While every person who struggles with addiction often deals with similar patterns of addiction, each of their stories is different. Each person who struggles with addiction is different, and they’re not just “addicts” who are all the same. So if everyone is different, then their struggles with addiction are going to need different responses and methods in their treatment for addiction.
Some people may need to have inpatient or residential treatment program to treat their struggles with alcohol, prescription drug or street drug abuse. Drug Rehabprograms vary, but every treatment program should include psychological counseling as well as treatment for physical withdrawal. Treatment programs may also provide exercise or holistic treatments to help patients cope with withdrawal and help them feel healthier and more in control of their lives. It is important for people who want to enroll in a rehab facility to look into the success rates of different programs to make sure the programs they are considering use proven methods.
There are several ways for people struggling with drug and alcohol abuse to find the right treatment center for them. One of the best ways is through a counselor or an advocacy organization that helps people find places in treatment centers. It can help those struggling with addiction and their loved ones to do research on rehabilitation clinics on their own as well to check out recommendations that people give them to make sure the treatment facility is a good fit for them. Most facilities and treatment centers are provide a number of different programs to fit different people’s needs, so patients need to be sure to research the different programs within each facility as well so they can enroll in the right program at the right facility.
Once a person picks a facility or program to go through, it is important that they commit to going through the program and see it through to its completion. Kicking addiction isn’t easy, but if a person makes the decision to commit to a program and see it through because they want it for themselves, then they are much more likely being successful in their recovery. Treatment facilities and programs can make a big difference in addiction recovery, but if the person enrolling doesn’t commit to the program, then it doesn’t matter how good the program is.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: –
Nathan Humpherys is a journalist who writes aboutDrug Rehaband Addiction Treatment. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife and family.
Adina Holistics + Filipe and Sione Fa featured on 93.3 KBKD Mesa/Phoenix
Adina Holistics and Biggest Loser contestants Filipe and Sione Fa were interview by 93.3 KBKD Mesa/Phoenix to discuss their experience.
There does appear to be anInternational Centre of Holistic Aromatherapyhailing from Brisbane, Australia; however, the entity does not seem inclined to host a Website that I can find.
Additionally, someone named Salvatore Battaglia seems partnered to some degree with it.
someone who would be understanding towards me not wanting to vaccinate my child? I’m 38 weeks pregnant and actively looking!
You are more likely to find a general practitioner rather than a pediatrician. You don’t actually need a pediatrician unless your child was a preemie, had problems at birth or has a chronic illness.
Pur Detox Updates Website for High-Class Detoxification Centers Laguna Beach, California, March 19th – Pur Detox has helped Utah police officers recovering from exposure to methamphetamines, using the same methodology that helped heal 9/11 rescue and reconstruction workers when traditional medicine had no lasting answers. [More....]
California Drug Rehab Centers Alcohol Programs CA
Why to choose drug rehab centers and treatment programs in California CA? Call 1-877-576-5132 now or go to http://www.DrugRehabConsulting.com. This state has the highest number of outpatient programs or residential drug rehab facilities! World leading specialists successfully treat any substance abuse problem. So if you or a loved one trying to kick a cocaine, heroin, marijuana, meth, alcohol or prescription drug addiction, California is a great place for recovery. Drug rehab programs, Drug and alcohol detox centers in California offer a wide variety of screenings, individualized treatment plans and holistic approaches to drug addiction.
This formula provides nutrients necessary for detoxification of aldehyde compounds, including formaldehyde, from new carpet and furniture out-gassing, as well as compounds produced by Candida or by alcohol metabolism….
In the past few years, emergent disease episodes have increased; nearly all have involved zoonotic or species-jumping infectious agents. Because there is no way to predict when or where the next important new zoonotic pathogen will emerge or what its ultimate importance might be, investigation at the first sign of emergence of a new zoonotic disease is particularly important. Such investigation may be described in terms of a discovery-to-control continuum: from recognition of a new disease in a new setting to complex phases involving the hard science disciplines pertaining to discovery, the epidemiologic sciences pertaining to risk assessment, and activities pertaining to risk management. Today, many activities involving zoonotic disease control are at risk because of a failed investigative infrastructure or financial base. Because zoonotic diseases are distinct, their prevention and control will require unique strategies, based more on fundamental research than on traditional approaches. Such strategies require that we rebuild a cadre of career-committed professionals with a holistic appreciation of several medical and biologic sciences.
