Costa Rica
November 29-December 6, 2025
COSTA RICA November 29-December 6, 2025
Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques® Routines From Head-to-Toe
Take your therapeutic skills to new heights in beautiful Costa Rica! Join us for an immersive MAT workshop retreat where you’ll learn how to bring a new level of mastery to your practice through Myoskeletal Alignment TechniquesⓇ while immersed in a tropical paradise. Discover the power of head-to-toe pain-relief protocols that enhance clinical outcomes. Whether you’re just beginning your MAT journey or ready to level up your skills, this workshop offers the perfect opportunity for hands-on learning and technique mastery. Connect with like-minded therapists from around the world, take advantage of exciting excursions, soak up the lush surroundings, and emerge with a newfound passion to take your practice to new heights.
Integrating MAT as standalone techniques into your practice is very effective. Put them together in finely crafted routines and you have a system for success! In this weeklong workshop, you’ll learn proven MAT assessment and treatment routines for resolving complex pain conditions from head-to-toe. Our systematic approach integrates advanced techniques for treating:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle sprains
- Tibial and peroneal nerve pain
- Meniscus injuries
- Runner’s knee
- Hip impingement
- Hip capsule adhesions
- Si joint pain
- Sciatica
- Neck and arm pain
- Occipital neuralgia and head pain
This retreat offers the perfect balance of intensive learning and renewal in a tropical retreat setting. It’s more than a workshop – it’s a chance to recharge your passion for helping others while focusing on your well-being. Between technique sessions, connect with therapists from around the world, enjoy spa services, or fun guided excursions.
You’ll leave with more than just enhanced clinical skills; you’ll gain a deeper understanding of pain-relief mechanisms and how to reprogram patterns effectively using MAT principles. Return home empowered, confident, and equipped with proven pain-relief techniques to set you apart, boost client satisfaction, and expand your professional network. Whether refining your skills or diving into MAT for the first time, this retreat is your gateway to professional and personal growth.
Join us for this unforgettable learning experience in paradise!
workshop instructors:
Nate Fay
Nathan has been an LMT for nearly 20 years. He is the owner of Hazardville Wellness, a multi-practitioner wellness center in Connecticut. He loves working with clients using the ART of MAT to help them get better faster. Nathan is a Master Myoskeletal Therapist (MMT)®, MAT educator and holds a Diploma in Osteopathic Manual Therapy. He has been teaching internationally for the Freedom from Pain Institute since 2020. Nathan’s workshops are highly regarded, with feedback from students like: "Nate's classes are very educational. He presents the material in an easy-to -understand way. He has a lighthearted sense of humor that makes his classes a lot of fun!"
Scott Doss
Scott Doss remembers attending his first Myoskeletal seminar and how it opened his eyes to a type of manual therapy that was specifically designed to assess and treat clients in an approachable, easy way; It changed his life and his practice. Now, as a Master Myoskeletal Therapist® and MAT educator, he dedicates his time to treating, educating, and encouraging clients presenting with a variety of injuries and pain patterns with enjoyment in one of his two locations in the Atlanta area.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
The cost for this fabulous retreat workshop starts as low as $2394 per participant. (Pricing depends on the type of accommodations you choose.)
Your registration includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodations
- Three buffet meals daily, starting with dinner on the first day Saturday, November 29th, and ending with breakfast on the day of departure Saturday, December 6th
- Round trip airport shuttle between San Jose International Airport (SJO) and Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
- All taxes
For Registration: Contact Shina Dill at the Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
888-767-7375
[email protected]
Or click the “REGISTER HERE” button below.
CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS
Once you have contacted Pura Vida Retreat & Spa to register, they will ask you to choose your accommodations. See an overview of accommodations below or go to www.puravidaspa.com/accommodations. A 50% deposit (of which $575 is non-refundable) is due upon reservation. The balance is due on or before September 29, 2025.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: Saturday NOVEMBER 29 - saturday DECEMBER 6, 2025
Saturday November 29th – Arrival & Evening Workshop
7:30pm – 9pm *Evening MAT Workshop
*We recommend booking your flight to arrive before 5:00 pm so you can attend the evening workshop. The evening workshop counts as CE hours for your workshop completion certificate.
