Reliable Aerial Vida: It would be Pura Vida! In Spanish, Pura Vida means “Simple/Pure Life.” Costa Ricans have used it for more than 50 years to say hello, goodbye, and even as a simple expression of joy. This term implies that everyone should adore and value the little things that life offers them because, as the locals put it, life is simple, pure, and inherently unadulterated. Alicia Calderwood owns and operates the studio. But wait, who is Alicia Calderwood? This cheerful and enthusiastic young woman has been entangled with two things since her 20s: aerial and yoga. After her university studies, Alicia found herself in the middle of nowhere with no place to call home. Despite purposely immersing herself in various teacher training programs across the U.S., Alicia still felt lost and uncertain. The real question is, what changed? The Aha Moment In the summer of 2018, Alicia visited Costa Rica, hoping to find the peace she desperately needed. As she enjoyed her vacation, Alicia was amazed by the simple lifestyle and beautiful scenery of the Costa Rican people. Their love for nature and majestic landscapes were much more than Alicia had ever experienced. Then something interesting happened. The locals often greeted each other by saying, “Pura Vida,” a phrase that Alicia found interesting. It forced her to think deeply and reflect on her life experience. This was the moment that Alicia realized that the life she needed was in Costa Rica.
