Luxe Beat Magazine Special Edition Put a Pin in It! | Page 65

Features
ponds, the resort’s setting is ideal
for nourishing body, mind and spirit.
The emphasis is on giving guests
a place to relax and decompress in
an authentic wellness environment,
which blends both Eastern and
Western therapeutic practices, and
Native American teachings in its
approach to well-being. Through a
variety of experiential activities,
guests can become more selfaware, while learning new skills
and mindfulness techniques that
help cultivate greater connection
in their lives. The hope is that
individuals will develop sustainable
healthy living practices which allow
them to thrive and experience life
differently.
To assist you in these endeavors,
the resort has a highly-credentialed
team comprised of medical doctors,
behavioral health counselors,
acupuncturists, chiropractors,
massage therapists, fitness
and movement instructors and
experiential programming staff. I
offer kudos to these folks, as they
are among the most compassionate
and giving people I’ve had the
pleasure of engaging with at any
destination spa. They are knowledge
and passionate about their work,
and generous in their willingness to
share it with others. During my stay,
I sensed they really cared about
me as an individual. It was akin to
having a warm and benevolent light
shined on me.
When guests arrive at Sunrise
Springs, they are typically welcomed
with a Native American traditional
ritual that involves the use of sage.
It’s a ceremony that helps to cleanse
and clear, while harmonizing and
energizing oneself. Niccole Toral,
who has both Native American and

South American roots, is Director
of Experiential and Psychological
Services at the resort. She explains
how sage ha a lot of “ju-ju”–
medicine healing energy.
You can walk the sacred medicine
wheel, a grass and stone circle, in
the center of the property, where
the four quadrants represent the
holistic self, invoking different
qualities to emerge. Toral will
also engage in some drumming,
which she notes is the heartbeat
of Mother Earth and keeps us
in rhythm, reminding us of our
ancestors. In closing, she asks
guests to offer a bit of tobacco to
the land, encouraging them to put
an intention in their offering. The
tobacco is viewed as a messenger or
a transmitter.
Each guest works with staff to
determine a schedule of focused
experiential activities that are
personalized to his/her therapeutic
goals. Options include sessions in
mindfulness meditation and yoga,
animal interactions, therapeutic
gardening, culinary classes,
expressive arts, fitness and cultural
and adventure activities. As
nature is an important ingredient
in the resort’s integrative
wellness philosophy, you will also
be encouraged to participate in
some “nature bathing,” a practice
inspired by the Japanese custom of
“forest bathing.” Research suggests
that spending even a few minutes
walking among trees or in green
spaces can improve mood and energy
levels, while calming the nervous
system.
Many of the resort’s guests lead
busy and intense lives, often
working high-power jobs that
consume them with technology.

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