Discovering the Elements
May 19 - 25, 2024
Mastatal, Costa Rica
Understanding your holistic constitution through the Elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether
You are invited to join us on an immersive and transformative journey into the ancient wisdom of the Elements—Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether – in the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. This course transcends the boundaries of traditional learning and goes beyond the confines of textbooks and classrooms, aiming to resonate within your body and revive the ancestral knowledge that resides in your soul.
The Foundations of Life
The Elements of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether are not just theoretical concepts; they form the very fabric of our existence as humans. They are the foundation of ancient healing practices such as Chinese Traditional Medicine, Ayurveda, and various indigenous groups. These elements encompass cultural, medicinal, herbal, spiritual, movement, and energetic traditions of healing.
Beyond the Classroom
Traditionally, the elemental framework was not confined to classrooms but woven into the culture and daily life. Passed down through food choices, seasonal cycles, stories, remedies, and community interactions, it became the essence of communities. Our courses aim to bridge the gap between theory and experience, bringing this framework into your body and soul. This course is taught by two teachers – one who grew up within a family that uses the elemental framework and one who has been re-studying it for the past 15 years.
Jungle Living
Immerse yourself in the beautiful, raw Costa Rican rainforest, where the rich tapestry of the natural world becomes a mirror for learning and self-discovery. A week in the jungle offers unique opportunities to intimately explore the elements, allowing you to perceive, touch, taste, hear, and see the intricate dance of nature through the lens of your five senses. Our beautiful location near the town of Mastatal is nestled between the Zapaton Indigenous Reserve and La Cangreja National Park, and the last untouched rainforest in Costa Rica's picturesque Puriscal County.
Experiential Learning
Your days will focus on each element separately and will incorporate ceremony, herbalism, food choices, yoga & movement, observing and mediating with each element, and deepening our intuition through connection to spirit and nature.
This course is practical and spiritual, experiential and energetic. Through both the detailed course material and living in the beautiful and wild jungle, this course is designed to:
… expand your connection to the elements,
… bridge your current knowledge to the universality of the elements,
… help you remember your ancestors’ wisdom of how to use the elements,
… shift your perspective about health, wellness, and plant medicine,
… create more compassion for yourself and others,
… and expand your capacity to create harmony within yourself and others.
This course is for everyone, no matter your level of knowledge or experience in holistic healing modalities. If you want a longer time to experience the elements, and focus on hands-on body work, please check out our 2-week course and 2-month internship. Contact us for details.
Testimonials
“As a life-long learner, this course has helped me connect the dots on so many of the holistic modalities I have studied.” - Sylvia
“This course has been pivotal for me as an herbalist. I love the indigenous wisdom taught in such a practical, funny, hands-on way." - J'dan
“This course weaves energy and spirituality with the practical, seamlessly. I walked away with new tools for my healing practice AND a deeper awareness.” - Corin
“This course is life changing! It gives you the tools and framework to read plants, nature, and people in a completely new way, that simultaneously feels like a process of remembering.” - Bailey
“This course has brought deep clarity to me with how to approach people and as an herbalist. My herbal school friends would love it!” - K
"This course has blown my mind! Not every healthy thing is for everyone, but how to distinguish? take this class. It. Spells. It. OUT! I can't wait to put this wisdom into practice." - Milton
Daily Agenda
We will focus on one element at a time, giving you time to gain a profound understanding and more deeply connect with each element.
During each day we will:
practice element-based yoga and movement;
form an alter, giving thanks to each element (bring objects to place on the alter!);
define each element within ourselves and within nature;
experience and observe each element in its raw and natural state, using the jungle and local farms as our playground. For example, for the earth element, we will put our hands in different kinds of soil and plant a tree. For the water element, we will walk to a waterfall and feel the power of rushing water.