Predicting the Emergence of Zoonotic and Species-Jumping Pathogens
In general, there is no way to predict when or where the next important new zoonotic pathogen will emerge or what its ultimate importance might be. A pathogen might emerge as the cause of a geographically limited curiosity, intermittent disease outbreaks, or a new epidemic. No one could have predicted the emergence or zoonotic nature of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy prion in cattle in the United Kingdom in 1986, the emergence or zoonotic potential of Sin Nombre virus as the cause of Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome in the Southwest in 1993, and certainly not the species-jumping emergence of HIV as the cause of AIDS in 1981. Consequently, investigation at the first sign of emergence of a new zoonotic disease is particularly important, although the investigation usually resembles a field- and laboratory-based research project rather than a typical case-control-based outbreak investigation. This reality must drive strategic planning for dealing with new zoonotic diseases.
Factors Contributing to the Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases
Many elements can contribute to the emergence of a new zoonotic disease: microbial/virologic determinants, such as mutation, natural selection, and evolutionary progression; individual host determinants, such as acquired immunity and physiologic factors; host population determinants, such as host behavioral characteristics and societal, transport, commercial, and iatrogenic factors; and environmental determinants, such as ecologic and climatologic influences. Emergence of new zoonotic pathogens seems to be accelerating for several reasons: global human and livestock animal populations have continued to grow, bringing increasingly larger numbers of people and animals into close contact; transportation has advanced, making it possible to circumnavigate the globe in less than the incubation period of most infectious agents; ecologic and environmental changes brought about by human activity are massive; and bioterroristic activities, supported by rogue governments as well as organized amateurs, are increasing, and in most instances the infectious agents of choice seem to be zoonotic.
Ecologic Factors Contributing to the Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases, as Exemplified by Arboviruses Diseases
Contributing to the emergence of zoonotic diseases is the capacity of microorganisms and viruses to adapt to extremely diverse and changing econiches. One of the most complex sets of adaptations concerns the arboviruses and their transmission by specific arthropods. When ecosystems are altered, disease problems of humans and animals follow. Population movements and the intrusion of humans and domestic animals into arthropod habitats have resulted in emergent disease episodes, some of which are the stuff of fiction. The classic example is the emergence of yellow fever when humans entered the Central American jungle to build the Panama Canal—many contemporary examples suggest that similar events will continue to occur. Deforestation and settlement of new tropical forest and farm margins have exposed farmers and domestic animals to new arthropods and the viruses they carry. Mayaro and Oropouche virus infections in Brazilian woodcutters who cleared the Amazonian forest in recent years is a case in point. The opening up of isolated ecosystems has contributed to emergent disease episodes. Remote econiches, such as islands, with immunologically naive potential reservoir hosts and vectors are often particularly vulnerable to an introduced virus. For example, the initial Pacific island-hopping of Ross River virus in the 1980s from its original econiche in Australia caused “virgin soil” epidemics of arthritis-myalgia syndrome in Fiji and Samoathis virus will surely reemerge. Increased long-distance air travel facilitates the movement of infected persons and exotic arthropod vectors around the world. The introduction of the Asian mosquito Aedes albopictus to the United States in water contained in used tires represents an unsolved problem of this kind. Increased long-distance livestock transportation facilitates the movement of viruses and arthropods (especially ticks) around the world. The introduction and emergence of African swine fever virus from Africa into the Americas in the 1960s and 1970s seem prophetic; although this virus is not zoonotic (it does not infect humans), this experience should raise the question concerning possible transport of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus or other tick-borne pathogens to new locales. Ecologic factors pertaining to uncontrolled urbanization and environmental pollution are contributing to many emergent disease episodes. Arthropod vectors breeding in accumulations of water (e.g., tin cans, old tires) and sewage-laden water are a problem worldwide. Environmental chemical toxicants (herbicides, pesticides, residues) can also affect vector-virus relationships directly or indirectly. Ecologic factors related to expanding primitive irrigation systems are becoming important in virus disease emergence, as exemplified by the emergence of Japanese encephalitis in newly developed rice-growing areas of southern Asia. New routings of long-distance bird migrations, brought about by new man-made water impoundments, represent an important yet still untested risk of introduction of arboviruses into new areas. Global warming, which affects sea level, estuarine wetlands, fresh water swamps, and human habitation patterns, may also be affecting vector-virus relationships throughout the tropics; however, data are scarce and long-term programs to study the effect of global warming have too often not included the participation of tropical medicine experts. Of all the ecologic factors contributing to arthropod-borne zoonotic viral disease emergence, uncontrolled urbanization is the most important. The mega cities of the tropics, with their lack of sanitary systems, serve as incubators for emerging Zoonoses—they represent the most difficult zoonotic disease risks of the next century.
