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Ever wondered what makes AmaSer’s Third Eye Chakra smoothie so delicious? The Butterfly Pea Flower behind it all!

Ayurveda History

The butterfly pea flower, scientifically known as Clitoria Ternatea, stems all the way back to ancient Ayurveda as well as traditional Asian and Middle Eastern medicine practices. This blue flower can be found growing wild in South American and Asian regions today. This vibrant flora has been used throughout history for food and drink due to its health and medicinal properties.

Benefits  

This small but mighty blue flower has incredibly strong antioxidants that promote neurological, skin, and heart health. The super antioxidant powder from the flower aids in the bodies fight against damage such as inflammation and signs of aging in the skin. The powder promotes the healthy aging of the life cycle of the cells due to its rich content of anthocyanins! As for neurological benefits, the Butterfly Pea Flower Powder has been shown to enhance...

We love supporting local artisans and there is a lot out shops in Puerto Viejo and we now how hard it can be to decide what to fit in and what to skip.

Discover our Puerto Viejo shopping guide  featuring best locals souvenirs, design and fashion shops 

LUNA MAY

Luna May is a local clothing designer who makes fashionable lightweight Caribbean clothing. Stop in her shops downtown and take home unique prints that will forever remind you of your time in Caribe Sur.

WANDERLUST

Wanderlust is one of the coolest shops in town to shop for locally crafted souvenirs, bikinis, books about Costa Rica, sunglasses, hats, hammocks, Caribbean style masks! They have so many cool and colorful things to look at and buy!

ROAM COFFEE

Located in the heart of Puerto Viejo, Roam offers a walk up coffee bar where you can enjoy good coffee and good people watching. Sweet! Also check out the shop for cool t-shirts to take back to your friends.

NATURAMA

Last time, we gave a general overview of the eight limbs of Yoga (Ashtanga), and the importance of two of those limbs – the Yamas & Niyamas. We also touched upon one of the Yamas, Ahimsa (Non-violence), one of the more straightforward of the eight. All of the limbs are considered equal, but some are more impactful and jarring to Western culture than others. With that said, introducing possibly the most rewarding Niyamas for us Westerners – Santosha. Santosha is all about being content. If you follow any Yoga focused pages, or any happiness-based books – you’ll be familiar with the concept of contentment. It’s said to be a great door to satisfaction in life. Sounds simple, right? Well, it seems especially in the last 100 years or so, Western society has pushed more towards discontent than ever. Strong marketing campaigns and constant messaging has made feeling “incomplete” the norm. Walk to a busy town and you’ll overhear “If...

Throughout Costa Rica you will find over 300 different medicinal plants used by the local population. Due do the country's geographic attribute Costa Rica is the perfect place of growing conditions for plant life. 

Here are some of common everyday herbs of the Caribbean. That way when you come and visit us at Amaser you can go and look for them in our gardens. 

Cacao

Cacao is considered a “superfood” in the West, chock full of antioxidants and a stimulating tonic, but it is an ancient medicine that has been used ceremonially and more casually in Central America for millennia....

Planets and signs have traditionally been assigned to individual body parts and organs in astrology. If there are multiple planets in a sign, it may mean that those parts of the body are more su sceptible to disease.

People who practice yoga should always include in their set those yoga positions that best benefit the part of the body that is associated with their sign.

Aries in astrology controls the head, face, brain and eyes.

• Leaning forward (Padahastásana) is an excellent position especially for people with low pressure. It gives the spine flexibility and strength. Improves the flexibility of tendons and ligaments in the legs. It works against the deposition of fat on the abdomen, stimulates the activity of the stomach, liver and spleen. Supports blood circulation in the legs, head and face. It works against the formation of wrinkles.
• The position of the child (Balásana) is a simple relaxation position in which the newborn of the Aries sign is pleasantly relaxed....

History of the Herb of Longevity

Directly from the gardens of AmaSer straight to your hand-crafted vegan meal at our café- it is quite impossible to miss out on the small but might herb, Gotu Kola. Widely known as the “herb of longevity”, Gotu Kola thrives in tropical climates. A traditional staple in Asian and Ayurvedic medicine, this member of the Parsley family is bursting with health benefits. Being a brain superfood, Gotu Kola boosts cognitive function and soothes the nervous system. Additionally, this herb wonderfully repairs damaged skin when applied topically. Ayurvedic practices utilizes this incredible herb to mend wounds, burns, scratches, and skin inflammation.

Nutrient Rich Herb

Gotu Kola has traditionally been used in ayurvedic practices as a nerve tonic. Gotu Kola when used has been shown to improve memory and overall cognitive function. Valued for it’s adaptogenic properties, Gotu Kola promotes a healthy stress response in the brain and...

The Full Harvest Moon is on October 20th and this represents the time of harvesting and preparing the bounty for the winter ahead. The harvest of pumpkins, squash, and wild rice are now ready for gathering. 

It is believed that this full Moon came to be called the full Hunter’s Moon because it signaled the time to go hunting in preparation for the cold winter ahead. Animals are beginning to fatten up ahead of winter, and since the farmers had recently cleaned out their fields under the Harvest Moon, hunters could easily see the deer and other animals that had come out to...

Mercury will be moving in backward motion (called retrogression) in the sign of Libra on September 27, 2021, a sign known for being peaceful and harmonious — and relationship-oriented. In the process, it will enter back into Virgo during the early hours of October 2, and will turn direct on October 18 in the same sign. 

To those who practice astrology, these times in particular were traditionally associated with confusion, delay, and frustration. Think undelivered love letters, email blunders, and frazzled travel plans! This is an excellent time to reflect on the past, however,...

5 Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga 

Vinyasa Yoga, in Sanskrit, means “to place in a purposeful way”. And that is was exactly happens during AmaSer’s 8:00 am Vinyasa Flow Public classes Monday through Friday. During Vinyasa Yoga, the breath becomes alive and energizes the body to create a beautifully flowing practice of intentional asanas layered on top of one another. The manifestation of breath and repeated pattern create incredible benefits to the body, mind, and soul!

There is a reason why Vinyasa practice is one of the most popular forms of yoga, here’s why!

1. A Heart Healthy Practice

The quick movement paired with synchronized breathing creates a wonderful environment to get your heart rate pumping! Also known as “moving meditation”, Vinyasa helps alleviate stress, thus actively lowering your blood pressure. Not to mention the amount of sweat you are able to work up from Vinyasa!

2. Strengthen Your Body

Vinyasa Yoga, commonly known as...

The Calm Within the Storm

The COVID-19 pandemic washed across the globe in a daunting and unfamiliar fashion: lockdowns, economic destruction, and social distancing created immense anxiety for the citizens of the world. However, yoga was there for people who needed stress relief and restorative meditation. In many ways, yoga was the calm within the storm for millions of people across the globe.

Benefits of a Routine Practice 

Many people who had never felt the need to practice yoga retreated to their living room floors to find solace. From online zoom courses to social distanced yoga in parks and fields- we found a way. A routine practice reduces cortisol, the stress hormone that influences one’s levels of serotonin and increases the overall wellbeing of those who practice. The constant stress on the body from working from home during the pandemic is washed away through practice one by one.  

Stronger Immune System & Healthier Mind 

The combination of...