learn how to recognize elemental imbalance in ourselves and in others;
drink a variety of teas related to each element, based on the indigenous Huetar cultural knowledge. Our teacher is a local medicinal plant knowledge keeper;
make a herbal medicine to support each element, using local herbs and local indigenous knowledge
Meet Your Teachers
Kealy Rudersdorf
Kealy is a mother, teacher, writer, herbalist, mover of energy, intuitive healer, lover of homegrown food, a community builder, a tree hugger, a lifelong student of the 5 elements, a mentor, a jungle dweller, a silly song singer, a medicine maker, a truth teller, a joyful laugher, and friend to all. Kealy’s path has twisted and turned, from structural engineering to elementary school garden teacher to energy medicine and herbalism. Kealy’s fiercest passion and truest life purpose is connecting people to Mother Earth and themselves, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Through curiosity, crafted experiences, the 5 elements, and the 5 senses, she delights in observing her students understand nature and themselves more deeply. Kealy has been studying and practicing holistic medicine since 2013, and co-founded KIS Botanicals with Solin in 2017. Kealy teaches courses on herbalism, energy medicine, permaculture, gardening with kids, and provides private healing sessions. She is passionate about connecting people to nature, working with kids, building resilient communities, and spreading joy in everything she does.
“Kealy is an incredible teacher. Her patience, love of what she does, and depth of knowledge is evident during every minute of her class. Her classes are like being wrapped in a big hug because she fills them with ceremony, knowledge, and joy! She continues to be my mentor in energy medicine and am so grateful I found her.”
“I am a yoga teacher and have been practicing yoga for over 20 years. Kealy’s element course has profoundly affected my practice. She had a beautiful way of weaving movement with herbalism, art and body work. Her knowledge is both deep and wide. Her classes are detailed and well-paced to fully understand each element. I feel like I will return to my class notes for a long time to come.”
“I 100 % recommend Kealy’s element course. She is an incredibly gifted healer and teacher. I am so lucky to have her work with me and help me though some really rough times as well as now as a teacher. Her intuition is unmatched, she knows exactly what I need and how to push me towards healing myself. Her connection to spirit is evident and I love how she introduced me to my guides during the course. I can’t wait for our next session together!”
Solin Garcia Sanchez
Solin is a father, Huetar Indigenous tribe member, a knowledge keeper, a plant lover, a farmer, a community builder, a water and land manager, a passionate environmentalist, a gifter of food and plants, a medicine maker, a jokester, self-taught botanist, a keeper of cultural traditions. Solin has spent his entire life living near his plants. He grew up deep in the jungle before there was ready access to a city and was lucky enough to have learned from his grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles the cultural traditions, uses of plants, and how to live in harmony with nature. His deepest desire is to live simply with nature. You are hard to find Solin without a machete on his side, a plant in his hand, and a new question to ask. When Solin co-founded KIS Botanicals, his purpose was to resurrect and give value to his culture's plant knowledge.
"The best part of the Element's class was, by far, Solin. Just him... and in his way of being with nature and plants. He is constantly doing such important work, and doesn't stop joking around while doing it. His knowledge is incredible and I am forever grateful for his willingness to share it."
"Solin is very 'air' or intellectual teacher. Meaning he doesn't always ask how the plant makes us feel or dives deep into the water or emotional aspect (although Kealy does - they make a great team!), but can go on and on about a plant's uses and how his family survived using it. You can tell his stories are all first hand. I loved learning from him, his knowledge should be shouted from the mountain tops!"
"Solin is a treasure! I really admire his goal of trying to keep his culture and family's knowledge alive. I have studied herbalism in the past, but never quite with someone like Solin. He eats, breathes, thinks, and cherishes the plants in a way that is unmatched."
What should I expect during the course?
During the course, your accommodations will be at Siempre Verde, a locally, Costa Rican owned business. The owners, Marcos and Jenni, are both life-long members of the Mastatal community and will be your hosts. They are both amazing and trained guides, and have a passion for sharing about the local flora, fauna, and life in the jungle.
At the beautiful, rustic Siempre Verde, you will be able to profoundly immerse yourself in the elements and witness them in yourself and the natural environment. Both during and outside of class time, you will be surrounded by nature 24-7, with very, very limited internet access, in a remote village… with the nearest supermarket an hour away.
You will be coming in the early green (or rainy!) season, and the almost daily rains can last a few minutes to several hours, but always offering the opportunity to slow down, refresh, and embrace the water element. You will experience rain, kissing your skin as you walk to dinner, or as it downpours and provides music on the tin roofs.
Expect to spend your time in simple and beautiful structures. Course participants are scheduled to stay in the dorm structure with an optional upgrade. Contact us for details for the upgrade.
At each turn, you will have breathtaking views of the tropical jungle and the neighboring national park, and in the mornings, you will feel the power of the sun.
Expect to see fire ants and experience our mosquitos, but also (hopefully!) see a toucan fly by and hear a sloth call for its mate.
