opportunity for the AmaTierra Foundation to put your donations to work, helping make a difference in the lives of 9 school children from low-income families.

Using funds we collected this year, we were able to buy 9 sets of school uniforms, shoes & socks, backpacks, notebooks, pencils, erasers, glue, colored

pencils, geometry sets and more so that the kids could start class on time the very next day. When we delivered the goodies to Cesar, Kimberly and Daniel, Ashley and Axel, Winston and Steve, they were all smiles, trying on their new shoes and proudly wearing their new backpacks. Their mothers expressed sincere gratitude with hugs, and we were filled with appreciation that we were able to contribute these things and make an impact in the lives of children and their families in our local Turubarres community.

This would not have been possible without your generous donations - thank you for helping to make a difference! We are always ac

cepting donations to the AmaTierra Foundation. If you would like to donate, please contact us at amatierra@gmail.com. You can learn more about the AmaTierra Foundation by visiting http://www.amatierra.com/amatierrafoundation.html.

Silke Schroeder's Yoga Retreat at AmaTierra

2011-02-06T11:40:00.000-06:00

From July 29 through February 5, AmaTierra played host to Silke Schroeder's 7-night yoga retreat, with a full house of guests learning from her expert knowledge and experience. Silke is an expert in Sanskrit, the Upanishads, and Vedic science, and all of us at AmaTierra learned so much throughout the week with her instructional and practical workshops. We held a new moon ceremony, and Silke explained that in Vedic Astrology the 3 stars that were prominent for this new moon, in the constellation of Capricorn, are the stars that vibrate the sound of OM.

The group studied and practiced yoga and meditation twice daily for 7 days, felt renewed and invigorated. We bid them farewell as they return to brave the cold of Minnesota (others from Colorado and Ontario Canada), after a warm week of sunshine and gentle valley breezes here in Costa Rica. Pablo's cooking classes are becoming famous, this week featuring his sesame ginger dressing, a special raw foods dessert with raisins, nuts and coconut, and Pita sandwiches with goat cheese. We plan to make Pablo's cooking classes a weekly event; please ask about them if you come to AmaTierra.

Gracias, Silke, for a wonderful week!

Fiestas and Rodeo in San Pablo de Turrubares

2011-01-28T21:55:00.000-06:00

Over the past two weeks, AmaTierra guests have taken part in the local "fiestas" of San Pablo de Turrubares, the nearest town to AmaTierra, 3km down the road. Each year, Turrubares natives come together to put on a two-week carnival to celebrate local traditions, inviting visitors from throughout the country to enjoy typical foods of the area, horse shows, bull-riding, dance contests, karaoke and more.
The highlights this year were the bull-riding in the rodeo corral and the "Gran Tope" show, where community members bring out their best horses to parade around the central park and show off their horses' prancing style, known as "tope." This year was a bit more mellow at the fiestas than years past, and the famous Costa Rican motorcycle brigade was absent this time around. Hopefully next year, we can help support the publicity team so that more visitors will come to celebrate all things Turrubares at their special local fiestas. Tuanis!

Hydroponics 101 at AmaTierra

2011-01-24T21:25:00.000-06:00

We are so excited about our organic hydroponic garden - learning so much about sustainable small-scale farming and local production for sustenance consumption. So far, we're growing hydroponic ginger, arugula, lettuce, celery, cucumber, tomato and cilantro - using what we grow to add to Pablo's delicious gourmet creations in the kitchen. When we start producing more, we plan to give any excess to local distributors, so that they can sell it in the community markets and make a bit of profit for themselves. Sustainability in action, indeed.

Our hydroponic plants grow in raised planters with no soil, sitting in beds of rice hulls ("garza" in Spanish) and coconut husks. They drink an organic cocktail of nutrients and water on a daily basis. We are in the beginning stages of hydroponics and have learned so much from others' experiences. If you are a hydroponic master, please share your secrets, we'd love to learn from you!
Hope to see you soon at AmaTierra so you can taste our hydroponic goodies for yourself. Pura vida!