Lessons from Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Epidemics
Past Venezuelan equine encephalitis epidemics provide lessons regarding today’s zoonotic disease prevention and control systems. In 1971, as the virus crossed from Mexico into Texas, agricultural disease control authorities were prepared to start shooting and burying horses in a massive slaughter campaign. There is another lesson from the 1971 and 1995 Venezuelan equine encephalitis epidemics. Thirty years ago the arboviruses community was large, very experienced in field work and disease control actions, and holistic in perspective and expertise. Arbovirologists were able to bring together all necessary expertise—entomology and vector biology, ecology, mammology, ornithology, epidemiology, and virology. However, today this community, like so many others supporting zoonotic public health programs, is very small, rather poorly experienced in field work, and scientifically fragmented. Experts on mosquito biology, genetics, ecology, and vector competence are becoming more and more separated from the people in local mosquito control agencies who are expected to terminate epidemics.
Lessons from the Equine Morbillivirus Outbreak in Australia
Recent experiences in Australia with a new morbillivirus disease add still more lessons in zoonotic disease prevention and control. In 1994, horses on a property in Queensland developed acute respiratory distress with hemorrhagic manifestations—14 of 21 infected horses died. A horse trainer and a stable-hand became ill after nursing a sick horse—the trainer died. The disease was found to be caused by a previously unknown morbillivirus. Remarkably, in 1996 fruit bats (flying foxes) were found to be the natural host of the virus. Studies are under way to unravel these findings.
Lessons from Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever Epidemics
Should we be concerned about Ebola virus? Is there a risk to Africa that compares with the everyday problems of other Zoonoses such as malaria or yellow fever? Is there a risk to people in North America or Europe? If the worst that might happen is an occasional importation resulting in a small cluster of cases, should we be concerned? If the time and place of such episodes are unpredictable, should we not just wait and react after the fact? The risk reflected in these questions is difficult to evaluate because we know so little. However, we can say that as western-style hospitals become more affordable for Africans, nosocomial Ebola amplification will increase, and epidemics will get larger. These viruses and the diseases they cause need to be understood because the risk they represent is unknown and the risk for future episodes is so unpredictable—the same should be said in regard to all similarly lethal zoonotic pathogens. For example, we need to find the natural reservoir of Ebola virus and learn how its prevalence in its natural environment and how transmission to humans are regulated. In Africa, the emergence of Ebola virus could dramatically increase if its still unknown reservoir host(s) increased, the virus changed its behavior, or ecologic factors brought additional reservoir hosts into play. We need to know enough to detect such changes quickly. The concerned public would not be satisfied if public health leaders decided on a wait-and-see approach for dealing with Ebola hemorrhagic fever or other diseases with similar pathogenic potential. Dealing with Ebola virus and similar very dangerous infectious agents need not be thought of as so expansive or expensive as to be unrealistic. Field-based epidemiologic studies are needed; diagnostic systems require better placement in laboratories in Africa. Training is a major need—not through short courses, but rather through advanced career training and experience; transcending these is the need for an expanded research base, which in turn requires more national laboratory facilities and resources for work at biosafety level (BSL) 4. These needs must be met in all industrialized countries on behalf of developing countries.
Lessons from Rabies Epidemics
Rabies provides many lessons in how viral adaptation contributes to emergence in new econiches. Often, the necessary ecologic elements are in place and the recipe for emergence simply involves the introduction of virus; a dramatic illustration was the appearance of epidemic raccoon rabies in the eastern United States. The epidemic was traced to raccoons imported from Florida to West Virginia in 1977—as usual, human perturbation of an ecosystem, in this instance involving the transport of wild raccoons from an endemic site, caused trouble. One key to our understanding of this episode was the discovery that rabies virus is not one virus; rather, it is a set of different genotypes, each transmitted within a separate reservoir host econiche. In North America, there are six terrestrial animal genotypes, including the raccoon virus genotype. Raccoons bite raccoons that bite raccoons, and after some time, their virus becomes a distinct genotype, highly adapted to the host cycle. When the full significance of this discovery was realized, many mysteries of rabies ecology were clarified.
