Gaia Community: Samasati's Blog

Find Yourself ~ In Paradise Deepen your Yoga Practice

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:38:41 GMT

Immerse yourself in Yoga practice, whether newly on the yoga path or an experienced yogi. Learn ‘tools’ to lead a healthier lifestyle. Asana, Pranayam and Meditation. Create a home practice. Learn more about the yoga practices.

For more information: www.dorothyoga.com or email dorothyoga@hotmail.com or phone 250-653-4655

Tags: Costa Rica, vacation, spring, tropics, healing, meditation, yoga, beaches, Caribbean, ecological

Cleansing vacation at Samasati!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 01:41:38 GMT

Yoga Cleansing Vacation

Samasati is a gorgeous resort on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Nestled in the lush forest on top of a hill overlooking the ocean, is the ideal place t have a fun and healthy vacation. Make December an opportunity to cleanse your mind, emotions, and body to be renewed and ready to face a new year!

Every weekend during the month of December Samasati is hosting a Three Days Yoga Cleansing workshop lead by Tracy Hicks and Kelsey Ale, both licensed therapists. You will learn and use the Kriyas (yoga cleaning practices) to release stress/trauma and cleanse the physical body through an invigorating asana practice.

Price starting from $ 450.00 all included

For more information:

http://www.samasati.com/index.php/yoga-detox-weekends.html

For reservations call: 800 563 9643

Tags: Costa Rica, vacation, December, tropics, healing, meditation, yoga, beaches, Caribbean, ecological

Costa Rica Beaches & Bliss FELDENKRAIS Retreat With Shari Lee

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:18:28 GMT

Recharge your body & spirit!

Join us as we embark on a path of relaxation, restoration and rejuvenation at Samasati, an inviting eco-retreat in the heart of 250 acres of virgin tropical forest, overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea. Begin each day with a FELDENKRAIS® session that will nurture your sense of well-being and invite fluidity into your every move. Enjoy the exquisite level of comfort that arises from within your deeply relaxed, supple, newly reorganized body. Deepen your contentment by allowing yourself the luxury of listening to your body's own rhythms & follow them by doing whatever makes your heart content. Absorb the ambiance of each of 4 nearby beaches and revel in all that each has to offer, whether you choose to snorkel, surf, beachcomb or simply soak up the sun as you settle deeply into warm sands. Immerse yourself in the sights & sounds of amazing jungle wildlife, as you walk jungle trails or gently sway from your veranda's hammock. Become satiated by delicious, lovingly prepared meals. Relax among a community of like-minded participants and enjoy the synergy of being part of a group with shared intention.

Package Cost: $1295 - $1575 per person (based on your choice of lodging)

Contact Shari at (907) 274-3539 or MovementOptions@yahoo.com

Tags: Costa Rica, massage, retreat, nature, sustainable, relaxation, adventure, tropical, Caribbean

Costa Rica, Samasati: a true retreat!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:22:21 GMT

Dear Silvia,

I absolutely loved Samasati and will come back! I loved being surrounded by the native Costa Rican cooks in the kitchen and your staff there. Kimberly was a great help. Two of our travelers had bad weather and the flight was late
and thy had to stay in San Jose for the night. She was able to make all the arrangements for me to get them to Samasati the next day.
I really liked my bungalow, #6, and waking up to the green lush view from my bed and listening to the monkeys and birds. The food was truly delicious.

We painted in the dining area which does have good light and a beautiful view.
I enjoyed meeting Max, he returned the night before we left. I love the "vision" you have in the booklet you give to people staying there to read.

Warm regards,
Susan

Tags: costa Rica, Christmas, Winter, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable

Vacation ~ Meditation ~ Yoga ~ Adventure: Costa Rica

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:24:46 GMT

~7 days of your choice between Dec 20 - Jan.3, 2010 ~

Join us in a retreat to de-stress, immerse yourself in nature, have time to reflect, enjoy, tune into healthy living and immediately discover its benefits!

Samasati is truly a one-of-a–kind hotel in Costa Rica. Nestled in 250 acres of virgin forest overlooking the ocean, the retreat is based on high standards of sustainable living, and is the perfect (and romantic!) getaway for nature lovers, adventure fans and yoga practitioners.

