Yoga & Meditation at AmaTierra
Relax into your body and deepen your yoga practice
“A Person is much more than a collection of bones, tissue and cells. We contain pure Life force energy within us. At AmaTierra, we help you keep that energy radiant by balancing the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual elements of the Human Being”
Jill Ruttenberg, Co-Owner & Yoga and Wellness Director
Yoga Classes
Begin your day with a gentle Hatha yoga class in AmaTierra’s open-air yoga studio overlooking the lush jungle valley. Our yoga classes are tailored to suit every body, no matter your age or ability.
AmaTierra offers ongoing Yoga and Wellness Packages, plus yoga retreats and special events.
AmaTierra hosts group retreats for yoga, mindfulness, self-care, self-improvement, detox, spirituality and a full range of creativity seminars. Bring your friends for a discounted group rate, or, if you are a teacher looking for one of the most inspiring places on the planet to bring your students, please call us for details.
See our full menu of Wellness Therapies and Life-Enhancing Body Treatments
Meditation
Sunset meditation practice at AmaTierra
At sunset on most days, AmaTierra guests gather on comfortable cushions for a meditation session in our beautiful yoga studio. The meditation we practice is usually guided for a few minutes (visualization or a suggestion for something on which to focus), and then we are silent, sitting or reclining for about 20 minutes.
Our meditation is loosely based on an ancient Buddhist form called Vipassana which means “clear vision”; however, there is nothing religious or ritualistic in how we practice. Mindfulness meditation, the most commonly practiced Vipassana technique, is designed to help you let go of constant thinking and worldly worries in order to find stillness and deep understanding, to better get to know what some people call the “True Self”.
Mindful Meditation is simply a practice of heightening our awareness of the here and now, taking time out to observe what is going on in our bodies, and in our minds. When we attune our minds to being in a state of constant awareness, we can learn a great deal about how our minds and bodies work. (Check out bookretreats.com for more retreats)
Resonant Singing Bowls often enhance the Meditation Experience at AmaTierra. Retreats such as this Sound Healing Immersion are also options for a more in-depth experience. See this Video to get a good idea of the Energy of our Yoga Studio and Land here at AmaTierra.
AmaTierra’s Yoga Philosophy
“I find this gentle Hatha style with an emphasis on breathing and deep stretching does the most good for the majority of people. It certainly has helped me overcome chronic neck and low back pain. Someone who is experiencing yoga for the first time realizes, ‘wow! I can DO this…and it feels really GOOD!’”
Jill Ruttenberg, Co-Owner, Yoga Instructor & Yoga and Wellness Director
Practicing yoga is about more than being fit—it’s about tuning in to your true self, getting quiet, being fully present in your moments and breathing into all corners of your Being with focus and intention.
AmaTierra’s commitment to gentle Hatha yoga honors the traditional roots of yoga’s ancient history, offering a strong foundation for your physical yoga practice, grounded in a spiritual tradition that has stood the test of time —a few thousand years, at least!
Jill’s method of teaching is closely aligned with one of her teachers, Jean-Pierre Marques from North Africa who was a pioneer in bringing Eastern traditions to the U.S. in 1971, and who later initiated the Spiritual Awareness Center at Canyon Ranch Spa in Tucson, Arizona.
Attune your spirit to the sounds of nature surrounding your senses
Your Yoga Instructors
Yoga Instructor and AmaTierra owner Jill Ruttenberg has been a certified Hatha yoga instructor since 1999. Jill’s method of teaching is closely aligned with her principal teacher, Jean-Pierre Marques from North Africa who was a pioneer in bringing Yoga and Eastern traditions to the U.S. in 1971, and who later initiated the Spiritual Awareness Center at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. Jill approaches yoga from a Spiritual, whole-person perspective and emphasizes the importance of listening to one’s own body’s guidance during yoga practice.
GUEST REVIEWS
“Felt like visiting Family…in a good way 😉“
REVIEWED JUNE, 2022
I visited AmaTierra for a much needed 10 day mental, spiritual and physical rest. I went alone and fully intended to keep to myself the entire time. However, I was struck by the sense of warmth and inclusion that the staff radiated from the time that Juan picked me up from the airport until the moment I left. The sense of belonging trickles down to the guests and, to my surprise, I found myself making some really good friends from all over the world who were also there to heal. It was just perfect. And exactly what this weary soul needed. I also did the 5 day detox with two other guests. We became fast friends as The Detoxers and actually enjoyed ourselves immensely. The group and individual sessions with Jill were so helpful. I honestly was never hungry and I was able to cleanse my body of a wicked caffeine addiction that had lasted for decades. Seriously. This place is special. It is admittedly a bit “wild”, with no air conditioning in the rooms (which this Texas girl is definitely used to) and the occasional visit from rather large spiders but I honestly feel so grateful that I found this place. I will keep in touch with Bob, Jill, Melinda and many of the guests that I had the pleasure of meeting at AmaTierra. And I am looking forward to going back as soon as I can.
