5 Life-Changing Wellness Retreats
Have you been feeling a little more stressed than usual?
One thing that makes many feel better is planning a vacation, especially if that trip involves disconnecting from the modern day world, giving you some precious time to reset and rejuvenate. Here are five life-changing wellness retreats that promise to do exactly that.
The Rockovery Retreat, Ibiza, Spain
You may think of Ibiza as being a buzzing, tourist-filled hotspot, especially if you have already visited the Pikes Ibiza hotel, which has a bit of a hedonistic reputation. However, the summer of 2020 will see the hotel take on a slightly different approach to life…
This is where the Rockovery Retreat is being held – a wellness retreat with a rock ’n’ roll twist. Billed as being “a restart on your life, a rejection of bad habits, a rebirth of your true potential”, this retreat is being held for four days and three nights, with dates varying through the year. The retreat was designed by a personal trainer and nutritionist based in Ibiza, so you can be sure that both your physical and mental health will be top priority here.
What does this retreat involve?
You will be able to take part in a number of different activities on this retreat, including:
- Wellbeing workshops
- Guided sunrise meditations
- Sunset yoga
- Crystal bowls
- Boxing classes
- Breathing classes
- Cooking demonstrations
- Ibizan rituals
- Vitamin injections
The retreat prides itself on welcoming in people from all walks of life and of all abilities and fitness levels, even those who are absolute beginners.
When it comes to accommodation, the rooms here are comfortable and luxurious, but with plenty of personality. The rock ’n’ roll theme is carried forward into the guest rooms, as well as throughout the hotel’s public spaces. When it comes to food, you’ll be able to sample a variety of healthy dishes, with a menu that caters to all tastes and requirements. One thing that you should know – the Pikes Ibiza is known for cooking up the best breakfasts on the island!
Once your four days are up, you could always extend your stay on this Balearic Island to enjoy everything else Ibiza has to offer. From its nightlife and beaches to its quiet villages and pine-clad hilltops, the vibrancy of Ibiza will perfectly complete your vacation.
The Quiet Transformation Retreat, Cozumel, Mexico
The Quiet Transformation Radical Self-Care Retreats in Cozumel, Mexico are held throughout the year from January to June. These seven day, seven night retreats are limited to groups of ten, with the activities here geared at all levels and abilities.
This is a retreat that focuses on stress-free living – teaching you how to take some time out for yourself to relax and renew. Design thinking is a concept that is heavily promoted here, with these principles being taught to retreat participants so that they are then better equipped to take proper control of their own lives once they head back home.
For those looking to take their lives in a new direction, the workshops here will be of particular interest to you. Some of the topics you may cover are:
- Reframing your blockers and prototyping your future
- Mapping out a life plan
- Learning how to live an uncharted life
The daily schedules make room for plenty of free time, during which you can try your hand at the following:
- Snorkeling and scuba diving
- SUP boarding and kite boarding
- Massage and aquassage
- Acupuncture
- Reiki
Accommodation and food is included in this retreat package, with all of the accommodation options located on a stunning stretch of beach, offering panoramic views of the Caribbean.
Wondering what you will be eating?
While the food served up here is Mexican-inspired, it is not the traditional Mexican fare you would find at a restaurant. Instead, the dishes are light, fresh and flavorful. Guests are able to sample new dishes each day, and all dietary restrictions are catered for.
Thanks to the retreat’s convenient location, this is the perfect opportunity to explore one of Mexico’s most diverse islands. If you’ve got some time to spare, make your way over to San Miguel de Cozumel, which is not only famed for its natural beauty, but is also where you will find an OROGOLD boutique store. Stop by for a relaxing VIP facial and complimentary product demonstrations – after all, your skin could do with a wellness treat too!
The Santani Wellness Resort, Dumbara, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is famous for its incredible natural beauty, and you will definitely see plenty of it if you are staying at the Santani Wellness Resort. This resort sits in the middle of an abandoned 120 acre tea estate, overlooking the Knuckles Mountain Range, which also happens to be a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The retreat packages here vary from seven nights to 21 nights, focusing on everything from detox and stress to health and addiction. This is quite a unique retreat, in that it combines ancient Ayurvedic principles with modern day science and nutrition, bringing you the very best of both worlds.
So, what do these retreats actually involve?
That all depends on what you need:
- Santani Recovery – a customized program designed to support people who have undergone physical or emotional trauma
- Santani Detox – a program that helps to cleanse the body, which also prevents a number of diseases from developing, including cancer, diabetes and hypertension
- Santani Weight Loss – a strategic weight loss program that will have you feeling healthy and balanced, as well as motivated to continue the program once you return home
- Santani Sleep – provides relaxation techniques along with a nutrition and exercise plan to help promote better sleep
- Re-Balancing Bliss – an indulgent relaxation program combining de-stressing treatments with mindful education
- De Addiction – helps people to overcome substance addiction by strengthening the mind and restructuring the thought processes involved in this
Wondering what the accommodation here is like?
