We all live in a hectic dog-eat-dog world which places an unhealthy burden of stress on our already overworked minds and bodies. One way to relieve some of this stress is by practicing mindfulness through meditation and other mind-focusing practices. New-comers who need a little help to learn how to harness the power of mindfulness will find that spending a few days at a mindfulness retreat is the perfect way to set you on the right path.
Strata Spa and Salon at Garden of the Gods Resort and Club
Located in the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Strata Spa and Salon at the Garden of the Gods Resort and Club offers guests an integrative, multi-layered approach to total health. Their unique approach is a combination of modern clinical practices, nutrition, naturopathy, spa treatments, and fitness as well as a range of other individually recommended wellness services. The spa provides nine treatment rooms designed to provide a therapeutic and tranquil experience. There is a private couples’ suite that offers a stunning view, a private shower, and a range of body treatments and massages. There is also a therapy room with an Austrian weightless environment bed designed for therapy and relaxation. Salon services are provided by excellent hair and nail artists. There are four manicure and four pedicure stations. Specially for ladies, there are a salt inhalation room and an herbal sauna.
Address: Strata Spa and Salon, 3314 Mesa Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80904, Phone: 719-428-2202
Skyterra Wellness Retreat
An all-inclusive fitness retreat, Skyterra Wellness Retreat in Pisgah Forest, North Carolina focuses on overall physical wellbeing, outdoor activities, exercise, nutrition, and weight loss. The resort’s packages for guests include educational workshops, organized activities, fitness classes, meals, and upscale lodge-style accommodations. There is also a full-service spa at Skyterra Wellness Retreat, offering facials, massages, and a variety of other spa treatments. The unique fitness resort places an emphasis on individual attention, only allowing thirty guests at the retreat at any time. Along with chef-prepared, healthy cuisine and many classes and activities, the 150-acre property also offers a series of trails.
Address: Skyterra Wellness Retreat, 75 Skyterra Wy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768, Phone: 888-282-1657
Feathered Pipe Ranch
Feathered Pipe Ranch is a renowned yoga retreat center within the heart of the northern Rocky Mountains, located near the city of Helena, Montana. The retreat, which was opened to the public in 1975 as North America's first non-guru-based retreat center, has attracted wellness luminaries such as Andrew Weil, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Judith Hanson Lasater, and Joseph Campbell throughout its history. Traditional indigenous American and Indian wellness practices are offered throughout the year as part of weeklong retreat experiences, including hatha and vinyasa yoga, mindfulness, meditation, and Ayurvedic instruction. Special retreat experiences include Mindful Unplug experiences, which strive to disconnect participants from the modern world and reconnect them with nature and the human body.
Address: Feathered Pipe Ranch, P.O. Box 1682, Helena MT 59624, Phone: 406-442-8196
The Esalen Institute
Perched on the edge of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by the incredible beauty of Big Sur, the Esalen Institute is a deeply spiritual place which is uniquely conducive to meditation, introspection and learning. The institute offers a number of live-in courses and workshops which include Arts and Creativity, Body and Movement, Meditation and Spiritual, Mind and Psychology and Nature and Sustainability.
A highlight of the property is the bath house where you can meditate and soak in health-giving thermal waters or have a massage. All the delicious food you will be served is prepared using sustainably sourced local produce and organic raw foods from the garden.
The Esalen Institute, 55000 CA-1, Big Sur, CA 93920, Phone: 888-837-2536
Drala Mountain Center
You will find Drala Mountain Center nestled in the heart of a 600-acre valley, surrounded by the beautiful peaks of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. In this quiet and spiritual place, Drala Mountain Center brings together several accomplished teachers and healers who can assist you in leading a better physical and spiritual life. The center offers over 100 programs each year including Yoga Retreats, Mindfulness, Meditation and Qigong Retreats, Art and Creativity Retreats and many other health and welfare-enhancing programs. Accommodation ranges from comfortable en-suite rooms to economical single-gender dormitories with shared bathrooms. Most of the retreats run for three to five days.
Shambhala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, CO 80545, Phone: 888-788-7221
Stillpoint Lodge
Surrounded by some of the most outstanding natural beauty Alaska has to offer, Stillpoint Lodge is the perfect destination for a mindfulness retreat. Your luxury cabin is surrounded by forest and beautiful Kachemak Bay hosts a wealth of wildlife you can observe by kayak, boat or paddleboard. Connecting with nature and your spiritual side is one of the cornerstones of mindfulness – here your body and mind can relax and rejuvenate. Wellness activities at the lodge include massage, yoga, hot-tub and sauna and guided meditation – all carefully selected to set you on the path to health and inner peace. At the end of the day you can look forward to healthy delicious meals prepared using organic fruit and vegetables from the lodge gardens.
