If you’re like many others who are prioritizing their health these days, you may want to consider attending a wellness retreat. Wellness retreats are a great way to get the relaxation you’ve been missing in a space with like-minded people who share a common goal. A few weeks ago, I visited my first wellness retreat, the Mind, Body + Sol Retreat, at the Zoetry Agua Punta Cana Resort in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Zoetry Agua is part of World of Hyatt’s Inclusive Collection. It is located in a secluded part of Uvero Alto Beach with its crystal blue waters. The resort itself is picturesque, with thatched roofs and a flowing river that makes you feel like you’re in a cute little village.
The Mindy, Body, + Sol Retreat was hosted by Koya Webb, a holistic health and wellness coach and yoga instructor, and was joined by other wellness practitioners to provide the ultimate gift of relaxation and returning to your authentic self. .
The first night was a welcome dinner that offered a 5 course meal and an opportunity to meet our companions for the next 3 days. The food was impeccable, the only downside was that I couldn’t finish it all. However, the next day was the official start of classes. I was ready to jump into class.
aura and chakra reading
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aura and chakra reading
My first class was an aura and chakra reading taught by Laura McCann and James Levinson of Asheville, North Carolina. I have done chakra readings before, but this was my first time doing something like this. It had a computer, a camera, and a scanner, and you put your hand on it and read it. Two minutes later I received a 15 page report explaining my aura and chakra readings.
It analyzes what your aura color is and what your chakras are saying. My main colors were green and yellow, and they were defined by different things. The upper part of my aura is green, which means I have a social mind and am a natural healer. My left aura was yellow, which meant my energy flow was optimistic, bright, etc.
After James discussed his findings with me, I met Laura and she gave me aromatherapy oils representing each chakra in the ADORAtherapy line. She further explained the results of my chakra reading and shared how each oil helped. Chakras are the energy centers of our bodies, and there are seven of them: the root, sacrum, solar plexus, heart, throat, third eye, and crown of the head. All of my chakras are higher except for my heart chakra, which I have been working on ever since. I might follow up on that in another article.
sound bath
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sound bath class
Next was the sound bath class. It’s in an indoor/outdoor spa and was the perfect setting for this kind of experience. Andrew Francis and Carrie Bailey of Zenden Meditation were co-pilots who transported participants to a quiet location. I lay back, closed my eyes, and let the sounds around me relax me. From the singing bowls to the wind chimes, I was in heaven. I also fell asleep and had the best rest I’ve had in a while. It was a great experience. But remember when you realized it was an indoor/outdoor venue? You forgot to apply bug spray and woke up feeling pretty itchy? But that didn’t stop me from enjoying the moment.
tea party
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art of tea tea ceremony
The final event of the day is the “Art of Tea Ritual” held at the resort’s tea garden. It was everything you could want from a tea party. Cookies, cake, and strawberries with white chocolate are some of my favorite delicious treats. And of course tea. While drinking tea, I was also able to make my own tea blend. There were a variety of teas to choose from, from hibiscus to regular black tea. I mixed rose and mint and called it rose mint. I wasn’t able to try the tea blend until I got home, but I can honestly say it’s probably the best tea I’ve ever had. The tea herb taste is very fresh and I love its aroma.
breathwork
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breathwork class
The next morning was just breathing exercises. If you exercise regularly, you probably know the importance of breathing. But there’s more to it than just remembering to breathe during training. Margaret Townsend is a breathwork facilitator who helps people achieve better health by consciously changing their breathing patterns. In her class, I learned to change my breathing patterns for energy and relaxation. We know that breathing is a relaxation tool, but we were surprised to learn that it can also be energizing. I had a different breathing pattern than usual, which helped me stay in place and maintain a steady pace.
yoga
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Coya Webb’s yoga class
The final class of the retreat was, as I mentioned, an evening yoga class with host Koya Webb. Her class was held next to the beautiful Uvero Alto Beach, which provided a wonderful backdrop and was the perfect way to end the retreat. After weeks of not doing yoga, it was important to me to get my body back, so I focused on nailing her moves. But Koya kept the energy light and fun and cracked a few jokes throughout the evening, allowing me to relax and enjoy the moment. She ended her class with a dance break and hugs from her classmates.
The Mind Body Plus Sol Retreat reminded me how important it is to take time to love yourself. Each class was an opportunity to be present and reacquaint ourselves in the most loving way possible. I’m so honored to have had this experience because it was just what I needed to be surrounded by people who encouraged me on my journey.
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