posted by Kelly at 5:16 PM

When I first applied for a job here, I thought Canyon Ranch was, well, a ranch. I expected horses and cowboys.

I was disappointed about the horses, but I received a gift beyond my imagination. I arrived for my first day of work wearing size 24/26 pants and the self-imposed title of "Couch Potato of the Year." Seven years later, I'm an athlete who's finished a half-marathon, a three-day, 60-mile walk for breast cancer and a sprint triathlon, and I'm training for my first 100-mile bike ride. The gift has been more than a physical one. I have found renewal, explored personal territories of wellness and have transformed my life. Canyon Ranch continues to inspire me to learn more about health, wellness and most importantly, myself.

As a Program Advisor, I coached hundreds of guests, and in their company I explored health and wellness in ways I never could have foreseen. I have seen incredible changes -- everything from the rejuvenation of spirits to the transformation of lives. I am now part-owner of a company whose mission is to help people find clarity, passion and purpose in their lives, and as an educator, my purpose is to help others lead their best possible lives. Along the way, I became an expert on the Ranch, and I can tell you that there is no other place on Earth that has more resources for living well than Canyon Ranch.

We like to talk about the three intentions people bring to the Ranch: Restoration, Exploration and Transformation, and I've seen hundreds of guests who've come with each intention and succeeded in their purpose. What you get from Canyon Ranch depends on what you want and need. Restoration is where you reconnect with yourself, your energy is renewed, and you find peace in the beauty and calm of the Ranch. Exploration is what happens when you decide to break out of your comfort zone, try something new, or begin to learn more about yourself and your possibilities. Transformation is changing the way you live in some positive and lasting way. If that's what you want, you can do it.

My goal is to help you celebrate all that's possible as we discuss Canyon Ranch services, fitness classes, special events and workshops through the lens of an expert. I am excited to hear from you and learn from you stories and moments of inspiration. Thank you for taking time to check in for updates. May you be the best possible you!

posted by Kelly at 11:14 PM

The greatest analogy about bio-energy I ever heard was from a doctor. He was what you would call an "integrative medicine" doctor. He also happened to be the medical director of Canyon Ranch in Tucson. He said, "It's like a car radio...this human energy thing. You can turn on the radio and you know that the person you hear speaking isn't hiding under the hood of the car. He's miles and miles away but his voice is in the car with you. You can't see him but you can hear him."

The same is true for the energy, or chi, that flows through the human body. We might not be able to see it, but we know it exists.

Research has shown movement in the human body that does not follow a nerve path or blood vessel. Scientists have stimulated acupuncture points and then mapped movement from those points that followed no structure known to Western anatomy.

When I first started working as a Program Advisor, frankly, I didn't buy any of the talk about chi. Then, in my second week of training I was sent to experience Craniosacral Therapy. I was told that the massage therapist would adjust the rhythm of the spinal fluid in my body. What? How was she going to even find it? "She'll sense it through light touch...it gives off its own energy and fuels your chi," was the response of my trainer. What did I sign up for with this job?

I do believe that people have special gifts, but I didn't yet believe that a Craniosacral Therapist could channel invisible energy around the body. As I lay on the massage table as the treatment came to a close. I thought to myself, "Well, if nothing else, I can tell guests that it's relaxing."

Then the therapist said to me, "Okay, Kelly...your energy is very good, balanced, flowing nicely. . . ." (I tried to control my facial expression so my skepticism wouldn't show) ". . .except right here."

She then proceeded to place her finger under my shoulder blade and I just about launched from the table. I had injured my shoulder the previous summer while playing softball and the pain had been intense for weeks. It had finally subsided and I just figured that it had healed itself.

"Your energy is not flowing well here but we can fix that," the therapist said. With a few holds and some light strokes, the pain was gone. I didn't believe it. I couldn't believe it. There was something to this woo-woo stuff after all.

I now fully understand that energy work is just as beneficial to health as a good, active massage. I have had guests tell me they felt as if they levitated during a Healing Touch treatment or saw a loved one in the room with them while receiving Reiki. Magical events can happen when you are connecting with a deeper sense of yourself, and I would recommend that you try an energy treatment the next time you're considering a massage. If you are staying at Canyon Ranch, see if you can follow your treatment with a yoga class, meditation or a session of tai chi.

There are so many energy treatments to explore, from Polarity to Jin Shin Jyutsu and many more. If you have tried these treatments, how have you found rejuvenation or transformation? I'd love to hear your story!

• canyon ranch
• energy
• healing
• health

posted by Kelly at 11:39 PM

We all have defining moments. I have one that stands out in my mind.

It was a cool day in December, the day of the Tucson Jingle Bell Run – my first 5K race. The defining moment came when my Etonic running shoe hit the finish line. Two girlfriends who’d encouraged and supported me through the months of training that had brought me to that line were standing there screaming for me to sprint it to the end. You might be thinking that this moment was defining because I accomplished something that was physically challenging. Considering my history as the fat girl who was always the last picked for the playground dodgeball game, you might be right. But the reason why I really hold it in a place of honor is that it was a moment of life when I truly celebrated success. I’d envisioned that line for months, and now I’d crossed it.

No matter what your goal may be, knowing what it looks like is the first step in reaching it. The second step is understanding exactly where you are now. Two services that can help you get there, no matter where you’re starting from, are the Basic Fitness Assessment at Canyon Ranch in Tucson and the In-Depth Exercise Physiology Assessment at Canyon Ranch in Lenox. Both offer a detailed assessment by an exercise physiologist of your current physical fitness, including your aerobic capacity, muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, body composition and agility.

Once you know where you are and you have an idea of where you want to be, an exercise physiologist will work with you to map out a program designed just for you. This will take into account your schedule, time restrictions, the current status of your fitness and the “finish lines” that you have in mind.

I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried that your current “state of affairs” will be bad news. As surprising as it may sound, there’s always a positive side to your fitness status, even if it’s far, far below what you’d like. Your body adapts quickly to the demands placed on it, and starts doing it right away. You can always turn your state of fitness around, and the exercise physiologist is there to tell you exactly how to do it.

The information that you gain from these services will help you for years to come: It’s your baseline, and will aid you in envisioning future goals. Give the Basic Fitness Assessment or the In-Depth Exercise Physiology Assessment a try. Whether you’re looking to transform the physical activity in your life or explore all the finish lines that are possible, this is how you start. With a little knowledgeable planning, you can use today’s resources to define tomorrow’s successes.