Address: Stillpoint Lodge, 46877 Stillpoint Trail, Halibut Cove, AK 99603, Phone: 907-299-7240
Franciscan Spirituality Center
The Franciscan Spirituality Center in La Crosse welcomes anyone who is seeking greater mindfulness, spiritual renewal and self awareness. The center has an open-door policy for visitors from all religious and cultural backgrounds and is dedicated to teaching people from all walks of life how to live a more spiritual life which will enable you to connect to God, nature and your fellow man. The center hosts a variety of programs and experiences including spiritual discussions, meditation accompanied by traditional Tibetan singing bowls, dream workshops and much more. The center also offers three hermitages, (simple self-catering cottages which can be hired on a daily basis) for those who need peace and solitude for a private retreat.
Address: Franciscan Spirituality Center, 920 Market Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, Phone: 608-791-5295
Hawaii Island Retreat
When you need more than just a relaxing island vacation you could consider combining a vacation with a wellness retreat at the Franciscan Spirituality Center. The retreat offers a selection of excellent packages which combine luxury accommodation and spa facilities with carefully crafted retreat experiences. One of the most popular retreats is their Return to Self package which offers your choice of wellness classes (Yoga, Qigong or Tai Chi), meditation classes and relaxing spa treatments. Other pampering packages which will truly revive body and soul include their Yoga in Hawaii package (no previous experience necessary), Mother and Daughter Retreats and Romantic Couple’s retreats.
Address: Franciscan Spirituality Center, 250 Lokahi Road, 185 Kapaau, HI 96755, Phone: 808-889-6336
Mercy Center
The Mercy Center in Burlingame is operated by the Sisters of Mercy and is dedicated to providing a serene environment where people can come to find themselves, learn about their spirituality and enhance their mindfulness. This calm and serene environment is conveniently located just 15miles south of San Francisco, where if hosts both private (silent) and guided retreats for individuals and groups and popular “Unplugged” day visits for anyone who feels the need to relax and unwind for a day. You can book various prayer, massage and meditation programs to assist you in your healing process and give you a deeper understanding of the healing powers of meditation.
Address: Mercy Center, 2300 Adeline Drive, Burlingame, CA 94010, Phone: 650-340-7474
Coppertoppe Inn and Retreat Center
Overlooking beautiful Newfoundland Lake and surrounded by 15 acres of serene gardens, ponds, woodlands and fountains, the Coppertoppe Inn and Retreat Center is the ideal bolt-hole for anyone wishing to reconnect with their psyche. The center welcomes anyone who would like to visit for an individual retreat and also hosts regular guided mindfulness retreats for those who need a little assistance. You can book enriching yoga and tai-chi classes hosted by local teachers or simply spend your time practicing silent meditation on your own. Accommodation and meals are supplied on site and there are good options for vegetarians, vegans and other dietetic requirements.
Address: Coppertoppe Inn and Retreat Center, 8 Range Rd, Hebron, NH 03241-7230, Phone: 603-744-3636
The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies offers a one-stop destination for anyone who would like to embark on a journey of self-awareness and healing. When you plan a retreat at their main campus in Rhinebeck, you can anticipate a week of intensive workshops and lectures planned to set you on the road to achieving a healthy mind and body.
A few of the topics you can choose from include spiritual awareness, leadership, mindfulness, healthy eating and various therapeutic practices like Yoga, Qigong writing, art and more. Omega offers an all-inclusive meals and accommodations package. Workshop/retreat tuition varies depending upon the course you choose. In addition to the Rhinebeck campus, Omega hosts select events in New York, Arizona, California, and Costa Rica.
Address: The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies, 150 Lake Drive, Rhinebeck, NY 12572, Phone: 877-944-2002
Sedona Wellness Retreat
The Sedona Wellness Retreat is located in the heart of Sedona’s famous Red Rock Country. Here you will find a peaceful and comfortable place where you can take the first steps towards and healthier and happier life. The retreat is primarily aimed at people who want to change their lifestyle, lose weight and release toxins in their bodies and the treatments are based around healthy eating (mostly fresh organic vegetables and fruit) and various forms of fasting. As you work towards a healthier body you can compliment your treatment by practicing physical activities like yoga and Qigong and using meditation to increase self-awareness and mindfulness.