Each day provides time for adventure through excursions like Canopy (zip line between trees tops!), Waterfall trekking, Horseback riding and kayaking, visit at the nearby spectacular beaches of the South Caribbean Coast, as well as time for leisure and pampering yourself, enjoying the freshly made vegetarian food, participating to one or two yoga classes and meditations daily offered and receiving a massage or a treatment at the Jungle Spa.

Samasati Nature Retreat staff will provide a unique opportunity to turn inward and connect deeply to your self while turning outward and enjoying new adventures and experiences inspired by our surroundings.

Few comments on Samasati Experience:

“ This yoga retreat was truly a retreat. Nestled away from the hustle and bustle of life … enjoying nature and a good book … the views of Puerto Viejo are incredible, friendly staff, fantastic vegetarian food. Howler monkeys, sloths, frogs, toucans, owls, parrots - open your eyes, you will find it in the canopy. Simply Surrounded by true beauty! ...”

Visit us and come away with renewed clarity in your life purpose and an incredible freshness of Being!

www.samasati.com

Tags: Costa Rica, Christmas, Winter, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable

Christmas and New Year on the name of Ecology and Sustainability

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:26:52 GMT

Did you already decided where to go in December?

Check this out:

7 nights in the South Caribbean of Costa Rica with delicious vegetarian meals, transportation from and to the airport and taxes....

Do not miss it!

www.samasati.com

Tags: Costa Rica, Christmas, Winter, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable

Yoga - ecotourism - Costa Rica: All in one in Los Angeles!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:41:44 GMT

Hi!

WE have been participating to the Yoga month in Los Angeles on SEptember the 20th.

Great opportunity to meet single minded people and very glad to see that people interested in yoga and health are the ones who are moving towards Green tourism and sustainability...

It is all what Samasati is about.

Come and visit

Tags: Costa Rica, sustainable, ecology, eco-tourism, Caribbean, vacation, vegetarian, yoga

News at Samasati nature Retreat!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:26:22 GMT

Check out our new web site!!

It is fantastic!

http://www.samasati.com

Enjoy it

Tags: Costa Rica, yoga, Caribbean, adventure, nature, ecological, meditation, consciousness, forest

Yoga teacher training in Costa Rica

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 21:34:16 GMT

Dear Noelia,

Thank you so much for your many kindnesses and help with arranging things for me and my fellow classmates at Samasati. The experience literally changed our lives: our values, character, and spirits. We each returned from Samasati a better person than when we first arrived.

We also want to extend sincere thanks to all the people who work at Samasati for their exceptional dedication to our needs. The food was simply amazing. Every day the ladies performed culinary miracles in their kitchen. They prepared a variety of fresh, delicious foods that were of the highest quality. The cleaning service was professional, fast, and attentive to details, often surprising us with beautiful flowers on our linens. The transportation was always reliable, courteous, and prompt; and the grounds were meticulously attended with the utmost respect to the natural beauty of the rainforest that envelopes Samasati.

In addition, we must mention Gita, the resident yoga instructor - who often engaged us with stimulating conversations and advice - and Kimberly and Aldomar, the managers - who took special care to insure that everything ran in a smooth, professional, and orderly manner.

While all of this is impressive, what is truly notable is the pride the people of Samasati take in their tasks and the warm, friendly hospitality they extended to us as guests in Costa Rica. They prepared birthday cakes for those several of us who had birthdays during our stay, and they prepared special teas and chest compresses if we were ill.

Finally, we were especially fortunate to have Marianne Wells provide us world-class training at Samasati. She is a truly inspiring yogini and a deeply gifted teacher. She touched each of us in a unique way, bringing out the best in us so that we are now better prepared for our journey to pass on the gift of yoga to others.

Samasati is a mystical place of unsurpassed beauty and welcoming people. Please pass on my deepest gratitude on behalf of myself and my beloved classmates to everyone involved in making this treasured visit on 25 July to 9 August 2009 to Samasati so very, very meaningful. . . .

