Our Team New
Aaron, Founder
Aaron, author of “Autobiography Of A Naked Yogi” and teacher for the Yoga Teacher Training Immersions at Blue Osa, has been a student of yoga since 1991 and a teacher since 1997.
Creator of Applied Yoga Anatomy + Muscle Activation™ Yogi Aaron brings three decades worth of study, mentorship, and experience into his teachings, with a strong emphasis on yoga therapy and alignment.
His passion is rooted in a desire for each person to tap into their limitless potential and develop the confidence to embody yoga, both on and off the mat.
He has traveled across the world visiting numerous yoga ashrams and retreat centers, studying with such respected yoga teachers as Alan Finger, Bryan Kest, Genny Kapuler, Rod Stryker, Swami Rama, David Swenson, as well as with numerous spiritual masters in the Himalaya Mountains.
It was during a retreat in Hawaii that Aaron and his longtime student, Adam, first discussed creating “a community that is yoga-based… and where people can heal their spirits.” Aaron wondered: “Can we create a sanctuary where people can come, connect to themselves, reconnect to each other, and then reintegrate through yoga back into their life?”
One year later, they purchased the property in Costa Rica. “Our vision with Blue Osa is that when people are quiet, removed from distractions of everyday life, something magical happens. A deep calling starts to surface, to awaken.”
As Osa’s yoga director and Master Teacher, he believes there are several conditions that human beings need to have in order to find their right paths: “I really want them to be spiritually heated-up. When we get heated we can burn away our ego and our ignorance, which is what stops us from remembering who we are. Second, I want my students to leave feeling good and restored; this comes from a deep remembrance of who they are. Most important—is that they leave feeling a sense of community and fellowship.” Aaron feels blessed to be a witness to such transformations at Blue Osa.
Learn more: YogiAaron.com
Adam, Founder
Since the late 1980s, Adam has been a residential interior designer. Fortunate enough to have worked with many successful people, he had a latent desire to direct his energy towards a spiritual and energetic life. When Aaron became Adam’s yoga teacher, the pair began talking about creating a yoga retreat. Several years later, while visiting Costa Rica, they stumbled upon a gated waterfront site with a rusted Century 21 sign and yelping dogs.
With the retreat location found, Blue Osa was born. Adam applied three decades of experience into nearly two years of planning with Aaron and another year of construction, employing 48 skilled workers, to build Blue Osa.
The resulting tropical-style design is based on “local wisdom” using the native woods Teca and Cristobial, passive design elements like sunshades, overhangs, vaulted ceilings and tree shading, and open interior spaces that capture sea breezes. Five years later, reflecting on his decision to engage in this venture, Adam affirms:
“Blue Osa represents the power of the human spirit and what you can do with your life if you let go.”
Alex, General Manager
Born and raised in the Central Valley of Costa Rica, Alex has worked in hospitality on the Osa Peninsula for six years, so he knows all the best-kept secrets to make your stay extra special! Alex is Blue Osa’s General Manager and helps ensure our guests have a wonderful stay.
He is passionate about customer service and loves to share the beauty of the Osa Peninsula with our guests. Along with welcoming guests and scheduling tours, Alex is always busy behind the scenes, working with the Blue Osa staff to ensure that everything runs smoothly. When he’s not working, Alex enjoys being out in nature and exercising, such as cycling, hiking, and roller-skating. He was drawn to the Osa Peninsula as it is one of the most biodiverse places on earth and was not disappointed;
“I fell in love with the stunning flora and fauna of the Osa; it is a truly magical and unforgettable part of the world!”
Henry, Office Manager
Henry was born and raised in Alajuela (a small suburb outside the capital city of Costa Rica) and has been working in customer service for the past 18 years. He moved to the Osa Peninsula in 2012 and has been working directly with Tourism ever since.
“Moving from the city to the Osa Peninsula was challenging, but after a while, I fell in love with it.”
Henry is the second oldest brother of four. When Henry was five years old, his mother married a retired teacher from Miami, and because of this, he was able to learn English and use it at home until he was almost 20 years old.
Henry has been married for 16 years and has a beautiful six-year-old daughter named Emma. Henry believes that family is an essential pillar in his life. It’s what drives him to be a better person every day. In his free time, Henry loves to read books, play soccer, and fish.
“Having direct contact with people is my passion. I love helping someone scheduling tours, spa services, or just checking that they feel cared for. It makes me feel good ensuring that other people have a great time visiting Blue Osa and Costa Rica.”
Elner, Kitchen Manager
Elner has lived in Puerto Jimenez his whole life. His love for cooking was ignited after he moved out of his family’s house and had to cook on his own. He has worked in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, spending most of his time assisting in the kitchen.
