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General Archives May 15, 2007 I was going to be a cowgirl... 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. » Permalink» Comments (4) June 27, 2007 Wonderful, Watery Watsu posted by Kelly at 12:20 AM Have you spent time observing waves crashing against ocean rock, or been tumbled along by the rapids of a raging river? If so, you’ve certainly pondered the power of water in motion. But have you ever considered the soothing power of still water? Perhaps it crosses your mind as you slide into a bath after a long day at work or the backyard swimming pool during the hot days of summer. Our attraction to water is linked to the power that it holds over us. It can heighten our adrenaline or calm us, just as a mother soothes a child. It was during my first encounter with Watsu at Canyon Ranch in Tucson that I began to understand that the real power of water is not found in its rushing current, but in its calming embrace. On the surface, this treatment is simply a moving massage conducted in the water: As you float in a therapeutic pool, a therapist supports you while using Shiatsu techniques and gently stretching your body. It can be a surprisingly profound experience. Many guests have told me that Watsu is the most powerful thing they’ve encountered at Canyon Ranch. Watsu has effects on many different levels, but its key benefit is that it creates a meditative space where you reintroduce yourself to the most important person in your life…you. It’s different for each person. For some, it’s above all an exercise in trust. They need to find within themselves the faith that they will be safe in the water, or that the therapist, holding their body, is not judging them in their swimsuit. Others experience it as a back-to-the-womb awakening. They feel protected, peaceful and comforted as they move free of gravity and without worry. In this meditative state, they are secure and confident. My own experiences with Watsu are like this. I frequently meditate during the service and find myself in a dream state, swimming with my mother. Just as everyone’s experience is an accumulation of their life story at that moment, everyone’s Watsu experience will play out differently. Do you need to rejuvenate your spirit and say “hello” to your authentic self? Do you want to explore a different form of meditation – or even just relax? Are you are at a place of life transformation and change? Maybe experiencing the calming embrace of water in a very special way is just what you seek. I would love to hear your thoughts and Watsu stories. Perhaps, together, we can learn more about the real power of water. » Permalink» Comments (2) July 13, 2007 Reflections on Spiritual Wellness posted by Kelly at 5:22 PM In today’s world, there’s a lot of dialogue around religion and the belief systems that our religious connections provide to us as individuals and as a culture. Now the dialogue seems to be intentionally shifting to include concepts and beliefs about spirituality. Just look at the recent interest in The Secret since the book – and the concept – were featured on the Oprah Winfrey show. Most people connect The Secret with creating a sense of spirituality or spiritual connection in their lives. Spiritual wellness is just as important to our health as physical, emotional or mental wellness. It’s part of the human experience, and Canyon Ranch’s intention is to help individuals understand the depth and breadth of that fact. The Ranch offers many opportunities for you to explore how spirituality can make a difference in your daily experience. I will be posting my experiences as I visit these opportunities, but today wanted to share with you some reflections on spiritual wellness that I gained recently during a conversation with Spiritual Programs Manager Jonathan Ellerby, Ph.D. There is much more inside of us than just a busy mind. Spirituality is what brings all of the pieces of ourselves together; it connects us. I think that most people feel the practice of spirituality is only about quiet moments of meditation, yoga, tai chi or reading the latest book by Gary Zukav or Wayne Dyer. What I learned from Jonathan is that those are the “soft sides” of spirituality and that they’re essential pieces because they speak to you as an individual. However, spirituality also has a “hard side,” and that is the everyday practice of becoming a spiritual being. (This does not necessarily mean becoming a religious being.) This “hard side” has steps, phases, structure and a path to mature spirituality. Canyon Ranch is very intentional in providing you with various formats (in the forms of services, workshops, lectures and individual sessions) of this “hard side” and matching them with some of those “softer” elements. The key thing that I learned is that spirituality is as much an experience for someone as going for a run. The same principles hold true when you are first exploring spirituality as when you go for that first run. It takes energy, patience and understanding that spiritual wellness is an evolving experience. I would like to offer you a few reflections to consider. We will explore these in future posts, as I share with you my lessons in spiritual wellness.