Namaste,

Chris Lane ~

Ashleigh Penrod, Bobbie Jo Reid, Carolyn Ezell, Catherine Dolan, Danielle Gentilcore, Denise Karey, Elizabeth Jones, Emer O ' Sullivan, Hailley Schwartz, Heather Baron, Heather Laflamme, Jamie Laviolette, Kelly Towle, Laura Hunter, Leah Meulemans, Lisa Smith, Nancy Loedy, Chelly Gifford, Sara Reese, Teresa Schoendorf, and Vicki Townsend

Tags: Costa Rica, yoga, Caribbean, adventure, nature, ecological, meditation, consciousness, forest

Memorable vacation in the Caribbean

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:35:01 GMT

Hello,

Beeing at Samasati on my trip to Costa Rica helped make my experience there awesome, wonderful and truly memorable.   I look at my photos and I see nature, the frogs, the trees, the sea and the horses; the zip line, the waterfalls and the mountains.   But, most of all, I see your faces which are the most important memories of my trip.

I was awed by your friendliness, kindness, and love.   I felt part of a large (functional) family which meant so much to me.   We're lucky that in this time in history it's so easy to remain in contact; no longer the need to write everyone long handwritten letters (which is still so nice to do), and which never seemed to get done.   What with email and Facebook I hope we can continue to be part of each other's lives.

My journey is filled with love.   May your day be happy and filled with beauty.

i will post my photos soon and let you know where I did, and I will send out some to individuals by email.

Love,

Sonja

Tags: Costa Rica, yoga, Caribbean, adventure, nature, ecological, meditation, consciousness, forest

Costa Rica: humanitarian activities at Samasati!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 21:29:14 GMT

Ambassador for children has sponsored a summer camp at Samasati Nature Retreat for 20 children of the local school...

it has been a success and this is what the teacher has wrote about her experience:

“ The children were wonderful to work with. Everyday we would have an hour English lesson. Each group collected words and phrases in their notebooks, and drew pictures to enhance understanding and comprehension. We would meditate and do a small yoga lesson twice a day. Our hikes were beautiful, and the children were inspired to create beautiful paintings and drawings. The final mandala drawing and coloring was a very unique experience. All the kids (a total of 20 of them) have been enriched by the silence, the focus, the simple activities, the genuine fun and by having a deeper understanding of what nature and the surroundings can provide in terms of a safe environment to explore and to know. At last we gave them the t-shirts and they were really surprised ! I think they have never got so much attention and new games and new imput!!
Their eyes were always quite big and they were VERY attentive to what the next moment was reserving.
They have memories for a life time. Thank you for the opportunity”

THANK YOU to the Ambassador for children to make it happen!

Tags: Costa Rica, yoga, Caribbean, adventure, nature, ecological, meditation, consciousness, forest

Costa Rica tops happiness, 'green living' poll

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 21:44:23 GMT

SAN JOSE (AFP) - Costa Rica is the happiest place on earth, and one of the most environmentally friendly, according to a new survey by a British non-governmental group.

The New Economics Foundation looked at 143 countries that are home to 99 percent of the world's population and devised an equation that weighed life expectancy and people's happiness against their environmental impact.

By that formula, Costa Rica is the happiest, greenest country in the world, just ahead of the Dominican Republic.

Latin American countries did well in the survey, occupying nine of the top 10 spots.

Australia scored third place, but other major Western nations did poorly, with Britain coming in at 74th place and the United States at 114th.

The New Economics Foundation's measurements found Costa Ricans have a life expectancy of 78.5 years, and 85 percent of the country's residents say they are happy and satisfied with their lives.

Those figures, taken along with the fact that Costa Rica has a small "ecological footprint," combined to push the small nation to the top of the list.

A 2006 New Economics Foundation study designated Vanuatu the world's happiest nation, with Costa Rica at second place.

Sociologist Andrea Fonseca said Costa Rica gives its citizens the "tools" to be happy, but cautioned that happiness cannot be calculated just by looking at life expectancy and environmental practices.

She added that the country's rise to the top of the Happy Planet Index "has a lot to do with social imagination."

Costa Rica has a peaceful reputation because it does not have an army, and is also known for its protected ecological zones and national slogan "pure life," she said

Tags: costa Rica summer, forest, ecological, sustainable, relax, yoga, nature, vegetarian

Michele Baker in Costa Rica!!!! Yoga and wonders

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:13:40 GMT

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO AND JOIN US!!!!

http://vimeo.com/5385106

with love to everyone!

