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!

White-Faced Monkeys Spotted at AmaTierra

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