What do the words unity and love mean to you? As you consider practices of spirituality in your life, what do you believe they allow us to experience? » Permalink» Comments (1) March 27, 2008 We Met Wearing Boas posted by Kelly at 9:24 PM The room was packed with women. I did hear that men also participate in the class. But today, girlfriends of all shapes, sizes, ages and backgrounds gathered together to celebrate the beauty of movement. When I arrived, there were no chairs left but I did manage to snag a black boa. The instructor walked in wearing a pair of hip-high white boots that I would have killed to be wearing. As I eyed those boots, I thought, “How sexy can one really feel wearing sweat pants and tennis shoes? I wonder if those come in a size 12.” A DJ was spinning tunes for us. The instructor encouraged us to partner up so that we would all have the experience of using the chair. Sharing a smile that was half encouragement and half excitement, I met my new striptease partner, Ms. Sophia from Atlanta, Georgia. She was gorgeous! She was in her 60s and looked absolutely fabulous with the black boa framing her silver locks. And, yes, I did say striptease partner – and we are still talking about Canyon Ranch on this blog. The Fit Strip class offered at Canyon Ranch in Tucson is all the rage. The room is packed and what happens inside the room is only half the fun. The other half is performing for the audience that inevitably assembles outside of the glass gym doors. A point of clarification – no clothing is actually removed during the class, except maybe the flinging of a boa or two. The removal of clothing happens later at night, as our “day at Canyon Ranch” is reviewed for partners and spouses vacationing with us. I can hear it now: “Hey honey, I learned this fabulous dance routine in class today. Let me show and tell for you … Now, imagine your hearing Sexy Back by Justin Timberlake.” The truth is the class is not about stripping at all. It is about self-esteem. Feeling comfortable in our skin and expressing movement for our own enjoyment. For some, that is an exploration of sexuality or sensuality as they watch themselves in the mirrors around the room. For others, it is the courage to just walk into a class called “Fit Strip” and give it a try. Regardless of all the chatter going on in their minds as to what they must look like moving this way, they show up to see what would happen. I would even bet that a small portion of those that take this class aren’t seeking the self-esteem as much as they are looking for a fun, alternative workout. Returning now to Ms. Sophia and the escapades we shared on that little chair wearing our black boas. We did not stop encouraging each other or laughing together the entire class. Both of us created stories in our minds in order to set the stage for our performance. Those stories may have been as different as our ages, backgrounds and body shapes, but we shared a common experience. We took a chance to try something new and walked away having created great memories and feeling good about ourselves. Ms. Sophia and I ended up spending the next hour in the Spa lobby sharing stories and thoughts about our Fit Strip experience and life. We both agreed: You can feel really sexy in sweat pants and tennis shoe, but we’re keeping our eyes out for a pair of those boots!
» Permalink» Comments (0) May 1, 2008 Shopping at Your Creative Outlet posted by Kelly at 6:52 PM Each of us is unique. That fact alone is empowering and helps us to recognize that we all have a gift of expression to offer to the world. Connecting with our originality is just as important to our wellness as our body composition falling in the normal range. We need to be inspired so that we may become inspirational to others. This is a part of spiritual wellness. What does creativity mean to you? Do you feel creative or artistic? If you don’t, is it because you don’t give yourself permission? If you do, when was the last time you looked for an opportunity to create? I enrolled in a creative writing workshop, in part to improve my blogging. Now, I understand that this was a way for me to invest in myself. The return I received, on the two hours in this class each week, is priceless. I learned ways to question, process information, observe the world around me and express it all with words. Plus, it was so much fun! There are plenty of great ways to develop your creative side at Canyon Ranch. You might try a clay class or the incredibly popular workshop. You could take a hike, and the beauty of you experience may ignite your creativity. Another option is a consultation on journaling, which wonderful for nourishing your feelings and impressions. If you currently journal or have ever considered it, this is a great way to get your juices flowing. I remember a guest who came to Canyon Ranch about six years ago, thanks to a birthday gift from her daughter. At first, this woman said her goal was simply to relax. As our discussion continued, she shared with me that she secretly wanted to write a book. This book was not something she would have published, but rather something to give to her children. She would write letters to her daughters and bind them in a book for them to keep. It took some encouragement, but she did schedule a session with one of a Ranch expert on journaling. By the end of her trip, she cancelled all other services and did six of those sessions. We did not keep in touch after her departure, but I have a feeling that the book is done. Finding your creative niche can be like shopping for a pair of jeans. They have to fit your body, your style, your look. You may need to shop around before you find your creative outlet, but the time is well worth it. Canyon Ranch can be a special place to discover fun ways of nurturing your spiritual, artistic side. Heck, if it feels fun and sparks your imagination – climb the rock wall in the Spa Club, Las Vegas sideways! Now, that is what I would call creative! » Permalink» Comments (0) 
About GeneralThis page contains an archive of all entries posted to Ranch Insider in the General category. They are listed from oldest to newest. Fitness is the previous category. Healing Energy is the next category. Many more can be found on the main index page. |
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