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.

Exciting New Additions to AmaTierra's Staff

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

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!

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

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

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

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/.