Lessons from the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome Epidemic
In 1993, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome was first recognized in the southwestern United States. Cases have been found in 28 states; as of 1997, more than 164 cases had been confirmed in the United States and more than 400 throughout the Americas—the death rate has been approximately 45%. At the beginning of the investigation, serologic tests provided the first clue about the nature of the causative virus. Viral RNA was amplified from patient specimens, and a previously unknown hantavirus, now named Sin Nombre virus, was uncovered. The laboratory and field work resembled fundamental field- and laboratory-based research, not a traditional outbreak investigation. Sin Nombre virus and its relatives could only be dealt with in laboratories with the most sophisticated molecular biologic and immunologic technologies, the most expert staff scientists, and the kind of global perspective seen in WHO international reference centers.
Lessons from the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy Epidemic in Cattle and New-Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Humans
Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in the United Kingdom may provide more lessons than any other recent emergent zoonotic disease episode. The disease was first diagnosed in the United Kingdom in 1986; as of 1997, more than 170,000 cattle had been reported as infected, but modern statistical methods have indicated that about one million cattle had been infected, roughly half of which entered the human food chain in the United Kingdom. In 1995, the BSE agent was reported to be the cause of a new human zoonotic disease, new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. By 1997, 26 cases had been reported in the United Kingdom and one in France. A recent report from The Royal Society states that there is now a compelling case regarding new-variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease as the human manifestation of BSE. With such a small number of cases, it is impossible to predict future numbers of cases of the human disease, but clearly the damage to the livestock and related food industries of the United Kingdom will continue. BSE may be instructive in other ways, especially in its extension into the worlds of macroeconomics, international trade, political science, and even global governance.
The Discovery-to-Control Continuum as Applied to Zoonotic Diseases
Initial investigation at the first sign of emergence of a new zoonotic disease must focus on practical characteristics such as death rate, severity of disease, transmissibility, and remote spread, all of which are important predictors of epidemic potential and societal risk. Various elements of a discovery-to-control continuum are usually called for: discovery, the recognition of a new zoonotic disease in a new setting; epidemiologic field investigation; etiologic investigation; diagnostics development; focused research; technology transfer; training and outreach; and ultimately control, elimination, and eradication. Of course, not all of these elements are appropriate in every emerging zoonotic disease episode—decisions must be made and priorities must be set. In the initial phases in the discovery-to-control continuum, people outside the “citadel” (the traditional federal community of investigators and officials) must be recognized—local clinicians, pathologists (including medical examiners and forensic pathologists), veterinarians and animal scientists, ecologists, wildlife scientists, as well as local public health officials, many of whom have not been enamored of their experiences in dealing with those inside the citadel. The important early role of primary diagnostic laboratories and the reference laboratory networks that support them must also be recognized. In this era of the primacy of molecular microbiology and virology, it bears reminding that many of the early investigative activities surrounding the identification of a possibly emergent zoonotic disease must be carried out in the field, not in the laboratory. In the intermediate phases in the discovery-to-control continuum, the continuum progresses to the general area of risk management, the area represented not by the question what’s going on here? but by the question what are we going to do about it? This phase may include expansion of many elements: technology transfer involving diagnostics development and proof testing, vaccine and drug development and proof testing, sanitation and vector control, and medical and veterinary care activities and their adaptation to the circumstances of the disease locale; commercialization, where appropriate, of diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutic agents in quantities needed and provision of these materials through nongovernment organizations or government sources; training, outreach, continuing education, and public education, each requiring professional expertise and adaptation to the special circumstances of the disease locale; and communications, employing the technologies of the day such as the Internet and professional expertise. Further along the discovery-to-control continuum, activities become more complex. Frustration often occurs at intermediate points as administrators and politicians drag their feet in regard to resource allocation. This frustration, in turn, drives scientists back to their laboratories, to the world of research, to the front end of the continuum. Younger scientists, particularly, become cynical of the harsh political world of risk management, even though this is the arena in which their discoveries must prove themselves. More expensive and specialized expertise and resources come into play in the final phases of the discovery-to-control continuum: public health systems, including rapid case-reporting systems, surveillance systems, vital records and disease registers, staffing and staff support, logistic support, legislation and regulation, and expanded administration; special clinical systems, including isolation of cases, quarantine, and patient care; and public infrastructure systems, including sanitation and sewerage, safe food and water supplies, and reservoir host and vector control.
