We’re all looking for tools for recovery, especially after a challenging practice. This can be especially true when we feel stiff, unenergized, or worried about a specific part of our bodies. Our bodies need some love and TLC so that our yoga practice can be enjoyable and effective. Tuina massage is a recovery technique that offers powerful benefits when indulged in either before or after yoga .

Tuina is a practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine and one of the experiences found at Seyhart in Los Angeles. It restores the energy of the body, known as the Qi, through both the release of toxins and overall nourishment of the entire body. When combined with cupping or Gua Sha, Tuina’s benefits for detoxification and rejuvenation can be amplified.

In conjunction with yoga, Seyhart’s Tuina practice can help improve mobility and even awareness. The awareness that takes place during the pressing, rubbing, and kneading of the soft tissues during the Tuina massage, is in itself healing.

Rest and Recovery through Tuina

When it comes to muscle recovery after yoga or other physical activities, times of rest are key for healing. Seyhart’s Tuina can serve as this recovery and healing moment and can allow rest days to be even more productive. The massage provides some of the same benefits for mobility as yoga while working out some of the lactic acid buildup that can contribute to sore muscles after an intense flow or other workout. Regular massage can support the habit of staying mobile through practice.

Tuina as Needle-Free Acupuncture

Tuina is frequently described as needle-free acupuncture. It gently stimulates the meridians, or the channels of energy in the body. Tuina allows the body to continue on its wellness journey while also integrating mental awareness.  This form of mind-body massage is truly medicine and part of a greater process of healing, recovery, preparation of, or just appreciation of ourselves and our health.

Staff Writer

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Ayurveda at Tulsi Spa in Studio City

The hands-on body, mind, senses, and spirit-centered therapies of Ayurveda are meaningful remedies for the stress of modern life. Tulsi Spa co-founder Lissa Coffey is a noted Ayurvedic expert, speaker, teacher, and a prolific author.

She says this about the Ayurvedic treatments, “The warm herbalized oils used in the therapies help the skin to release toxins from environmental pollutants, including EMFs. It moisturizes the skin, tones the muscles, and most importantly, soothes the nervous system.

Ayurveda Bliss Therapies are great for relieving stress and anxiety. Bodywork is important, and self-care is important. At Tulsi you become fully present, you don’t get distracted, you just kind of melt into the experience and are all the better for it body, mind, and spirit.”

Lissa Coffey at Tulsi Spa

Lissa and co-founder Rob Sherman have personally and intentionally selected talented and experienced Ayurvedic practitioners, estheticians, massage therapists, and gifted healers for their Ayurvedic spa.

Tulsi Spa is located in a beautiful sanctuary at the El Royale Hotel on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, not far from Universal Studios. The spa offers treatments both for the hotel guests who have traveled from around the world as well as people looking for a sanctuary for a day, or even a few hours. Named for holy basil, the queen of Ayurvedic herbs, the Ayurvedic Wellness Center of Tulsi Spa is a place where people can gather for spa services, Ayurvedic consultations, pulse readings, personal retreats, classes, Ayurvedic food, and community.

Attend the free Wellness Wednesday events and learn more about all aspects of living an Ayurvedic lifestyle.

Visit Tulsi Spa

Tulsi Spa At The El Royale Gardens Hotel 11117 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604 323-829-1882 tulsispa.com

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Tulsi Spa Features Stress-Reducing Spa Treatments appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

OSEA: Ocean, Sun, Earth, and Atmosphere

More than 20 years ago, multi-modality healer and spa director Jenefer Palmer founded OSEA Skin Care in her kitchen sink. She was inspired by her chiropractor grandmother’s use of seaweed for its reparative powers. These ocean veggies provides the star power for the brand’s nourishing blends. OSEA is still owned and operated by the Palmer family. The products are vegan, biodegradable, cruelty-free, non GMO, synthetic-free, gluten-free, and made with love in the US.

According to Palmer, “OSEA Skincare was inspired off the coast of Malibu, with the idea of uniting the elements—Ocean, Sun, Earth and Atmosphere—to refresh and rejuvenate. Our potent blend of organic seaweed concentrates, combined with lush botanicals and essential oils deliver effective natural skin care solutions for anti-aging, sensitive skin, and blemish care.”

OSEA Launched with Natural Ingredients

Jenefer was one of the first to be concerned about using only nontoxic ingredients in her skincare. We are so appreciative that all those years ago she chose RON ROBINSON at Fred Segal Melrose to be her launch partner for this visionary brand. Our partnership continues to grow and be successful because the passion, integrity, and dedication of the OSEA team synchronizes perfectly with our company philosophy and ethic. Our clients come back to purchase OSEA products because of the efficacy of these unique products based on ingredients from the sea. We are all so proud to support this local success story.

In addition to being available online and in store at the RON ROBINSON locations, OSEA can be found at noteworthy spas around the world. Now OSEA has opened its first stand-alone brick and mortar space on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice.

OSEA Venice Skincare Studio

The OSEA Venice Skincare Studio is on 1732 Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice. It is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10am through 5pm. Appointments are available for facial treatments with experts using their exemplary skincare line. Facials include some of the following treatments: OSEA Express Facial with wild gigartina seaweed to feed the skin. A Cranial Wave Facial that includes anti-inflammatory LED Light Therapy. And a Deep Sea Age Defying Facial. When you need a nourishing infusion of seaweed-imbued products for healthy skin, make an appointment.

Karen Meena

By Karen Meena, Vice-President of buying and Merchandising at RON ROBINSON who is a longtime fan of wellness and healthy skincare: ronrobinson.com.

www.ronrobinson.com

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Tranquility bathtub at CIVANA Carefree.

Vitality is a Daily Practice

While we all love to experience a getaway that helps us to hit the reset button, lasting vitality comes from a commitment to post-retreat daily practices. CIVANA Carefree Program Supervisor Mariah Comer and Wellness Officer Rianna Riego offer the following five practices for daily self-care.

1. First, honor your body’s circadian rhythms. If you’ve traveled on a getaway, make sure to adjust to your local time zone as soon as you can in order to feel reinvigorated and not drained after your travels.
2. Spend time in direct contact with the earth’s surface (such as walking barefoot or sitting on grass). This is known to help combat jet lag through a process known as “grounding.”
3. Recreate nourishing rituals at home. Try writing in a gratitude journal as you savor your morning coffee or tea. Wind down your day with a soothing bath before bed to help you feel connected to a sense of rhythm and security.
4. Practice conscious eating. Nourish your body by savoring each sip of a drink or bite of food. What and how you feed your body is just as important as what and how you feed your soul.
5. Finally, plan your next retreat! Get your vacations and down time on the books before anything else has a chance to crowd it out. Reflect on what you’re looking for so you can maximize the benefits of the experience.

Choose your self-care vacation so that it supports your life back home. Sometimes we view our getaways and our daily routine as two separate activities. The more you integrate wellness on an ongoing basis, the more you will experience vitality, and the more the experience of a retreat will have a lasting positive impact.

Restorative Retreat for vitality at CIVANA Carefree

Read more about self-care and a restorative retreat at CIVANA Carefree.

 

 

Jenn Tarrant

Jenn Tarrant is a Phoenix-based C-IAYT Yoga Therapist, Senior Master Trainer for YogaFit Training Systems, and an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Coach. She enjoys guiding students through deeply transformative experiences with the simplicity and ease of yoga. Jenn is available for private consultations locally and virtually. You can contact her directly: jenn@jenntarrant.com or visit her website: jenntarrant.com for more information.

www.jenntarrant.com

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Many a yogi’s bucket list includes a trip to Morocco. As luck would have it, there are aspects of Morocco that can now be found in California. No airplane needed. From many locations in SoCal, one can even skip a car in lieu of something more relaxing – an Amtrak train. The destination: Santa Barbara’s Hotel Californian.