- Airport Arrival Once your workshop registration is complete Pura Vida will ask for your flight details and arrange a shuttle to pick you up from the San Jose International Airport.
- Check-in at the Front Desk from 2pm onwards When you arrive there will be someone to help you to your room with your luggage. The Front Desk is where you will find meal times, a map of the property, and sign up for excursions.
- Booking Excursions Onsite bookings only. Details for booking excursions are available at the front desk. You will have time to leave the Pura Vida property on a guided excursion on Monday morning, Wednesday all day and Friday morning.
- Spa Services Onsite bookings only. There is a sign-up area for Spa Services. We suggest you book them as soon as possible once you arrive.
Sunday November 30th – Workshop
10am – 6pm
Monday December 1st – Workshop
2pm – 6pm
Tuesday December 2nd – Workshop
9am – 6pm
Wednesday December 3rd – FREE DAY!
It’s a FREE DAY to explore excursions, treat yourself to a spa service, or just lay by the pool. Details on excursions are available at the front desk when you check-in. There is a sign-up area for Spa Services. We suggest you book them as soon as possible once you arrive. Onsite bookings only.
Thursday December 4th – Workshop
10am – 6pm
Friday December 5th – Workshop
2pm – 6pm
*If your departing flight leaves early in the morning, please check-out the day before and settle any costs you may have incurred during your stay.
Saturday December 6th – Departure Day
10am Official check-out time. If you would like to stay longer pre-arrange with the front desk.
*Pura Vida will arrange shuttles to San Jose International Airport.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- All massage tables and linens are provided onsite for the duration of the workshop
- Dress in comfort, sportswear recommended
- Bring a water bottle to refill onsite
WORKSHOP LOCATION & THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
Calle Puente Negro
800 Mts SW of CENCINAI
Pavas, Carrizal, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela
20103, Costa Rica
Check-In / Check-Out
- Check-in consists of filling out a simple form followed by a brief orientation.
- Check-in time is 2:00 pm. and check-out time is 10:00 am.
- Extra nights before or after the retreat. You may coordinate an early check-in or a late check-out for 10% off the regular fee.
- Early Morning Departure If your departing flight leaves early in the morning, please check-out the day before and settle any costs you may have incurred during your stay.
Payment for extras incurred such as spa services, guided excursions, additional food or drink, Pura Vida accepts cash and all major credit cards onsite.
Reception & Guest Services
Pura Vida reception is open from 7:30 am to 10:00 pm for guest services. Staff is available 24 hours a day for emergencies.
Staff Tips
The staff gratuities are not included in the package price. We recommend $50 per guest for the entire week for the general staff of 50 people. We ask you to tip your massage therapist separately.
Free Time
You will have scheduled free time throughout the workshop week. There is a pool and hot tub on the property. Have a look at the excursions and/or indulge in some spa treatments. All excursions and spa treatments may be booked onsite once you arrive at Pura Vida.
SURROUNDINGS:
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a rugged, rain forested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific.
Its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum. Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity.
Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds.
Excursions and Spa treatments:
Excursions
- Waterfall Gardens Adventure (Mon)
- Skywalk and Wildlife Boat Adventure (Wed)
- Hot Springs Adventure (Wed)
- Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Wed)
- Doka Coffee Plantation (Fri)
More details: Pura Vida Tours & Eco-adventures
Pura Vida Wellness Centre - Luxurious Spa treatments
Treat yourself to a well-deserved luxurious spa treatment at the Pura Vida Wellness Center and Spa.
*Please note:
Spa treatments change from week to week. For this reason, Pura Vida asks to wait until you arrive to book your sessions at the Wellness Centre.
frequently asked questions:
No shots or vaccinations are needed for visits to Costa Rica.
Citizens of the U.S. and Canada may enter Costa Rica with a valid passport. Please note that Costa Rican law requires your passport be valid for at least 90 days after the date you enter the country. This means that if your passport will expire within the next 90 days, you must renew it before your trip. Check with your airline or travel agent for more information. Citizens of other countries should check with the applicable Costa Rican Consulate in your country about rules governing entrance into Costa Rica. You are required to carry your passport with you at all times. If you are stopped by officials, a photocopy with your photo, passport number and entry stamp will usually suffice and is recommended.
