Doing yoga on the beach, to the rhythm of the waves, may sound perfect, but when the sun heats up or the bugs are biting, it would be nice to have an alternative venue somewhere quiet and cool.
This desire is what motivated partners Fabrizio Pilato, Sandra Price and Broc Campbell to open the new Samara Yoga Center, where classes, workshops, retreats and teacher trainings can be held. Pilato and Price are both yoga instructors, and instructor Chris Hawk will also be working with them, as well as other area instructors.
Pilato used to work as a graphic designer, but working constantly with computers left his body in physical pain, especially his back and neck. He related that he tried buying different chairs to help his posture, but it was when he started doing morning TV yoga sessions that the pain went away. He also felt like his mind was clearer and more focused and he was more productive. “I learned how to breathe, to relax my body and deal with everyday stress,” he said.
The yoga studio design is inspired by Earthship, a style of architecture made of natural and recycled materials. Glass bottles are embedded in the walls, which are made of sand mixed with cement. The air-conditioned studio’s floors and doors are hardwood, and bamboo surrounds the sinks. The spa area includes a waterfall shower.
They began work on the studio in February and opened on June 22 with free promotional yoga classes. Price, who is also a registered massage therapist, is offering spa treatments in the studio, such as organic blue clay treatments and cacao (as in chocolate) body scrubs.
Pilato describes yoga as a way to “have peace and teach others to have peace” and said their goal is to create awareness of how to change your life and be healthier.
They will be offering different rates for locals and expats and hope to get Costa Rican instructors to participate by promoting the studio in the San Jose area. “Really for me, it’s to bring yoga to Costa Ricans,” Pilato affirmed. In addition, they are partnering with some local hotels to offer yoga packages as an added value for guests.
The new studio is located inside the courtyard of Patio Colonial. In the same building, Pilato and Price also operate Luv Burger, a vegan fast food restaurant that they opened in February of 2013. For the current schedule, visit http:// www.yoga.cr/ or contact 2656-3348 for more information.
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