New Year's Wellness Adventure Yoga Retreat in Full Swing

2011-01-08T15:04:00.000-06:00

Hosted by dynamic husband-and-wife team Aimee Roberson and Rawles Williams, owners of Luminous Body Yoga, this week's retreat has been fantastic. Participants have enjoyed daily yoga sessions, crystal bowl toning sessions, meditations and excursions. On Tuesday, the group went on an adventure tour to the waterfalls; they spent Wednesday soaking up the sun at Esterillos Beach, famous for the squawking, joyful presence of the awe-inspiring scarlet macaws; this morning they went hiking to nearby waterfalls for a refreshing dip to rejuvenate their spirits; and last night they partied latin-style with salsa and merengue dance lessons in the dining room. This 7-night retreat is our first of the year, and needless to say we are grateful for such a wonderful start to 2011.

Thanks to retreat hosts Aimee and Rawles, we are so happy you were able to join us this week, and hope to see you all again in the future as part of our AmaTierra family. Blessings for the New Year!

A Unique New Year's Eve at AmaTierra

2011-01-03T22:12:00.001-06:00

To ring in 2011 with grace, we hosted a meaningful New Year's Eve for AmaTierra guests and staff this year. The evening began with a delicious gourmet dinner, another incredible creation by our new Head Chef, Pablo. After dinner, we all gathered outdoors for a unique New Year's ceremony. First, Jill smudged us all with White Sage - used in native traditions for clearing old energies. We had written down some words about what we wanted to release and let go of from 2010, plus what we acknowledged as blessings, gifts and learnings from last year. To let go of the old year, we threw our papers into the ceremonial fire, allowing us to release the old to make room for welcoming the new.

Next we gathered in the yoga studio and shared our intentions for 2011. Our favorite, from one guest, a Doctor from Florida, was "I want to DO less and BE more." The crystal singing bowls helped whirl our intentions out to the universe on a clear starry night, and we finished with a meditation and prayers for Peace. Traditional champagne was served before we all retired to our cozy beds.

Morning Yoga on the First Day of the year started us all on a good track - the perfect ending to such a unique way to celebrate and nurture all that we experienced and learned from 2010, and create new space for all that is yet to come in 2011. We are grateful for all of you who were able to join us for the celebration this year, and hope to welcome new and familiar faces to AmaTierra in the new year.

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Newest Adventure Tour at AmaTierra

2010-12-30T14:21:00.000-06:00

We are so excited about AmaTierra's newest adventure tour option - The Adventure Park! Our guests are loving the extra-long zipline canopy tour, with 25 different cables soaring above gorgeous waterfalls and acres upon acres of lush tropical forest. The Adventure Park also offers the Superman zipline, where you fly hands-free like a bird in the sky. For a full day of adventure, you can add on additional attractions inside the Park, like the biggest high ropes course in Costa Rica (or low ropes for the kids) and horseback riding tours. A day of fun-filled adventure awaits you...

This tour is the newest addition to our well-rounded list of nature-inspired adventure tours, including Vic's one-of-a-kind experience at Carara National Park - a guided hiking tour in the rain forest to see monkeys, tropical birds, and cool colorful frogs up-close and personal in their natural habitat. Plus, the exhilarating Mangrove Boat tour is a must-do to get a closer look at the fat and famous crocodiles of the Tarcoles River - don't worry they can't get you while you're in the boat! Vic might even feed them a snack so you can see their giant jaws snapping for a treat. Great photo ops.

These attractions and many more are all available during your stay at AmaTierra, just let us know what interests you and we'll help you plan an experience you'll never forget.

Exciting New Additions to AmaTierra's Staff

2010-12-11T23:31:00.000-06:00

We are thrilled to welcome two new members to AmaTierra's staff - Pablo Montero Arce, Head Chef; and Rachel Shopper, Yoga Instructor.

We are getting rave reviews for AmaTierra's new chef, Pablo Montero Arce, who continues to tempt our taste buds by introducing new gourmet menu items, including this perfect salad, topped with roasted eggplant & tomato - one of his many delicious vegetarian creations. With Pablo spicing up our kitchen, we are happy to announce that AmaTierra now offers cooking classes for our guests - just let us know you're interested and we'll be sure to include it in your stay.

We are so excited to introduce Rachel Shopper to AmaTierra's yoga program, bringing a versatile Vinyasa yoga style, emphasizing proper alignment and specially geared to all yoga levels, from beginning to advance. Guests have loved Rachel's yoga classes and we are grateful to have her on board.

A big welcome to both of you, Pablo and Rachel - thanks for joining our team!