Hotel Californian

When it launched in September, 2017, Hotel Californian drew “oohs and ahhs” for views of the seashore (it is steps away from Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf Pier) and Santa Ynez Mountains.

The hotel also received acclaim for the Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and modern Moorish-themed décor, thanks to designer Martyn Lawrence-Bullard.

The property’s blossoming, geometric logo makes an immediate statement. “Interconnectedness and faith in the ultimate harmony of creation,” Majorelle’s Director of Spa Emma Spencer says of the design’s meaning. “Learning, community, love of beauty, health and wellness.”

Yoga and Wellness

A devoted yoga practitioner, Spencer established the growing yoga program. Eye-candy awaits in yoga classes held at four idyllic locations, from a rooftop deck to an intimate courtyard. Hotel Californian’s yoga program is growing rapidly, and their 2018 target is 12 to 15 weekly sessions. Options include Kundalini, Hatha, Yin, and meditation classes. Pilates, fitness classes, and nutritional seminars are also in the mix. Workshops and art exhibits showcase creations from local artisans with inspiration from the hotel’s Funk Zone neighbors.

Hotel Californian is planning future yoga retreats. In the meantime, it is easy enough to curate your own personal yoga getaway. Start with sustenance from the Goat Tree Café, a healthy, all-day dining venue that will make the gluten-free joyous. Spencer’s nutritious go-tos include the Avocado Smoothie and the Green Beast and Fennel Juices. Her fave menu item is the avocado toast with egg, goat cheese and radish.

Majorelle Spa

Immersion time a la Marrakech can be had via the cobalt blue sanctuary of Majorelle Spa.

Spencer’s recommendation for a treatment to complement your yoga practice is the 90-minute Connect/Intuitive Reading. “Healing energy work and meditation help release old patterns and align your chakras, vital energy centers. Coupled with personalized, gemstone-infused aromatherapy, a take-home component that will lighten your ongoing journey.”

For more information about Hotel Californian

Hotel Californian and Majorelle Spa
36 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
805.882.0100
thehotelcalifornian.com

Bekah Wright

The post Hotel Californian Offers Wellness with A View in Santa Barbara appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Red Mountain Resort Yoga and Hiking

Recharge with a Spa Holiday

There’s no denying it – the holidays are here. As much as the world is filled with revelry and good cheer, accomplishing this often comes at the expense of tension, stress, and fatigue. Maybe the holidays are also a time for a bit of self-gifting via the spa. We’re sharing some places around town for body tune-ups, as well as some destinations far and near, all just right for reinvigoration and renewal. The end result? Try scheduling a spa holiday to bring on 2018!

The Surrender Massage

Just in time for counteracting holiday stress, The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is introducing The Surrender Massage ($260). The 80-minute treatment’s goal: sheer relaxation, which is accomplished through targeting acupressure points along the Chinese meridians, sacred massage techniques and crystal-infused oils.

Something-so-right about this treatment: equal attention is paid to physical, mental, and emotional tension. The Surrender Massage’s various aspects work in sync to relax muscles and tendons, oxygenate the cardiovascular system, and improve range of motion. As a result, relaxation-inducing melatonin is released, along with joy-provoking serotonin and oxytocin. The body’s lymphatic system flushes out toxins, simultaneously boosting the immune system and clarifying skin. The Surrender Massage “melts tensions, and produces a revitalized body, clear mind and peaceful heart.” For more information, visit fourseasons.com/losangeles.

I Am Grateful for You

Gratitude emanates from Larchmont Sanctuary Spa. One of the reasons for all this thankfulness is a recent renovation. Joining the already warm and welcoming space is a custom-built, Himalayan Salt desk and patio herb garden. To celebrate, the spa is offering a 110-minute I Am Grateful For You treatment ($389). Pampering kicks off with a 20-minute soak in a private copper Jacuzzi. Toast the season with an apple cider champagne cocktail followed by a 90-minute massage of spa-goer’s choice: holistic couples, aromatherapy or deep tissue. For more information, phone 323-466-1028, or visit larchmontsanctuary.com.

Hiking at Red Mountain Resort Spa Holiday

Spa Holiday: Yoga and More at Red Mountain Resort

Red Mountain Resort is tucked away amidst Utah’s dramatic terrain. Yogis will revel in classes in everything from Sadhana Practice and Yoga Flow to Kundalini, Yoga MELT® Fusion and Yoga Detox. (Who doesn’t need that to counterbalance holiday feasting?) The great outdoors also beckons with yoga classes in the red rocks of Snow Canyon State Park and quiet time journeying through the resort’s labyrinth.

Pampering awaits at the resort’s Sagestone Spa & Salon. The Spiced Rum Pudding Manicure and Pedicure (available December 1– January 31) is on tap for the holidays. Antioxidant-rich fruit and olive oil soak with notes of gingerbread, a butterscotch-scented exfoliation with brown sugar, rice bran oil, premium-aged rum liquor, and a resurfacing mask infused with honey and coconut milk. Tying things up with a bow is hydrating hand massage with Backcountry Caramel Body Milk Lotion.

Can’t make it to Red Mountain Resort over the holidays? Consider catching an upcoming retreat. Two to put on your radar – Sacred Sisterhood Retreat: Earthing Your Life’s Purpose (January 11 -15) and Indigenous Alchemy Retreat: Awaken to Your Path and Activate Your Potential (February 8 – 11). For more information, phone 877.246.HIKE, or visit RedMountainResort.com.

The Spa Solange, A Napa Valley Resort

The Chocolate Mint Mudslide

The holidays are also an ideal time to heed the call of Calistoga, specifically at Solage, A Napa Valley Resort. The Spa Solage is known not only for decadent spa treatments, but its bathhouse with geothermal waters and mineral-enriched mud. The Chocolate Mint Mudslide combines the best of both. This self-applied, detoxifying mud has chocolate and peppermint essential oils mixed in volcanic ash and clay. While soaking in all that goodness, you can sip on hot cocoa with an optional/included shot of Baileys Irish Cream. The cost is $115 for a 60-minute treatment and $165 for 90 minutes. For more information, phone 866-942-7442, or visit solage.aubergeresorts.com/spa/.

The Red Flower Moroccan Rhassoul Wrap

If you are craving a spa journey that involves serious mileage and leads to an idyllic destination, or if you are visiting family and looking for a unique getaway, situated in the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas, Texas is an historic icon:The Adolphus Hotel. Take an elevator up to the seventh floor and there’s a slice of heaven waiting in the Wellness Wing. Located here is The Pool Adolphus, the Fitness Center, and Spa Adolphus.

Just follow your nose to encounter a holiday ritual treatment steeped in cardamom and fig, the Red Flower Moroccan Rhassoul Wrap ($190, 90-minutes). Rich rhassoul clay coats the body, drawing out deep impurities. The face is gently caressed with illuminating rose collagen renewal serum. This treatment trinity culminates with a deep tissue massage using cardamom amber oil to release muscle tension. A blend of shea butter, tangerine and fig seals in moisture. After your session, spend some time at Pool Adolphus in a semi-submerged lounge chair, sipping on tiki-inspired cocktails. You may experience fantasies of Hawaii. For more information, phone 214-742-8200, or visit adolphus.com/spa/.