The resort has 16 stand-alone chalets, each one with a balcony that showcases a spectacular view of the jungle valley below and the mountain range in the distance. There are also four garden chalets designed for families, with strategically-placed glass walls to frame the lush greenery outside.
The food here is something to look forward to as well…
Gourmet wellness cuisine is the focus of the kitchen. The resort’s trained chefs prepare a healthy and natural customized meal plan for each and every guest. Some of the sample dishes include:
- A citrus and beetroot cured pink salmon
- Grilled Australian grass fed beef tenderloin steak
- Traditional Sri Lankan curry and rice
- Crunchy banana blossom salad with shredded coconut
Since the food is locally sourced and ultra-seasonal, the dishes on offer frequently change.
Shou Sugi Ban House, New York, USA
The Japanese are known for their wellness traditions, but if you aren’t able to jet off to Japan for a week or two, then New York’s Shou Sugi Ban House is your next best option.
What exactly is it?
It’s a 13-room destination spa/retreat that hosts a number of global wellness and healing activities for guests to partake in. The retreat is set on three acres of lush land in the Hamptons, inspired by the Japanese principles of wabi-sabi.
There are a number of options available here when it comes to booking your retreat…
Set packages, such as the Mind & Body Cleanse Retreat, are available, and these usually have a minimum of around three nights. Alternatively, if you live locally and do not have a few days to spare, you could also book yourself in for a day retreat. These combine different elements from the center’s Signature Retreat, enabling you to curate a day program that is fully catered to everything you need.
Wondering what the spa menu here looks like?
Well, to begin with, the spa at the Shou Sugi Ban House is expansive. There are both indoor and outdoor areas, a thermal suite, hydrotherapy plunge pools, an ice fountain, and so much more! Some of the specifics that you will be able to enjoy include:
- Massages
- Facials
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Reflexology
- Crystal healing
- Reiki
- Vibroacoustic therapy
- Shamanic healing
- Shinrin-yoku
Guests stay in studios that are sleek but minimal, with high-end artisanal details. When it comes to food, the menu here is seasonal and plant-rich, with their chefs sourcing local and organic produce whenever possible. The retreat also has their own on-site gardens where they grow a large amount of the herbs and greens that are served up to guests.
If you are traveling here from a distance, then the fact that the Shou Sugi Ban House is just 90 minutes from New York City is a bonus. Not only does this make flying in relatively easy, but it also means that you can then spend some time exploring the city, either before or after your retreat. While you’re there, be sure to stop off at one of the OROGOLD New York City stores, because your skin would appreciate some TLC too!
Grand Resort Bad Ragaz, Bad Ragaz, Switzerland
Located just an hour outside of Zurich, the Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Switzerland is famed for being one of the best wellness resorts in all of Europe. This hotel/health complex is clustered around the Tamina Gorge’s restorative thermal waters, giving the center a unique focus. The natural temperature of the water here is 36.5 degrees Celsius, with the water being rich in a variety of different minerals, helping to soothe different conditions while boosting blood circulation and metabolism.
Most guests would agree that the highlight of this hotel is its thermal spa, where you will be able to enjoy exclusive massages, authentic sauna rituals and traditional baths. The power of their thermal water is used throughout the retreat, for everything from diagnosis and nutritional training to beauty treatments and sports medicine.
Speaking of medicine, the resort has a Medical Center, complete with a specialized team of doctors and therapists that are available to help you in your wellness journey.
How long do the retreats here last for?
Their set packages vary, depending on what you are after. From a seven day Mind & Body Detox to a three day Health Check-Up, options are diverse. Alternatively, if you didn’t want to sign up for a set package, you could also just book yourself in for a few nights at the hotel, and pick the individual treatments you want. Since this is a family-friendly resort, they even have a children-inspired Heidi-themed family spa.
When you aren’t indulging in spa-related bliss, the resort offers several other amenities too, such as:
- A Michelin-starred restaurant
- A casino
- A sculpture garden
- Hiking trails
- Two golf courses
- Nearby wine tasting events
Of course, as you can probably imagine, the accommodation at this hotel exudes luxury. Rooms are five star, offering up the utmost of comfort – after just one night here, you won’t want to leave!
Wondering what else there is to do in the area?
Well, while wellness has always been the main focus of the region, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy too. If you are visiting in the winter months, try your hand at skiing, tobogganing and snowshoeing. Those who visit in the summer can have a go at biking, hiking, and inline skating.
If you find yourself missing the hustle and bustle of city life, Zurich isn’t far away. This picturesque city is famous for its pre-medieval history, and is a fantastic place to learn more about Switzerland’s rich and fascinating heritage.
Whether you have a couple of weeks to spare, or you’ve only got a day, there are wellness retreats out there that cater to just about everyone. These retreats are the perfect way to take some time out from your hectic life and focus on you, spending time caring for both your physical and mental health. Once you return home, you will feel energized and recharged; ready to take on life with a whole new positive attitude!
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