Guide to Quepos & Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica - Quepolandia

Auricular Therapy

By Dr. Eugene MacDonald (Acupuncture Physician)

Auricular Therapy is based on the principle that correct stimulation of the precise pinpoint-sized pressure points located on the ear result in a powerful healing response in corresponding limbs and organs of the body. The stimulation causes the body to release anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety chemicals and hormones. It also dilates or constricts the blood vessels to improve circulation or stop bleeding and to increase white blood count amongst many other powerful effects.

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Filed under: Holis Wellness Center on April 15th, 2011
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New Reggae Night in Costa Rica

By Jim Parisi

Reggae music has become a global phenomenon, cast into public awareness forty years ago by musicians like Johnny Nash, Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. But the music remains Caribbean in temperament.

In 1995, the young Costa Rican music label Papaya Music released “Costa Rica Reggae Night”, an excellent compilation of authentic Reggae music from the Caribbean coast of this country. It is a compilation of thirteen songs from well known Costa Rican bands, both past and present; it was a kind of history of notable reggae bands from this area. The album has been a big hit, selling more than fifteen thousand copies in just ten years, a remarkable feat for an independent Central American label.

Filed under: Jim Parisi, Music Review on April 9th, 2011
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Breath and Movement

By Mark Goldstein

Many, if not all styles of yoga integrate breath into their practices. I teach the Vinyasa Flow style of yoga, and we link breath to each movement we make. There are quite a few asanas, or yoga poses, that can illustrate the experience of linking breath with movement, and this edition’s pose of the month is really a pair of poses named Cat and Cow.

Filed under: Costa Rica Yoga Journal, Mark Goldstein, Yoga on April 9th, 2011
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Juan Santamaría Must Be Rolling Over in His Grave

By Matt Casseday

Every April 11th, Costa Rica celebrates Juan Santamaría day. On that date in 1855, young Juan helped defend Costa Rica’s northern border against the forces led by the American mercenary William Walker, whose goal was to annex Central America for the ignoble purpose of the slave trade. The image of the humble young campesino, torch in hand, giving his life to ensure that Costa Rica was not tarnished by any kind of occupying force is in the heart and mind of every kid who grows up here; so great is the remembrance of his deed that the country’s largest airport is named for him, and a large statue of him greets every arriving visitor.

Flash forward 156 years to a little piece of land called Isla Calero. Part of Costa Rica, the isla has been technically occupied by Nicaragua for the past few months, while they allegedly work to improve the navegability of the San Juan River, which flows between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, but is considered part of Nicaragua.

Filed under: Crazy From the Heat, Matt Casseday on April 7th, 2011
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PAWS: What a difference an organization can make!

By Holly Myers

I’ve been coming to the Quepos area for the past 10 years and moved here over two years ago. As many of us that travel here, I fell in love with the climate, the beaches and the abundance of wildlife. However, the one thing that always broke my heart was the number of street dogs and cats and the lack of care the animals received. I was saddened that there wasn’t any way to systematically help these underfed animals that were sleeping on the street and in poor health.

Then PAWS (Pets of Aguirre Welfare Shelter) was formed. PAWS is a non-profit organization and its sole purpose is to help improve the overall wellbeing of the animals in our area. PAWS Mission Statement is: To provide no-kill solutions to reduce the number of homeless cats and dogs through education, rehabilitation and re-homing. This non-profit has three major goals. The first is to provide low cost spay and neutering clinics in our community and the surrounding areas of our canton. Since PAWS began 1 ½ and years ago, well over 400 animals have been spayed or neutered at various low-cost clinics. Our local veterinarians have graciously given their time and resources to perform these procedures at the PAWS sponsored clinics. This effort has greatly improved the health of these animals as well a preventing the birth of unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. On average, PAWS organizes a major castration clinic every 6 to 8 weeks with smaller clinics interspersed when needed. PAWS has begun a program of early castration of puppies and kittens before they are adopted assuring that they will not reproduce when mature. One $25 donation will spay or neuter 2 of these puppies or kittens!

According to the Humane Society of the US, a single female cat can have three litters a year with an average of five kittens per litter. In only seven years, she and her offspring could potentially produce 420,000 cats. In just six years, one female dog and her brood can produce as many as 67,000 puppies!

Filed under: Guest Writer on April 6th, 2011
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Catch and Release

By Joshua Stewart

The best policy, keeps the best fish alive.

That is what anglers around the world understand about good sport fishing. Preserve the most beautiful species flipping out of the ocean has been the main goal for old and young through the last years. That is why Sailfish, Marlin, Roosterfish and some others are released every day. Captains and mates take care of every game fish during the process of boating. They exactly know what to do in order to keep them alive and calculate the time out of water. “Catch and Release” has made an important change since it has been practiced.

Luna Tours boats released 10 Roosters, 4 Marlin and 123 Sailfish on February. First week and a half in March before Costa Rica Classic 2011, Ojaran II released 24 Sails and 5 Roosters. Ojaran III released 29 Sails and Reel Deal released 7 sailfish and 1 rooster. This gives us a total of 12 Marlin, 32 Roosters and 248 Sailfish released in 2011 only in our boats by March the 9th. This helps to conserve the species and keep the game alive.

The next time you visit a restaurant for sea food give a chance to the delicious Mahi-Mahi or Tuna. Some restaurants still serve Sail. If you were lucky and got some eatable fish on your catch of the day, try the finest restaurants in town. Our favorite and most recommended, El Gran Escape.

Filed under: Fishing Report, Joshua Stewart, Luna Tours on April 6th, 2011
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Cosmic Confetti’s Horoscopes – April 2011

These Horoscopes are meant to be fun and enjoyed. They should not be taken too seriously.

ARIES - March 21-April 19

7. For no reason at all, I’m going to throw the number 7 at you. SEVEN. Take everything you’ve got and run like the wind! Chew the cud with some friends this month, their inane chatter may amuse you.

RULING GEMSTONE: DIAMOND

TAURUS - April 20-May 20

Your selfish ways will not improve this month as you win a sizeable jackpot in the lottery. Walking to work in a clown costume can help you in your search for humility. It may seem unrelated to your month so far, but remember, the world loves a bastard!

RULING GEMSTONE: EMERALD

Filed under: Cosmic Confetti, Horoscopes on April 4th, 2011
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