Conclusions
Who will be the world’s doctor? Who will be the world’s expert on zoonotic diseases? Their answers have been in the form of proposals and funding requests to expand global disease surveillance, diagnostics, communications, and emergency response systems, a global training program, and a global stable funding base. However, somewhat distinct strategies are needed to deal specifically with emerging zoonotic diseases, and these strategies have not been fully developed. Examples have been given in this paper to suggest that these strategies must involve more of a field and laboratory research enterprise than a traditional surveillance and reference diagnostics enterprise. In some cases, it is not even clear who might do the focused applied research that must underpin advances in zoonotic disease prevention and control. In present circumstances, where the survival of institutions is at stake, turf battles are exacerbated, and competition rather than cooperation between academic institutions and government agencies ensues.
In particular, I am intersested in treatments utilizing homeopathy, neti pot, colloidal silver, hydrogen peroxide, herbs, essential oils, sinus irrigation, chiropractic, or other non-invasive procedures, plus any feedback from people who have had surgery for mastoid infections…also I’m interested in funding the causative factors for mastoid infections.
Homeopathic Treatment for Mastoid :-
NUX VOMICA in 1M potency one dose every week. HEKLA LAVA(Hecla Lava) and SULFUR in 30 three times a day half an hour before meals.
This is a tried tested and well verified prescription. Surgery will not cure it as far as I know because have treated and cured many after their surgery failed with exactly these remedies with 100% results.
Avoid Chocolates, Mints, Coffee, Red Meat, Alcoholic and Carbonated drinks, Spicy Rich Food while taking any Homeopathic remedies, and keep the medicines away from direct sunlight, heat strong smells and perfumes and do not store them in the fridge.
Curing without any side effects or Complications Thats the Beauty of Homeopathic Medicine .
Take Care and God Bless you !
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Our Magnetic Therapy, for daytime and nighttime PAIN RELIEF has been Medically test proven, at major Medical Centers, to effectively increase blood circulation and provide outstanding pain relief These therapeutic magnets reduce swelling and pain, expediting the healing process for chronic and acute conditions.
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Harmonious Environment: Beautify, Detoxify & Energize Your Life, Your Home & Your Planet, by Norma Lehmeier Hartie, is an indispensable reference book for anyone who cares about their health and well being and for the future of the planet. Hartie concisely covers a wide range of subjects and includes a comprehensive listing of advisory organizations, product and service resources. Part I of …
This book is the most comprehensive and objective reference on colloidal silver available. It covers what is known about colloidal silver, what it does, how it works, and what its risk of toxicity is. This third edition has incorporated a lot of new information from recent research and development activity. Argyria and silver toxicity is addressed in detail from an objective perspective. Informati…
Healthcare facility swells with patients Nurse Deborah David checks the blood pressure of patient Rookmin Dhanai, who came to the Addabbo Family Health Center seeking treatment for a sore throat. [More....]
Prostate cancer treatment at Sanoviv Medical Institute, a holistic and complementary alternative health care facility.
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For the first time, a leading expert in the field of prostate health shows men how to markedly reduce their risk not only of prostate cancerbut also enlarged prostate and prostatitis. Equally important, Dr. Katz shows men the best treatment protocols for these conditions. He also describes breakthrough clinical trials with a proprietary herbal formula that reverses precancerous prostate conditio…
What do cancer, heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, digestive tract diseases, macular degeneration and chronc fatigue syndrom have in common? They’re all caused by chronic, low-grade inflammation. In her ground breaking new book, esteemed researcher and epidemiologist, Dr. Vijaya nair discusses the hidden cause behind some of America’s most deadly diseases – and reveals natural anti-…
One Woman’s Experience: a Look Into Costa Rican Rejuvenation
With the powerful ride of our daily lives, sometimes creating vertigo, our search for an emotional and physical break, and a combined rationalization to justify it, will continue to rise. Though the ride of life will continue, there are some things we can do to make it smoother from time to time.