Golden Glove Facial and Body Treatment

In Honolulu, The Kahala Hotel & Resort is a hidden gem. Although it is within close proximity of bustling Waikiki, the resort is accessed through a peaceful residential area. The white sand beach calls for reclining, as does time in The Kahala Spa. Both spaces bring with them a “golden glow.” In the spa, the signature 150-minute Golden Glove Facial and Body Treatment ($450) is all about renewing, refreshing, and uncovering youthful spirits. No SPF is required during this session that begins with dry brushing, a body polish, and body wrap. A massage lulls, followed by an Oxygen Facial using a state-of-the-art hyaluronic infusion delivery system that wakes up the skin. Mahalo for that!  For more information, phone 808-739-8888, or visit kahalaresort.com.

Serenity Candlelight Yoga in Ojai

Are you in need of a quick escape?  A mere two hours from Los Angeles is the veritable valley oasis of Ojai. Where can absolute tranquility be found? At Ojai Valley Inn’s Spa Ojai. Though year-round zen reigns, it’s especially zen for spa-goers during the holidays. Setting the tone is Spa Ojai’s Serenity Candlelight Yoga (free – only 12 guests per session) held at 5 pm on Friday nights. The goal is to invoke peace on Earth through a yoga flow class that celebrates the day’s blessings.

Vanilla Chai Spa Experience in Ojai

The Seasonal Vanilla Chai Spa Experience is a blessing unto itself ($175, available through February 28). This 50-minute body polish ignites the senses with essential oils of organic vanilla and a chai spice mixture of cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and pepper. It is definitely worthy of a long inhale with beneficial properties to be thankful for. The treatment contains healing antioxidants, natural digestive aids, and a sense of well-being. For more information, phone 855-697-8780, or visit ojairesort.com/spa-ojai.

Bekah Wright

The post Relax and Set Intentions with a Spa Holiday appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo by David Young-Wolff

For Miraval Life in Balance Spa, Mindfulness is an opportunity to connect, de-stress, be playful and stay curious

Mindfulness is more than a buzzword at the five-star resort property Miraval Life in Balance Spa at Monarch Beach Resort. The entire team has been committed to the importance of mindfulness in everyday life since before the word was on the cover of Time Magazine. Their dedication is evident in everything from the programming, to the way staff are selected and trained, to the intentional design, to the invitation for guests to pause and connect.

The flagship Miraval property outside of Tucson, Arizona, has been welcoming guests with the mission to offer tools that bring a greater degree of balance to their everyday lives since 1995. Through the innovative programming, Miraval guides participants to set aside their cell phones to reconnect with their self in three-, four-, or seven-day immersive programs that include workshops, classes, spa treatments, and more.

Miraval is a popular brand with Southern California travelers, many of whom have traveled over the years to the flagship Arizona location. Now, with Miraval Life in Balance’s spa location at the Monarch Beach Resort in Orange County up and running, both regulars and people new to the Miraval experience can drop in to recharge their mindfulness batteries. Simply take a yoga or other mindful movement class, indulge in a meditation session or multi-week mindfulness program, surrender to a spa treatment, or even check in to the resort for a luxurious experience focused on letting go.

This recharge is super-powered by the emphasis on mindfulness. According to Assistant Spa Director MacKenzie MacDonald, “We incorporate a thread of mindfulness in everything that we do. People can go to any spa and get a massage or a treatment, but the treatments here focus on giving permission to let go of everyday life and just focus on that treatment and themselves for that period of time. Our therapists are good at giving people those cues to keep themselves in the moment.”

One of the ways in which visitors are encouraged to stay in the moment is through an intentional relationship with a sense of place. The Orange County Miraval Life in Balance Spa incorporates some of the same elements as the desert-based Arizona flagship through gorgeous crystals and stones, calming earth tone themed design, and signature treatments and classes. The additional infusion of the energetic qualities of water-based imagery of the beach, sand, and ocean are important components of the design and programming at Miraval Life in Balance Spa’s beach setting.

Connecting to the ocean is intentional. MacKenzie describes classes like beach yoga, where students can feel the breeze in their hair and the sand under their feet while they practice. In the popular Zen Bootcamp and Blue Mindfulness sessions, guests engage with the healing powers of the ocean. The Wave Meditation (part of the Zen Bootcamp) includes a hike to the beach and then a meditation focusing on the breath and the movement of the water. To round out the experience, participants gather a stone, hold it while setting an intention, and release both stone and intention back into the water. These classes are held at the resort’s private beach club; guests can meander on walking paths through the golf course or hop on the free tram to access the secluded stretch of coastline. Guests can linger in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the waves, sunbathe on the sand, or dine at the Monarch Bay Club.

Photo by David Young-Wolff

If you want to take your mindfulness experience into the air, the Kite Flying Program (part of the resort’s kids program) is also offered as a special, all-ages workshop. MacKenzie says, “In the kite flying experience, you can literally let go of everything that causes stress in order to focus on flying a kite. It seems a simple thing but it allows you to stay mindful, because you’re paying attention to the way the wind is blowing and letting go of everything else. It’s fun to watch adults do what we think of as kids’ experiences because it is an immediate connection to mindfulness.”

The oceanside experiences are not the only opportunity to be outdoors; even the indoor fitness and yoga spaces feature expansive windows letting in lots of natural light and open out to the spa’s private pool area. In this area, classes in the resort pool allow students to experience fitness in the water.

For those who want to integrate mindfulness into their time on a bike, consider the outdoor mindful cycling class with a view. MacKenzie says, “People are used to a stationary cycling class where they’re beating their body up and working as hard as they possibly can for an hour. Our class is really about paying attention to your body and paying attention to the setting. We don’t have loud music, we’re out at sunrise behind the resort on one of the big balconies, and the focus is on enjoying the sunrise, enjoying where you are, and paying attention to your breath.”

Just as the outdoor mindful cycling offers a fresh spin on a familiar workout, the Indo Board classes are yoga sequences done on dry land using balance boards to mimic the feeling of a stand-up paddleboard yoga experience to build and maintain core strength.

The spa’s robust class schedule also includes some of the desert Miraval favorites, including the signature floating meditation. In this aerial yoga class, developed in Tucson, students recline in one of the suspended silks in a restorative pose providing gentle traction and a comfortable swinging motion. Eye pillows and aromatherapy add to the experience while the instructor leads a chakra meditation and rocks the meditators. Another signature fave exported from the desert is the invigorating and stress-reducing cardio drumming class held in the fitness studio.

Miraval’s dedicated meditation room is across the hall from the yoga and fitness studios. With an earth-tone, cave-like feel, the comforting space makes meditation easy with backjacks, chairs, and multiple cushions.

When you first walk into the welcoming lobby staffed by friendly spa staff, you are greeted by enormous energetic crystals and a soothing fountain, offering the visible magic of the energy of the earth. From here, you can make an appointment at the adjacent Drybar. The dedicated Deborah Lippmann nail salon offers a soothing polish within the sanctuary setting.

Photo by David Young-Wolff

Just down the hall from the front desk is Miraval Life in Balance Spa’s outdoor cafe area with light fare that includes fruit, salads, fresh dips, sandwiches, and the magically refreshing prickly pear cactus tea. In bathrobes or street clothes, guests can linger in the outdoor garden seating among succulent arrangements and potted kumquat trees. Beginning in May, an afternoon tea service with sandwiches and signature blend teas will be offered each weekend and special cafe/spa events include creative mixology classes paired with light bites. For an infusion of the health-conscious, mindful lifestyle throughout the Monarch Beach Resort, all of the restaurants (and in-room dining) offer curated Life in Balance Menu items.

