Though each has his/her
own purpose, they all share a
commonality: the desire to do
something good for themselves.
A stay at Miraval is the ultimate gift
to yourself. And you can spend it
anyway you wish. One of the most
popular spots is the spa, where an
extensive menu of services is
delivered by practitioners with
magic hands in serene indoor and
outdoor sanctuaries. There’s
everything from hot stone massage
and anti-aging facials to mud wraps,
prickly pear sugar scrubs and even
acupuncture. One of my favorite
treatments is Aqua Zen, a form of
massage within a warm water pool.
The water invites complete
relaxation and allows the body to
be manipulated and stretched with
greater freedom than traditional
massage. The results are wonderful.
Stress and strain melt away and you
are left a loosened and lighter being.
When you’re ready to leave spa
heaven, you can opt to continue the
bliss with a nap poolside or on the
deck of your private casita. Or
maybe you’d like to get your heart
pumping a bit. If so, check out the
Body Mind Center, where you’ll find
classes in spinning, yoga, Pilates,
kickboxing, dance, water aerobics
and other body conditioning
activities. It’s fun to try something
new. I dropped in on a cardio
drumming class and was surprised at
the high-energy workout it gave me,
not to mention the pure joy I got
from beating on the drums within
a supportive and uplifting group
setting. For the adventurous
adrenaline junkies, there’s rock
climbing, mountain biking,
a challenge course and even
a zipline experience.
When you wish to quiet your mind,
there are guided meditation sessions
offered at various times of the day.
One morning I started out with I Chi
Flow, a class that incorporated Tai
Chi movements in the water. The
gentle flow of the movements
combined with the warmth of the
early morning sunlight and the sound
of the birds chirping brought
serenity to my soul and gave me
positive energy to begin my day.
Another morning I opted to do a
group hike in the surrounding desert
landscape. Wild flowers and jack
rabbits poked their heads up among
the interesting shaped cacti. And
even a colorful Gila monster showed
up in this natural splendor, only to
slither quickly into the brush.
If you are interested i n outlets for
self-expression, the spa also has you
covered. Unleash your creative spirit
or hone your artistic skills in
sessions devoted to painting,
weaving and photography. One
of the more unique and newest
experiences at Miraval is “An
Unforgettable Canvas,” which
encourages participants to use the
side of a horse as their canvas to
paint. Just as Native Americans did
years ago to tell stories in symbols
on the sides of their horses,
workshop attendees have the
opportunity to do the same. Horses
are used as living, breathing
canvases as a reminder for
participants to stay present and
grounded in the story-telling
process.
Other self-discovery and growth
activities come in the form of
workshops taught by hand-picked
professionals and distinguished
experts on such topics as stress
reduction, life balance, guided
imagery, mindful eating,
communication, grief and loss and
intuitive living. And then there’s
the Equine Experience, a Miraval
Signature activity aimed at gaining
greater self-awareness through
sessions that involve working with
specially selected horses. Wyatt
Webb, founder and director of the
program, is a wise old cowboy with
much to say about the behavioral
insight that can be gained from
interacting with a horse. He believes
that a person can begin to notice
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