When you hear the term “one with nature,” chances are you envision laying on the grass staring up at the night stars or floating in the ocean, taking in the beauty and peacefulness of it all.
In those moments, whatever stress you have is put on the backburner and it becomes almost effortless to chillax.
My most recent experience was listening to a flautist (flute player) in the Tortolita Mountains of Arizona. Being a native to the area, she comes to the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain every weeknight to play. As soon as the music started a silence settled among the crowd, and captivated by the soothing melody we all collectively put our phones down.
I’m not exaggerating when I say the timing of this next part couldn’t have been more perfect/spiritual. I looked up and as I was about to take a sip of wine a butterfly landed on the glass, staying there for a solid 10 seconds. Then it flew and circled around me, which is when I started to tear up. It hit me that this was a moment I didn’t want to forget. I can count on one hand the amount of moments in my life where time has stood still like that.
The Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain Spa
With it’s desert-inspired architecture, this spa blends naturally into the mountainous background. When I stepped inside, I noticed the interior design, which pays homage to the indigenous people and local culture with the woodwork, tapestry on the walls and crystal-related products. As someone who always carries a crystal in her bag, I was very much in my element. Walking through the reception area to see amethyst and rose quartz infused water, I thought, “this is definitely my vibe.”
Desert Gemstone Ritual
I was immediately intrigued when I saw “ritual” for my first treatment. Bring on the candles and sage, please.
The treatment begins with closing your eyes and choosing a gemstone from a bowl. I picked citrine, which is associated with prosperity, optimism and success. As a fun twist, the healing properties of this stone inspired the rest of the session.
To start, I had an exfoliating foot scrub/soak followed by a full body dry exfoliation. In terms of health benefits, dry skin brushing eliminates dead skin cells, boosts circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system. As I laid on the table, I inhaled the citrus aroma, which made me feel energized and emotionally lighter.
After the exfoliation, I soaked in the hot tub for 15 minutes and emerged with baby soft skin. The final step of this ritual involved a massage with gemstones placed on different chakras (the crown, the heart and the solar plexus).
Hohokam Hot Stone Massage
My second treatment was a deep tissue massage using warm mineral-rich basalt stones to alleviate tension and muscle soreness. Prior to the treatment, I let the masseur know my areas of concern so he targeted each one with the right amount of pressure and stretching techniques.
Pro tip: Being massaged with hot stones works wonders for getting rid of knots (and since I sit at a desk all day, it’s no surprise I had quite a few going in).
Aromatherapy Blending
The beauty of essential oils is that they typically perform more than one function, so by knowing the benefits of each you can find (or create) a personalized blend to meet your mental and physical health needs. There is an aromatherapy blending bar in the spa lobby where you can create a blend that can help you reach your personal development goals – whether it’s reducing anxiety, increasing your energy or in my case boosting your “inner glow,” so there’s something for everyone.
I tried it out before I left to go home and is it a coincidence I made a few friends in the airport? Probably not. My inner glow was on point.
Maybe it’s just me, but I believe that for any wellness treatment to be effective, the mind, body and spirit need to be incorporated. A massage on its own is lovely, for instance, but when you add in meditation, aromatherapy and crystal/energy work it takes the experience to the next level. And that’s what the treatments at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain achieved.
Maybe It's Just Me 