Join Shelley Williams and Blanche de Marion in the Osa Peninsula...

Why the Osa Peninsula?

The Osa Peninsula is one of the most beautiful, wild, biodiverse places on the planet. Yes, it is literally at the end of the road...Off the pavement, off the grid, and about an hour away from the nearest town.

Step directly into Nature at her finest. No crowds, lines of people, or fences to keep you separate from your own intimate experience with Nature. Find secret waterfalls cascading out of rocks into refreshing, naturally formed swimming pools. Hike through the jungle out to the exposed, south-facing coast. Soak in ancient tide pool bathtubs filled with warm salt water, right at the ocean's edge. Surf warm waves to stimulate your body, practice inspired yoga daily to stimulate your mind and open your heart. Enjoy being immersed in healing nature as you hone your own healing skills for body, mind, spirit. Matapalo is located just 8 degrees from the equator within primary rainforest and the largest, protected national park preserve in all of Central America. The raw energy and vibration of this land is powerful and precious, and awakens your natural state of connectedness with self and nature.

Zenthai Shiatsu LEVEL 1 IMMERSION TRAINING within 7day Retreat

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"Bringing freedom of movement to the structural and energetic body"

An immersive journey into the art of conscious touch.

This five-day training offers an inspiring deep dive into Zenthai Shiatsu, a therapeutic approach that weaves together the wisdom of Traditional Thai Massage, Zen Shiatsu (Traditional Chinese Medicine), yoga postures, and osteopathic principles, all guided by mindful presence.

You will learn a complete 90-minute sequence, designed to support the body both structurally and energetically. Through practice, exploration, and shared experience, you will cultivate a more subtle quality of touch, refined body awareness, and a deeper understanding of therapeutic support through listening, intention, and presence.

More than just a technical training, this immersion is a personal transformation experience, a space for self-reconnection, and an invitation to build connection within a supportive and conscious group, in a truly spectacular place in nature. It opens a dialogue beyond words—where movement, breath, and touch become languages of presence, attention, and healing.

Whether you are a therapist, yoga teacher, movement lover, or simply curious about the healing arts, this retreat-style training lays a solid foundation on the path of Zenthai Shiatsu—rooted in heart, awareness, and authenticity.

The Zenthai Shiatsu Level 1 training is open to anyone who feels curious or passionate about the healing arts, conscious touch, and holistic therapeutic approaches. It is designed for those who wish to explore a complete and embodied practice that draws from ancient traditions — Thai massage, Zen Shiatsu, osteopathy, and yoga — while integrating them into a modern, intuitive, and living system.

It is ideal for massage therapists wanting to refine their skills, yoga teachers and practitioners seeking to deepen their embodied knowledge, and for anyone wanting to explore the foundations of structural and energetic therapy. It is also a beautiful entry point for those considering the full Zenthai practitioner pathway in the future.

No prior experience in massage or yoga is required. Whether you are already working in the healing arts or simply feel called to explore body-based wisdom, conscious touch, and therapeutic connection, this training is for you.

• Morning practices of yoga and exploratory movement to anchor you into your body

• An introduction to functional anatomy and Chinese medicine principles relevant to Zenthai Shiatsu

• A practical approach to understanding the body — how to locate key bones and muscles involved in common patterns of pain, tension, and postural imbalance

• Daily opportunities to both give and receive high-quality bodywork

• Shared Accommodation in beautifully crafted, ocean front jungle cabinas for 7 nights

• 3 delicious meals daily — locally sourced, delicious, and nourishing meals prepared fresh on-site and served buffet-style

• Heart opening connection and community

• Ocean therapy and medicine walks on jungle paths along beaches

• A return to barefoot simplicity in one of the most extraordinary places on the planet

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• Over 2 hours of quality bodywork techniques, gestures, and sequences

• A more refined and sensitive touch

• Deepened inner awareness

• Skills to perceive subtle energy and listen to the body on a deeper level

• A comprehensive manual and training recap videos

• Access to the Zenthai online practitioner community

• A Level 1 Zenthai Shiatsu Certificate

• ​Profound experience of nature: living in rhythm with primary rainforest, wildlife, sunrise to sunset

• A reconnection with your most vibrant self

FLIGHTS: 2 flights are required to get to the Osa Peninsula

1. Book your Roundtrip International flight to arrive into SJO (San Juan Santamaria, Costa Rica located in Alajuela) Allow a minimum of 3 hours between international flight arrival and local flight departure.

