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Whilst you might think that peace and quiet is the perfect way to unwind, have you ever considered using sound to relax and de-stress? Recently, more and more people are turning to sound for its healing power and health benefits.

Sound has been used as a tool for healing for thousands of years; the Ancient Egyptians used musical incantations as a way of curing the sick, whilst Greek physicians relied on the power of vibration to encourage healthy digestion, sleep and emotional balance. The ancient yogic text, the Samaveda, also contains chants and hymns that were recited in a specific harmony. You’ve probably already experienced how powerfully healing sound can be without even realising it. When you’re sad, do you listen to a certain song that instantly changes your mood and makes you happy? Or perhaps you’ve got a favourite artist whose music makes you want to dance until your feet are sore. Sound has the ability to change how we feel, most of the...

1. How to surrender to the flow of things 

The town of Puerto Viejo, the home of AmaSer, is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica near Panama. Here in Costa Rica, things flow a bit more loosely than you may be accustomed to. Picture it like a bottle of honey: in warmer climates, things flow a bit more freely! Plans often rely on the presence of sunshine, and as Costa Rica is a tropical country, the rainfall comes down quickly and heavily on the turn of a dime. It usually doesn't last long, but you may find yourself needing to take shelter in a cafe, restaurant, or store for some time which may change your outdoor plans for the day. Costa Rica wouldn't be nearly as lush and gorgeous without the rain nourishing all of the greenery, so try to be patient and accepting when those moments do arrive. 

2. How to say some basic sentences in Spanish

Most areas of Costa Rica have an amazing mix of people from all over the world, including other parts of...

CACAO CEREMONY

The word ‘cacao’ originally comes from the Mayan words Ka’kau and Chokola’j — which means "to drink chocolate together'' 

Cacao ceremonies are a centuries-old ritual. The ceremony compliments the potential of cacao as a gateway to explore and touch the depth of our soul. 

Cacao ceremonies now often include one or a combination of healing practices such as reiki, sound, dance, yoga and meditation. A typical ceremony involves a group of people sitting in a circle, setting intentions (what they hope to achieve and what they hope to get rid of during the exercise), drinking cacao,...

Ama Ser offers many unique benefits to the local community. One of its most beneficial uses is a space for co-working. Co-working is an arrangement that invites individuals from any organization to share a common working space. This may include independent contractors, work-from-home professionals, digital nomads, or anyone looking for a relaxing space to get their work done.   

The Ama Ser Cafe co-working space has a lot to offer. Here are just 5 of the many benefits of joining us in our space:

1. FREE fiber optic high speed internet

2. Elevated view of the rainforest and Caribbean Sea

3. Fresh vegan food and drinks directly from the Costa Rican land

4. Individual and group tables, rocking chairs, and a comfy lounge with a plethora of pillows

5. A community-centric atmosphere

The world has spent the past year in lockdown. The lack of socialization and human contact has taken a toll on many of us. Come reconnect with your community at the...

 Hosting and planning your own yoga retreat can be daunting. Here at AmaSer we are happy to share our insights. Here are our 7 tips on how to begin the process. 

1. Secure that money

A boring way to begin things, yes, but securing funding is crucial. Especially during these difficult times. A lot of retreat venues require a deposit to book your retreat. This is a personal financial risk for you. In case you have to cancel for any reason, you are likely to lose your deposit. Take into account that many venues ask for minimum numbers of students to sign up in order for you to host a retreat. So try to secure this before if you can.

Other important costs to consider:

• Advertising the retreat
• Lost income from classes you’ll miss out on teaching when you are away
• Your own travel expenses
• How to budget for the retreat’s food, any excursions, and activities

2. Create your vision

Your vibe will attract your tribe. When your retreat is an authentic reflection of...

Hi, my name is Lucy and I have recently moved to beautiful Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. I heard all about Avani’s yoga center AmaSer, so I decided to come along to one of her Yin & Restore classes on a Tuesday afternoon. The class started just before the sun was beginning to set and the afternoon was turning to dusk.  Here are five things I learnt about yoga! 

1. Yoga is accessible, even to a newbie like me

I would not exactly class myself as a Yogi. I was a little nervous before going to class. What if I obviously stuck out as a rookie, what if I could not hold a posture? Avani made me feel welcome as soon as I entered the class. She begun by explaining the purpose of the class and demonstrated every pose by including a number of variations to make sure you were comfortable and could really connect with how you held your body – without hurting yourself! It was easy to follow and made me feel like I was being cared for, rather than judged.

2. Even a...

AmaSer’s chef Mario has been cooking for almost his whole life. After learning from his grandmother and getting a degree in culinary arts, he is now responsible for the dishes on our menu. Here, he can use what is available in the garden to create a gluten free vegan menu. With this, he can show people how a realistic and futureproof perspective on food, from farm-to-fork can be possible.

Mario learned cooking from his grandmother. He grew up in Mexico City with his grandmother always cooking. After school, he was the one helping her in the kitchen. “Immediately after I dropped my backpack, she asked me to go to the market, or chop vegetables. We have a big family that came to visit us every weekend, so my grandmother and I often had to make a lot of food.” She showed him what food to pick and where along with what herbs to harvest that were growing on the hill where they lived.

His life has always been about food. After exploring creative...

I can’t believe it has almost been three weeks since I arrived at this incredible place named AmaSer, in the middle of the beautiful jungle.

I remember exactly all the different emotions and thoughts I had before arriving here:

Curiosity – hello adventure! …

Happiness – I really did it! …

Nervousness – 9’350 kilometers away from home and alone …

A tiny bit of queasiness – how will the people be? And what about the place? What if…?

Well, that’s human nature: we get comfortable with routines. Everything new and unpredictable can be frightening sometimes, but sometimes you just have to do it without questioning so much, because sometimes reality is so much better than you ever imagined.

The AmaSer Family is so amazing! They made me feel welcome from the very first second here in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica. This place is so full of love, acceptance, happiness and peace.  Now, after only a few weeks, I can...