Costa Rica yoga retreats 2014 in Santa Teresa

Costa Rica summer is yoga season at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat on Santa Teresa Beach. Pranamar is offering 14 exceptional yoga retreats between February and June 2014.

Whether you are looking to deepen your yoga practice, or try yoga for the first time, a yoga retreat is an excellent opportunity for both. Retreats also add in fun activities like surfing or stand-up paddling.

Santa Teresa has been named one of the top 10 beaches in Central America and is an idyllic yoga setting at the southern tip of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. Host Pranamar Villas welcomes retreat-goers with elaborate oceanfront villas and bungalows in lush tropical gardens, a gorgeous river-theme swimming pool, and gourmet organic cuisine in the Buddha Eyes Restaurant.

See the selection of yoga retreats listed below, and visit Pranamar’s website for more information.

Costa Rica Yoga Retreats at Pranamar

Women’s Quest Adventures: Feb. 2-8 and May 4-10, 2014: Surf and yoga adventure retreat; yoga classes taught by Pranamar Villas yoga instructor, Nancy Goodfellow.

Vajra Sol Yoga Adventures: Feb. 16-22, Mar. 16-22, Mar. 30 – Apr. 5, Apr. 6-12, Jun. 22-28, 2014: Yoga retreat with surfing or stand-up paddling (SUP).

Yoga and Visioning Retreat: Feb. 22 to Mar. 1, 2014: Yoga, meditation and visioning retreat led by Chantal Russell.

TrueFlow Yoga Vacation in Costa Rica: Mar. 3-8, 2014: Yoga retreat led by Brynn Rybacek.

Soul Arch Yoga Retreat: Mar. 9-15, 2014: Yoga retreat and community philanthropic project

.

Yoga Toes Retreat: Mar. 23-30, 2014: Yoga retreat led by MC Yogi and Amanda Giacomini with meditation, dharma talks, restorative yoga, storytelling and music.

Costa Rica Yoga Retreat with Colleen O’Brien-McFall & Kate Mak: Apr. 12-19, 2014: Yoga retreat in nature’s beauty at Pranamar Villas.

Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica with Cathy Daley: Apr. 29 to May 4, 2014: Retreat with daily yoga and meditation sessions.

Article by Shannon Farley

Holiday blessings and the meaning of Christmas

I drove through the city of San Jose last weekend. Everywhere the streets were clogged with traffic and shoppers, rushing around to cash in on Christmas deals and sales. Besides making a mental note to avoid the traffic until after Christmas, the scene made me adamantly think how much I do not want that chaos for my holiday season.

Sure, it’s fun to buy gifts for others; and it definitely is fun to receive them! Giving and receiving at any time, in all forms, is one of the most beautiful elements of life. But the stress of having to shop for and have that “thing” is not my cup of tea.

The most famous and timeless holiday stories elaborate on giving love, sharing kindness, being generous with joy, courageously helping others, and spending time with loved ones. Look at Charles Dickens’ Scrooge, or the Grinch who became the good guy, or even Rudolph who found acceptance after his heroics.

Here are two Irish Christmas blessings that sum up the holidays for me:

“May you be blessed with the spirit of the season, which is peace, the gladness of the season, which is hope, and the heart of the season, which is love.”

“This Christmas may you have … Walls for the wind, and a roof for the rain, and drinks beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, and those you love near you, and all that your heart may desire.”

My friend Susan Money, owner of Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat at Santa Teresa Beach in Costa Rica, shared with me that, for her, love, grace and gratitude are the three keys to the meaning of this time of year. “The specialness of the Christian and Jewish holiday season inspires me with a sense of love, grace and gratitude. I believe that we are all One and all connected,” she said.

Susan wrote a lovely message on the website blog of Pranamar Villas expressing gratitude to her hotel’s guests: “The holiday season allows us all time to reflect and appreciate. Pranamar has been blessed by all of you. Thank you. We hope to serve you always with love, kindness, grace and gratitude.”

