Costa Rica

November 29-December 6, 2025

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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/accommodationsA 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 Spa Resort

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:

Pura Vida Retreat & Spa
Calle Puente Negro
800 Mts SW of CENCINAI
Pavas, Carrizal, Provincia de Alajuela, Alajuela
20103, Costa Rica

The closest beaches to Pura Vida are about 2 hours away on the Pacific coast.

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 through the length of your trip and have at least 1 empty page. A ticket for a return flight is also required to enter Costa Rica. 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. It is recommended that you carry a photocopy of your passport with the entry stamp in case you are stopped by officials.

Coming from North America, no shots or vaccinations are needed for visits to Costa Rica. You should consult a medical professional about your specific circumstances.

Free Wifi is available throughout the property (about 10 mbps)

You will want to check with your cellular carrier to see what your plan provides, many offer travel plans of some sort. We recommend downloading an app such as WhatsApp or Signal on your phone and having your friends and family do the same. Phone calls/texts/video chats will be free anywhere with WiFi to anyone who has the app. 

Massage tables are provided onsite for the workshop. A packing list will be shared by Pura Vida when you provide your flight or arrival details.

Pura Vida is 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 considered 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, our facility does not have Air Conditioning or Heating Units.

Meals and beverages included with your workshop retreat:
Our restaurant is casual buffet. We serve 3 meals per day and our staff take great pride in serving delicious meals. The menu includes a variety of vegetarian fare as well as chicken and fish. There is filtered water, coffee and tea available at every meal.
We also can accommodate vegan and high-protein diets. Filtered water stations are available throughout the property.  Bring a refillable water bottle.  

Additional food and beverage options:
For an additional cost we offer an a la carte menu between lunch and dinner with offerings like hummus and pita or guacamole and chips. We serve juices, smoothies, soft drinks, specialty coffee and teas, beer and wine which can be purchased at the bar. All are prepared and served in the main dining area.

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. Alkaline water is available in the restaurant at no additional cost.

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.

Yes, we offer a laundry service to our guests. The charge is $8 per load to wash, dry and fold.

Everyone in office, the yoga teachers and the massage therapists all speak English.

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. 

Pura Vida Spa is a private, gated, 8-acre mountainside estate in Costa Rica’s Alajuela province, with security onsite 24 hours a day. We regularly welcome many single travelers. If it gives you greater peace of mind, a safe deposit box is also available for each guest in every room. 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.

The nearest town is Alajuela. 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. Uber timing can vary, but is usually available within 10 minutes. There is also a public bus route that picks up near Pura Vida and goes to downtown Alajuela once per hour.

You can use a taxi or Uber for this as well. The taxi will around $50-$75, and an Uber will be around $25-40.

Rates depend, of course, on the distance you want to travel. Taxis and Ubers in Costa Rica charge by the trip not person, with Uber usually costing about half the price of a taxi. A trip by taxi 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 (assuming you can find a taxi to take you this far). 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 $1.50 per person.

 

Yes, our staff will gladly help arrange this for you if you like. We recommend reserving a car before your arrival to ensure you have one. Most rental companies offer a shuttle to their property from the airport. You will need a valid driver’s license, passport, and credit card. Be prepared for rental companies to add a required daily insurance policy that may not be disclosed in the reservation stage.

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