Costa Rica
june 28-July 5, 2025
COSTA RICA JUNE 28-JULY 5, 2025
Join Erik and the Dalton Gang for the 26th Annual “Pain Relief in Paradise” Retreat!
Celebrate education and nature with Erik Dalton’s 26th annual “Pain Relief in Paradise” retreat at Costa Rica’s stunning Pura Vida Retreat & Spa. This affordable 30-CE Myoskeletal Certification training offers top-notch education, lodging, healthy meals, and airport transportation. Enjoy zip-lining, white water rafting, music, dancing, yoga, and lots more. Connect with international therapists in an exotic breathtaking environment with leisure time to practice the techniques you learn from Erik and his assistants.
Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques®, Foot, Knee, Hip, Back & Neck Pain Routines
I’m excited to let you know about my 26th annual “Pain Relief in Paradise Retreat,” where I’ll be introducing a cool new format for treating your client’s primary pain and injury complaints. Now that you’re familiar with some of my Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques®, I’d like to show you how I put them together into “Routines” to efficiently treat five of the most common areas of clients’ complaints for the feet, knees, hips, back, and neck.
I always begin my sessions with the same MAT routines. Each time the client returns, I evaluate them for degree of relief and then I determine if further testing is needed. You’re going to love this simplified approach! Effective for treating conditions such as:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle sprains
- Tibial & Peroneal nerve pain
- Meniscus Injuries
- Runner’s Knee
- Hip impingement
- Hip capsule adhesions
- Si Joint pain
- Sciatica
- Neck & Arm pain
- Occipital neuralgia & head pain
Join me this year in the breathtaking beauty of Costa Rica and immerse yourself in an unforgettable learning and sharing experience. Upgrade your skill set and boost your referrals with effective ‘hands-on’ pain-rehab techniques. Learn WHY they work, and HOW to change the brain’s mind about your client’s pain…the MAT way!
See y’all soon!
Erik
Workshop Instructor: Erik Dalton
Erik Dalton, founder of the Freedom from Pain Institute. With over thirty years educating massage therapists around the world, Erik Dalton is among the most highly regarded educators in the profession. He has studied directly with legends like Dr Ida Rolf and Dr Phillip Greenman. Armed with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between mind and body, structure and function, he has developed Myoskeletal Alignment Techniques® which are changing the face of chronic pain the world over.
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
1. Register for the Workshop
Consult with Pura Vida Retreat & Spa for registration pricing: Shina Dill 888-767-7375 [email protected] or click the "REGISTER HERE" button below.
Registration fee includes:
- Tuition
- Accommodations
- Three buffet meals daily starting with dinner on the first day Sat June 28th and ending with breakfast on the day of departure Sat July 5th
- Round trip airport shuttle between San Jose International Airport (SJO) and Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
- All taxes
Rates start as low as $2394 US per participant. (Based on double occupancy). Please consult with Pura Vida for accommodation types and pricing by calling or clicking the “REGISTER HERE” button.
- A 50% deposit (of which $575 is non-refundable) is due upon reservation. The balance is due on or before April 28th, 2025.
- Registration fee depends on the type of accommodations you book.
2. 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.
Tentalows have garden views and a shared bathhouse. All other rooms enjoy beautiful valley / coffee plantation views, and come with a coffee maker and balcony. Most rooms have two twin beds or one king bed option. Some Vistas have a queen only. Suites have a king only.
For more detailed information about types of accommodations visit: www.puravidaspa.com/accommodations/
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE: JUNE 28 - JULY 5, 2025
Saturday, June 28 – Arrival & Evening Workshop
7:30pm – 9pm *Evening MAT Workshop
*We recommend booking your flight to arrive before 5:30 pm so you can attend the evening workshop. The evening workshop counts as CE hours for your workshop completion certificate.
Airport Arrival Pura Vida will ask for your flight details before you arrive 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 explore excursions 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, June 29 – Workshop
10am – 6pm
Monday, June 30 – Workshop
2pm – 6pm
Tuesday, July 1 – Workshop
9am – 6pm
Wednesday, July 2 – 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, July 3 – Workshop
10am – 6pm
Friday, July 4 – 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, July 5 – Departure Day
10am Official check-out time. If you would like to stay longer pre-arrange with the front desk
Pura Vida pre-arranged shuttles to San Jose International Airport
It’s been a fabulous week! See you at the next workshop.
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.
For payment of the balance due and extras incurred, 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.