Caitlin Row 2020-09-05 07:15:36
Transform your vacation (and state of mind) with the ultimate Arizona indulgence—lots of laid-back adventure influenced by the state’s rugged, red-rock beauty and diverse range of nurturing healing arts. Mix and match these 10 wellness-focused activities for the perfect blend of tranquility and action. 1 MARVEL AT SPECTACULAR SCENERY Home to 300 miles of scenic, umber-hued trails snuggled by succulents, scrub brush and cactus, Sedona’s Enchantment Resort is already a premier spot for hiking and mountain biking. Open since summer 2020, its newest attraction, Trail House Discovery Center, offers 4,100 square feet of fun, including outdoor-focused retail, equipment rentals, a discovery center and more. Traverse the arid landscape by bike or foot, admiring the area’s jutting sandstone cliffs, staggering canyons and high-desert juniperpiñon forests. 2 GO FOR A WALK Winding labyrinth walks offer another way to meditate, this time in the great outdoors. Different from a maze, labyrinths offer only one path—inward, then out again (a flawless metaphor for self-reflection). Made from stone and other natural materials, labyrinths have roots in spiritual rituals found all over the world. Head to Apache Junction’s Labyrinth at Superstition Mountain Museum or Flagstaff Community Labyrinth to stroll toward self-understanding. 3 PRACTICE MINDFULNESS Learn to quiet your mind with a calming meditation class at the world-renowned International Kadampa Retreat Center. To truly escape life’s distractions, opt for a multi-day spiritual retreat. Whether you’re a novice or an advanced practitioner, a contemplative visit means you’ll stress less and smile more. Located in Williams, about an hour from Grand Canyon National Park, the temple’s serene ambiance is accentuated by grand, peak-strewn views. 4 RELEASE TENSION WITH A MASSAGE Make pampering a priority with a steaming hot-rock massage, or the multifaceted Sacred Prickly Pear Body Treatment, including a luxe body mask, steam and massage. Many spa treatments at the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass’ Aji Spa and Salon in Chandler are inspired by local Pima and Maricopa Indian traditions. Experience Aji’s signature Indigenous Collection for ingredients like red clay, aloe and salt. 5 REFLECT OVER TEA Who doesn’t love a little divination with their tea? Discover your best future self with a ritual tea leaf reading at Agave, the Arizona Spa and Salon in Scottsdale. Drink a cup with Agave’s resident tea-leaf reader and astrologer to answer life’s biggest questions. After the tea is finished, the leaves at the bottom are swirled before interpretation begins—and your future is revealed. 6 STRETCH WITH A YOGA CLASS Find your inner “Om” with nature-infused yoga, whether it be with tutu-wearing goats or paired with a scenic hike. Gilbert’s own Arizona Goat Yoga features classes full of baby goats, prancing and clambering across yogis’ outstretched backs. Or, head out with Vortex Yoga Hiking in Sedona, where you’ll traipse through majestic red-rock scenery before settling in for some seriously stretchy downward-facing dog. 7 SAVOR SPECIALTY CHOCOLATE Dark chocolate isn’t just delicious. This tasty treat is high in antioxidants and chock full of nutrients like iron, copper and magnesium. So, sample away—guilt free—during your next wellness adventure. At ChocolaTree in Sedona, you’ll enjoy exquisitely crafted truffles infused with ingredients like mesquite, sprouted almond butter and lavender oil. Pause at Monsoon Chocolate in Tucson for its delectable Cocoa Nib Horchata, brewed with real cocoa nibs. Or sample the smooth, dark finish of Zak’s Chocolate bars in Scottsdale. 8 HARNESS THE POWER OF GEMSTONES Bring your body into balance with a soothing Gemstone Healing Massage at The Ritz-Carlton Dove Mountain in Marana. Dip a toe into energy work with this fun body treatment that includes gemstone placement along key pressure points during massage. You’ll rebalance your chakras and alleviate daily stress. 9 HANDCRAFT YOUR OWN BATH SOAKS AND SCRUBS Mix your own fragrance from flowers and herbs, and then bring it home to enjoy again and again. L’Apothecary Sedona Nature Spa’s signature blending station offers a truly diverse botanical mix, ideal for concocting delectable scents. You can use your creation as part of a custom massage complete with aromatherapy. 10 BEAT YOUR PERSONAL RECORD Make fitness your focus with a trip based around an athletic event. Reserve your spot in Fort McDowell’s relay-style Ragnar Trail Arizona race for 120 miles of trail running and camping under the stars. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, along with its shorter 10k and 5k, boasts live music along a race path spanning Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale. Or, walk or run the Bisbee 1000 The Great Stair Climb for lung-busting ups and winding roads.
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