Silvia

Tags: Costa Rica summer, forest, ecological, sustainable, relax, yoga, nature, vegetarian

TRibute to the tree in its day...

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 21:59:30 GMT

The question today is What is left of the trees, these magnificent creatures that are with us and dominate our landscapes? How they have dominated the valleys and mountains of our lands, particularly in the Tropics, covering it with a green carp?

Trees provide under its canopy, countless ecosystems where life has evolved to produce an explosively rich terrestrial biodiversity. They also protect and enrich the soil and retain rain water in ecosystems, provide shade and provide food for a chain of living organisms. Today the forests are predominantly composed of vascular plants, which means with a circulatory system to conduct water and nutrients (but without a heart), and a cellulose skeleton on which they grow to stay closer to the sun. Its leaves have green granules which capture solar energy through photosynthesis. Cellulose, a polymer (chain of molecules) the consists of rings containing carbon is one of the most abundant organic substances in the tree and is the main component of wood.

Plants, through photosynthesis, capture carbon dioxide from the air, CO2, since ancient times, trapping it to form sugars and other substances such as cellulose. It is estimated that the primitive atmosphere contained abundant CO2, that by photosynthesis was transferred to the earth, and eventually to organic deposits such as coal, oil and natural gas. Today, exists in small amount (0.035%) of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its presence is important to keep the hot surface because without the greenhouse effect the Earth's surface would be frozen. We know that it’s presence in excess, would make life impossible, the extreme case is the planet Venus with a 97% CO2 atmosphere and an atmospheric temperature of 900oC! (It is two times hotter than a conventional oven, and therefore no water or ice).

Another vital gas for living beings is oxygen (O2), which is not found in another part of the solar system, only on earth. It is proposed that the atmospheric oxygen, which now represents 20% of the air, is the product of photosynthesis, which captures the CO2 and release it as by-product. All plants and animals use this oxygen for combustion of the sugars we get to eat. Our life depends on photosynthesis because it is the biological mechanism that captures solar energy directly, and introduces oxygen into the atmosphere which allows the burning of sugars when cellular respiration. Oxygen is very reactive and its abundance in the atmosphere is unusual. For this reason, NASA researchers use oxygen as a marker of life in the investigation of planetary systems outside our solar system.

Life originated in the sea and therefore we have to seek the origin of the trees in the marine ancestors, photosynthetic cyanobacteria far above the vascular plants and who were responsible for photosynthesis during most of life at the sea. Its fossils remain dating back up to 3.5 billion years ago, long before the invasion of life on earth. Cyanobacteria are bacterial cell type that developed green pigments that function as antennae to capture sunlight and bringing this energy to the synthesis of many substances.

Vascular plants are composed of other cells called eucariónicas, much larger, a core, able to trap and digest small bacteria. To visualize the difference in size, if the plant cell were of the size of a watermelon, the bacteria would be of the same size of the seeds. Studies indicate that millions of years ago cell eucariónica ingested a cyanobacterium and ended up developing a symbiotic (mutually beneficial relationship) between them, that during the evolutionary time was consolidated with the transfer of a lot of the genetic information to the core of the bacterial plant cell, now a days the ancestral bacteria, the chloroplast may not be reproduced without the cell nucleus. With a simple light microscope we can see the clusters of green pigment called chlorophyll, within the cytoplasm of the cells in a leaf. Through this journey this wonderful plant life sprouted across the land. The invasion of the land is a recent event in the history of life, the forests are now very different to primary forests.

There is a special gift waiting a few hours from San Jose in the upper parts of the National Park Braulio Carrillo, a forest of tree ferns which takes us back through time to the forests of the Devonian, 350 million years ago. A treasure that is priceless. Thanks to Life, thanks to the trees!

Coordinator Peace with Nature, Casa Presidencial.

Tags: Costa Rica summer, forest, ecological, sustainable, relax, yoga, nature, vegetarian

Great vacation!!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:51:11 GMT

We had a great time!
The rooms and food were very good. I was especially surprised, and pleased with my birthday cake....
The scheduling for our excursions was well managed.
The yoga was excellent, The messages were excellent.