Photo by David Young-Wolff

Between the lobby and cafe, on the way to the cavernous yet intimate treatment room area, you walk by a collection of smooth rock cairns. Reminiscent of the trail markers on hiking paths, visitors are invited to touch the stones mindfully making their mark with a tower of their own creation. It is a way of saying “I am here,” “I am present,” “I am focused.” – silently, yet allowing the path to be embodied. MacKenzie says that this is a way for people to mark their place on their journey.

The wave meditation, stone intention-setting, and rock cairns are not the only ways in which stones cement a person’s mindful journey. According to MacKenzie, “We have a bowl in each of the treatment rooms filled with stones engraved with intentions. Guests can select an intention rock and work with their therapist to integrate that mindful idea into their treatment.”

One of the spa’s most popular menu items is the Sea Salt Serenity Treatment; it also brings in the energy of stones with a massage and scrub that uses Himalayan salt stones. The Himalayan salt releases positive ions when heated. MacKenzie says, “The feeling those stones give you is the same calming effect that you experience from the positive ions in moving water or the sea. It’s what attracts people to this location. Combining that salt scrub with the massage gives you a true sense of place here.”

Throughout the spa, the organic connection with the earth is evident. Even in lounge areas, intentionally designed custom wood and stone tables provide an organic natural setting that support mindful unplugging from our techno-urban lives. Some of the treatment rooms have cozy fireplaces to provide warmth, and the luxurious men’s and women’s rooms feature relaxing steam and sauna for release and rejuvenation.

Photo by David Young-Wolff

Everything is integrated, which is a concept MacKenzie reflects upon, “People expect to come to a five-star resort and just experience a massage. But, we want them to take a piece of what we’re offering back into their everyday life by pairing massage with a class or with a mindful eating experience here in the café.” Miraval may be many people’s introduction to concepts of mindfulness. For those who already have a practice, Miraval provides a fully immersive experience that allows a spa treatment to be more than a spa treatment, but a way to unite body, mind, heart, and spirit. Wherever you are on the journey, MacKenzie says, “We encourage people to stay curious around those things. This is a window into the many worlds of mindfulness, meditation, Ayurveda, and more. Just stay curious about those topics and see how you can incorporate them into your life.”

Miraval’s OC outpost at the Monarch Beach Resort is set up to allow people to stay at the resort and enjoy packages bundling the Miraval Life in Balance Spa experience. Resort guests can try out the spa for a treatment, a class, or a day, and people can simply drop in for a mindful day spa experience for one, for couples, or for groups. Every day some classes are offered at no charge for the curious. People who are committed to ongoing programs can sign up for the eight-week Mindful-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs. For the dedicated, membership programs are available. For more information, visit miravalspamonarchbeach.com

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Miraval Life in Balance Spa brings their mindful luxury to Orange County appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

While I’ve heard people talk about the benefits of floating, my first experience floating was at Pause Float Studio in Venice. It is located in a nondescript storefront (at least from the street) on Washington Boulevard, just east of Lincoln.

The moment I stepped inside the doors of this carefully designed oasis of relaxation, it is as though I paused for a very deep breath. This experience of unsolicited deep breaths continued throughout my session. The deep breaths are part of what inspired Pause Float Studio Owner and Founder Jeff Ono to open the location. He fell in love with floating after trying it and found that the relaxation offered supported his ability to show up for everything else in his life—including raising a family. When the time was right, left his corporate job to build and open the float studio Pause.

Some of the benefits of floating—as compared to taking a bath or soaking in a hot tub—come from the entire experience. The water temperature, dark room, and silence (ambient music and guided meditations are available), along with high concentrations of magnesium sulfate in the water combine to create a sensory deprivation immersion that allows for a meditative full-body restorative session. The magnesium sulfate increases buoyancy and is easily absorbed through the skin. Magnesium is noted for its ability to improve muscle relaxation and recovery as well as facilitate nervous system balance and even sound sleep. One of the benefits of modern floatation is that advanced filtration systems mean that you’re soaking in clean water

Pause offers different options for people wanting a deep relaxing and meditation. The pods provide a womb-like container while the float rooms have higher ceilings and a more open feel. All of the float spaces have adjacent private showers so you can fully rinse both before and after the soak. Clean skin before you immerse yourself allows your body to soak up the salts while showering after rinses off any residuals. Arrive early (parking in the area is convenient) to fully prepare for your soak and linger after with a warm cup of soothing tea.

Pause Float Studio can be found at: 13353 Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90066
310.439.1972
pausefloatstudio.com

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Pause Float Studio appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

New partnerships at the spa offer an expanded sanctuary experience in the space. Since Ciel Spa’s opening in 2008, Pearl Recovery Center has been offering state-of-the-art wellness and post-surgery recovery assistance at the SLS Hotel and Spa. Now Ciel Spa’s management has expanded to increase the range and breadth of services. “Taking over Ciel Spa was a natural evolution for Pearl Wellness and SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills, bringing together health, wellness, and beauty into one space,” says Isabella Koretz, CEO of Pearl Recovery Retreat. “Ciel Spa has always been a unique destination that has transcended the traditional boundaries of what a spa should be and we are ready to take it to the next level while still maintaining that sense of luxury, serenity and pampering that we know Ciel to be.”

In addition to a wide variety of therapeutic massage treatments such as lymphatic, couples, hot stone, aromatherapy, deep tissue, lomi lomi, mother-to-be, and their signature massage, Ciel Spa offers a full menu of services for beauty (hair, skin, and nails), and wellness (even IV therapies).

Treatments and products from French brand Biologique Recherche featuring perfume-free, concentrated and active therapeutic ingredients are also part of the spa’s new partnerships. Philippe Allouche, MD, head of creation, co-owner and CEO of Biologique Recherche in the US says, “We are thrilled to partner with the SLS Hotel at Beverly Hills and bring Biologique Recherche’s hyper-customized approach to skincare to the Los Angeles area.”

The welcoming staff adds to the harmonious vibe of the space, catering to attendees’ every need seven days a week from 9am to 9pm.

Ciel Spa by Pearl Wellness at the SLS Hotel, 465 South La Cienega Blvd, LA
310.246.5560.

Staff Writer Lakshmi

The post Biologique Recherché & the Ciel Spa at SLS appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Photo of Alysia Reiner at Exhale Spa at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood by photographer David Young-Wolff.

Yoga, Massage, and other Self-Care Tips from an Actress on the Go

This actress, filmmaker, activist, and mom knows how to maintain balance amidst a busy schedule of traveling, filmmaking, and raising a family. When it comes to beauty, Alysia Reiner prefers to choose shades of green, an ethos that is also central to the sustainable renovation of her family’s Harlem Brownstone. Alysia’s been busy lately: she’s currently filming Masters of Sex for Showtime, she just wrapped season one of Better Things for F/X (premieres September 8), the fourth season of Orange is the New Black is now streaming on Netflix (Alysia plays Natalie “Fig” Figueroa), and Equity—the feature film she produced and stars in that premiered at Sundance—is being released by Sony Pictures Classics nationwide on July 29.

We had the opportunity spend some time together at the Exhale Spa at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood recently, where we talked about yoga, massage, what to eat quietly on set to nourish the skin…and films.

LA YOGA: Tell us about the film Equity.

Alysia Reiner: I call it my stealth-bomb-social-issue film, because it’s the first ever female-driven Wall Street movie. It’s written by a woman, directed by a woman, produced by two women—me and my producing partner Sarah Thomas—and of course it stars women. It’s not only a great thriller and an enjoyable movie, but it has a lot of social commentary about what it is to be a woman in a man’s world. There are parallels to all careers; it’s not just relevant to Wall Street.

