Your health is a top priority, but sometimes it suffers due to a busy lifestyle. Between your job, family obligations & other responsibilities, it's often difficult to take care of yourself in the face of so much stress. That's why a luxury vacation is the perfect opportunity to refresh & recharge. After a trip to St. Lucia for the Health & Wellness Retreat this fall, you'll come back feeling your most beautiful, ready to approach life with an improved perspective.
During the event from Nov. 1-3, you'll learn the right way to detox, gain insight into healthier cooking habits, engage in hands-on culinary demonstrations & get expert beauty advice. Ready to clear your body & mind on one of the most relaxing Caribbean islands? Here's a glimpse at the itinerary:
Day 1 The early bird catches the worm, so rise & shine at 7 a.m. & head to the Pigeon Island National Landmark for yoga with guru & founder of Unity Woods Yoga Center, John Schumacher. Be prepared to sweat, though – this class is more intense than the 4:30 one, which is focused on relaxation. The emphasis in these classes is a combination of strength & flexibility. If you sleep in, though, don't fret – the session is offered all three mornings.
Next head to the Body Holiday spa experience. If you're looking to turn your life around, Gabrielle Bernstein's "Living a Miraculous Life," will no doubt leave you feeling positive. Considered a thought leader in the realm of mental well-being, she's the New York Times bestselling author of "May Cause Miracles, A 40-day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change & Unlimited Happiness." She's also been seen on Oprah's "Super Soul Sunday."
Since stress might be taking a serious toll on your health, it's worth checking out the "Life is for Living" seminar, which is designed to help you "get the best out of every moment of your life." What could be more luxurious than spa treatments by the beach? After a relaxing massage, enjoy a healthy & delicious lunch at the quaint Pigeon Island.
Day 2 It might be a struggle to get up at 5:30 a.m., but you don't want to miss the boat for a ride to Soufriere from Pigeon Island.
Soak in the island's healing minerals in the mud baths at Sulphur Springs. Then head to the Spa & Lounge Experience at Anse Mamin Beach, where you'll be treated to lavish treatments & a decadent but healthy lunch. Then hop back on the boat & ride back to Castries.
If you're looking for some more nutritious dishes to make at home, Healthy Cooking with Cat Cora will give you a bevy of new ideas. The "Iron Chef" contestant will show you that you don't have to sacrifice flavor for healthier fare, & she'll give you tips that can make a serious long-term difference in your diet.
Ever considered martial arts? There's no better time to dabble in new forms of fitness than at this retreat, so head to tai chi on the Saddle at Pigeon Island with Sifu Jimmy James, who has won seven gold medals at international tournaments.
Day 3 There's hardly a better way to start your day than exercising for a good cause, so set your alarm for 5:30 a.m. & head to the Yoplait Walk for Cancer.
If you need to kickstart your weight loss efforts, personal trainer & nutrition expert Marie Piazza will offer realistic tips in "Take It Off & Keep It Off."
Still, no one said that shedding pounds was easy. At 4:30 p.m., fitness guru Dani Devaux will lead the Blood, Sweat & Tears sunset bootcamp on Pigeon Island. You might be surprised at your capabilities as you push yourself in this innovative program, which involves high-intensity interval training (HIIT) using only your body weight to blast fat, build up muscle & enhance both your strength & stamina.
