A soft knock at 5:45am awakens us for a sunrise yoga session in a room overlooking the mountains and Kootenay Lake. A healthy organic breakfast of protein, vegetables, and fruit provides fuel for the day’s hikes, which are discussed over herbal tea (no caffeine or alcohol products allowed). We dress and prepare for our hike up mountains, and along rivers and waterfalls, divided into groups of speed and ability that are measurements of our own health and pace. Despite thinking I was in pretty good shape, the punishing quick marches uphill quickly dissolved my delusions. I accepted nature’s, and my body’s, message and refocused on doing the best job I could do to achieve my desired heart rate (it’s about health after all) and catch glimpses of the stunning alpine beauty and valley views all around me. On the shores of Kootenay Lake, I enjoyed a moment of reflection on the changes I’d already noted during my short stay here. I was sleeping deeply, feeling healthy, and had begun a nightly gratitude exercise that focused my mind on good things in my day. Afternoons at the retreat were spent in informal chat sessions about healthy living, eating, and sleeping, and how to continue the good habits we’d started to form. It takes about three months for a practice to become a habit, so it’s all about repetition, and rewarding yourself weekly with things that make you feel good but maintain your commitment to your new, healthier you. Post-dinner gym sessions are followed by massage and hydrotherapy in the retreat’s sauna, hot tub, and cold plunge pool. The physical elements of wellness are well attended to, but in the spirit of holistic wellness, many retreats liks this also offer guests the option of working on their emotional state as well. I was intrigued by this and signed up for a counseling session with a trained therapist. I’d never done therapy before and had no idea what to expect. Minutes after sitting down in my chair (no stereotypical couch in sight), I was pouring my heart out to therapist Millie with pent up frustrations about relationships, responsibilities and perceived injustices. She calmly listened to me through my tears and helped me find a way to focus on action rather than emotion. It felt as if a burden had been lifted from my slightly more defined shoulders. As I packed up to leave for home, I was exhilarated and happy. I was leaving old resentments behind - along with the 6lbs I’d lost from the hiking, yoga and gym workouts - and was heading home with a new perspective on my own health and wellness.
More Of BC’s Best Wellness Retreats Wellness retreats offer the perfect escape, whether you’re looking for a getaway with your girlfriends, a way to reconnect as a couple, or a sweet solo sojourn. From breathtaking views, to soothing spa offerings, to outdoor explorations, these wellness retreats will leave you feeling relaxed, refreshed, and rejuvenated - and they can all be found right here in BC. Rivendell Retreat Centre - Bowen Island, BC Rivendell Retreat Centre on Bowen Island offers a quiet retreat experience that will bring guests closer to a higher power. Located on the top of Cates Hill with stunning views of Howe Sound and Vancouver’s Coastal Mountains, guests can enjoy spiritual renewal through internal and natural exploration and individual or group reflection. www.rivendellretreat.org Hollyhock Retreat - Cortes Island, BC Hollyhock Lifelong Learning Centre is dedicated to individual and cultural transformation through an extensive menu of wellness and educational programs. Enjoy meditation, yoga, massages, guided walks in nature, as well as quiet time exploring beautiful Cortes Island in the Salish Sea. www.hollyhock.ca Sparkling Hill Resort - Vernon, BC Overlooking Lake Okanagan, Sparkling Hill Resort near Vernon features full service accommodations and spa facilities. Glittering with 3.5 million Swarovski crystals (the resort’s founder is patriarch of the Swarovski family), the resort offers whole body wellness at its 40,000 sq ft European KurSpa, naturopathic treatments, a CryoCold Chamber, as well as healthy farm-to-table meals. www.sparklinghill.com
So, can a fitness retreat change your life? Yes, it can. Whether you’re seeking that change or that change finds you.
Nov/Dec 2019
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