'I Spent 2 Days At The Wellness Getaway Celebs Are Obsessed With'
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."
On a crisp, sunny afternoon in December, I found myself lying on the floor of an airy chapel in the hills of Vista, California at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa. I relaxed under a blanket, eye mask on, as I took the longest, most powerful deep breaths of my life in a breathwork session that brought tears to my eyes. In that moment I had a realization: This is the first time in as long as I can remember where I'm not wondering what text or email I'm missing, or thinking about that errand I need to run or project I must finish. I felt completely focused on my body in the present moment.
This was just one of the transformative experiences I had at Cal-a-Vie, alongside 30 other powerhouse entrepreneurs and business execs as part of the first-ever Women's Health Long Weekend wellness treat—a two-day self-care experience designed to help you infuse more wellness into your life and recharge your body and mind. Here's a breakdown of everything Cal-a-Vie has to offer—and why it just might be the treat-yourself moment you need.
The resort: The Cal-a-Vie property alone is a wellness haven.
The resort sits on 450 (!) acres of rolling hills and greenery. The serene property made me feel as if my blood pressure and heart rate chilled out the second I stepped out of my Uber from the airport.
Even the lobby stopped guests in their tracks with its inviting staff and relaxing ambiance. I was one of *many* attendees at our retreat who purchased the lobby candle scent in the gift shop before heading home.
The various buildings—a fitness center, nutrition center, dining room, chapel where various programs are held, and more—were all walkable, and I loved getting the extra steps and fresh air in between programs and classes all day. (Don't worry, if you need help getting from point A to point B, staff members are available to bring you via golf cart.)
Moderate-difficulty hiking trails could be found all around the property, which also boasted outdoor tennis and pickleball courts (surrounded by orange trees!). You could also have access to the partnering golf course across the road. Let's just say all of my dream physical activity boxes were checked.
The offerings: The days were stuffed with workouts, meditation, educational seminars, and spa perks.
The Cal-a-Vie goal is help you prioritize wellness via its fitness, nutrition, beauty, and mental wellness programming. Each day you have the opportunity to sign up for classes and treatments, creating a personalized itinerary that accomplishes whatever your goals are.
An example of one of my days: I woke up for a sunrise hike, where I got to socialize and connect with so many amazing women who *also* needed a self-care pause. Then, I headed to a sound-bath meditation (with juice shots to follow), followed by a breathwork and ice bath recovery activation led by Breathe Degrees. In the afternoon, I got a facial and used the gym for some strength training, ahead of a skin tutorial with NuFace. The evening couldn't end without a mindful stroll through the stone labyrinth. Pretty dreamy, huh?
Ultimately, your days can be as jam-packed or open and free as you wish.
The food: Every meal was nourishing, plant-focused, and beautiful down to the napkin rings.
Every time I looked down at my plate I was shocked by how colorful and produce-filled the meals were. And, get this: All of the produce and herbs are harvested from organic gardens on the Cal-a-Vie property—a true farm-to-table experience. My favorite bite of the trip was a rosemary olive oil sorbet (*drools*).
I headed home with numerous new intentions and healthy micro-habits.
The reality is, most people don't have the privilege of escaping for a few days to a pricy health haven whenever they're nearing a point of burnout or exhaustion. While the stay is no-doubt a major investment, the lessons and habits Cal-a-Vie helped instill in me are totally transferrable to everyday life.
For example: Before the trip, I would breeze through days barely looking up from my computer while I zipped through a sad desk lunch. I'd barely stand up from my desk chair to take a beat. While I no longer wake up and get handed a sheet that says I have a yoga class at 11 a.m. (one can dream!), I now force myself to channel that same dedication to uninterrupted me time at home. I add blocks on my calendar for 15-20 minutes in the morning and afternoons so that others know I am tied up and I can't make any excuses to skip those mini recharges.
I put my phone on Do Not Disturb and silence laptop alerts. Then I stand up and stretch, or put on a Spa Sounds playlist on Spotify (trust me on this!) and sit with my eyes closed for a few minutes, or get a walk or quick workout in.
I am also more intentional about fueling my body with foods that energize me. After a few days of nutritious meals filled with whole foods, I felt speedy improvement in my mental clarity and overall energy. On site at Cal-a-Vie, I paid attention to the speed at which I ate and savored, and how my plates were crafted with a strategic balance of fats, carbs, and protein.
At home, I've reminded myself just how physically and mentally strong I felt when I filled up on fresh veggies and fruits and quality protein sources. When I'm not motivated to cook, I think about how much better my energy will be if I fuel my body right. I also make a conscious effort to eat without my phone nearby or the TV on.
Every little positive change counts, and the ones I made as a result of my Cal-a-Vie experience have made a massive impact on my well-being. I know I'll find myself one day lying on the floor of the chapel, under a blanket, eye mask on, taking long, deep breaths.
You Might Also Like