Move over massage, there’s a new addition to spa offerings that’s gaining ground at properties around the globe. Here are a handful of wellbeing destinations that encourage you to bring out your creativity.
Terranea, Rancho Palo Verdes, California I have fond memories of painting en plein air at this luxurious resort spa, perched along the coastal bluffs of Rancho Palos Verdes. Summer celebrations this year include Mandalas & Margaritas. Guests are invited to reflect upon their life’s journey while painting a unique mandala stone. Guided by a wellness coach, guests will learn the art of mandala, while enjoying a refreshing oceanside margarita, salsa and chips.
Grand Velas Riviera Maya, Mexico Who would’ve thought macrame would make a comeback? This award-winning spa just launched a new Spa Atelier workshop focused on the art of macrame. Intended to “help guests achieve inner wellness and peace,” the 60-minute knotting session will teach guests how to make a wall hanger. During crafting time, participants will be treated to a Blue Spirulina Lemonade; a good source of protein, vitamin B, and iron. The Mindful Macrame Workshop is held every Thursday, April 15 through September, for small groups of three to six people. All Spa Atelier workshops are inspired by local Mexican culture and based upon the principles of ancient Ayurvedic medicine that center around self-discovery. The Spa Atelier program at Grand Velas Riviera Maya also consists of an Energy Bites Superfood Workshop and Mandala meditation, while its Los Cabos counterpart offers tea discovery and a DIY body scrubs based on one’s dosha.
1440 Multiversity, Scott’s Valley, California A weekend getaway is often all you need to reboot. This 75-acre campus, nestled in the redwoods, offers a variety of 1440 Discovery Weekends. Opened in 2017, 1440 Multiversity is a self-described “modern learning destination” where you can immerse yourself in connection, creativity, embodiment, and nature. Creative exploration is what this place is all about, and you’ll find workshops like “The Artist’s Way” with Julia Cameron; “Zentangle Weekend: Creating Art and Life” with Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts; and “Brave Magic: An Invitation to Curiosity, Creativity, and Courage” with Elizabeth Gilbert and Cheryl Strayed.
Sunrise Springs Spa Resort, Santa Fe, New Mexico The Art Immersion Package is a three-night program in which you’ll explore a variety of artistic mediums in small, relaxed settings. Weaving together the worlds of wellness and art, the program features classes that will soothe your mind and excite your playful side. This destination spa has made a name for itself through its experiential activities and Eastern and Western healing therapies. Set on 70 acres with lots of gardens, walking paths, and historic spring-fed waters.
Yoga + Art Retreats A new offering of retreat from Yoga & Adventures Worldwide, a boutique yoga retreat travel business that just celebrated 10 years, the Yoga + Art Retreats pair traditional yoga practice with creative workshops that include henna adornment, photography, and painting. Two of these experiential retreats are being offered in 2019, one in Cuba, the other in Morocco.
Esalen, Big Sur, California Set in a spectacularly beautiful location—hot springs overlooking the Pacific at Big Sur—Esalen has been a natural draw for thousands of years. Not surprisingly, Esalen is also home to The Art Center, aka the Art Barn. This is where a number of workshops—ceramics, drawing, metal work, painting, stone carving, textile arts, and wood turning—are offered throughout the year. Workshops for 2019 include workshops “Art as a Spiritual Path: Paintings that Awaken the Soul” with Paul Heussenstamm; “Summoning the Artist Within: A Radical Exploration of Creativity” with Kim Krans; and “SoulCollage® and the Art of Imagination, Intuition, and Inquiry” with Jennie Oppenheimer. Theatre, music, dance, and writing workshops are also on the menu.
Kulm Hotel, St, Moritz This summer, from June 21 through September 1, Helsinki-based artist Jani Leinonen will display a collection of 10 cuckoo clocks at the Kulm Hotel. Jani Leinonen is renowned for his commentary on capitalism and advertising through his use of logos from iconic global brands throughout his work. The exhibit at Kulm will provide guests with the experience to view and engage with Jani’s work in a stunning alpine setting.
Mary Bemis
A pioneering voice in spa and wellness journalism, Mary Bemis has spent four decades chronicling, championing, and helping shape the modern spa industry. As Founder and Editorial Director of Insider’s Guide to Spas, she brings a distinctive editorial perspective informed by a career that has helped define the language and landscape of spa media. Mary launched American Spa magazine in 1997, co-founded Organic Spa, and helped launch Luxury SpaFinder and NewBeauty. Her industry leadership extends to board service with ISPA, NYSPA, and WSPA, the latter two organizations she helped establish. She has also served as Special Advisor to the Balneology Association of North America. Today, she serves as Special Advisor to Global Wellness Day and sits on the board of the International Sauna Aid Foundation. Recognized among Medika Life’s Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness, Mary is also a recipient of the prestigious ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award, an inaugural Folio Top Women in Media honoree, and an American Spa Wonder Woman of Wellness. Her mission remains as steadfast as ever: to keep spa culture alive and relevant, honor its roots, challenge its shortcomings, and inspire an industry to live up to its promise.
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