One thing that came out in our interviews with all these women is that sometimes women help each other, and sometimes they don’t. That was not the story I set out to tell but that was the story we ended up telling, because that was the truth that we heard. For me, part of the journey of this film was acknowledging that truth – which was hard for me. I am a consummate Polyanna, and for a long time I wouldn’t admit that adult women sometimes are not so kind to each other – even after having myself been bullied as a kid. I think it happens when women feel like there’s “not enough,” be it in the acting profession or in the banking profession, where there are only so many spots for women.

FT: So you feel like women feel threatened by other women?

AR: Sometimes, I have to admit the answer is yes. I was talking just the other day with my friend who is a working mom. She was saying how on the playground, the stay-at-home moms can be cruel to her and so competitive. I don’t understand that. We’re all just doing the best we can. I think part of the lesson of this film for me was to acknowledge that this unkindness sometimes happens, and then double down on being the opposite!

LA YOGA: What does yoga mean to you in relation to maintaining balance?

AR: I love yoga so much and before I had my daughter I had a lot more time for it! I was first introduced to yoga in college and I’ve been practicing ever since. It’s been a challenge to find the time for it with a child and a busy schedule, so I’m blessed that I have a meditation room in my house where I can practice daily. I light a candle, pick a couple of angel cards, and do my yoga set for 5-10 minutes. Then I sit in meditation for just a couple of minutes as a way to connect every day.

The cool thing is, I have a seven-year-old who has been watching me do that for so long that now she loves yoga! When she’s having a rough day she’ll say, “Mama, I’m going to go in my room and meditate.” It blows my mind! It’s so beautiful to see someone who has that tool at such a young age.

A couple of years ago, I played a massage therapist and a yoga teacher in a pilot called Down Dog for Amazon. We were living in LA at the time, and we were at a new school for my daughter Liv. Her teacher asked if I could teach yoga to her kindergarten class and I said, “Sure!” I taught all of these kids’ yoga classes. I taught one on animals with animal poses, and one on different breathing techniques. I had the best time! One of the kids’ projects we did was to make Mindfulness Jars. There’s a great kids book called Moody Cow Meditates, and in it they teach you how to make a Mindfulness Jar, which is a little jar with glitter in it and you shake it up like a snow globe, and the kids watch the glitter settle and it helps their mind settle.

LA YOGA: It sounds like your daughter picked up yoga by example because it’s a part of your life.

AR: I think with kids you don’t want to push them, because of course they never want to do what you tell them to do. But they do want to do what they see you doing. She loves veggies because she just wants to eat what I’m eating.

Photo of Alysia Reiner at Exhale Spa at the Loews Hotel in Hollywood by photographer David Young-Wolff.

LA YOGA: How do you incorporate your yoga practice when you’re on the road?

AR: Fortunately, you can take your meditation and yoga practice everywhere. You don’t really need materials. I listen to podcasts and there are yoga videos on YouTube or online. One of my favorite teachers, Lisa Langer, just gave her me her video as a gift for the Equity press tour! One of my best friends does a ton of YogaWorks videos, she’s brilliant, so I’ll take a class with her online. I can be in the middle of Missouri—like I was last week, doing a film and playing a ghost in the middle of the woods—and still take class with Melanie, which is great.

LA YOGA: What are some of the things you look for in a yoga studio or spa?

Alysia Reiner: What I love about yoga is you’re always learning; it’s a continuous process and expansion of your practice. To the day I die, I’ll be perfecting my down dog. It really is about progress and practice, not perfection. Instead of feeling like “Oh I can’t get this right,” I try to experience “Oh how interesting this balance is.” I look for studios that challenge me in that specific way.

I’m always open to adventures. For example, on Mother’s Day my daughter and I went on the flying trapeze at a place in New York called Circus Warehouse. I love trying new things like that, so I’ll follow friend’s recommendations for any new studios to go to!

LA YOGA: What are some of your favorite places in LA?

AR: Of course, Golden Bridge. And Exhale, it’s amazing. For nourishment afterward I love Real Food Daily, Cafe Gratitude, and Gracias Madre. When I have enough time (which is rare!) I love to go to the Olympic Spa because that’s such an experience, but it’s not worth going unless you have a good two to three hours. Do the whole thing, all the baths and everything, just lie there and sweat it out. So good! The women there range from teenagers to women in their 90s and you’re just one of many. You see how absolutely gorgeous every body is.

LA YOGA: In addition to yoga, what else is part of your self-care practice?

Alysia Reiner: I also love massage and I think massage is so important and so good for your body.

When I’m at home in New York, I make a commitment to receive a massage on a regular basis and I have a regular massage therapist. When I’m on the road, it’s fun to try new places (like Exhale), and there is an amazing therapist here in LA named Keith Anthony Sikora (he is magic). I do wraps and facials, but I think massage is incredibly important to the body for healing, including for dealing with jet lag. Since I love to be active and work out every day, I also want to give my body the time to relax.

LA YOGA: Do you have any other go-to daily practices?

AR: I have a MELT massage ball which I try to bring with me everywhere – so I can roll my feet on it every night while I floss my teeth.

I also just got into foam rolling; my husband has been foam rolling for years. It took me until I had an injury and I hurt my hip during this last movie, I think due to stress more than anything. I love it now, and I do it almost every night because I find that it helps everything.

LA YOGA: I love what you said about using the ball under your feet because we usually think of self-care as being this thing that is separate from routine, but integrating it so that it’s like flossing our teeth is key for success.

AR: One of the things about being an actress is that every day they’re putting layers and layers of makeup on your skin, and it’s important to look at what you choose to use to take it off. Your choices around self-care of your skin is a huge piece of the puzzle, too. It’s taken me a long time to find the products that really work for me. A lot of my friends just use a make up wipe at the end of the day. For me, that’s not enough.

LA YOGA: What are some of your favorite products?

AR: I’m a huge fan of ACURE products, and they have a scrub and a face wash that I just adore. I mix them and they remove the make up in a fantastic way. I was just given a fantastic toner by Kimberly Parry – it’s clean and I love the scent of it. My favorite nighttime line is from Evolue, and she has what we call “face crack” (it’s really called Reverse Time Serum) which is a serum for night time that helps protect my skin.

Photo of Alysia Reiner by David Young-Wolff.

LA YOGA: Do you have anything you eat or drink to take care of your skin?

Alysia Reiner: Lots of vodka. Ha ha ha, kidding!!! Of course, the basics, like lots of water. Then there’s cucumber, I’m lucky that I have a taste for things like cucumbers. Cucumbers particularly are just so refreshing, and there’s so much water in them. When I’m on set, for example, it’s funny, there’s a difference between chomping on celery or carrots, which are very loud and you can’t really eat those on set! You can’t be loud on set when someone else is doing a scene, so cucumbers are a nice, quiet crunchy vegetable. Who knew?
LA YOGA: In your film Speed Grieving, you explore your reaction to your loss – the death of your father from cancer. How did your yoga practice help you through that process?

Alysia Reiner: Simply by creating the space to feel the feelings. Sometimes I’m running around so much and doing so much that I don’t have a lot of time to feel my feelings. I’m a huge fan of Pema Chodron, and have gone on retreat with her, and a huge part of that is simply time to FEEL.

On the recent anniversary of my father’s death, I found myself just crying in my morning meditation time, because I hadn’t made any other time/space to just sit and feel.