Expect to delight in simple, but delicious, local and nutritious food. Don’t expect all super foods, beans and rice are typically on the menu, as are fresh pineapples, made-in-house ferments, sweet-as-can-be bananas, and freshly dug up tubers.
This will be a couple steps above camping, do not expect to have all your creature comforts.
This experience in the wild jungle with the intention of learning to balance energy and connect to the elements, has the potential to genuinely change your life.
Meet your hosts: Jenni and Marcos
Jenny and Marcos are trained guides and lifelong members of the Mastatal community and all around incredible people. They co-own Siempre Verde where they provide guided tours, connect people to the local flora and fauna, cook delicious meals, and help to make you feel comfortable.
FAQ - Your questions, answered.
Let's get excited!
Where will the course be held?
The 1 week discovering the Elements course will be held in Mastatal at Finca Siempre Verde and KIS Botanicals, and your activities will be held at nearby farms, nature reserves, and or national parks, all within the Mastatal region. Mastatal is situated near the edge of the last remaining virgin and wild rainforests of Costa Rica’s picturesque Puriscal County. It is located about 1 hour into the mountains from the Central Pacific Coast, nestled near La Congreja National Park and Zapaton Indigenous Reserve. It is about 2.5-3 hours from Juan Santamaria International Airport, with over half on paved roads, and part on bumpy gravel roads.
What is so special about the Mastatal area?
Mastatal is wild, raw, and breath-takingly beautiful. It is untouched by high volumes of tourists and presents the opportunity to truly enjoy the authentic, rural way of life in Costa Rica. The neighboring La Congreja National Park has over 4,600 acres and is one of the only remaining middle-elevation, virgin (never cut large scale for timber) rainforests. Mastatal also borders the Zapaton Indigenous Reserve, one of two homes to the Huetar indigenous tribe. Solin, your plant teacher, identifies as Huetar and has lived his entire life in the wild and lush mountains, and until recent years he and his family only used the plants, animals and natural resources of the mountains to survive.
Why have Kealy and Solin decided to have their Discovering the Elements course at Siempre Verde?
They chose to give their Discovering the Elements course at Siempre Verde because it provides a genuine opportunity to connect to nature in a profound way. It is nestled in the middle of the jungle, and participants will be able to experience each element fully. Also, Siempre Verde is their neighbor. This allows them to design the structure of the course with local teachers and guides to be engaging and tailor-made for the participants.
In addition, Siempre Verde is owned and operated by a local, Costa Rican family. We know the resources spent during the week will help strengthen our local, small, rural, agricultural-based community.
What is the price of the Discovering the Elements course?
The price of the 1-week Discovering the Elements course is $1050. This includes food, housing (in the dormitory), and all course activities. Limited private spaces are available for an additional cost.
The tico price is $750, if you sign up and pay the $250 non-refundable deposit before April 1st. A cedula must be sent.
And the early bird pricing is $850, if you sign up and pay the $250 non-refundable deposit before March 1st.
Are there partial scholarships available?
Yes, there are partial scholarships available. The goal of these scholarships is to offer the opportunity to support students facing significant hardships and limited financial means. It is intended for people in underserved populations who face undue barriers as a result of an unbalanced social structure which discriminates based on a person’s race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
Please contact Kealy directly at KISBotanicals@gmail.com to apply for a scholarship.
Note: Please only apply for this scholarship if you are in genuine need of financial support to ensure that this scholarship fund goes to those who need it most.
When should I arrive? And leave?
The course will start at Siempre Verde at 2:00 on May 19th. Because we are in the middle fo the jungle, transportation can be challeging and you may encounter unexpected delays. We recommend your flight arrives the day before. We will send out more information once you have signed up.
The course will end after breakfast on the 25th.
Is Siempre Verde a Retreat Center?
No. Siempre Verde is an education center and ecolodge. It is NOT a high scale retreat center.
It is proudly family owned and Costa Rican run. You will be living close to nature, within beautiful sights of the jungle. You will not have all of your creature comforts, and internet will be very very limited.
Where are the buildings located at Siempre Verde?
The buildings are placed all within a 5-8 minute walk. It is very possible we will have rain; a rain jacket and appropriate shoes are recommended. Siempre Verde’s buildings and the town of Mastatal are connected with earthen walking paths and gravel roads, lined with beautiful local fauna. In fact, there is not a concrete road within MILES of Mastatal. Get ready for ample opportunities to ground your energy!
