Retreat FAQ

Pura Vida Retreat & Spa-Questions and to make reservations:  contact Di Chapman (888)767-7375 ext 225 or email reservations@puravidaspa.com.  There is information about the facility, spa services, etc.on line at www.puravidaspa.com .  You can also look under the “Events calendar” for April 28-May 5, Passion Meets Paradise to see info about our retreat.

Air travel: Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)  is the closest airport .  You will need to make your own airline reservations. Contact DI Chapman (888)767-7375 ext 225 with your flight information 10 days ahead to guarantee pick-up. You will need a valid, current passport for travel to Costa Rica.  American Airlines, United and Frontier all fly to San Jose Airport (SJO).

Schedule: This amazing experience  will extend an entire week from Saturday, April  28 to Saturday, May 5th, 2012.  The Saturdays are travel days, and Karen will be arriving the evening of May 27th. You are welcome to come early or stay late (Contact Pura Vida directly if you wish to stay at Pura VIda for days outside the retreat dates-extra room charges apply).  There will be a yoga class and orientation Sunday morning and we will present all of the wonderful options for the week.

Cleansing:  This is an opportunity to detox our systems using food, breath, movement and other techniques of release and renewal.  The organic diet is rich with delicious foods to cleanse and nourish the body. This does not mean fasting, it means eating very well, but specifically those foods designed to detoxify the body.  There are specific purification and breathing practices to support this process that are done each morning.  There will be a suggested morning routine that is done on your own upon awakening and some we will do together.  The pre-breakfast time will include these practices and meditation.
Before lunch, we will have a full asana class.  Earlier in the week as our bodies are adjusting, they will be gentler, and then will build as we become more energized.  There will be time to relax, journal, read, have spa treatments and simply be quiet.  There are also plenty of excursion opportunities if you want to explore.
Before dinner we will have another asana class including restorative yoga and yoga Nidra.   There will also be other offerings including Ayurveda Workshops, Trauma Releasing Exercises and Yoga Meets Dance.
Food:  We are having special foods, delicious organic foods prepared for the cleanse.  These foods are the foods that detox and cleanse naturally and the springtime.  This menu is completely optional however and the full menu of delicious foods will also be available to participants.  Karen will be contacting you prior to the retreat to determine if you’re interested in being part of the cleanse.  If so, she will recommend specific herbs for you to bring along.
Spa/Ayurvedic Treatments: There are a variety of therapeutic offerings at Pura Vida Spa ranging from massage to watsu, shirondara (head/oil massage) to abyhanga.  Therapies are optional and incur an additional charge.  Reservations can be made upon arrival in Costa Rica.
Excursions: Pura Vida offers a host of excursions, from white water rafting to zip-lining through the jungle canopy.  All excursions are optional, are an additional charge, subject to change, and can be arranged once we get there.  You are also welcome to arrange your own outing, activity or excursion.

What to bring:

Practical items:

  • Passport!  Flashlight, alarm clock (your cell phone might not work, sunscreen and hat, bathing suit, day pack/backpack, walking/hiking shoes, sandals with straps, sweater/sweatshirt, insect repellant, toiletries, warm pajamas (cool nights), slippers, rainwear/poncho.
  • Electrical current is the same as for the U.S.

We will be cleansing on all levels so additionally you’ll need:

  • A journal
  • Herbs and oils that are recommended for you by Karen Quinn

May we suggest that you don’t bring (or turn off!):

  • Cell phones, pagers, laptops
  • Your brief case
  • Work to catch up on
  • Preconceived ideas, worries, responsibilities or expectations

We are very excited about this trip and are committed to doing everything we can to make this a cleansing, healing and hassle-free experience for you.   Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns!

pura vida retreat sign up button

Karen Quinn, Ayurvedic Prct., CYT, ERYT
Phone 303-733-7423
Karen@feelbetteryoga.com

Deborah Kelly, MFT, CYT
Phone: (831) 277-0389
Email:  dkellyboo@aol.com