The Healing Spiral Part 2: Observations from an herbalist

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

Marietta Pucillo's Yoga Retreat at AmaTierra

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!

Hydroponics 101 at AmaTierra

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!

A Unique New Year's Eve at AmaTierra

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

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.

Fall and Winter Retreats at AmaTierra

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!

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

AmaTierra's Summer Recipe of the Week

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.

Girlfriends' Weekend at AmaTierra

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

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...

New at AmaTierra's Wellness Spa

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