One of the things that I started doing with my daughter as part of that meditation is a little visualization. Even when she’s not with me meditating, I practice this visualization and it helps me to connect to my heart. So I did that, and my heart was needing a good little cry, you know what I mean?

LA YOGA: It seems like beginning your day in that way is about creating space, which is especially important, and especially in the kind of work you do when you’re being pulled in a lot of different directions at once. That’s the under-rated self-care right? Just creating space?

Alysia Reiner: Yes! That’s self-care, that time to yourself. Find it! Do it! Make yourself the priority!

Read more about Equity and find theaters and more information at: http://sonyclassics.com/equity/
facebook.com/equitythefilm/
For more information about Alysia Reiner, visit:
facebook.com/AlysiaReiner or alysiareiner.com
Hair and makeup by Jeannie Jeffries using Kevin Aucoin Cosmetics and Schwarzkopf Professional Hair. couturebeautyteam.com
Photos shot on location at Exhale Spa at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. exhalespa.com
Photos by David Young-Wolff davidyoung-wolff.com

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Visiting the Spa with Alysia Reiner appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

LA YOGA: You’ve said that your own thyroid cancer helped you to change your life and understand the importance of wellness. What inspired the founding of Global Wellness Day?

Belgian Aksoy: A few years ago, just prior to establishing the Global Wellness Day concept, I asked myself the following question: “Health is one of the most important issues of our lives, so why do we still not have a special day dedicated to living well?” This was the moment that our story began, the story of a project we have been working on day and night for the last four years with the dream of creating a healthier and happier world.

Living well is a simple necessity for every human being on the planet. To overcome global problems such as depression and to encourage people to lead a healthier and happier life, I feel we need an inspiring beginning. The name of that beginning is Global Wellness Day.

Global Wellness Day is an entirely not-for-profit day; it is a social project created by volunteers dedicated to living well. The fundamental purpose of the day is to make us aware of the value of our lives. Even if it is for one day of the year, it is a day that helps us to help us stop and think and get away from the stress of city living and set aside our bad habits, to thereby find peace within ourselves.

Being an open to public and free of charge event, Global Wellness Day brings together exercise, healthy eating, and inner health for a social movement to raise awareness of living well throughout the world. GWD is a special opportunity to bring together the wellness world in an inspiring mission on the second Saturday of June every year.

LA YOGA: What actions do you hope people take as a result of participating in Global Wellness Day?

Wellness is the conscious development of the whole self. Embarking on a wellness journey is a process of searching for the appropriate tools to make you a healthier and happier human being, as well as discovering your own effective methods to use these tools for continued growth and development. As there is a great variety on all aspects of life, there are also countless ways to cultivate yourself on an ever-changing path of wellness.

In this context, participating in Global Wellness Day helps make people aware of that irrespective of a person’s nationality, age, size, shape or perceived attractiveness, it is wellness that is the cornerstone of quality of life.

When a person participates in a GWD event for the first time in his or her life, he or she learns that Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of and making choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth.

LA YOGA: What is behind the slogan, “I say yes!” What are people saying yes to?

Today, wellness is no longer a trend; it has become accepted as a lifestyle. By saying, “I SAY YES,” people are saying yes to the philosophy of wellness that is based on harmonizing, balancing, and improving physical, spiritual and mental health through recognizing the human as a whole. The peace achieved via wellness is a mental, physical and spiritual harmony and a way of existence and living.

LA YOGA: What do you see as the role of spa treatments in wellness?

The general misconception that we are facing in all GWD-celebrating countries is to make more communities aware of the wellness concept. Today, many people still think that wellness is a luxury that can’t be reached easily. However, the primary objective of Global Wellness Day is to show that wellness is not a luxury but the right of each individual.

LA YOGA: What suggestions do you have for people to incorporate spa treatments in their daily routine?

I  recently read in one study of more than 3,300 Japanese government workers, frequency of spa and spa treatments use was linked to better physical and mental health, including better quality sleep and fewer sick days. In a similar study with German data conducted by researchers from Florida State University and George Mason University, spa therapies reduced both work absences as well as hospitalizations. Examples like this demonstrate why I believe people should incorporate spa treatments in their daily routine more often.

LA YOGA: How do people come on board to partner with GWD?

This year’s rallying cry for GWD is “Wellness for Everyone!’’ A range of cities, tourism boards, health clinics, and even national dance companies are offering workshops and classes to educate and inspire the public about the benefits of proactive wellness and mind-body fitness.

One of our partners is the Four Seasons, one of the leaders of the Hospitality and Spa industry and one of the 3,000 different locations worldwide that has committed to company-wide participation in Global Wellness Day to help guests realize that “One day can change their whole life.”

LA YOGA: What are some examples of inspiring Global Wellness Day initiatives?

Some great examples of GWD initiatives are those supported by governments around the world:

•GWD Thailand is being supported by Tourism Authority of Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Authority, and Thai Spa Association.
•The President of Cyprus has recently gave his support to Global Wellness Day. At the same time, GWD Cyprus is carrying out joint projects with GWD Cyprus Tourist Organization, the Governor’s Offices of Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos, Agia Napa and Nicosia.
•GWD France is collaborating with the National Association of Mayors of Touristic Cities in France. In this context, 920 Mayors in France are being informed and encouraged.
•GWD Turkey has the support of Touristic Hotel Investors Association, Turkish Heart Foundation and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.
•The mayor of Langley in Canada, Jack Froese supports Global Wellness Day.
•Aruba Tourism Association is taking the lead in GWD 2016 for all Spas on Aruba.
•Mayor of Imperial Beach in USA, Serge Dedina is ready to embrace Global Wellness Day in 2016.
•GWD India has the support of the Minister of Tourism & the Minister of Health of Maharashtra, one of the largest states of the subcontinent.
•GWD Costa Rica has met political advisors and Congresswomen recently to get their support.
•GWD Nigeria has the support of the Consul General of France, Laurent Polonceaux.

GWD is also gaining the support of schools and institutions worldwide including: CIDESCO Schools, Thuya Escuela School in Spain, Dance and Creative Wellness Foundation, American Leisure, Institute for Integrative Nutrition, Exercise is Medicine, the Day Spa Association, SpaFinder Wellness 365, Treatwell, the Global Wellness Institute, the Arizona Spa & Wellness Association, Florida Spa Association and International Spa Association (iSPA) etc.

One of our best practices over the past two years has been to receive the support of Hollywood stars such as Ving Rhames, Josh Charles, Ty Burrell, Jessie Taylor Ferguson, Mayim Bialik, Joe Morton, as well as authors including Deepak Chopra and Agapi Stassinopoulos, sports stars such as Venus Williams and Rainbeau Mars and leaders of the business world including Founder of Virgin Group, Richard Branson, Co-creator of SKYPE, Jonas Kjellberg and Wendy Kopp, CEO / Co-Founder of Teach for All.

For more information about Global Wellness Day events in Southern California and around the world, visit GlobalWellnessDay.org

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post A Conversation with Global Wellness Day Founder Belgin Aksoy appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

7 Steps of the Global Wellness Day Manifesto

Walk for an hour.
Drink more water.
Do not use plastic bottles.
Eat organic foods.
Do a good deed.
Have a family dinner.
Sleep at 10pm.

Kim Kessler is the director of public relations at Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles in Beverly Hills and an official Ambassador for Global Wellness Day. She participates in Global Wellness day because, “It is important to raise awareness for  work-life balance, practicing yoga, getting enough sleep, enjoying rejuvenating spa treatments, maintaining a healthy diet, meditating, and taking time to travel.” Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles General Manager Michael Newcombe who heads the Four Seasons North American Spa Task Force says, “We are thrilled to participate in Global Wellness Day for the second year in a row, to help inspire guests and locals in each market to focus on a healthy lifestyle.”