2. Need an overnight stay in Alajuela? If this is necessary for flight timing to coordinate, we recommend staying at the nearby Fairfield Inn: includes free shuttle to/ from airport and breakfast is included.

3. Book your local/ domestic flight on Sansa Airlines from SJO (San Juan Santamaria) to PJM (Puerto Jimenez). Please plan to arrive into Puerto Jimenez mid-morning to midday on February 7th, and depart Puerto Jimenez midday to late afternoon on Feb 14th (depending on your international flight departure time) Remember to allow at least 3 hours between Sansa flight and International flights to make the connection. Be advised, this a small plane: 12 seats only, and flights book up quickly, so be sure to reserve your Sansa flight ASAP. Pack light, please!

For overnight fligh travelers: It's helpful to bring eye mask, socks, ear plugs, sarong (as a blanket) so you can sleep.

How to get to Domestic Terminal/ Things to Know

Once you go through Immigration and Customs (Immigración y Aduanas), pick up your baggage, and exit SJO airport building. Walk to LEFT out of airport exit down the driveway to street

At street, turn LEFT and walk over to the Domestic Airlines building (about 300yard walk from Main airport building you just exited)

To get to the Domestic Airlines building, walk along the airport driveway (past airport exit), and turn left at the main street. You will see Domestic Airlines building at the end of the U-turn. There is a vintage yellow plane parked in front

You need to be in the domestic building to check in AT LEAST one hour prior to your departure time, otherwise they will not allow you on the flight.

Pick up in Puerto Jimenez and transfer to Ojo Del Mar

We will have taxis waiting to pick up retreat guests in Puerto Jimenez, and take you to Ojo del Mar. Taxis are about $50, and can fit about 4 people total. The taxi fee can be split among passengers. US dollars are accepted.

Arrive to the Osa Peninsula on February 7, and enjoy the countryside ride out to our ecolodge where we will reside for the week. Afternoon arrivals will be greeted with fresh coconut water and a delicious lunch. You will be free (and encouraged) to drop your bags, kick off your shoes, and head directly out to the ocean or pool for a refreshing dip. We will open our circle and meet each other in the Yoga Shala late afternoon for a grounding yoga practice, followed by fireside gathering, and candlelight dinner. Fall asleep in your jungle cabina to the sounds of the jungle and ocean waves.

Level 1 Zenthai Shiatsu training is a 4 day program.

Learn more about Zenthai Shiatsu and founder Gwyn Williams

This training course in Costa Rica will be led by Blanche de Marion and assisted by Shelley Williams. Shelley will guide morning yoga sessions in relation to the Zenthai practice and focus for the day and be your local guide for the Costa Rican jungle experience. Blanche will guide Level 1 Zenthai Shiatsu daily programs, connection circles, and satsang...

Blanche and Shelley are soul friends who met in the Zenthai trainings in Chamonix, France, and are thrilled to be offering this learning retreat together!

Learn more about Blanche de Marion

Learn more about Shelley Williams

Mornings begin early with the sunrise call of the howler monkeys, and a beach walk or surf is highly recommended (rental boards available). Here is our typically daily rhythm:

6:00-7:00am Coffee, tea, fresh juices: locally sourced fruit/ granola/ yogurt available for early risers

7:30am Yoga Practice

9:00am Breakfast

10:00-1:00pm Level 1 Zenthai Shiatsu training program

1:00-2:00pm Lunch

2:00-5:00pm Level 1 Zenthai Shiatsu training program

5:00-6:30 sunset free time

6:30pm Fireside gathering in Casa Grande, Dinner, Rest.

Morning yoga practice followed by free flow of your choice...

Meals provided per our usual schedule, and the rest is your design.

Open day to enjoy as you choose! Integrate and practice all that you’ve learned. Take a boat ride in the Gulf Dulce, hike up rivers to waterfalls, explore beaches, go on surf explorations, and enjoy the community social night and artisan farmer's market at the local gathering spot.

Our final day together begins with a sunrise practice, a dip in the ocean, and a closing circle on the beach to seal and integrate our wonderful week together. We share a beautiful brunch in the Casa Grande, and taxi pick ups will be arranged for varied departure times.