AsoYoga Festival and International Day of Peace

2010-09-21T20:49:00.000-06:00

Commemorating the International Day of Peace, and the AsoYoga Festival

Yoga para Todos (Yoga for Everyone) Festival here in Costa Rica was a wonderful event. Held in downtown San Jose, Jill led a meditation with Crystal Singing Bowls in an ancient tower with four foot thick stone walls. Performers, Indian music, Kirtan chanting, booths of fun foods and yoga clothing drew over 2000 people for all day yoga and meditation classes
AmaTierra's booth was a popular one as people signed up to win a free night for two at the Retreat Center. Lourdes Amador was the winner, and she is very happy!

Costa Rica has long been a destination site for yoga, second only to India as the place to go to practice with a group or at one of the many studios which cater to foreigners.
But Costa Ricans too love their yoga, and practice it in a very spirited, strong and serious way. It was wonderful to be in classes led by Spanish-speaking instructors, (the language of sanskrit for the names of poses was helpful!) and amidst those who have a zestful love of yoga.

All in all, a wonderful day, and a positive, collective intention was sent out for harmony and peace on the earth.

Crazy Basil - Let's make Pesto!

2010-09-12T12:42:00.000-06:00

AmaTierra's basil supply is off the charts this year - we are up to our elbows in organic basil plants in the garden and planning new recipes daily to put all of that fresh spicy yumminess to good use. If you're like us, and you find yourself with too much basil in the garden, you can make pesto to eat immediately, or freeze/put it into sterilized jars and keep for later!

You'll need:

4C basil,

1/2 C olive oil,

1/2 cup pine nuts OR walnuts(cheaper) or peanuts,

1/2 cup of your favorite parmesan cheese

3-4 cloves garlic.

No salt needed, as the parmesan has enough

In food processor, chop garlic, add basil, olive oil & nuts, finally the cheese. Pesto is very rich! Use on pasta, pasta salad, in pita bread with tomato and mozzarella cheese, or as a sandwich spread or a dip for veggies. YUM!!!

Hint: when using on pasta or pasta salad, add more olive oil so the pesto goes further.

Buen Provecho from AmaTierra's Gardens (full of crazy basil!)

Fall and Winter Retreats at AmaTierra

2010-08-24T17:51:00.000-06:00

Fall and Winter Retreats at AmaTierra
Make plans now to join us for a special week this season:

Holiday Celebration, November and January Yoga Workshops,

Photography & more

3rd Annual Escape to the Rainforest with Symmetree Yoga

November 7-14, 2010

Join yoga instructor and retreat hostess Carlene Sullivan for this special 7-night retreat:

An all-inclusive Hatha yoga, relaxation and adventure retreat designed to quell the flames of anxiety and stress while experiencing what it means to be fully alive! This retreat is specifically designed to awaken the body, mind and spirit in an unbelievably beautiful setting.

Click here for more information and to register for this special yoga retreat.

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Special Winter Holiday Week:
Rejuvenate for a Brand New Year
December 26, 2010 - January 2, 2011

Give yourself the ultimate gift of relaxation, and join us for a one-of-a-kind celebration of reflection and gratitude to welcome the New Year.

Join us at the end of 2010: 7-nights all-inclusive.

Details coming this week at http://www.amatierra.com/.

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New Years' Yoga Retreat

January 2-9, 2011

Start the New Year right with a rejuvenating yoga retreat hosted by Luminous Body Yoga. Join yoga instructor Aimee Roberson and naturalist Rawles Williams, known for their expertise in integrating many movement modalities into their practice.

Use the energy of the new year to get back into balance and feel fabulous, more open, and in a state of expanded consciousness after a week immersed in nature, adventure and yoga at AmaTierra in Costa Rica.

7 nights all-inclusive retreat.
Click here for more information and to register for the New Years' Yoga Retreat.

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Costa Rican Paradise: Eye of the Beholder

January 15-22, 2011

Third Annual Photography Retreat with professional nature photographer Cynthia Delaney

Hone your photography skills in one of the world's most breathtaking destinations. Join us for an exciting journey photographing the vivid colors of Central America. On-location photography excursions include Carara National Park, a haven for wildlife including sloths, monkeys, and the beautiful scarlet macaw; TuruBaRi Tropical Park complete with a butterfly garden and canopy tour; Playa Esterillos Beach and the seaside town of Jaco; and Zoo Ave, a sanctuary for exotic birds. All levels are welcome, both film and digital shooters.