For the past few years, I have had the assorted delight of exploits and objection of living in a small resort town in Costa Rican, one of foreign tourism’s most sought destinations. In my endeavors in the spa industry both here and in the US, I have found varying assumptions, real life options, along with what works for that illusory thing we call rejuvenation.
Costa Rica, a country comparable to the size of West Virginia is, in and of itself is a Mecca of natural wonders made for revivification. With my own inner desire to seek out some renewal for myself, and being right here in “Mecca land” I decided to take it upon myself to find out what is out there not only for me, but for those around me who look to me for knowledge in this area.
Hundreds of auspicious companies now acknowledge the commitment needed to redirect the unhealthy and unhappy workforce created by the demands of the job. Many are realizing that these sedentary and high pressure positions may be causing employees a loss of physical health, leading to further preoccupations and overworked psyches. The return, high cost healthcare, and less productivity. Health oriented firms are taking advantage of this shift by craftily applying well planned, results oriented programs to increase worker productivity and reduce stress, while setting markers to measure goals and savings. Firms will work one on one with your company to implement on site healthcare facilities, work out centers, meditation rooms, weekly massage, nutrition and stress management classes, among other incentives. Giving back to the employee and acknowledging they are more than a 9 to 5. This provocation of our spiritual search and looking into our own behavioral patterns and how they lock us into our external lives is increasing. Our need to reclaim our behavior is a reason to seek places of divine retreat.
We seek rejuvenation centers for solace, to manage stress, detoxify, find alternative healthcare or for motivation for a lifestyle change, all while satisfying our craving for euphoria. What if we could bring about a radical change within ourselves, and let that ebb and flow in our daily lives. What is that worth to us?
From coastal plains to rugged mountains, and over 100 volcanic cones, several that are active, the humble country of Costa Rica depends on tourism to bring in foreign income that allows them to tackle environmental and social issues. The past year has brought that tourism, and foreign direct investment, over 480 million dollars of it. It has also brought advancement, with spas popping up in rapid succession, and a seeming rush to beat out the next guy. According to the Coyle Hospitality Group, a New York based market leader in quality assurance, the average person, 57% of us in fact, have visited a resort or hotel spa 1-5 times in the past year. With spas at almost every edge of Costa Rica, from the south end of the Osa Peninsula, to the far north where you can visit a Four Seasons, I agree we will see our share of the 59% of consumers who now want more time to explore their spiritual side, according to the 2001 Leisure Travel Monitor.
R &R Resorts is the management operation of three well known and highly sought international wellness centers with spa and retreat villas. Providing the total “mind, body, spirit” connection before it was trendy to include this slogan on every youngling spa brochure. One of their three facilities, aptly named Pura Vida, or Pure Life, a national anthem and frequent greeting for the Costa Rican People, symbolizing to take it easy and enjoy life. In other words most things can wait until tomorrow, not a mentality easily ingrained into our work harder, get more, puritan roots.
I decided it was time to take advantage of my location and experience this for myself. As I passed through a small country town, they call Cerrysel, I am amazed at how much of this small country still remains for me to see. High green mountains, surrounded by coffee fields, and winding small roads that lead to a remote hilltop location, needing a little navigation, almost as if you need an exclusive password for the privilege of the location. A seeming world away from my four hour drive from the coast, with fog misted mountains and a quiet calm, I looked forward to sharing with the staff. Having previously arranged a meeting with the general manager and marketing coordinator, I knew I only had the day to enjoy this getaway, because of my schedule.
Promising myself I would make a return visit for the much talked about week of transformation.
Upon my arrival I was greeted with a warm welcome by Manrique Gomez, the GM here for the past three years with 20 years of management experience. I was immediately taken through the grounds, as we discussed the types of accommodations, classes, treatments and pricing they have to offer.
