The High-Tech Meditation Retreat We’re Dying to Try
An iconic California hotel takes a 2.0 approach to relaxation.
By Jenna Mahoney
There are few wellness retreats on the planet as storied as SoCal’s picturesque Ojai Valley Inn & Spa. The 350-room spa hideaway can trace its roots back to the 1920s and has been immortalized in Pat and Mike, which stars Katherine Hepburn and Spencer Tracey. Today, the award-winning property has an endless activity menu from golf—the resort’s original standout feature—tennis and boot camp classes to yoga, aroma-blending instruction and painting. Most are included in the daily room rate; all emphasize the journey of self and the exploration of the soul.
Expanding on their mind, body, spirit offerings, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has become the first spa and wellness retreat to use Somadome, a crazy-advanced piece of equipment that enhances the ancient healing practices of meditation.
The digitally enhanced, meditative-inducing technology consists of being immersed in a pod for a 20-minute session while being exposed to a combination of light, sound, and alignment therapies that promote healing, relaxation or focusing, amongst others. Similarly, the soundtrack options, which include ambient noises or verbal guidance, are chosen before popping (podding?) in the pod to achieve your desired results. Think: Heal, Love, Overcome—the personal topics on which you’d be likely to meditate about.
Inside the SomaDome, you’ll find microcrystalline tiles which alleviate the body from the stresses of modern life (including the effects those oh-so-necessary electronic devices) while simultaneously aligning the meridian points. “In today’s fast-paced digital age, achieving mindfulness is incredibly important and increasingly difficult to reach,” says Ah Sam. And since “learning to [meditate] has been proven useful for anxiety, depression and stress reduction,” even just one 20-minute session can help you relax, unwind, focus—or whatever you’re looking to mindfully achieve.
While SomaDome appointments are priced at $45 a pop—a bit expensive, no doubt—can you really put a price on total peace (in a pod)?
(Photos: Courtesy)
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