Some of you may already know, I recently traveled to Costa Rica for my 2024 solo retreat. In case you’re new here, I have a tradition (15 years strong) where I travel once a year to work on my own personal development and for enjoyment. Some of my past trips have included Tulum, Palm Springs, Sedona, Santa Fe, Paris and London. Each year I set out for an adventure to explore new cultures and food but mostly to rejuvenate from the daily grind and to flex my independence muscles. Costa Rica was on my bucket list so when I reached out to Jen Terra, a luxury travel advisor, I was pleased when she suggested that I stay at a property set on a crystal mountain overlooking the rainforest in Costa Rica.
The Retreat Costa Rica (voted best wellness retreat by Conde Naste in 2022) is a luxury wellness spa, resort and healing center. Truly a bucket list place. I feel so absolutely rejuvenated and relaxed. It was the perfect spring reset. This place is a must-visit if you’re looking for any of the above– it’s a world-class, nature-inspired, holistic healing oasis that will nourish and renew your mind, body, and soul. Who doesn’t need that?
About the retreat: The Retreat Costa Rica is the innovation of celebrity chef, best-selling author, and health and wellness life-coach, Diana Stobo. Her goal was to create a transformational wellness center that has since become a distinctively Costa Rican experience of “Heaven on Earth” - a resort and spa where our guests experience a harmony of nature, nutrition, and wellness nestled among the lush vegetation of the rainforest.
With stunning views of the tropical Costa Rican rainforest valley, Nicoya Peninsula, and the Pacific Ocean, I felt like I was waking up in paradise every day. Well, I was. I was pampered at Vida Mía, a Healing Spa focusing mostly on Ayurvedic treatments, nourished by a daily yoga class with one of the resident teachers and savoring the organic, garden-fresh cuisine sourced from the crystal quartz mountainside.
My absolute favorite part about my visit was my consultation with Dr. Shaveta Jasra, the Ayurvedic doctor on-site. We did a full health analysis and she was able to make recommendations based on the information I provided.
First, let me give you a brief understanding of Ayurveda. I’m not an expert by any means but I have always been interested in these philosophies and even more now that I have experienced the healing medicines first hand.
Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3000 years ago. The word is derived from the Sanskrit words Ayur (life) and Veda (knowledge). It translates to “knowledge of life”.
The main principle is BALANCE. There are 3 life forces known as doshas- Vata, Pita, and Kapha. They have to do with the 5 elements, Air, Water, Earth, Fire + Spirit. When one is in balance with their dosha, things are flowing smoothly and in balance. However, if a dosha is unbalanced, there could be symptoms of illness and/or disease so the goal is to eliminate impurities, find balance and harmony in life– mind, body and spirit. Ayurveda teaches you how to select foods that support your unique body type, achieve regular routines and learn the wisdom of ancient plant medicine.
Here’s what I learned:
The 5 Golden Rules of Ayurveda are:
- Balance is key- mind, body and spirit
- Food in medicine
- Good Digestive Fire (proper elimination)
- Daily Routines
Even though my consultation was personalized for me and my specific concerns, I thought I would share 10 new habits that I’m currently exploring:
Ps. It’s only been two weeks and I feel amazing. By the way– MY SKIN is looking the best it has in years– redness gone, it’s even, feels more hydrated and overall more radiant.
- No coffee on an empty stomach (guilty! So this one is the hardest for me)
- Tumeric + lemon water first thing in the morning
- A spoon full of fennel seeds with each meal (purifies blood for better absorption)
- Licorice tea at night
- Moringa tea daily (excellent source of iron bc I’m anemic somehow).
- A breath work sequence before bed
- No drinking water with meals or right after
- Staying away from vodka (switching back to red wine)
- Kegels and side twists for better flow in my sacral (feminine) area.
- Direct sunlight on my back and stomach area
All and all– one of the best trips ever. I recommend you at least check out The Retreat Costa Rica and feel free to reach out with any specific questions. Shoot me an email at jennie@jenniefresa.com
For more photos -- check out my instagram @jenniefresabeauty I created a highlight just for COSTA RICA -- you HAVE to take a look!
XO, Jennie