Click here for more information and to register for Cynthia Delaney's Photography Retreat.

Spend Labor Day at AmaTierra in Costa Rica!

2010-08-02T14:32:00.000-06:00

Labor Day Specials
September 1 - 12, 2010
at AmaTierra Yoga Retreat & Wellness Center

Our 2 Most Popular
Vacation Packages
at Deep Discounts
for Labor Day

3-Night Wellness & Adventure Package: $449
5-Night Relax & Adventure Package: $795
All prices per person based on double occupancy with all taxes included
Single occupancy rates also discounted - inquire for special prices

3-Night Wellness & Adventure Package

*Includes all healthy gourmet meals made from fresh local & organic ingredients
*1-hour professional massage
*2 yoga classes in our open-air yoga shala
*An adventure excursion to Turubari Tropical Park
Price: $449 per person

5-Night Relax & Adventure Package

*Includes all healthy gourmet meals made from fresh local & organic ingredients
*1-hour professional massage
*Daily yoga classes in our open-air yoga shala
*An adventure excursion to Turubari Tropical Park
*Airport Transfers to and from AmaTierra
Price: $795 per person

Don't miss this inexpensive opportunity
to experience Costa Rica at its finest.

Labor Day Specials valid for reservations September 1-12, 2010.

Additional Spa services and personalized wellness treatments available.
See our full Spa and wellness menu at www.amatierra.com .

Reserve today! 1-866-659-3805 amatierra@gmail.com

Asoyoga's 1st Yoga Festival in Cartago, Costa Rica

2010-07-13T20:27:00.000-06:00

AmaTierra is gearing up to attend Asoyoga's very first Yoga Festival this upcoming Saturday, July 17 in the city of Cartago, Costa Rica. The event is organized by Cartago's local yoga centers and all Costa Rican yoga studios, retreats, instructors and students have been invited to attend. We are inspired to be part of the excitement of Costa Rica's budding national yoga community and growing culture of alternative health and wellness.

The Yoga Festival will highlight Project Peace on Earth, an effort to recognize our interconnectedness as a common global humanity and celebrate the role yoga plays in maintaining solidarity among us, and inspiring personal discovery and introspective meditation to recognize the interdependent web of our collective actions on this Earth. Specifically, the Festival hopes to motivate Cartago's local community and involve them in the practice of yoga toward greater social unity, vitality and stress-relief.

The day's events include lectures focused on practices to improve quality of life; booths and stands where local yoga centers and product exhibitors will be on display to showcase their unique services; spaces designated for different yoga classes throughout the day to enliven participants toward a newfound consciousness on yoga and wellbeing; artistic presentations of bellydancing, karate, children's activities, live music and an exciting closing meditation at 4:00pm to end the day with intention.

AmaTierra owner, Bob Ruttenberg, and our newest yoga instructor Socorro from San Francisco will be there to represent AmaTierra and support the event. We hope to see all of you Costa Rican yogis there with us to enjoy the Festival and support Cartago's growing yoga community!

Project Peace on Earth is sponsored by the yoga centers of Cartago: Yoga Santocha Centro, Yoga Sol, Casa Alternativa Morpho Azul, and Yoga Luna.

For the complete program of activities, visit: www.cartagovirtual.com/actividades/festivaldeyoga_cartago.html or http://www.cartagovirtual.com/.

For more information on the Cartago Yoga Festival, call 2591-1050 or write to: info@cartagovirtual.com.

You can find out more about Costa Rica's Yoga Assocation, Asoyoga, at: http://www.asoyogacr.com/.

AmaTierra's Summer Recipe of the Week

2010-07-05T14:27:00.000-06:00

Indian Cucumber & Mushroom Salad: A Refreshing Summer Treat!

Ingredients:

2 Cucumbers, sliced lengthwise in quarters, seeds/pulp removed, then sliced in 1/2 inch pieces
1 can button mushrooms (or fresh mushrooms halved and sauteed or steamed)
1 small container plain nonfat yogurt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
rice wine or white wine vinegar cumin seeds, dry roasted and crushed salt to taste

Preparation:

Prepare cucumbers, set in colander and dowse with vinegar, set aside while preparing other ingredients. Peel and crush 2 garlic cloves, put in non-metal bowl. Drain mushrooms. Dry roast the cumin seeds, when toasty and fragrant, remove from heat. When cool, turn onto cutting board, use rolling pin to crush. Mix all ingredients, yogurt, cucumbers etc, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to meld flavors.

