When it comes to perhaps thebrmost common New Year’s resolution—getting healthy—many bite off more than theybrcan, or should, chew. A jumpstart on health-kick resolutions can make all the differencebrin the world, when it comes to providing motivation to stick with it. Why notbrtry a stay at a destination spa?. Healthy menus, fitness activities, and abrchance to change habits that might block you from realizing your resolutionsbrare all part of the package. Although these facilities offer the same pamperingbramenities found at most spa retreats, the goal of a wellness destination is tobrprovide much more than exfoliation and seaweed wraps—healing and health are topbrpriority.
Hops and healing
Don’tbrlet cooler temperatures keep you from enjoying a destination spa getaway inbrPennsylvania. Located in the Poconos Mountains, the Lodge at Woodloch is abrretreat for the senses, focused on the mind and body connection. Whether learningbror relaxing, participation in any activity promises loads of health benefits.
Weekend workshops at the Lodge allow guests to learn the ins and outs ofbrusing herbs to achieve holistic healing. Master herbalists will introduce expertbrapproaches to sustaining energy and promoting longevity. In addition, guestsbrwill be instructed on which treatments are most beneficial during the season.
At Woodloch, you can also discover the healing properties of beer with theirbrsignature Royal Revival treatment. Inspired by Dogfish Head's Midas Touch, thebrtreatment begins with a smoothing body exfoliation using hops, barley and honeybrfollowed by a tranquil soak in a beer bath. A massage using oils infused withbrpapaya and melon completes the experience.
With only 57 guest suites at The Lodge at Woodloch,brthe destination experience is completed by a quiet atmosphere in which tobrmeditate and relax. TheLodgeAtWoodloch.com
Go deeper with fitness and fun
Locatedbrin the Sonoran Desert of southern Arizona, Canyon Ranch Health Resort in Tucsonbrhelps guests to achieve their health and wellness goals through a variety ofbractivities. The Santa Catalina Mountains serve as a majestic backdrop for thebrresort, which sits on more than 150 acres.
Exercise physiologists are at the center of thebrCanyon Ranch mission to help guests reach their fitness goals. They will createbra personal plan for you, whether you are aiming for weight loss, stress-reliefbror relaxation. A few fitness activities to choose from include hiking, biking,brswimming, yoga and golf.
Forget your typical hike down a quiet, relaxingbrtrail—take a hike at night with provided night-vision goggles, exploring thebrSabino Canyon. Or if you are more of a morning person, take a walk at daybreak,brthen sketch or paint what you have seen at the local DeGrazia Gallery. If you’dbrrather be in the water, Canyon Ranch has plenty of pools. And don’t miss out onbrthe facility’s high ropes adventures, including a challenge course.
Accommodations are clustered together throughoutbrthe resort, with three types for you to choose from: deluxe rooms, executivebrrooms, and luxury suites. And for that home-away-from-home feel, there is abrfourth option: the Casa Grande, a freestanding house that can accommodate up tobrsix guests. CanyonRanch.com
Mind, body and spirit
Cal-a-ViebrHealth Spa, located in Vista, California, tailor’s the guest experience to eachbrvisitor’s needs and wants. The health and wellness specialists on staff createbra custom itinerary for individuals upon check in. Although each visitor maybrhave a different outcome in mind, they have all come for one thing:brrejuvenation.
The spa focuses on connecting mind, body and spirit.brWith mild temperatures year round, the location is the perfect setting for abrvariety of fitness and meditation activities. Cal-a-Vie offers more than 20brmind-body-spirit classes, including a wide variety of yoga lessons. No matterbrwhat level yogi you are—from beginner to advanced—there is a place for you.brAqua, Chakra and Vinyasa flow are just three types of yoga instruction theybroffer.
If guests wish to focus on fitness of the body inbraddition to the mind, the expert staff at Cal-a-Vie will tailor regimes frombrthe over 130 fitness classes offered on site. They concentrate on strength,brbalance, flexibility and cardio. If golf or tennis is an important part of abrguest’s relaxation routine, the health staff can create custom packages aroundbrthese affinities, also.
A Cal-a-Vie experience is not complete without anbractual “spa experience.” From teeth whitening and Thai massage to wraps andbrfacials, there are a variety of treatments designed to accommodate everybrguests’ wants and needs.
Not to be a forgotten element of one’s health, nutrition is a key focusbrat Cal-a-Vie. Executive Chef Curtis Cooke uses fresh, regional produce alongbrwith unprocessed whole grains and lean proteins to create meals described asbrmouthwatering. It’s all about variety when it comes to eating healthy—you don’tbrwant to get burnt out on the same meals you eat over and over again. Chef Cookebrand the culinary team at Cal-a-Vie stick to the philosophy that guests shouldbrexperience a diverse array of healthy cuisine that is professionally preparedbrand served. CalaVie.com