The walk was colder than I am used to, quiet, with only the wind moving the palm and almond trees with a perpetual breeze, and a refreshing clear view of the valley and surrounding hills. With a review of the 22,000 square meter grounds, of comfortable sturdy “toldos” or tents, and pagoda style villas, 53 in all, I was invited to lunch. In the Garden Restaurant a cozy cafeteria style center, I sat down with some very sincere and enthusiastic staff. More rightly referred to as part of the community, at least that is how they like to view themselves. I was pleased to find some of my favorite combinations, tofu dishes, lots of fresh vegetables, cheeses, fruit juice and salad. A light healthy fare, that blends well with a weeks retreat of healing therapies from Bioenergetics, Watsu, Inner Guidance, Thai, Reflexology, Reflective time and all other customary treatments you may think of.
Everyone I spoke with was honest and open, not at all excessively protective of their proprietary works as some who shrink from the interest of other trade professionals. Proud of their success and innovative programs they were happy to share. With members of the “community” from Israel, Australia, USA, Germany, Britain, and of course Costa Rica, they have no shortage of people who seek a chance to live and work here. Isvari, a Sanskrit word for the feminine of God, is the name the resident yoga instructor takes. Trained in Kripalu, Holistic Nutrition, Danskinetics, and Iyengar theories, she brings an open minded vision to her teaching. When I asked another member, what she enjoyed most here, the response was “touching hearts”, which is what she sees in the responsive and physical difference in her clients, at weeks end. Trained in Israel, Switzerland, and India, she has a friendly face, wide, clear eyes, and a true dedication to her work. Management, instructors, therapists, enthusiasts, solace seekers, and Pura Vida regulars all eat, live, practice, and heal together.
Built on an old coffee farm, significantly more developed than when it was purchased 20 years ago by the founding couple of R & R Resorts, Pauline and Michael Klegg.
Now a prosperous company, it is comprehensibly managed by a couple of “corporate refugees”, Rakesh and LuAnn. Based in Dahlonega, Georgia, near the Pura Vida USA wellness center, they travel monthly to their sister properties in Tulum, Mexico, and Alejuela, Costa Rica. Rakesh, a former corporate financier, and LuAnn a lawyer by training, make for a well designed management team. For two and a half years they have been behind the properties and programs you can find available. In speaking with the management team I was able to relate to the dedication and skill it takes to keep these wellness centers going. With my own recent work in boutique, and resort spa start up on the Pacific Coast, I’d had my days of rewards and set-backs. The couple, having visited the Costa Rican property three years ago on vacation, decided to modify their lives and upon their return, applied with R& R Resorts, later finding themselves heading up the project. Attracted to the wellness industry by a desire to do something more thrilling than the routine corporate world, and I’m guessing a little healthy self-interest to do something for themselves, they took it on with enthusiasm. With no misconceptions about the industry, they admit, it is just as hard, if not more, to manage these properties, as it was in high demand jobs. Travel is frequent and quality checks are consistent, along with ensuring that each property reflects and represents what they advertise, and is homogenous with the whole body connection put into place at the original MayaTulum property 20 years ago. The founding couple had some healthy discernment in bringing together yoga, and spa awareness when it was not mainstream, an became an inspiration to others.
LuAnn tells me there are no immediate plans for expansion on the Costa Rica property, but that they are always looking to improve the look and “deepen their offerings” to the guests, and leave them with something to take home. As we all know, our guests can be the greatest reward, and the greatest challenge, all at the same time. The reason they always look for staff with the ability to deal with the public, and amongst it all, smile! A pre-requisite to be a staff member, I am told, is quality training, knowledge, and of course the right attitude. As I’ve heard throughout my career from therapist, to manager, through development and consulting, people can be trained, but if they are inherently unhappy, that will reflect in their work.
It must be working, as LuAnn informs me they consistently receive compliments from clients around the world on the positive fulfillment of expectation and forceful energy of Pura Vida retreats. From experience I know how hard it can be to execute countless biddings, the feeling to out perform, and surpass your guests expectations. In this aspect LuAnn put it so objectively, “Some may have better rooms than us, others may have better treatments, but it is what we put into it, and the service and caring that our clients receive that make it an experience to remember.”
This is the attitude that has made this one of the most popular destination locations in Central America, and the management awareness is key.