Buen Provecho!

AmaTierra Cookbook Coming Soon! In the meantime, check our blog frequently for more delicious Summer recipes.

2010-06-28T11:12:00.000-06:00

On Saturday, June 26, 60 kids from Turrubares county - plus 25 of their teachers and parents - travelled to Jaco Beach on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast for a fun-filled day of activities hosted by the AmaTierra Foundation. As the well-earned prize for high school and elementary school students' unprecedented efforts in the month-long recycling contest, the winning classes took full advantage of their beach time: playing soccer in the sand, throwing frisbees around, playing beach paddle ball, making sand castles,and best of all - learning to surf!

DJ Bryan from Cesar Vargas Productions set the mood for the day with reggae beats and dance music all day long. 15 local Jaco volunteers came out for the event, playing with the kids, helping chaperone and lifeguard, pushing surfboards into the waves for the kids to practice their new sport, serving lunch, and making sure the day went smoothly. This day of fun in the sun would not have been possible without the incredibly generous donations by local Jaco businesses and organizations: delicious lunch of arroz con pollo and bowtie pasta salad provided by Jimmy T of Jimmy T's Provisions; gift bags for all of the kids and dozens of bamboo beach mats donated by Marc Pontbriant from Souvenir Centro; Surf instruction with Gustavo Castillo and the instructors from Jaco Surf School; Christian Surfers for their support with chairs, soccer balls and extra volunteers; neighbor Gary for the juice boxes and use of his electric current for the DJ on the beach; and finally, beautiful beachfront Hotel 9 for the use of their restrooms and showers.

We are so grateful for the turnout for the event, and can't wait to plan another beach day for the community of Turrubares in the future. A big thanks to all who were involved, and here's hoping that this kick-off recycling contest is just the beginning of heightened recycling efforts throughout Turrubares County!

2010-06-24T13:40:00.001-06:00

On Wednesday, June 23, AmaTierra hosted the official Turrubares county meeting of Plan PRESOL (Plan de Residuos Solidos, or Solid Waste Management Plan), presented by the Ministry of Education of Puriscal. Tara represented the AmaTierra Foundation and gave a brief presentation to participants about the recycling and enivornmental education projects of the Foundation. The group was all ears, especially after she thanked them for their bare feet, since we were in the yoga studio, after all!

25 local attendees from Turrubares' public and private sectors represented local government, businesses and civil society. Special guests included the Mayor of Turrubares, representatives from Turrubares High School and the new local cooperative COOPETOUR RUBARES. Puriscal's news station was there, too, filming the event and conducting interviews with participants and government officials.

The emphasis of the meeting was on creating a working group to support the municipality in its new legal mandate to implement a county-wide solid waste management program in accordance with Costa Rica's brand new law, GIRS (Gestion de Residuos Solidos, or Solid Waste Management), requiring all municipal governments to be responsible for creating and maintaining a fully functional waste management system. Plan PRESOL helps support the municipality and its local community in holding each county responsible for making this happen. Since the AmaTierra Foundation has worked tirelessly to promote a waste management program, including the initiation of a growing recycling project, we couldn't be happier that Costa Rican legislation is helping to make this goal a closer reality here in Turrubares.

Our next step is to facilitate a presentation to the Municipal Council by the Costa Rican organization Terra Nostra this Friday, June 25. Terra Nostra will present the ways in which municipal governments can implement their own recycling project as part of a larger waste management system to minimize solid waste in landfills and create a self-sustaining and lucrative program to handle recyclable materials. Fingers crossed the Municipal Council will be open to the idea, and the AmaTierra Foundation's long-term dream for a county-wide recycling project will get its wings and fly!

If you would like more information on the AmaTierra Foundation and how you can get involved, please visit our website, www.amatierra.com/amatierrafoundation.

Greener than Green!

