Canyon Ranch Life Enhancement Program

Thursday, October 29th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

I just returned from a week at Canyon Ranch in Tucson and participated in the Life Enhancement Program. For anyone that is looking at being their best physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually I highly recommend this program and a stay at the Ranch. I’m working on a more detailed post and an article that covers my stay so please check here again in the next few days for an update.

In the meantime, if anyone has been considering a stay at Canyon Ranch (Tucson) I am putting something together for early January (approx. Jan. 2) so that you too can start the year off with the tools you need to be the best you that you can be. When armed with healthy living tools and ideas, and the opportunity to take action in a nurturing environment, it’s amazing how much better you feel and how much more you’re capable of attaining for yourself……all of your senses are heightened, you live more joyfully and fully and are ready to move forward in your life.

One of the reasons I chose the Life Enhancement Program was due to an injury I sustained, which had been taking longer than I hoped to heal. The staff is incredible and Doug, my exercise physiologist, was able to review a program that best suited my needs and more important than that was the encouragement he offered and the feeling of being hopeful when we were done vs that hopeless feeling I came in with. That’s just the start of the amazing week I had. More to come…….

And, again, if you’re interested in realizing your own aha! moments and tools for a healthier life, drop me a note about Jan. 2 and I’ll get you the details.

Have a joyful day!
donna@mindfuladventures.com

Road Trip Update – Continuing eastward

Sunday, October 11th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

Today is day 33 of this adventure and I’m taking a few moments to enjoy being in the Nashville area. I’m actually at a Border’s in Franklin (thank you for the wi-fi).

Just a few more notes about Hot Springs, AR. The Arlington Hotel is nearly 100 years old and in a desired area of town since it’s within walking distance to other bath houses, shops and restaurants.
There are a number of other more contemporary hotels in Hot Springs, however if you’re in this area of ’spa city’ this is an option, with the knowledge that it is a historic property. It certainly is like going back in time and I can only imagine what it was like in the early days of this resort. I certainly love the appeal of newer hotels with comfy beds, up to date bathrooms and wi-fi, but I also enjoyed experiencing this pre-war grand dame. They have a great staff, and the lobby area was appealing with high ceilings and light coming in through the stained glass windows. If you go, certainly inquire about lower rate options.

I enjoyed driving the country road out of Hot Springs as I continued on to Tennessee with an early evening arrival in the Nashville area. I enjoyed a fun Saturday night and a relaxing Sunday to catch up on some writing and exploring.

I’d love to stay in Nashville longer, like indefinitely. I do feel a connection to this area….the weather, the scenery, the vibe of being in music country, the people and so much more. It’s an exciting area, yet a place that could easily become home. There are several places that I feel connected to and that’s the continuing saga of my road trip; where is ‘home’ and when will that defining moment of knowing the answer occur? Seriously, so many choices and amazing places in this country and at the end of the day it’s an overwhelming feeling to have and unless you’re going through it, it’s hard to understand. Fortunately I can work from the road, so that has been great, and I have family and friends from east to west and north to south, which is a blessing as well.

All I can be certain of is uncertainty and that I’m currently living an unconventional life and letting it unfold. That’s pretty amazing as well and I’ll continue to have faith in the outcome!

If you have a vote for my new hometown, feel free to comment on this entry.

Until next time………enjoy your adventure.

RoadTrip Update from Hot Springs, AR

Friday, October 9th, 2009 | Uncategorized | No Comments

So, here I am at Day 31 of my 2009 Adventure…….a lot of material for articles, my blog and of course, my book, And, I have to say though that I’m looking forward to getting ‘home’ – although I’m not quite sure where home is these days since I sold my house and decided to take to the road as a free spirit ready for an adventure (more on that later). I certainly have had an adventure…….travel and healthy living are everything to me…….the places I planned for were fabulous (more later on those, too) and the unplanned stops have worked out as well, although I have to say that at first I may have been a little apprehensive about what to do. It’s such a metaphor for life…….when we plan for something, we can usually glide through it since we’re prepared and expecting the task/event, etc., however when ‘change’ occurs, those life events that come up that we’re not expecting or anticipating, we tend to be a little more apprehensive and taken aback in our feelings. That is what some of these days have been like. They’ve stirred emotions, including some fear and excitement, and some have revealed the thrill of anticipation of what lies ahead and those are the feelings I like to experience.

For instance, this morning I left Texarkana, TX heading toward Nashville, TN (I love Nashville!) and I remembered that in 2007 I thought about stopping in Hot Springs, AR. I didn’t stop that year as I was heading back to Virginia for a retreat I was facilitating, however this morning I thought what the heck…..I may not come this way again and it’s an opportunity for rejuvenation. Be spontaneous! Afterall, it’s ‘Spa City’ and since I’m in the ’spa’ and healthy living/wellness business, how could I not make a stop here!

To get to Hot Springs I took 7-North and just as I went around the bend I was welcomed by the most beautiful site of Lake DeGray…….I can still remember the feeling I had as I turned that corner and went from gray skies to a plethora of early fall colors and the abundance of this magnificant lake. It was truly beautiful. In fact, most of the drive into Hot Springs was breathtaking. Since I left the east coast I have been enjoying very warm temperatures and today I welcomed the fall season.

Back to Hot Springs……one interesting fact (as there are so many) is that in 1832 President Andrew Jackson signed legislation that made Hot Springs a Federal Reservation becoming the first “national park” in the nation – pre-dating Yellowstone by 40 years. Just think…..it went from a frontier town to a reknowned ’spa’ haven. Bath houses are available offering the rejuvenating waters from this well-known location, however I opted to utilize the bath house in the historical Arlington Hotel.

This afternoon I thoroughly enjoyed my Thermal Mineral Wraps ($26 per person) and it included a double wrap (half way through I sat in the Dry Sauna). The staff was great and every need was taken care of (ask for Annette….thanks Annette!). They also provide a choice of sitz baths, dry sauna, wet steam or aroma therapy steam, pressurized shower and hot and cold packs. There are a lot of other services offered at the spa and bath house, however today I was mostly interested in the Thermal Mineral Wraps.

Tomorrow I head to Nashville!