A little about Pranamar Villas: Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat is a beachfront hotel at Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula. The Costa Rica beach hotel specializes in yoga classes, all-inclusive yoga vacations, surfing holidays and beach vacations.

Article by Shannon Farley

Six Reasons to Keep Traveling and Stay Young at Heart

We all love things that make us feel young (or remember our youth), feel free and be happy. Traveling is almost always in the top 10 – even if only to an old neighborhood where we once lived. Why?

1. Traveling opens up our world.

In today's world, where emails and smart phones often replace face-to-face interaction, traveling makes us get out and connect with humanity. Traveling changes our scenery. When we travel, we leave our daily routine and see new things which stimulate our mind and encourage creative energy.

2. Traveling teaches us to relax.

Whether we want to or not at first, we have to chill out to really enjoy traveling. Traveling for pleasure rejuvenates us physically and mentally so we can return to our daily routine with more energy and patience. Taking a break from our routine – work, school, daily to-dos of parenthood, household chores, etc. – refreshes our mind and gives us the freedom we need to renew.

3. Traveling makes us active both physically and mentally.

Traveling by its very nature makes us move. Whether we're exploring a museum, walking the streets of an ancient capital, shopping in a bazaar, hiking in the woods, or simply lying on a sunny beach in Costa Rica, we are being active. New places may make us want to try new activities … ziplining or waterfall rappelling, anyone? Besides being good for our bodies, physical exercise is also good for our brains. Mental stimulation, especially languages, improves brain function and protects against age-related losses in memory or motor skills. In other words, "use it or lose it."

4. Traveling helps us to discover new things. 

Traveling is education through experience. Travel brings to life things books only describe, no matter how well. When we travel, we learn there are many different ways of thinking and that other people have their own customs of living and doing things that work equally just as well. Traveling the globe makes us lifelong learners.

5. Traveling brings humility and connection.

Travel teaches humility. When we travel, we are often at the mercy of needing help from others. A kind, open, humble attitude gets us much farther than nastiness and arrogance. As we travel more, we learn that language, customs and exterior differences aside, that people share the same basic desires and concerns. We start to see that the world is both a big and small place, and how interconnected we all really are.

6. Traveling teaches appreciation – for home, loved ones, good food, good company, beautiful sights, art, music, freedom, your blessings … and the list is endless.

Travel to Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica

The laid-back beach town of Santa Teresa is near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. Mal Pais, Playa Carmen, Santa Teresa and Playa Hermosa – once secret hideaways for surfers and backpackers are now popular beaches sprinkled with eco-lodges, beach bungalows and upscale luxury boutique hotels. Yet, this multinational paradise with world-class surf breaks remains off-the-beaten path.

Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat is a relaxing oasis on the beach at Santa Teresa, with elaborate oceanfront villas and tropical bungalows in lush tropical gardens. Designed in exotic Bali-style, the luxury boutique hotel gives daily in-house yoga classes, and all-inclusive yoga vacations and surfing holidays.

Article by Shannon Farley

10 top medicinal foods and herbs of Costa Rica

What if keeping a doctor's visit at bay is solved simply by what we eat? Even more, what if herbs grown right in our backyard and foods we can pick up at any corner store can heal what ails us, including the pesky common cold?

Humans have relied on foods and herbs for medicine for thousands of years. In Costa Rica, it turns out that plenty of easy-to-find familiar foods are actually just what the doctor ordered.

Here are 10 top medicinal foods and a list of herbs commonly found in Costa Rica. (Most information is taken from the book Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica by Ed Bernhardt.)

Pineapple: This nutritious, antibacterial tropical fruit contains bromelain, which is effective against certain throat and mouth infections. Pineapple is high in Vitamins A, B and C.

Papaya: The most common fruit in Costa Rica next to pineapple, papaya is effective at treating digestive problems – indigestion and constipation – as well as liver problems, as a diuretic for the kidneys, and to lower high blood pressure.