2010-06-22T15:10:00.000-06:00

We are having a green season like no other here in the central highlands of Costa Rica. Some recent guests from the desert southwest of the U.S. are finding the afternoon rains a welcome change from the heat.
The veggies in our new gardens below the yoga studio are growing like time-lapse photos--arugula, basil, tomatoes, chiles, cucumbers, camote, all perky from the rain. Ah...Costa Rica!!!
--Jill

Girlfriends' Weekend at AmaTierra

2010-06-13T10:49:00.000-06:00

This weekend we invited women from all over Costa Rica to join us for a wonderful girls-only event geared toward friendship, fun, yoga and wellness. As the refreshing afternoon rains gave way to a peaceful stillness at dusk, the event kicked off with Jill's heavenly evening yoga class in the studio, followed by a short meditation using Tibetan crystal singing bowls as part of a mini sound therapy session. Then we practiced chakra sounds like the high-pitched nasal sound "neeeee" for our third-eye chakra and the low "ooooo" sound to correspond with our second chakra. This new practice had the whole group giggling, and we had a chance to laugh with one another at the funny sounds we were making: sound healing with our own voices and spiritual healing with smiles and laughter all around, how fun!

Happy hour with wine before dinner was a wonderful time to get to know each other better, connect and share -- Two Oceans wine was a definite crowd pleaser. We all loved Margarita's Thai Chicken Curry with Jasmine Rice and fresh Garden Salad, and of course, Pineapple-Mango Cake was just what we needed to satisfy our nighttime sweet tooth. Before bed, Jill led us through a Medicine Card session as we all drew from the deck of cards and listened to what each card revealed about the life questions we held for ourselves -- enlightening indeed.

Morning yoga woke us up with a smile as we welcomed the beautiful day. Breakfast was yet another time for togetherness, and the girlfriends had a chance to schedule individual wellness sessions for herbal consulations, massage, time on the bio-mat and aromatherapy treatments. What a great way to celebrate womanhood and bring together such an inspiring group of women living here in this incredible country.

Thanks to all of you who made this weekend so special, and we hope to see you again soon. If you missed this girlfriends event and would like to be sure to attend the next one, please add us as a friend on facebook or email amatierra@gmail.com to be sure to reserve your spot in advance.

Until next time!

New in AmaTierra's Kitchen - Quinoa

2010-06-11T11:05:00.000-06:00

Margarita, AmaTierra's Head Chef is at it again, experimenting with new delicious creations in the kitchen. This time, the ingredient of choice is Quinoa, a vitamin-rich, high-protein, high-fiber grain native of the South American Andean highlands and very popular in Peruvian cooking. A wonderful side addition to any meal or combined with a hearty curry or stew as a meal on its own, our new gourmet Quinoa recipes are both tasty and nutritional, providing 7 grams of protein and 11 grams of dietary fiber per 1/4 cup serving! Given its high protein content, Quinoa is ideal for vegetarian and vegan cooking, and Margarita's new Peruvian stew is 100% vegetarian with zucchini, tomato, carrot, bell pepper, cilantro and celery - seasoned with coriander, cumin, chile powder, cayenne and oregano for a homestyle recipe you'll be dying to try at home. And the best part is, Quinoa is available in most health food stores and now in some grocery stores, so you can enjoy it both here at AmaTierra and back in your home kitchen.

Quinoa is easy to make, just rinse it with cold water, place it in a pot with water (2:1 water to Quinoa ratio), and cook covered on medium-heat for 15 minutes or until the grain is soft. Combine with vegetables, spices and curries as a nutritional alternative to rice, couscous or pasta. Fluff with a fork before serving. Enjoy!

AmaTierra cookbook coming soon...

White-Faced Monkeys Spotted at AmaTierra

2010-06-08T17:26:00.000-06:00

Monkeyin' around...

"Hay MONOS!" Yolanda cried over the walkie talkie. We gathered the guests and flew up the stairs to the yoga studio. There they were, 5 or 6 of them, white-faced monkeys indeed. We got to watch them for a long time, and they were watching us right back, feeling threatened and wanting to threaten us at the same time, show us their Costa Rican Machismo. They shook the trees, trying to make branches fall on us. We stood very still, watching them. People around here say they never see monkeys, but this troop has been living at AmaTierra for at least 1 year. They're usually so shy and stealthy that we can only hear them. I've tried to find them on the trails at 5 a.m. but they elude me every time. Today was different, and it felt amazing. I'm so grateful to live in this paradise where monkeys play. Perhaps one day they will know we are friendly, and they will feel at ease. In the meantime, we celebrate their presence and love watching them down by the creek and up at the yoga studio.