Free Wifi is available throughout the property (about 10 mbps)
Massage tables are are provided onsite for the workshop. Personal items we recommend: Flashlight, alarm clock, sunscreen and hat, bathing suit, day pack/backpack, walking/hiking shoes, sandals with straps, sweater/sweatshirt, insect repellant, toiletries, warm pajamas (cool nights), rainwear/poncho (May-Nov.).
Pura Vida Spa is a private, gated, 8-acre mountainside estate in Costa Rica’s Alajuela province. It is only 20 minutes northwest of the SJO International Airport and 45 minutes from downtown San Jose. Located at almost 5,000 feet above sea level, year-round temperatures at Pura Vida range from 70 to 80 degrees during the day with mild nights in the high 50s to low 60s. May through November is the Green Season in Costa Rica.
The ambient temperature at Pura Vida is about ideal. The year round temperature is 70 to 80 degrees during the day with mild nights.Thus, none of our rooms or facilities has air conditioning or heating.
Being in the tropics, there is a lot of insect life in general in Costa Rica. However, our elevation keeps this issue at a minimum and our guests find it remarkably bug-free here.
Everyone in office, the yoga teachers and the massage therapists all speak English.
Yes, we offer a laundry service to our guests. The charge is $8 per load to wash, dry and fold.
The closest beaches to Pura Vida are about 2 hours away on the Pacific coast.
Our retreat center is very secure. If it gives you greater peace of mind, a safe deposit box is also available for each guest at the front desk. Please inquire. The surrounding neighborhood and coffee fields are also safe for a walk or jog with a companion. We do not recommend venturing out for a walk or a jog after sunset. By all means, go off the property in an Uber or taxi! Generally, Costa Rica is quite safe. Like any place, normal precautions and care should be taken depending upon where you are visiting. Violent crime is rare in Costa Rica while theft of personal property (from automobiles and hotel rooms) is more common. Big cities, beach areas, and any place with a concentration of tourists require more caution.
Our retreat center is very secure. If it gives you greater peace of mind, a safe deposit box is also available for each guest at the front desk. Please inquire. The surrounding neighborhood and coffee fields are also safe for a walk or jog with a companion. We do not recommend venturing out for a walk or a jog after sunset. By all means, go off the property in an Uber or taxi! Generally, Costa Rica is quite safe. Like any place, normal precautions and care should be taken depending upon where you are visiting. Violent crime is rare in Costa Rica while theft of personal property (from automobiles and hotel rooms) is more common. Big cities, beach areas, and any place with a concentration of tourists require more caution.
Calle Puente Negro
800 Mts SW of CENCINAI
Pavas, Carrizal, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela
20103, Costa Rica
We recommend downloading WhatsApp on your phone and having your friends and family do the same. Phone calls/texts/video chats will be free anywhere to anyone who as the app and its encrypted.
We have bottled water in your room and at the bar. Soft drinks, beer and wine are also available. Our restaurant is casual buffet and our staff take great pride in serving delicious meals. The menu includes a variety of vegetarian fare as well as chicken and fish. We also can accommodate vegan and high-protein diets.
Yes, the water at Pura Vida is safe to drink from every faucet on the property. We filter our water on the premises with both a 1-micron filter and a UV filter. Countrywide, water quality standards in Costa Rica are generally quite high and visitors normally do not have any problems. There is now alkaline water available in the restaurant at no additional cost.
The easiest way to get to town is by taxi or Uber. We can usually have a taxi for you in 15 minutes or less. The cost to downtown Alajuela is about $15 per taxi. There is also a public bus route that picks up near Pura Vida and goes to downtown Alajuela once per hour. The cost is less than 50 cents per person.
Taxicab rates depend, of course, on the distance you want to travel. Taxis in Costa Rica charge by the trip and not per person. So, sharing taxis can really cut down on the cost. Generally taxis can accommodate up to 4 people. A trip to downtown Alajuela is about $25 each way, to the airport is $35 each way, to downtown San José is around $85 each way, and to Jacó (the nearest beach) is about $200 each way.
Yes, our staff will gladly help arrange this for you upon arrival at the resort. You will need a valid driver’s license, passport, and credit card.