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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...

Craniosacral therapy (CST) is a gentle bodywork technique that relieves tension in the central nervous system by applying light touch to the head, neck and back. This article will look over the science behind and the benefits of craniosacral therapy.

Developed in the 1970s by John Upledger, a doctor of osteopathy, CST is a non-invasive, hands-on therapy that enhances the body’s healing capabilities.

The light touch affects the pressure and circulation of cerebrospinal fluid— the fluid around the brain and spinal cord, relieving pain and dysfunction.

Evidence on craniosacral therapy shows it can be used as a treatment on its own or combined with other medical or alternative therapies.

Now that we’re clear on what craniosacral therapy is, what are the benefits of this alternative treatment, and what conditions can it help improve?

Benefits of Craniosacral therapy

Firstly, by relieving compression in the head, neck and back, CST can alleviate pain and release physical...

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...

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...

 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...

Our life begins with an inhale and ends on an exhale. Our breath is our life force. We do it every day, unconsciously and automatically. In yoga, breathing is a crucial subject. In this blog we will tell you why.

Yoga Breath  

Everyone can do yoga, because everyone breathes. Breathing is an important aspect of yoga as it focuses on becoming aware of your body, it helps you to feel more present, and encourages you to tune inwards. By consciously focusing on your breath, you can control it, controlling the length and pace of your inhalations and exhalations.

You might have heard of the term ‘pranayama’ before. It is the Sanskrit word for breathing: prana means life energy and ayama means to extend, draw out. Pranayama is about controlling your life force, by controlling your breath. If you become consciously aware of your breathing, you feel the life force running through your body.

The way you breathe has an impact on your mood. Breathing slowly can help you to...

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...

We are experiencing one of the most challenging times in the actual human history. The COVID19 pandemic came to us like a wake-up-call and now more than ever we need to go deep into ourselves, practice sacred disciplines and connect with our inner being.

Yoga is one of the magic tools that could help us understand how to walk through life with love and wisdom. Today we can use this ancestral practice to tune in our body energy and switch our emotions, and being aware of and consciously choosing the energy we send out and take in is a step to raising the vibration of the world.

The best way to appreciate that we are healthy is by coming back to our body. Spending more time inside help us to set up routines and develop new habits. That is why Yoga is perfect for us right now.

Now in quarantine, you can take a bit of time to stretch and do some yoga to unwind your day. Set your intentions and choose the practice that better fits you, perhaps you haven´t slept very well and your...