Namaste,

Jill

Strengthening Intuition, Equine Therapy, Energy Channeling and Rainboots

2010-05-26T18:55:00.000-06:00

What do all of those things have in common? They are all part of this week's Goddesses in Paradise Women's Retreat at AmaTierra! Since our last update, the group has been all over the map-- visiting the Central Pacific Coast and Sweet Prince Horse Ranch, and taking part in unique spiritual workshops to gain a deeper connection to the Divine Feminine within. Braving the refreshing rain with rubber boots, raincoats and umbrellas, these goddesses recognize that with these rains of change all around us, true transformation is in the air!

The past two days have been enlightening, with group work geared toward strengthening our natural energy sensitivities and intuition through partner practices that emphasize color awareness, connection to our natural surroundings and sensory energy perception. Retreat Hostess Andrea Mikana-Pinkham led an energy channeling session, reminding us to "be who we be" in every given moment of our spiritual journey through focusing on our inner awareness, presence and love.

Next, sunshine, waves and a girls' shopping day in Jaco Beach were the perfect combination for a mid-week excursion. And today's special trip to the Sweet Prince Horse Ranch for equine-assisted therapy led by Mark and Marsha Friedman was the icing on the cake, as the group was able to connect with the horses, whose natural intuition works as a reflecting mirror to our human emotions. Tomorrow, the Goddess group zips to Turubari eco-adventure park for a burst of adrenaline on the zip line canopy tour after a guided hike through the park. Fun!

With such a wonderful week well underway, Andrea is already gearing up to host another retreat next year, so write us if you are interested in participating in 2011 so we can be sure to save you a spot on the guest list. amatierra@gmail.com

Pura Vida Goddesses in Paradise!

Goddesses In Paradise: Women's Retreat hosted by Andrea Mikana-Pinkham

2010-05-24T11:08:00.000-06:00

Today, Monday, May 24 is Day 3 of AmaTierra's Goddess Retreat. Seasoned retreat leader Andrea Mikana Pinkham from Sedona, AZ welcomed this special group of six women from all over the United States on Saturday evening with an intimate pow-wow under the stars in our open-air yoga studio. Sharing impressions of the divine feminine and drawing from the deck of Goddess Tarot cards, the group was called to focus on the energy of the Irish goddess Sheela Na Gig, opening to the infinite potential of the Triple divinity of Maiden, Mother and Crone. It was no coincidence that four of the seven of us in the group all drew this Infinite Potential card from the Tarot deck, and as the week continues, we look forward to what's in store.

Now on Day 3, our Retreat Goddesses have enjoyed meditative hikes through AmaTierra, morning and afternoon Goddess workshop sessions with Andrea, private Tarot readings, yoga classes morning and evening, massage, herbal consultations and other personalized wellness therapies. We have been blessed with beautiful afternoon and evening rains, cooling us off and re-energizing the lush forest around us. Later this week, the Goddesses will visit the beach on the Central Pacific Coast, experience equine therapy with the intuitive horses at Sweet Prince Ranch, and explore their adventurous side with Turubari Park's zip-line canopy tour!

Visit our blog again later in the week for more photos and news on this special women's retreat and how you can join us for the next one.

Namaste from all of us at Amatierra

New at AmaTierra's Wellness Spa

2010-05-22T11:43:00.000-06:00

Experience AROMATOUCH--AmaTierra's Newest Wellness Therapy
Your personalized AROMATOUCH aromatherapy massage treatment will help you:

Reduce Stress
Balance your Nervous System
Reduce Inflammation
Enhance Immunity and Detoxify your Body

For this special treatment, AmaTierra’s experienced therapists use 100% Pure Certified Organic Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils from DōTerra Oils®. These are powerful plant essences that have profound effects on the four main factors that cause most health challenges: stress, inflammation, autonomic nervous system imbalance, and compromised immunity.

The AROMATOUCH essential oil blend is specifically selected to relax and relieve muscle tension, soothe irritated tissue and improve circulation throughout the body. Experience the healing power of delicious aromatherapy scents including lavender, peppermint, wild orange, grapefruit, cypress and Melaleuca; plus unique pre-blends like Balance, Deep Blue and On Guard.

$95 for a 1-hour treatment

DōTerra Oils® are available for purchase here at AmaTierra – Ask Jill for more information after your session or write us at amatierra@gmail.com.

For more information on AmaTierra's Spa Services, visit our Wellness page at http://www.amatierra.com/wellness.html