Coconut: Coconut palms are everywhere along Costa Rica's beaches. People here drink the young coconut water, called "Pipa", which helps revive you after too much sun, too much drink, being seasick, or when you are low on energy. Both the coconut meat and water are used for digestion problems, gastritis, ulcers and liver ailments.

Star Fruit: Called "carambola" in Costa Rica, Star Fruit hails from Malaysia and is a powerful antioxidant with lots of C and B-complex vitamins. The tart fruit is served as a natural juice in Costa Rica and as a garnish.

Cilantro: Cilantro, or coriander, came from Europe to the Neotropics and is used preventatively as an antioxidant and natural cleanser. As well it serves for an upset stomach, vomiting and diarrhea. Wild spiny coriander, called "culantro coyote" in Costa Rica, is native to the Neotropics and has the same properties as regular cilantro.

Ginger: Ginger has been used for centuries in India and Asia as a spice and medicine. Ginger is antibacterial and antiviral and can help prevent infections. Use it to treat colds and flu, sore throats, morning and motion sickness, and circulatory, digestive, kidney, and bladder problems. As a natural stimulant, ginger is a good substitute for coffee. Easiest way to use ginger is to boil it into a tea or cook with it as a spice. Sucking on a small piece of ginger will relieve a sore throat and help ease motion sickness.

Turmeric: Bright orange turmeric (in the ginger family) has been a staple in Ayurvedic medicine for roughly 6,000 years. It is an antioxidant and has been used to purify the blood, relieve stomach problems, indigestion, liver and gallbladder diseases, arthritis and rheumatism, and for colds and flu. Raw turmeric applied to the skin is effective in treating inflammations, infections, bruises and sprains.

Lemongrass: Originally from India, lemongrass grows prolifically in Costa Rica. Lemongrass tea (made by simply boiling fresh leaves) is used to treat colds and flu, gastrointestinal disorders, nervous conditions, pain and inflammation. Add ginger and honey to your tea to really knock out a cold.

Honey: One of the most well-known antibacterial foods in the world, honey has been used medicinally by many different cultures for centuries. Long before synthetic antibiotics were developed, honey was used as an antibacterial treatment for wounds and illness. Studies have documented honey's effectiveness in treating cuts, burns, insect bites, yeast infections, various skin conditions, and fungal infections.

 Honey also is nature's natural energy and immune system booster.

Chan: This strange seed drink is still served in many Costa Rican "sodas," or local diners, though most people don't know what it is. Native to Central America, the seeds of this roadside plant have been used to relieve indigestion, gastritis and constipation. The drink – made by mixing dry black Chan seeds in water with honey for sweetener – looks like a glass of milky frog's eggs. However, Chan is very healthy … and it doesn't taste like frog's eggs!

Herbs: There are numerous beneficial herbs, which are a great way to flavor meals and prevent disease at the same time. Here is a list of herbs you can find easily in Costa Rica with antibacterial properties:

• Basil
• Bay leaf
• Cardamom
• Chili peppers (Cayenne)
• Cilantro (Coriander)
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Cumin
• Dill
• Mints – spearmint and peppermint
• Oregano
• Pepper
• Rosemary
• Thyme

All of these medicinal foods and more are served in the healthy gourmet cuisine of the Buddha Eyes Restaurant at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat at Santa Teresa Beach. The luxury Costa Rica beachfront hotel fronts the internationally-renowned Playa Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. 

A TripAdvisor 2013 award winner, Pranamar Villas features daily yoga classes, yoga retreats and workshops, all-inclusive yoga vacations, surfing and yoga holidays, and has a beachfront spa.

Article by Shannon Farley

Santa Teresa, at a development crossroads, is still heaven.

z

Santa Teresa, like many other small communities located in gorgeous locations in Costa Rica, finds itself at a development crossroads. Pave or not pave the road? How to solve the fresh water issue? How to avoid high-rise overdevelopment?

Yet Santa Teresa’s growth spurt has definitely brought positive outcomes like jobs and a thriving multi-cultural community.