When cooking for his family or friends, Elner loves to cook meat and fish. His favorite dish is buttered chicken “al horno” with tomatoes. Elner is inspired and excited by the challenge of cooking delicious vegan and vegetarian plates, which the Blue Osa menu is best known for.
Elner says that his favorite thing about working in the kitchen is hearing the guests' reactions when they fall in love with a dish.
For Elner, cooking is an art form, and he loves to be creative with meals. Outside of cooking, his passions include playing soccer, running through the nearby mountains, spending time relaxing on the beach, and listening to music.
Nery, Housekeeping Manager
Nery is a Puerto Jimenez native who has spent almost a decade working at Blue Osa. She says she loves coming here each day because she gets to do what she loves while working alongside extremely genuine and kind people. Nery says that Blue Osa, along with this part of the Peninsula, is super calm and peaceful. She feels proud and grateful to have raised her two daughters here because it is a very safe place to be. In her free time, Nery loves to relax at home or go for walks with her three dogs. The beaches and the mountains are her favorite parts of living in the Golfo Dulce. She loves to spend time outside in order to really bathe in the tranquility of nature that surrounds us here.
“You will notice how different you feel energetically when you’re up in the mountains, it’s so quiet and still”
Because of this, Nery always recommends that guests take advantage of the Matapalo hike that Blue Osa offers. This hike is the best way to get into the mountains and immediately unplug from the rest of the world. In doing so, Nery feels you really get to embrace the silence and magic of this amazing land.
Marcela, Massage/Spa Therapist
After earning her Physical Therapy degree from the University of Santa Paula in 2005, Marcela came to the Osa Peninsula. “At first, I thought it would be for a year maybe,” she said, but experiencing the energy of the rainforest, the pristine beaches, the amazing wildlife, and the people of Osa made her decision to stay easy.
With a philosophy of working for the people as a whole, body, mind, and spirit, Marcela applies a holistic approach to her Spa Services.
Marcela weaves sounds, colors, fragrances, and natural ointments while employing the healing power of the human touch to rejuvenate. Transformative describes the sense of well-being experienced in a therapy session with Marcela, whose small frame belies the strength of her hands, heart, and soul. Read about Marcela’s Thai Massage offerings here.
Marie, Founder/Chef
One of the original owners of the property, along with her late husband Jean-François, Marie was so inspired by Aaron and Adam’s vision for a Blue Osa that she remains the ‘mother’ of the Blue Osa family several years later.
Born in Algeria and raised in the beach town of Biarritz in the south of France by a French mother and Italian father, Marie is a self-taught chef. She honed her culinary skills when her husband operated a stylish French bistro in San Francisco and later an elegant French restaurant in Cartagena, Colombia.
Mindful of guests’ health and dietary needs, Marie’s dishes are vegetarian-oriented and crafted from the local vegetables available in Blue Osa’s organic garden and the local farmers. Meals are served family-style. Click here to read more about the food.
Marie’s favorite cuisines are French and Mexican with her favorite dishes being Coq au Vin and Sopa de Pescado. Read more about Marie’s latest cookbook!
The Cats
Meet the feline inhabitants of the Blue Osa family. Shakti (as featured) + Sukha. They are our valued companions, and we consider them an essential part of this community. Their presence brings a particular feeling of tranquility and hominess. In the sense that animals create an atmosphere of acceptance. Comfort and love for many families and individuals. Our companions enjoy the attention guests lavish on them. At the same time, they are well-behaved and very well-mannered. It is not uncommon for a guest to fall in love with one of our furry feline friends.
The Dogs, Your Friends
Our canine resident mascots are Pete, Destiny, and Marley. They are a vital part of our harmonious environment. Their fun-loving spirit contributes to the feel, vitality, energy, and experience of Blue Osa.
You will find them eager and willing hosts who are happy to greet you when you arrive. Pete, Destiny, and Marley will enjoy the ocean waves and keep you company as you stroll our beautiful beach.
After frequent romps on the hot, sunny beach, you will most likely find an exhausted Pete, Destiny, and Marley stretched languorously lounging beneath the cooling shade of an Osa Peninsula palm tree.
The Employees of Blue Osa
Our Blue Osa employees are family. Our local staff bring life to our guests' experiences, offering a culturally rich atmosphere filled with joy, attentiveness, and pura vida. Watch this video to see our family in action!
Incredible Chef Marie
Chef Marie’s culinary ingenuity is the reason Blue Osa has such phenomenal meals. Take a special glimpse into her mind with this interview and find out what makes her cooking off-the-charts!
