Just Back: From Miraval Resort and Spa, Tucson Arizona

“Imagine a world in which medicine was oriented toward healing rather than disease, where doctors believed in the natural healing capacity of human beings and emphasized prevention above treatment. In such a world, doctors and patients would be partners working toward the same ends.” – Dr. Andrew Weil

One of the great joys (and perks) of my job is spending table-time in the spas that weave our products into truly extraordinary treatment experiences. One of these is Miraval, a destination spa located just outside Tucson, Arizona, where I’ve just returned from spending three incredible days.

Oprah put Miraval on the map in terms of high-profile exposure (after declaring it her own personal favorite place, she brought 60 women on a getaway). But it is the more recent partnership with Dr. Andrew Weil (and experts representing exercise physiology, equine activities, nutrition and spiritual fields) that catapulted Miraval into a true place of integrative health and wellbeing.

The days there have rhythms to them – classes are offered throughout the day and guests pick-and-choose from mind-body, physical fitness and lifestyle offerings, designing and customizing their own program. The staff is incredible, so friendly, and the food both healthy and delicious. An open smoothie bar provides guests with fresh-chilled vegetable juices throughout the day (it was 113 degrees while I was there so this was quite a bonus) including fresh ginger, beets, carrots, celery and fruit.

During my stay, I experienced two treatments: the TAIZ Sensorium and the Qi Journey. My favorite Kerstin Florian designed treatment there is Outdoor Sweet Slumber, a 75-mnute Miraval signature. The treatment begins with an exfoliation with custom-blended organic lavender oils and natural minerals followed by an application of lavender body spray, a body wrap, scalp massage (yes, with more lavender oil), pressure-point face massage and ends with a foot treatment. My favorite part of the ritual here is that the whole treatment is performed in the outdoor treatment garden, under the Sonoran desert sky.

I was invited however to stretch my wings and try two of the spa’s newest treatments. The TAIZ Sensorium is a unique adventure that stimulates the senses and leads you into a realm of personal imagination and meditation while relaxing the body and releasing tension. The treatment, combining sounds of nature and composed music, strong and soft, heals on a vibrational level. The experience starts face down with inhalation of pure aromatherapy essences – spruce and other unique aromas. I felt my therapist, Kep Taiz’s hands on me once but no massage. He was applying energy and I could really feel it. For 50 bliss-out minutes, compositions of music, exhilarating base rhythms and elemental sounds from nature bathed me with a full-spectrum of vibration that nourished and penetrated into deep layers of my body. The treatment takes place in a customized bed, found only at Miraval. At one point, I felt like I was a rocket taking flight and at other times, like I was gently flying through the air.

My second treatment, the Qi Journey, is a fusion of Nuad Bo Rarn, or ancient Thai massage (performed on the floor wearing loose clothing and combining deep stretching with massage), acupuncture and craniosacral therapy, which features gentle movements to the skull and spine to encourage movement of spinal fluid. Thai massage gently opens the body and joints allowing your muscles to release tension, which simultaneously stimulates the Chinese meridian system. Acupuncture needles were carefully placed around my knee and foot to address my imbalances, followed by craniosacral to release any remaining restrictions in my body. I have had a lot of body work, and during this one, I could feel my shoulder starting to twitch as my body worked to rebalance my energy.

The highlight of my visit, however, came during a 6 a.m. three-hour hike into the foothills behind the property. With backpacks, plenty of water and Kerstin Florian Multi-Vitamin Day Crème SPF 30 (a top seller here), we hiked the desert, spotting an enormous desert turtle, wild hare and Horney toad, all the while learning about indigenous flowers and plants. Our guide Sharon Bockisch, a local expert, had a great passion for the desert and encouraged us to embrace – literally and figuratively – its beauty. At one point, I put my arms around the oldest Saguaro cactus, which had to be over 500 years. Its trunk felt leathery and wise, and as I breathed in its powerful spirit and connection to both earth and sky, I felt wise too. Knowing. And magically calm – instinctively understanding the mystical, uplifting feeling that draws so many back again and again to Miraval and the Sonoran Desert.

Perhaps next time, we make like Oprah and all go together?

With love
Charlene

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