This is part of a series on eastern medicine for major novices. First, readers, please accept my apologies for the gap in posting. Apparently there are quite a few readers as the founder of 'Holiday Golightly' informed me that the Hot Mommas Project Blog sent her a bunch of traffic from the April post on girlfriend getaways. So, thank you for reading. Shout out to Guy Kawasaki's www.Alltop.com which has likely increased our readership. On with Part I.
The interest in Eastern Medicine comes from the following:
A belief that there is something to it because – uh – billions of people have used it for thousands of years. However, the credibility of the topic was not aided by the fanatic types with b.o. who dress like Stevie Nicks.
GETTING INTO THE “ZONE” – YOUR EQUATION:
While western medicine tends to lean more toward body wellness, Eastern medicine has the mind wellness trump card. The two are pretty effectively combined at one of my favorite places on earth: Green Valley Spa in St George Utah. Getting in the mind body zone is the key takeaway for today. Here is how I did it (Sample “getting into the zone” equation: How I spent the past 7 days at Green Valley).
6.30 am wake up in amazing down everything, step onto Mediterranean ceramic tile floors, and head toward in-room coffee grinder
6.45 served spa breakfast in dining hall
7.15 to main building from which hikes leave. Greeted by awesome staff (usually including one of the family members who own the spa). Grab snacks the spa stocks (veggies, string cheese, trail mix, yogurt, fruit) and fill water bottles
8.00 arrive at amazing hike with scenery that blows my mind (or sleep in, stay back, and go to aquacize)
11.30 back from hike, shower off tons of red dirt and general feeling of skankiness
12.00 spa lunch, chat with other guests (really nice folks)
1.00 meditation with Mike (who makes meditation easy for spazzy thinkers)
2.00 stretch with Bonnie or Miriam, fitness goddesses
3.00 some class, like cardio boxing
4.00 some other class, like Pilates or Tai Chi with Harold
5.00 shower and glass of wine on terrace with my travelling buddy Melissa.
6.00 served spa dinner by Chef Jules in dining hall (click here for spa recipe of month)
7.00 treatment (e.g. Massage.. every night! Beyond indulgent.)
8.00 group of gals back to my aunt's room for chit chat. Some contraband food possible.
10.00 bed!
After a week of this, it is easy to feel relaxed and balanced. TO DO: think of your perfect day…then, see if there is a week long period in which you can create that. Do the same thing each day of that week so the routine can really sink in. Then, make it a tradition and do the trip each year. Enlist girlfriends. For me, Green Valley fits my equation for getting in the zone:
-beautiful surroundings
-working out
-hanging with my girls (my female friendships have been a lifesaver for me…more and more each year)
-learning new stuff that will help in day to day life (e.g Meditation)
-trying stuff that is semi badass, but where I don't have to think too much (like hiking)
-massages and stuff like that (total indulgence)
-eating stuff that someone else cooks which tastes good and won't turn me into a dirigible (also a total indulgence).
Summary: Getting into the zone, and valuing the balance of mental and physical health is the first step in this series. Consider writing out your perfect mind/body day, enlist friends, do it for ONE WEEK, try to be a bit indulgent, and repeat every year.
Stay tuned for next postings from Green Valley Spa learnings including meditation (for spazzes), chakras, and chi/Tai Chi (for people who have no idea about it/don't believe in it).
As a fellow spaz/not sure whether to believe in it person, I appreciate this education. Although, I must say I am awfully jealous of your week now too! Glad you had a good trip!
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