“A grounding experience, how wonderful!“
REVIEWED APRIL, 2022
From the first day to the last, our stay at Ama Tierra was truly wonderful. My mom and I visited together for a medical school graduation/30th birthday celebration for me and we could not have chosen a better place for this occasion. I was impressed by the balance struck in every aspect of the experience at Amatierra. Rooms were clean and comfortable. Morning and evening yoga with interspersed meals made for enough to do without being overwhelming and plenty of time for introspection and relaxation. Jill and Bob were incredibly welcoming and kind. The other guests who we shared our time with were beyond wonderful and we had a connective experience with them as well. I left feeling I think the most relaxed I ever have in my life (not exaggerated). By taking care of all the potential decisions in a day (where to go, what to do, what to eat) you as a guest were almost forced to just practice being and sit with yourself which encouraged reflection, relaxation, and ease. As a soon to be allopathic medical doctor I was impressed by Jill’s expertise in her field and knowledge of chinese medicine and herbs. Though she was clearly incredibly knowledgeable I also appreciated that she did not push her offerings on any of the guests and approached each guest from an ethos of non judgement and opening. I truly felt so comfortable and can not say enough about the authentic experience Jill and Bob are offering. My mom and I left feeling strong, centered, relaxed, and ready to step back into daily life feeling more resilient and grounded. Would love to come back to this special place!
“Rest and renew yoga retreat“
REVIEWED APRIL, 2022
It difficult to clearly express the wonderful experience my stay was…as I arrived I felt welcomed, Jill and Bob are truly sincere and go beyond to make your stay memorable. Yoga was given by a gifted instructor, a loving spirit. Meals were so delicious…each a surprise visually in presentation. Their staff are friendly and very helpful.
“How wonderful!“
REVIEWED MARCH, 2022
Jill, Bob and all of the staff simply made us feel at home! My partner and I brought a group of 21 people to AmaTierra for a yoga and sound healing retreat. The communication was excellent, the food was to die for and the retreat center was everything we could have asked for! Thank you for a wonderful experience!
-Sound & Soul Retreats
I waited for several months before I left my review for AMATIERRA, because I don’t write reviews, period. The memories and treasured moments I experienced at this incredible property do not escape my memory, and I daydream of on a daily basis. The food, the view, the classes, the amenites, the plants & animals. So exclusive. I loved the people. Loved the music. Loved the escape. Spritual enrichment at unimaginable levels. Find yourself. Discover your inner Warrior. Peace, Joy, and all your soul craves. All in one place.
“Restful, Rejuvenating, and Welcoming”
REVIEWED AUGUST 2019
“My partner and I booked a 9-day trip to AmaTierra and stayed for 12! We absolutely loved everything about our Costa Rican getaway. As soon as we arrived at the airport, we were greeted by a wonderful driver. When we arrived at AmaTierra, it was more gorgeous than photos. Our trip was at the beginning of the “Green Season,” and throughout the trip, we were able to see an amazing mix of birds and beauty as it seemed like new plants were blooming every day. The views of the mountains were restorative, and we enjoyed walks along the pathways, Jill’s garden tour, and walks into the small town down the road. Jill, Bob, and the awesome staff were incredible! Everything was so consistently clean and food arrived at the table on time–always. We really enjoyed the rhythm of AmaTierra–the morning yoga, followed by coffee, fruit, and breakfast, a mix of active activities, lunch and restorative practices, treatments, and swimming during the day, yoga/meditation as the sun sets, and then just the best dinner ever. We found this routine so important to our own rest, healing, and anxiety-reducing needs that were one reason we came to Costa Rica. In addition to the rhythm, views, and staff, the food is amazing. We felt healthy (but full) after every meal, and felt that food was such a gift and loving act from the kitchen team. Food was fresh and flavorful, creative, beautiful, and fun! We loved the evenings when we ate with others too, and sometimes we even got together before dinner for sing-a-longs. There is an opportunity to make it what you want, and this community-building was a blessing for our time there. We are so grateful for our conversations with Bob, Jill, Cuco, Casey (who was our awesome yoga instructor while we there), and everyone else. They wanted us to have the best experiences, and they truly helped us feel like better versions of ourselves. We took part in some of the adventures, and highly recommend the tour in the rainforest, sound healing, and the hard-to-explain-but-moving-horse experience. Our trip was filled with monkeys and birds and iguanas and people and trees and flowers and smiles and conversation and rest. We cannot wait to come back for another visit and thank AmaTierra so much!!!! ”
Michelle
Trip Advisor
“Returned to Myself”
REVIEWED MAY 2019
“What an amazing retreat! I chose to do their detox program just to get all the accumulated junk out of me physically, emotionally, spiritually and to raise my vibration a bit. I have returned to Myself and it is a wonderful place to be. Jill was very loving in her approach to not letting me starve as she cleansed me with custom juices, smoothies, salads and vegetable dishes. Honestly, I was never really hungry. The rooms were always clean and fresh and meals were taken family style which was wonderful as we all got to know each other well. If you go, definitely do the waterfall excursion. It’s nearby and made for a fun afternoon. I highly recommend Ama Tierra.”
Mark L
Trip Advisor