Four Seasons Los Angeles will be celebrating the day with a variety of spa and wellness initiatives. The Spa at Four Seasons Los Angeles will donate $10 from each BioMeditation energy treatment and ila Manipura Experience spa treatment that takes place on June 11 to Global Green. The hotel’s Culina Restaurant Executive Chef Cyrille Pannier and Chef Denis Dello Stritto have curated special wellness menus; one dollar of each menu item sold will benefit Global Green. The hotel will also offer wellness initiatives for employees, including antioxidant juices and smoothies, and healthy dishes in the employee cafeteria. For more information, visit fourseasons.com/losangeles/spa

Partners collaborating with Four Seasons Los Angeles include Global Green, SoulCycle, Rainbeau Mars, SpaRitual, Scott Schwenk and Unplug Meditation, lululemon athletica, Nikki Sharp, Jill Willard, and Weiser Farms.

Other Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are participating as well as a variety of spas, hotels, and other organizations worldwide. California community health center AltaMed will be spearheading wellness programs for employees and the populous they serve on June 11. In Arizona, the Sedona Golf Resort is hosting the state’s first Wellness Golf Tournament.

This year Belgin Aksoy is taking the opportunity to dedicate the 2016 day to the late Charlene Florian, former Chief Creative Officer of Kerstin Florian International, who she describes as an “Ambassador of wellness and someone who has championed the movement from the beginning.

For more information, visit: globalwellnessday.org

Felicia M. Tomasko

Felicia Tomasko has spent more of her life practicing Yoga and Ayurveda than not. She first became introduced to the teachings through the writings of the Transcendentalists, through meditation, and using asana to cross-train for her practice of cross-country running. Between beginning her commitment to Yoga and Ayurveda and today, she earned degrees in environmental biology and anthropology and nursing, and certifications in the practice and teaching of yoga, yoga therapy, and Ayurveda while working in fields including cognitive neuroscience and plant biochemistry. Her commitment to writing is at least as long as her commitment to yoga. Working on everything related to the written word from newspapers to magazines to websites to books, Felicia has been writing and editing professionally since college. In order to feel like a teenager again, Felicia has pulled out her running shoes for regular interval sessions throughout Southern California. Since the very first issue of LA YOGA, Felicia has been part of the team and the growth and development of the Bliss Network.

www.blissnetwork.com

The post Say Yes to Wellness: Global Wellness Day Celebrated Worldwide on June 11 appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Walking has become more like waddling. Sleep, as much as you need it right now, is fleeting as you fight to find a position that’s comfortable. Every moment of silent relaxation is interrupted by the thought, “In two months, I will never experience this peaceful solitude again.” So what do you do? Get out of town!

A Babymoon is a pregnant woman’s must-have. Like a honeymoon where you steal away with your new hubby for some much needed post-wedding downtime as you focus on this life-changing next phase of life, a Babymoon is a pre-birth vacation that allows you to get away from it all, relax, and focus on the true joy of pregnancy and imminent next life phase. Unlike a honeymoon, however, this vacation is experienced before, as opposed to after the event, as taking a few days away is simply not in the cards for at least several months once the baby arrives.

A Single Mom’s Babymoon

This pre-baby trip is traditionally taken with your partner, allowing for some serious couple time. However, if you two are no longer an item, that might be the last thing on the planet you want to do! So take this opportunity to indulge in girl time. After all, once the baby has come into your world, your focus will shift from friends to the little peanut that needs your full, undivided attention… at all times. If it’s a weekend of solitary me-time, indulge in a friend-free getaway! If your mom is your bestie, this is an opportunity for a mother/daughter trip before you become a mother yourself. As a single and pregnant woman, I decided to spend my Babymoon with my sister, Julia.

Our destination: San Ysidro Ranch in Montecito, California. An overnight bag stuffed with two bathing suits, flip flops, and a couple of casual pregnancy dresses (for dinner) was plenty for our two night stay, plus my Snoogle pillow, since it is my absolute pregnancy sleep must-have. It was clear that the staff was accustomed to pregnant guests, informing me upon check-in that the hot tub on our private patio had already been turned down to 100 degrees to accommodate me.

We walked through our cottage’s private garden gate, the stress easing away before getting to the front door where a sign saying “Houses,” for the House sisters, marked this home as our temporary residence. Inside was a living room with a fireplace, bedroom, huge bathroom, and gigantic flower-adorned patio with a private hot tub. Complimentary champagne, chocolates, chips, local salsa, olives, caramel popcorn, sodas, juice, and waters were set up for our enjoyment.

With the exception of taking advantage of the hotel’s afternoon wine and cheese hour in the main building, and dressing up for dinner at their acclaimed (and aptly so) Stonehouse Restaurant, we stayed robed and en suite and relaxed for the entire two-and-a-half days. We even ordered a movie and took advantage of the complimentary popcorn delivery service as our evening activity.

My typical vacation includes sightseeing, miles of walking, extravagant dining, and enough activities to pack a day and exhaust me to sleep at night. Doing next to nothing was extreme for me and it was exactly what I needed in celebration and preparation for the amazing, challenging, tiring, scary, thrilling, fulfilling next phase that is imminently approaching.

Laurel House

Laurel House is a Santa Monica-born, bred, and based dating and relationship coach, helping to empower her clients to be their best selves so that they can find the love the deserve. She has a no-games, rule-screwing approach, teaching her clients exactly what to say and do, how to present themselves online and in-person, and the specific strategy to find love- hard, deep, and fast, just like she and so many of her clients have. Laurel believes that dating is about clarity through communication, and with clarity comes confidence. Laurel is called a “Man Whisperer,” Dating Jedi Master, Relationship Fairy, and Cyrano. More than anything else, Laurel demystifies dating so that you can confidently date with integrity and purpose.

www.LaurelHouse.com

The post Not Your Mama’s Pregnancy: A Single Woman’s Babymoon appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

Spa Review: Island Mud Treatment at Paradise Point Resort and Spa, San Diego

If you can’t find a mud pool, head for the spa.  Paradise Point Resort and Spa in San Diego offers a Hawaiian-inspired Island Mud Treatment using ingredients sourced seasonally from mineral-rich clays.  Following an all-over dry-glove exfoliation, your therapist will paint layers of warm mud from toe to toe, before cocooning you in a wrap.  While your feet are massaged, the mud does its magic, supporting detoxification and renewal of the skin.  After showering, you’ll feel rejuvenated thanks to the salt and mineral infusion.  What’s more, your skin will feel and look more taught.

Island Mud Treatment, $130

paradisepoint.com

Marina Chetner

Marina Chetner is a Los Angeles-based Australian freelance writer.

The post Spa Review: Paradise Point Resort and Spa San Diego appeared first on LA Yoga Magazine - Ayurveda & Health.

I’d grown increasingly restless for a renewal of spirit: With a politically hostile environment, eight years of a divided country and an economic meltdown of epic proportions I felt bereft of happiness and energy. Not to mention that my body was the heaviest it had ever been. Despite reading the newest change-your-life books I received no epiphanies. For me, outer journeys have always inspired inner transformations, so a change of scenery was a natural progression. I convinced my husband to jump on a plane and head for Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula in the hopes of a new adventure and a restoration of self.