What kind of structure will I be spending my time in for week?
All of the Siempre Verde’s structures are beautifully and intentionally built. Most structures are open air or with large screened windows, offering you a chance to deeply connect with nature. The course participants are scheduled to stay in the beautiful dorm house, with an optional upgrade to a private space. Siempre Verde is a step above camping, expect to see geckos, ants, toucans and other such friends visiting you in all of your spaces.
What else is there to do during my free time?
We have the week packed with exciting and meaningful activities, from meditation to yoga to waterfall hikes to learning to make medicine. We encourage you to use your free time in the early mornings and late afternoons to reflect, journal, rest and reflect on what you have learned. Visitors and participants have access to the nearby town to walk through.
What if I need something while I am at Siempre Verde?
The town of Mastatal is at least an hour away from a supermarket or Target-type store. Although your wonderful hosts at Siempre Verde will make every effort to make you feel comfortable, they simply cannot cater to guests’ every need. If you need something to feel comfortable, (outside of air conditioning!) please make sure to bring it with you. This may or may not include dried fruit and nut bars, an extra bottle of your favorite face lotion, your second favorite pillow, band aids, any herbals or supplements you think might need, etc.
Is there internet or wifi at Siempre Verde?
No. Mastatal is surrounded by beautiful, lush mountains, offering breath-taking views and loads of opportunities to forest bathe and connect to Mother Earth. 20 years ago, there was only a pay phone (with a 10 minute limit) 2.5 kilometers away. 12 years ago, dial up internet was introduced, although it was quite spotty and very slow and so it closed down.
Yes, we would like faster internet, (especially to be able to better communicate with you!), and yes we have petitioned the government and private companies to provide it, but it hasn’t happened, yet.
Please expect no wifi and slow and spotty cell service. Know that only Kolbi (aka ICE) works in Mastatal. If you choose to buy a Kolbi SIM card, please make sure your phone is unlocked (call your provider beforehand) and set up the card before you arrive to Mastatal. If you need constant connection with the internet, this might not be the place for you.
You can also see if your own provider offers an international plan. It is sometimes available for $5-10 extra. But, before you pay, make sure they partner with Kolbi as other Costa Rican providers are not reliable in the area.
If you want to communicate with loved ones during the course, Whatsapp works best, if you have Kolbi. Make sure that you and your loved ones download it before you arrive. We encourage you to take this opportunity to disconnect as much as possible and enjoy the moment!
What is the food like at Siempre Verde?
The food is truly loved by most people who visit Siempre Verde. It is delicious and nutritious, but also quite possibly different from what you are used to. The food will be sourced locally, whenever possible. Don’t expect all superfoods. Rice and locally grown beans are typically on the menu, as are fresh pineapples, made-in-house ferments, sweet-as-can-be bananas, and freshly dug up tubers. A simple breakfast of rice and beans, eggs, fruit and coffee or tea is severed at 7:00, lunch served at 12:00-ish, and a delicious dinner is served at 6:00-ish. If you have particular food needs, please make sure we know BEFORE you arrive (remember super markets are at least an hour away). Siempre Verde always tries their best to accommodate, if they can.
What language will the course be given in?
Although Siempre Verde is located in Costa Rica where Spanish is spoken, this class will be given in English or translated into English. All teachers are bilingual (or close to!) and language questions can be easily answered.
I am so excited to participate, when should I buy my plane ticket?
We know this incredible, life-changing course will fill up. fast, so invite your friends! Something else may happen that is out of our hands or your hands, so we highly encourage you to buy travelers insurance and / or buy a fully refundable ticket in the case of any unforeseen circumstances arise. As soon as you sign up, send in your deposit, and recieve a confirmation email, you are welcome to buy your ticket.
What should I bring for the course?
We will send a list with the essential jungle items. Along with the essentials (headlight with extra batteries, bug spray, rain gear, etc), please consider bringing:
Items for our alter based on the elements (pictures or things you hold dear and sacred that represent each element for you);
A yoga matt and / or a thick blanket;
A journal with the first page filled with your intentions for the course;
Something that helps to ground and / or balance you;
Anything that might help you feel more comfortable and learn more deeply.
I have other questions. Who should I contact?
Please send a message to Kealy at KISBotanicals@gmail.com or via WhatsApp (for a faster reply) at +506 8411-6282