With the average vacation being 10-14 days out of 365, some of us, myself included prefer a new experience during our time away, where our personal needs will be addressed, and you can really take some, YOU time. Sometimes that takes seclusion, and lifestyle change, which is part of what Pura Vida does in taking pride in raising a level of consciousness for their clients, and creating a safe space for transformation to happen. Where as one staff member put it, “giving them time to return to the beautiful person they have forgotten they are”
LuAnn maintains a belief that nature has a way of healing us, if that is the case, then this is a perfect tropical location to begin your renewal. Not only a popular spa with 9 mountain view rooms dedicated to treatments and a private Watsu pool. Their wellness center can also be reserved for yoga teacher trainings, therapist CEU’s, and seminars for all types and levels of the trade.
Destination spas are one of the things people think of when looking for a much needed escape and to allow our overworked minds to be swept away, to contemplate a recent change, a divorce, work, or life. Each of us will look to have a different expectation filled, seeking our own path, transcending age, health and circumstance. We all need, and deserve to function at our best physiologically and emotionally. Personally I look forward to taking them up on an invitation to return and participate in their wellness program and trying out the ‘Unwrap Journey Paradise” package , floating from massage to wrap to detox steam and facial. Exploring the boundries of my yoga stretches, and taking some time for introspection of my own to re-direct some goals that may have slipped off track.
Costa Rica can be a place where your daily rejuvenation rituals and healthy habits may be challenged, you certainly will be hard pressed to find a turkey burger or raw foods juice bar, especially disadvantageous to those of us living day to day lives here. Whether we are traveling or a long term guest in a foreign location, our well being is within our reach. Inside the borders of this little country I currently call home, I now have one more channel to access in my personal search for the sometimes misleading or unbridled spirit. Rejuvenation is deeply personal to each of us, as we create our rituals to get through the day, deep breaths when needed, a private minute for a mantra, or scanning trade and travel magazines for the next get away. We find our way.
I look up as I am writing this, into a tranquil ocean cove, a friends’ sloop moored below, the sun is setting, soon I will see the capricious pattern of shades on the horizon, a bird swoops in to pick up a wandering gecko, and I move to the sounds of distant titi monkeys, and a subtle background beat of a locally bought c.d., ‘Sounds of the Coffee Lands’. An echo of breaking surf moves up the hill, like a chant, a sound that has always been my soul rejuvenation, that wraps me in contentment. I guess this is the beginnings of my dream, my chance to re-invent myself and capture the empowerment to appreciate it, and what enables me to provide a center of renewal for myself and those around me. So my daily ride, once a roller coaster has slowed to a tranquil merry go round, with an exceptional view… at least for the time being. After all I am working the controls.
Liz Galloway
Lotus Effects LLC, Spa College, and Lucid Learning were founded by Liz Galloway, professional wellness consultant, speaker and spa industry trainer. With location and teams in both the US and Costa Rica she continues to provide precision business and mentoring for spa start up’s and turn arounds, while bringing new levels of patent pending training options to the healing arts industry.
“My name is Sarah, and I was a participant in the Annapurna Center for Self Healing liver gallbladder cleanse. What precipitated my journey here was a lifetime of white flour and white sugar and all that those substances and many others do to tax the body. I was a young woman in an old woman’s body and I needed some deep cleansing and healing and the knowing that that I was whole.
Doing the liver gallbladder cleanse and all the work around the mental and emotional parts of the body in unison with the mind and spirit, I came to a sense of grace and wholeness and equanimity that I heretofore had not known. I am ever so grateful for the wisdom that has been culled by the staff here. They are gracious and understanding and compassionate, real and authentic, they can go to some really deep places when you decide to release and let go and surrender to the healing process.
I also want to honor all the guests who stayed here because they had an integral role in seeing different reflections of how one can choose to heal, and what healing might mean.
I would also like to note that the food is fantastic – it is prepared fresh from the hands and the heart and the spirit of very kind and well skilled folk who have an intimate knowledge of what it is to cook in a raw food kitchen – or uncook, if you will – and there’s beautiful water that you can probably only get in a handful of places on the planet, alkaline water.
And there’s a real wonderful garden.
There’s something about being in a healing center that is surrounded by such abundant, colorful life. The seasons changing in this part of the Olympic Peninsula, its quite exquisite to go along with the seaons of health and change that manifest when you decide to really allow your body the space to expand and to find what it doesn’t need how your body can actually compost that; in unison with all the devices, both mechanical, that are available at The Annapurna Center for Self Healing.
Thank you.”
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