Therapist Biographies
Meet Our Therapists
ALEXANDRA
Alex has studied and applied various healing modalities for over 14 years. She received her foundational 600-hour training as a massage therapist at the Body Works Institute in Virginia, USA. Since then her professional development has linked hands-on practice with continued studies in Healing Arts at the Upledger Institute and an Esthetician’s degree from the Boreal Esthetics Institute in Costa Rica. Alex uses her intuition to create a personalized therapy that may also integrate her experience with EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), controlled breathing and cellular regeneration.
ESTER
Ester, a dedicated Holistic Balance Instructor since 2023, guides individuals on their transformative journey to wellness and self-discovery. Trained at the GAIA Holistic Institute in Costa Rica, she has mastered diverse techniques including Shiatsu, Breema, Deep Tissue, Bach Flower Therapy, Swedish Massage, breathwork and Hatha Yoga. Evolving into a proficient Watsu practitioner, Hatha yoga instructor, Thai massage therapist and Reiki Master, Ester creates nurturing sessions that blend intuition with deep knowledge to address both physical and energetic well-being. Firm in her belief in each individual’s innate power to to heal, she fosters a deeper mind-body-spirit connection. By integrating modalities such as Craniosacral Therapy, Myofascial Release and others, Ester offers comprehensive support for holistic wellness and self awareness, empowering others on their path to wholeness and harmony.
JENNY
Jenny studied massotherapy at the Universidad Tecnica de UTN. Over ten years ago she discovered her interest in massage therapy and continued her trainin in reflexology, sports massage, and as an esthetician. Using her hands and faith she has found a path of healing and love that she wishes to share with as many people as possible. She believes that massage therapy is a powerful too for not only physical healing but also for mental and emotional well being.
KARINA
Karina was trained first in Traditional Chinese Healing Arts by CU San Judas Tadeo and then as an E.F.T (emotional freedom techniques) and T.A.T (tapas acupressure technique) Practitioner by ACEP (Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology). Several renowned international spa trainers then instructed her to become an Esthetician and Body Worker. Additionally, she is certified by the NCBTMB to give Russian clinical massage and as a Cranio-Somatic practitioner.
KATTYA
Kattya received a ten-year training in Holistic massage, Chi Kung, Tai Chi and yoga in the Southern Pacific mountains of Costa Rica, studying with masters Gailon West and Patricia Mitchell. In 1999 she received BodyTalk instruction from Dr. John Veltheim, and has focused her attention on working in this health treatment modality ever since.
LUCIA
MARCO
Marco has been involved in movement and meditation since very young. Raised on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, running, cycling and surfing came naturally to him. At the same time, he felt an inclination towards meditation since he was young. At the age of 18 years old he discovered yoga and at 24 he decided to dig deep into the yoga world. He graduated as a Physical Therapist and some years later became an Anatomy Teacher. He has studied and practiced yoga for more than 17 years in Central America, India and the US with great teachers such as Saraswati, Richard Freeman, Tim Miller and John Friend, among others. From 2002 until 2020, Marco was also sponsored as an athlete for more than 10 years in racing sports such as mountain bike, trail running and triathlon .
MARISOL
Marisol started practicing yoga 20 years ago. During that time she was inspired to help people feel better. She graduated as a Reiki Master in 2006 and in 2010 she obtained her yoga instructor certification for the Kasasana School in Costa Rica. She continues to share her love of yoga with her students at her studio. She has since focused on sound therapy and graduated from “Institucion Espanola de Sonoterapia” (IES) in 2015. She is always striving to find new ways to improve people’s well-being.
MAR Y SOL
Mar y Sol’s passion for Eastern philosophies started at the age of 15 when she lived in Japan as an exchange student and joined the Zen tradition of Japanese Archery or Kyudo. Years later in Costa Rica she trained as a Holistic Balance Instructor at the Gaia Holistic Institute, where she studied Reiki, Shiatsu, Swedish massage, Yoga, Aromatherapy, Bach Flower Remedies and others healing techniques that she still uses in her treatments. Her love of yoga took her on a journey to find the styles that resonated most with her inner spirit – in Canada at the School of Conscious Living she learned Gaia Yoga, and later in India she studied the Himalayan Masters Tradition under the guidance of Swami Jnaneshvara. These experiences completely changed her focus and point of view on Yoga and Life.
The treatments that she offers here are not only her favorite but also her way of practicing loving kindness through her hands.
RODRIGO
Rodrigo has been part of Pura Vida since its conception. He has been practicing Natural Healing Arts for almost 30 years. During this time, he has been certified in such disciplines as Iridology, Natural Nutrition, Homeopathy, and Hydrotherapy, among others. Rodrigo’s favorite area, however, has always been Body Work, so much so that he has devoted the last 20 years of his life to exploring and improving his aptitude in this field. An intuitive and skilled therapist, Rodrigo is also a yoga instructor and is always ready to help you in your transformation process.
THAÍS
Thaís’ practice of contemporary Dance and hatha yoga awoke her curiosity about the human body within the framework of Eastern Philosophy, inspiring her to become a practitioner of healing arts based on ancient wisdom like Ayurveda. Having received teachings from Ahimsa school of Yoga-therapies in Venezuela, Dr. Prerak Shah (Ayulink India), Kerala Ayurvedic Healthcare center (India), Dr. Vasant Lad, Thai Massage in TMC school of Thailand, Sunshine Network, Vedic Conservatory, Naga Center, and studied reflexology and Watsu, she has practiced since 2007 in Venezuela and Costa Rica at yoga retreats/centers & in private practice. As a therapist she whole-heartedly shares an integrated approach with the intention of reconnecting with our pure consciousness of totality.
TZIRU
With a profound love for nature, Tiziru has been studying Watsu for over 5 years, achieving the certification of Provider Level 3, and continues to update her training. Her inspiration is in facilitating the connection between water and those who receive the therapy, letting the water be the protagonist. She has a background in Hatha Yoga, including specialized training in yoga for people with special needs. Her passion for health, mobility and overall well-being shines through in every session. As a certified Doula she possesses valuable tools to create a space from the heart. To complement all this, she dedicates a big part of her life to art as a licensed photographer, interested in capturing the magic and essence of life.