Residents at the laid-back beach town, near the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, say that despite the growing pains, Santa Teresa will remain the pristine paradise that first lured surfers and backpackers two decades ago “Santa Teresa will never be that big because the mountains and ocean won’t allow it,” said Mario Matarrita, manager at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat in Santa Teresa. “We’re just a narrow strip of land along the beach with large coastal mountains behind us.”Pranamar Villas special events manager, Larissa Chevalier, added praise to the enforcement of the maritime concession law in Santa Teresa. The nationwide law prohibits permanent structures on any beach within 50 meters of the high tide line. “You can walk down the beach in Santa Teresa and you don’t see any hotels or bars or any development right on the beach. You can look through the trees and see buildings, but nothing right on the beach. It leaves the beach pristine,” said Chevalier, who moved from Canada to Santa Teresa years ago.

"We’ve got issues with the road, water, crime – just like any growing area,” said Chevalier. “At the same time, there are positives with development, like recycling, beach clean ups, etc.”

The Tourism Board in Santa Teresa and Mal Pais actively promotes many projects, commented Matarrita. One of their main focuses now is improving public beach access, he said. Many of the hotels contribute to regular beach cleaning, and environmental groups are forming in the area.

“Santa Teresa still has something special and untouched, and at the end of the day, I’m still happy to live here,” said Chevalier. “I live in one of the most amazing places on the planet.”

Article by Shannon Farley

Paginas Verdes Costa Rica

Páginas Verdes es un directorio que busca incluir a todas las empresas amigables con el ambiente en Costa Rica. Según sus fundadores, la intención es que con el auge de los productos verdes haya más personas interesadas en productos y servicios sostenibles.

La guía incluye desde los productos ecológicos más comunes hasta otros menos usuales. En ella los consumidores costarricenses encontrarán café orgánico, productores de alimentos, proveedores de energía alternativa, reciclaje y transporte verde.

La empresa ha ayudado a negocios para que se transformen en empresas más respetuosas con el entorno. También ha brindado consultorías al Gobierno de la República para mejorar las prácticas sostenibles.

Páginas Verdes toma una visión holística a la hora de evaluar una empresa, basada sobre todo en el tipo de venta que haga: de productos, servicios u organización no gubernamental (ONG).

La idea surgió en 2008 y el lanzamiento virtual un año más tarde. Además del sitio web, existe una edición impresa. El siguiente paso es crear una aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes, en un intento por ampliar su alcance.

De modo afín, a partir del 2013 desean promover actividades de tipo formativo en temáticas vinculadas al medio ambiente. Se hará énfasis en eventos y ferias nacionales.

Es que no cabe duda que el respeto al ambiente ha venido para quedarse. En ese sentido, el hotel y villas Pranamar se ha montado en la ola. Sus administradores y propietarios se han dedicado a ofrecer un servicio de primera calidad del lado con la protección ecológica. Ubicado en Playa Santa Teresa de Cóbano, en la provincia de Puntarenas, cuenta con una variedad de habitaciones que se adecua a sus deseos, además de un restaurante que se especializa en cocina saludable.

Leer Más: http://www.pranamarvillas.com/es/blog-es/41-sostenibilidad/111-busque-en-paginas-verdes-todo-para-ser-ecologico.html

Por: Andrés Figueroa Vásquez.

Traveling in Costa Rica as a vegetarian or vegan is easy.

I had a pair of friends visit me in Costa Rica not long ago who were vegetarian and vegan. My first reaction was, "Oh, no, what are they going to eat?" I know how much Costa Ricans love their chicken, beef, chicharrones (fried pork), fish, etc.

They said, not to worry. Rice and beans are the nation's main staples, and there is a wealth of fresh vegetables and tropical fruits. It's true!

