I awoke with sore arms at 5: After a shower I grabbed a mango for breakfast from the supermarket on the road between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. While these tropical fruits are available year-round in Costa Rica, they seem sweetest during the months of January and February -- and the stickiest, messiest kinds are always the best. I was impressed by the hotel's beautiful landscaping and attention to detail. Opening the door to my air conditioned suite, I marveled at the bed littered with fragrant flower petals.
An hour after settling in, it was time for my day with Evelina Bolognini, the owner of Holis Spa. Five years had elapsed since my last Pilates class, and I had forgotten how intense the exercise could be. Derived from yoga and with a similar emphasis on stretching, Pilates is focused on strengthening the core and lengthening the spine. Evelina gave me a private class to demonstrate specific movements and breathing exercises -- including my favorite, "rolling like a ball. After so much exercise, I was ready for a restful "Total Body Awareness" massage.
This unique treatment combines deep tissue, reflexology, Thai massage, osteopathy and acupressure techniques, with the goal of helping patients better understand and care for their bodies. I filled out a general health questionnaire and discussed it with Evelina.
Having been trained in body work and holistic therapies, she had a sixth sense for finding her clients' aches and pains. I can read the history and energy in your muscles with my hands, just like I could read a written biography about your life with my eyes.
By simply rubbing my legs and feet she surmised a wealth of information about my health history, including items not reported on the survey. Every hour that passed felt like 15 minutes, as Evelina worked the fibers of my arms, hands, neck and shoulders.