We were very happy with our stay and hope to be back soon

Tags: costa Rica, summer, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable, vacation

A fantastic vacation in Costa Rica!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:13:43 GMT

Hello Noelia –

I returned home just last Sunday after 11 days in beautiful Costa Rica and wanted to pass on my thanks (and my travel companion) for an absolutely wonderful week at Samasati. It is a special place that I can’t even begin to describe to others! Everything was exceptional – the staff, the food, the yoga, the jungle. It was truly amazing. Your staff – all of them! - were so warm and friendly, interesting and caring. With our early morning departure though, we forgot to leave our ‘thanks’ to the women who tended to our room. Would there be a way to do that from here without too much difficulty?

Thank you again for all your help in getting us to Samasati – I truly hope to visit again sometime very soon!

All the very best,
Betty A.

Tags: Costa Rica, summer, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable, vacation

Honeymoon at Samasati nature Retreat

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:46:05 GMT

We had a wonderful and fun honeymoon week in Costa Rica! It was truly unlike anything we had ever experienced before! We loved all the girls, and especially appreciated Jemima, Merrica, Lindsey, and Kim! (We maybe leaving some one off, but the staff just made everything so comfortable and welcoming... including you, my friend! ) George and I had a fantastic time at our Samasati honeymoon retreat! I know, "roughing it" in the jungle is not for everyone, but for the two of us, it was perfect. I already miss the good food, and am craving the banana cake with cocoa frosting from our last evening meal. Do you think you could get the recipe? If its in Spanish, it's ok, I'll have my sister translate it for me! (Seriously!)

Overall, our trip to Costa Rica was amazing, and we will recommend Samasati on the trip advisor website and to all of our friends!

Hugs and many thanks!

Tags: Costa Rica, Honeymoon, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable, vacation

From Costa Rica! Relax and fun

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:01:32 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I had a wonderful time at the retreat. The staff was great and friendly. I will be back and have told quite a few people about you! Thanks for the wonderful, stress free time.

Cheers.

Thanks,
Jill

Tags: Costa Rica, Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, retreat, holidays, Workshop, nature, Caribbean

Tai Chi Chuan in Costa Rica!!!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 21:57:24 GMT

May 30 - June 6

June 6 - June 13

This Six Days course teaches the Thirteen Essential Postures of Tai Chi Chuan. The participants will learn a 20 minutes sequence of postures and transitions that they will be able to practice on their own, receiving all the benefits of Tai Chi practice. No experience is necessary and all abilities are welcome.

Tai-Chi is a sequence of gentle flowing movements that cultivate relaxation and develop concentration. Tai-Chi practice also develops physical strength, emotional calm and serenity, and mental clarity. Maximum effect is achieved with minimum effort.

Tai-Chi has been recognized for its numerous health benefits. It improves circulation, enhances joint flexibility, opens the compression of the spine, lowers blood pressure, and naturally improves posture.

Daily schedule :

Morning meditation

Breakfast

3 hours session:

Introduction to Tai Chi Chuan

The Essential Postures

Lunch

Afternoon beach/free excursion time

Dinner

Troy McPeak is a Certified Yoga Instructor, Pranassage Practitioner®, Registered Professional Engineer. He was certified in the 13 Essential Postures of Tai Chi Chuan in Chiang Mai Thailand. He teaches courses in different countries, between them Costa Rica, United States, Thailand and Europe.

Rates include accommodation for seven nights, all meals and Tai Chi classes.

samasati@samasati.com

Tags: Costa Rica, Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, retreat, holidays, Workshop, nature, Caribbean

Yoga Journal GIVEAWAY for the Earth Day!!

http://SamasatiCostaRica.gaia.com — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:20:40 GMT

Yoga Journal Magazine is celebrating Earth Day with a FREE online issue. In our efforts to stay eco-friendly, we set a goal to plant 10,000 trees through TreePals, global tree planting organization. Click here www.yogajournal.com/digital for your FREE digital issue and enter-to-win an exciting giveaway!

Tags: Costa Rica, Spring, Caribbean, Yoga, Tropical, adventure, ecoturism, sustainable, vacation