Traveling in Costa Rica as a vegetarian or vegan, or even needing a gluten-free or dairy-free diet, is relatively easy. Rice and beans (both red and black) are present at every meal, including breakfast. Steamed vegetables, simple salads, fried plantains, corn tortillas, and plenty of tropical fruits are common and readily available. If you eat fish, the country is full of fresh fish (both saltwater and fresh water) and seafood.

Here are some easy tips for eating vegetarian / vegan while traveling in Costa Rica:

1. Learn food names in Spanish so you can understand a menu and ask for what you'd like. (See my handy English/Spanish food guide below!)
2. Be very clear about what you can eat / not eat. Just saying that you are "vegeteriano/a" (vegetarian) does not guarantee you won't be served fish or chicken, or that bits of meat aren't mixed in a dish.
3. Order a combination of several appetizers or side dishes if you can't find any entree on the menu that works. Costa Rica has several very-filling vegetarian soups, for instance.
4. Make a request. Maybe something on the menu looks really appetizing, but they've included chicken in it. Simply ask them to prepare it with vegetables instead of chicken. "Arroz con pollo" (rice with chicken) can be turned into "Arroz Jardinero" (rice with vegetables), for example.
5. Be flexible. Remember, you are traveling in a different country with its own culture, cuisine, customs and ways of doing things. Costa Ricans are friendly and will do their best to help if you have patience and explain what you need.
6. Seek out vegetarian restaurants. There are many throughout the country. Chinese restaurants also are popular and always have vegetarian options.

The open-air restaurant at Pranamar Oceanfront Villas & Yoga Retreat, at world-renowned Santa Teresa Beach, specializes in healthy cuisine and can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other special dietary needs. The luxury boutique hotel fronts the spectacular beach of Santa Teresa on the southern Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica.

Their Buddha Eyes Restaurant, positioned beautifully on the edge of a lagoon-style pool, merges Pacific Rim and Asian cuisine with native Costa Rican and Italian touches. They feature organic Costa Rican fruits and vegetables, creative vegetarian cooking, and fresh just-out-of-the-ocean fish and shellfish.

Head Chef Rodrigo Soriano of Argentina specializes in fish and grilled meats. Chef Claudio "Cicco" Mazzone from Italy is known far and wide for his homemade eggplant parmesan, based on his grandmother's secret recipe. Chef Jesus Zabala from Venezuela adds his touch to vegan and vegetarian dishes. Guests rave about Pranamar's salads, hotel staff said. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served seven days a week and the restaurant is open to the public.

A TripAdvisor 2013 Certificate of Excellence award winner, Pranamar Villas features luxurious two-story poolside villas, elaborate oceanfront villas and tropical bungalows in lush tropical gardens. Pranamar gives daily in-house yoga classes, regular yoga retreats and workshops, all-inclusive yoga vacations, surfing and yoga holidays, and has a beachfront spa with relaxing massages and body treatments.

English/Spanish food guide for Costa Rica

• Gallo pinto – White rice and usually black beans cooked with garlic, onion, red bell pepper and cilantro. Served for breakfast.
• Huevos (revueltos / fritos) – Eggs (scrambled / fried)
• Frutas -- Fruit
• Granola – Granola (easy!)
• Yogurt -- Yogurt
• Chorreadas – Corn pancakes served for breakfast or with coffee. (Check to make sure they are not made with milk if you are eating dairy-free.)
• Platanos – Fried plantains
• Casado (sin carne / pollo / pescado) – Typical meal (without meat / chicken / fish) for lunch or dinner. The dish consists of white rice, black beans, fried plantains, and salad of lettuce, tomato and onion. Vegetarian options serve steamed vegetables.
• Arroz – Rice
• Frijoles – Beans
• Vegetales al vapor – Steamed vegetables
• Arroz Jardinero – Garden, or vegetarian, rice dish
• Sopa Negra – Black bean soup (usually served with a hard-boiled egg; just ask for "no huevos" if you want dairy-free).
• Ensalada -- Salad
• Batidos en agua – Fruit smoothies in water ("en leche" is in milk)
• Tortillas de maiz – Corn tortillas

By Shannon Farley