Tucked way off the main drag, Ceiba Del Mar Beach and Spa Resort in Puerto Morelos is an architectural gem that is specifically designed to inspire renewal, offering both luxury and sanctuary. “Getting back in touch will be easy here,” I thought as I stood on the water’s edge and breathed in the beauty of clean lines, thatched roofs, lazy palms and stucco exteriors surrounded by turquoise swimming pools. Citrus scents accompanied lustful breezes that embraced my skin as my feet sank into the warm, wet sand.

Each morning, I woke up long before the sun and too anxious to wait for the gifts of daily yoga classes offered by the hotel, I chose to practice on a gorgeous pier that beckoned to me as the perfect contemplative spot. As I rested quietly in lotus pose, the waves tapped against the wooden pilings, lulling me into meditation. Ready for sun salutations, I opened my eyes and was startled to discover I was not alone. A small crab nestled itself on a piling and was staring confidently at me.

Renewal, Rebirth And Reintroductions To Totems

I’m no stranger to a crab totem; in fact crabs are directly responsible for my marital status. While engaged, my then-fiancé and I had a huge argument and I stormed out of the house searching for guidance. “Please God, give me a sign, should I marry this man?” Minutes later a truck sped by and from its open bed dropped a steaming pot of blue claw crabs, landing upright in the middle of the street. Using my sleeves as potholders, I lugged the pot back home. After a long pause, my fiancé said, “This could only happen to you, it must be a sign from God.” While shopping a few days later, I found a crab brooch with this note attached; “At home both on land or at sea, the crab signifies the attraction of opposites and is often known as the messenger of the gods.” We’ll be married nine years on December 31.

The Mexican sun overwhelmed the morning sky and I felt hopeful as I moved through my practice, releasing toxins with my crab friend observing. Morning ocean swims galvanized my spiritual intentions before I indulged in spa treatments from the most extensive menu I’d ever seen. My first (there were many) was the balsamic Mayan massage, a two-hour transformation that pried open the senses with ten essential oils individually chosen. Oils are delivered separately, first to the nose and once inhaled, generously dripped onto the spine. My reluctant chakras popped opened in response as my body sank into the table. Hot stones and a full body massage served as spiritual whip cream.

Another menu option was a Mayan version of the sweat lodge or temazcal, meaning house of heat. My husband and I ventured deep into the Mexican jungle where a local shaman holds ceremonies to introduce the non-Mayan public to this ancient ritual (dospalmas.info). On our way into the wilderness, the car straddled needle-thin dirt roads sandwiched between thick vegetation. When we arrived our senses were further awakened with a ceremonial alter covered with ripe fruit and vibrant flowers that stood out against the sepia tones of a raging fire. Lava rocks absorbed heat from the fire and would soon propel us to a renewal of spirit. The physical purpose of the temazcal is therapeutic and detoxifying, the spiritual purpose is liberation from the past and rebirth as a warrior. I buzzed with anticipation.

Built close to the ground, the stone temazcal is similar to an igloo and symbolically resembles the womb of Mother Earth. Crawling on hands and knees we crossed the threshold and sat in a semi-circle. Intense heat built quickly as the shaman shoveled hot rocks into the center and his assistant closed the small portal.

While we felt safe in the absence of light, our companions were not so comfortable and made a speedy exit. We were grateful for the luxury of having the temazcal virtually to ourselves. Herbs spilled from the hand of the shaman onto the hot rocks and he flapped a blanket, dispersing the energy. I melted as waves of heat pushed hard against my skin and forced my pores and my mind open. A final dip in a nearby cenote, one of the surrounding freshwater sinkholes, completed our experience.

While not every change requires such a dramatic shift of place, the experience lingers in my soul and when I’m frustrated with the daily grind, I sit in the sun and take myself back to the healing heat of Mexico.

Known first as a writer and next as a stand-up comic, Kimberly Deisler, aka Kimmie Dee, writes about her travels and arranges yoga retreats to the really good places (including Mexico). For more information on retreats or to catch her act, email: blissfultransformation@gmail.com.

ritual and revitalization
I have a young friend who once insisted on wearing a tiara to a restaurant. Although chocolate milk wasn’t on the menu, she asked for it. When the server complied, she announced, “I often find when you wear a tiara, you can order off the menu.”

Lost in a thick robe, surrounded by vibrant plants, flowing fountains and sipping herbal tea, I felt like I was wearing a tiara at THE CEIBA DEL MAR SPA. Before each treatment, every client is welcomed with a foot bath, then the therapist cleansed my aura with softly spoken prayers before my treatment. Signature treatments combine the native beauty of the Mayan spirit, natural herbs, ancient ritual and exquisite technique providing an exotic vehicle to renewal.

The Cocoa Ritual blows away any glass of chocolate milk because it means basking in ninety minutes of decadent rejuvenation. The initial cocoa seed scrub exfoliates and revitalizes the skin while increasing blood flow and I melted like a chocolate kiss on a hot summer’s day. Next, I was enveloped in a warm, chocolaty massage that coaxed every muscle into relaxation before hardening into a seductive body mask. ceibadelmar.com –– KD

what to eat
No tiara necessary at LA CUEVA DEL CHANGO or The Monkey’s Cave where the jungle setting compliments natural cuisine and blends together creating a unique experience. I couldn’t get enough of the refreshing, mind-blowing juices. From the extensive menu, I particularly enjoyed the watercress salad with purple onions, pecans, grapefruit supreme and balsamic vinegar dressing. Listening to the birds’ and monkeys’ soundtrack gave the impression of being out in the wilderness. Portions are hefty and bring cash.lacuevadelchango.com –– KD

YAXCHE restaurant in Playa del Carmen features recipes that fuse past and present. Fresh ingredients add to the explosive flavors and the Medicine of the People section of the menu has Hanlicol, a brown bean broth, vegetables and broiled bananas that is flavorful and unique. If you’re a spicy food lightweight like me, cuidado! Some dishes are not for the faint of heart. mayacuisine.com –– KD

closer to home…and further away
You don’t have to venture off to Mexico to find rejuvenation. From the beach to the mountains to the center of the city, hidden enclaves provide options to begin the process of setting New Year’s resolutions. ––FMT

chopra center
Near the seaside just north of San Diego, the Chopra Center offers programs including renewal weekends, seduction of spirit, panchakarma and yoga retreats: chopra.com.

blue sage sanctuary
Disappear into the rolling hillsides of Northern California and return oiled, rested and with a new experience of what it means to be in balance after a soothing, personalized experience of panchakarma: bluesage-sanctuary.com.

exhale at the fairmont
Don’t want to leave LA? Just across from the beach in Santa Monica, Exhale opened a spa tucked inside the peaceful oasis of the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows. Stay for the spa cuisine, or escape for the weekend within one of the poolside bungalows: fairmont.com/santamonica.

adventure yoga retreats
Have an urge to get active? Take your yoga with a side of snowboarding or skiing, karma yoga or wildlife safaris just over the hill in Mammoth or around the world led by master teachers and adventure purveyor Ted McDonald: .adventureyogaretreats.com

paradise found
Head north to Salt Spring Island in British Columbia for a personalized retreat guided by teacher and songstress Nomi Lyonns, also known as Sat Guru Kaur: paradisefoundyoga.com.

ojai
Just walking the streets of the town of Ojai can spark a new sense of self. And if you need a place to find further inspiration, numerous options abound. Meditation Mount offers regular programs to promote inner and outer peace, as well as accommodations for those who wish to wake up with the view: meditation.com.

The Ojai Retreat sits on another hillside with panoramic views; guests enjoy breakfast every morning, optional yoga classes and mandatory garden walkways: ojairetreat.com. –– FMT

By Kim Deisler

Brian Chance

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