Address: Sedona Wellness Retreat, 125 Kallof Place, Sedona, AZ 86336, Phone: 928-239-4589
Spirit Mountain Retreat
Nestled in the heart of California’s fragrant Idyllwild forests, Spirit Mountain Retreat welcomes visitors who are searching for self awareness and a deeper meaning in life. The retreat is open all year round and can accommodate up to 15 people for one day retreat programs; in addition there are five private bedrooms for people who wish to take a longer retreat. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the area visitors find it easy to relax and become more in tune with nature. Most private, couples’ or group retreats include meditation, massage, spiritual guidance and creative activities aimed at encouraging mindfulness and introspection.
Address: Spirit Mountain Retreat, 25661 Oakwood Street, Idyllwild, CA 92549, Phone: 951-659-2523
Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort
Nestled in the beautiful Berkshires, the Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort is the ideal destination for a restorative retreat. Here you can reconnect with your spiritual side as you practice meditation and surrender your stressed-out body to a variety of healing experiences which include luxurious botanical massages and other spa treatments. All the programs at the resort are conducted by healthy-living experts with the sole purpose of reconnecting mind, body and soul. The resort offers a variety of wellness events throughout the year including dance workshops, bereavement clinics and overall fitness workshops to push your workouts to the next level.
Address: Canyon Ranch Wellness Resort, 165 Kemble St, Lenox, MA 01240, Phone: 412-637-4100
Earth Sanctuary
Located just one hour’s drive north of Seattle on beautiful Whidbey Island, Earth Sanctuary is a nature reserve and Buddhist retreat which offers a perfect escape for anyone wanting a serene and spiritual setting for self-discovery and healing. Earth Sanctuary encompasses 72 acres of diverse habitats which provide refuge to over 80 bird species and wonderful opportunities for visitors to indulge in walking meditation. Inspiring sculpture gardens and sacred spaces containing eco-art and environmental sculptures enhance the spiritual nature of the retreat and encourage an immersive mind and body experience. The retreat can accommodate groups of up to six persons for overnight retreats or up to twenty participants for day retreats.
Address: Earth Sanctuary, 2059 Newman Rd, Langley, Whidbey Island, WA 98260-9754
The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa
If you are looking for a full life transformation The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa is a good place to start your journey. The beautiful French-styled health center is located in the heart of Iowa, surrounded by over 100 acres of meadows and woodlands. The prestigious center only accepts fifteen guests at a time so that each and every visitor will enjoy individual care and attention. Ayurveda is an ancient health science which sets out to treat the entire mind and body by pinpointing and removing toxins which are responsible for a long list of health problems. Visitors who wish to improve their mindfulness can join a TM (Transcendental Meditation) workshop which will teach you how to achieve pure consciousness.
Address: The Raj Ayurveda Health Spa, 1734 Jasmine Ave, Fairfield, IA 52556, Phone: 800-864-8714
The Standard Spa
The Standard Spa in Miami advertises that it is “part recovery center, part hydrotherapy playground and part Ashram”. Here you can relax, unwind and use a very extensive list of programs and therapies to reconnect body, mind and spirit. A retreat at the Standard Spa is an ideal way to start a journey towards a new you. The Spa offers both individual and group retreats and workshops where you can learn new techniques for meditation and healing and increase your knowledge about holistic practices and traditions. The relaxing Hamam offers a range of hydrotherapy experiences which are complimented by a full menu of relaxing Spa treatments.
Address: The Standard Spa, 40 Island Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, Phone: 305-673-1717
Valley Mindfulness
Anyone who is experiencing health or spiritual problems or simply wishes to improve their way of life could benefit from attending a course or retreat at the Valley Mindfulness Meditation and Training Center in Northampton. Since stress is such a key factor behind many afflictions the center concentrates on teaching Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), both of which will enable you achieve calm and healing. The courses generally run for eight weeks (sometimes you can attend two to five-day intensive courses and 5-day retreats are offered twice every year). Private courses and retreats can be arranged or you can make use of their online courses if you are unable to attend the center.
Address: Valley Mindfulness, 45 Main St, Florence, MA 01062, Phone: 413-570-0312
