Healing places to travel.

When going through depression, anxiety, burn-out, or stress, it can be difficult to know where to travel when looking for healing spaces. A part of our healing journey does require solitude, but the other part of it requires traveling to safe environments that foster community and the activation of our parasympathetic system. Our parasympathetic nervous system activates 'rest and digest' conditions when we are in calm, quiet spaces.

The opposite of this is our sympathetic nervous system which activates our 'fight or flight' response in stressful spaces. Between work and personal life challenges, it can be difficult to calm the nervous system. Here are a few places I visited solo along my healing journey that will bring you just the amount of tranquility your body needs to properly heal and recharge.

1. Saratoga Springs, New York

   
   

I stayed at https://www.gideonputnam.com/ for a 3 day retreat with https://www.vitapurayoga.com/upstate-new-york-yoga-retreats. We focused on hatha yoga, breath work, and meditation alongside hiking in the Saratoga Spa State Park. This was led by Amber Martinez and Lance Slatter. More on these teachers here: https://www.vitapurayoga.com/yoga-teachers. A restaurant I enjoyed dining at while there was https://www.scallionsrestaurant.com/.

2. Ellenville, New York

I stayed at https://www.honorshaven.com/ for a 3 day rest and relaxation retreat https://www.honorshaven.com/retreats/catskills-r-r-retreat. We focused on Tai Chi, QiGong, hiking, meditation, and wellness workshops. This was led by Shiwon Hyun and Brittany Rega. More on these teachers here: https://www.honorshaven.com/services/wellness-team.

3. Sedona, Arizona

I stayed at https://sedonamagoretreat.org/ for a little over a week. What makes Sedona a sacred place are the high energy vortexes. This is very important in a healing journey. More on vortexes: https://visitsedona.com/spiritual-wellness/what-is-a-vortex/.

Here I met Minjung Kim; a skilled teacher and healer who extended the opportunity for me to take part in a special Longevity Retreat program. More on this teacher here: https://sedonamagoretreat.org/about/. The focus was also Tai Chi, QiGong, meditation, and wellness workshops. I was also connected to a yoga instructor named Nichole whom I met through Amber at https://www.vitapurayoga.com/. I did a private yoga session with Nichole and we also went hiking at Cathedral Rock.

4. Phoenix, Arizona

I stayed at https://royalpalmshotel.com/; where yoga class was offered in the morning and a live band played at night during dinner. I received a wonderful mani, pedi, and massage at the spa. Here I learned about a company called https://vitalbodytherapeutics.com/ whose products were being sold at the spa. I enjoy their Radiance CBD Body Oil and their CBD Mineral Bath Soak. I enjoyed the large tub in my room that allowed me to fully submerge my upper and lower body in the water. Total relaxation!

5. Negril, Jamaica

I stayed at https://tbr.travel/ practicing Kemetic yoga with https://kemeticyogaskills.com/ in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings, in addition to gathering for health and nutrition presentations and discussions. This was led by Yirser Ra Hotep. More on this master instructor here: https://kemeticyogaskills.com/about-yirser-ra-hotep/ Lots of food options and great restaurants walking distance from the resort along the beach.

I stayed at Travellers Beach Resort a second time a year later and was able to receive a discount for being a returning customer. Here I swam in the Blue Hole Mineral Spring and discovered beautiful artwork at Jamaica Giants Sculpture Park & Art Gallery.