When Your Body and Soul Cry Out for a Holistic Healing Vacation

From the moment you enter the lobby of this holistic,luxury resort, you know you are in a special place--a place honoring the four elements (water, air, fire, earth) and a place designed to ensconce them in your mind, body and spirit. This haven is located in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and the resort is Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Resort & Spa.

Starting with the walkway to the resort lobby, look to the right through an architectural portal to see a very blue view of the Pacific Ocean (water). Through the left portal is a view of the desert (earth). Straight ahead is a shallow floor-level pool (water) topped with floating lanterns (fire). And this is only the lobby.

Water

Each room has an unobstructed view of the Pacific Ocean. And, if you come during the months of January through March, it's highly probable you'll see whales that have migrated south from Alaska to give birth in the warmer waters. Ready for a liquid immersion yourself? Take your pick: (1) step into the warm circular pool overlooking the ocean, (2) order a liquid refreshment from the in-pool (literally) bar, (3) soak up the sun in the spacious, outdoor Jacuzzi, (4) have a healing water therapy treatment in the Watsu pool, (5) sooth any cold, tired muscles in the hot tub at the resort's "Armonia Spa", or (6) give your circulation a boost by taking a plunge in the ice-cold pool, also in the spa.

Earth

Once you're ready for dry land, stroll around the resort to see that the earth elements are in harmony. The immaculately kept, Zen-garden sands are host to a variety of cacti. Walk along yin-yang rock gardens, stone paths thru meditation areas, the red-brick "concentration" labyrinth and miles of private beach. Look out your balcony and see that the harmony continues, as stones also cover the roofs of the main restaurant area, and all building and room corners are rounded. According to Feng shui, rounded corners aid in relaxation.

Fire

Time to heat things up? When night falls, make your way to the Fire Pit (also known as the Fire & Ice Pit Oceanfront Martini Bar) which is actually a group of mini fire pits surrounded by comfortable lounges. Sit back and enjoy the sound of the pounding waves while you keep warm, star gaze or gaze into the fire, and sip Mexican martinis. You might like to opt for an amazing experience '" the "Temazcal Ritual". This is an authentic Mexican steam bath in the tradition of ancient native tribes. It happens near the Fire Pit, inside a dome about 5 feet high and 10 feet round. The ritual is a spiritual cleansing ceremony wherein hot stones are placed in water infused with herbs and medicinal plants'"thus releasing hot steam. This adds a physical cleansing and completes the healing circle of this mystical ceremony.

Air

And then there's the element: air. Here at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula, sandwiched between the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean, the air is almost virgin. It sweeps in off the ocean and the sea, free from car exhaust, factories, smog, and wafts gently across your skin, through your hair and into your air passages, where it then does a little celebration dance upon entering your lungs. (Okay somebody pinch me). To continue, even the guest rooms, lobby, fitness center and spa smell sweet, as they are treated with aromatherapy to help relax one reach even deeper levels of relaxation.

What else makes this resort/spa "holistic" experience?

• The Food: Organic, no trans fats, mostly locally grown and 80% of the fish are locally caught (i.e., sea bass, tuna, red snapper), unlimited natural fruit juices and smoothies, specially-prepared kosher and non-allergenic meals; homemade pasta/ice cream/bread. Some of the tastiest dishes from Head Chef Candelario Leon are homemade Chocolate Fettuccini, Black Risotto (squid ink and coconut emulsion); Fresh Shrimp Ravioli's; Cream of Oysters served with root vegetables and crab cakes and Tres Leches cake.
• The Restaurants: There are five restaurants. Siempre (means "always") Restaurant is the signature one and has earned a 5 Star/Diamond rating from the American Academy of Hospitality Services. It is open and light and surrounded by water. The outdoor restaurant is named "Aire" (means "air") and the main bar is named "Refresca" (means "refresh"). You put the two larger restaurants and the main bar together and you get "Air Always Refreshing".
• The Spa: As you sit in a softer-than-a-baby's-behind cotton robe awaiting your spa treatment, you can sip tea, nibble on fruit, watch a monitor displaying nature images and be soothed by "color therapy"--the subtly changing, neutral colors of light that give the room a warm relaxing hue. All of the wellness-oriented spa treatments are designed to restore, renew and rejuvenate and according to Karina Jajan, media guide at the resort, "draw from the healing powers of touch, fragrance, and ancient beliefs". A few samples of these treatments include:
• 1. orange juice-based souffl© wrap followed by a citric bath
• 2. a luminous mud of diamond dust applied in an exfoliating massage using magnets
• 3. a crystal reiki healing, balancing and nurturing treatment
• 4. an anti-oxidant body treatment using verbena grass and green tea.

The "Armonia Spa" has received numerous high ratings from Travel Leisure, Cond© Nast Traveler and Spa Magazines.

Conclusion

If you want to get away to a scenic, healing and health-centered spa, this author highly recommends a holistic escape to Pueblo Bonito Pacifica Spa and Resort, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Plan now for a fall or winter retreat into bliss.