If you’ve ever tried to sit in absolute silence for more than a few seconds, with nothing but your thoughts to keep you company, you know how challenging the act of true relaxation can be. Some of us can find solace on a far-off beach with our toes in the sand, while others need the promise of real, uninterrupted solitude.

But if one thing’s for certain, it’s that all of us can benefit from a little rest and relaxation. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 32 percent of adults will experience an anxiety disorder in their lifetime. And, while a yoga session or trip to the spa is not a lifelong solution, retreats across the country are making it their mission to help people unplug, unwind, and find inner peace.

Healing Powers of the West

Achieving strength and balance from the Earth is an important component of Native American culture—particularly for those tribes such as the Anasazi, an ancient culture hailing from the southwestern corner of North America. At the center of their spiritual beliefs is a proclivity toward natural healing and using Mother Nature as the center of discovery and understanding.

Mii amo, a destination spa resort settled in Sedona’s picturesque Red Rocks, opened in
2001. With Anasazi customs as a guide, the destination spa offers a series of programs and activities, all of which can be customized to fit visitors’ unique expectations and desires and allows participants to truly disconnect from modern life.

There are five specific journey packages to choose from—De-Stress Mind, Body & Spirit, Healthy Body In Balance, Spiritual Exploration, Transformational Wisdom, and Soulful Essence—all of which incorporate a unique set of objectives and activities. Healthy Body In Balance, for instance, is focused on long-term nutrition, supplements, and exercise routines to promote lifelong wellness, while Soulful Essence is concerned with tapping into past experiences to promote a more authentic you.

In addition to the journey packages, Mii amo offers a full-service spa, outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, golf, and tennis, as well as classes in communication, strategic breathing, and forgiveness, among others.

The phrase “mii amo” is defined as “one’s path or journey,” which is the overarching focus in every facet of this spa retreat. Whereas a traditional spa experience may be dedicated to personal relaxation and pampering, a Mii amo experience urges participants to find this same sense of calm from within, which helps to develop practices people can take with them long after the retreat is over.

Living the Farm Life

People have always appreciated a trip to the country for its ability to rejuvenate the soul and help them feel more connected to nature. In today’s busy times, a quaint country oasis can feel like a completely different world.

Simple, therapeutic, and inspiring, Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, has been helping guests revisit their roots for over forty years. What began as a charming family farm opened to the public in the late 1970s as a six-bedroom inn focused on Southern hospitality, quality farm-to-table dining, and outdoor wellness in the gorgeous Smoky Mountains.

The farm still offers a comprehensive experience, where guests can spend time immersing themselves in all Blackberry has to offer, including hands-on experiences in the farm fields. According to the Beall family, who has owned and operated the farm for decades, there is a big emphasis on understanding where food comes from and watching the process of planting, harvesting, and cooking in action.

In addition to its focus on balance through clean eating, The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm—a personalized health and wellness retreat—delivers a host of activities and immersive experiences that inspire guests to transform their well-being. From the moment guests arrive, they are welcomed with the calming presence of nature through the farm’s herb garden, vitality bar (with offerings of tea and infused water), and meadow lounge—the last one of which is a glass-enclosed room with the ultimate view of the Smokies, designed for maximum comfort.

From there, guests can opt for one of the daily experiences, ranging from low-impact barre classes to yoga basics. Depending on the time of year, The Wellhouse also offers numerous opportunities to explore the farm’s natural surroundings through group endurance hikes, runs, or meditation and yoga classes in the middle of the woods.

After a day of pushing your physical limits, there are a handful of therapeutic spa opportunities, which can be made into a portion or an entire day’s worth of relaxation. Seasonal immersions include Come Grass Time, running from March through May, which is designed to help you emerge from the winter ready to experience growth and change, with skin-healing massages and scalp treatments. Harvest Time, which takes place in the fall months, helps prepare guests for the cooler months ahead with warming oil massages and soothing facials. In the summer, Lay-By Time provides a needed respite from the heat with a cooling cucumber and grapefruit facial, as well as a restorative manicure and pedicure, while the Restin’ Time experience in the winter begins with a private yoga session and nourishing full-body massage, accompanied by a warm cup of the spa’s special Blackberry Farm tea.

Of course, it’s not only the spa experience that makes a stay at Blackberry Farm restorative and healing. Guests are encouraged to take part in a number of the experiences over the course of their stay to achieve full-body wellness and a sense of inner contentment.

Living the Farm Life

People have always appreciated a trip to the country for its ability to rejuvenate the soul and help them feel more connected to nature. In today’s busy times, a quaint country oasis can feel like a completely different world.

Simple, therapeutic, and inspiring, Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, has been helping guests revisit their roots for over forty years. What began as a charming family farm opened to the public in the late 1970s as a six-bedroom inn focused on Southern hospitality, quality farm-to-table dining, and outdoor wellness in the gorgeous Smoky Mountains.

The farm still offers a comprehensive experience, where guests can spend time immersing themselves in all Blackberry has to offer, including hands-on experiences in the farm fields. According to the Beall family, who has owned and operated the farm for decades, there is a big emphasis on understanding where food comes from and watching the process of planting, harvesting, and cooking in action.

In addition to its focus on balance through clean eating, The Wellhouse at Blackberry Farm—a personalized health and wellness retreat—delivers a host of activities and immersive experiences that inspire guests to transform their well-being. From the moment guests arrive, they are welcomed with the calming presence of nature through the farm’s herb garden, vitality bar (with offerings of tea and infused water), and meadow lounge—the last one of which is a glass-enclosed room with the ultimate view of the Smokies, designed for maximum comfort.

From there, guests can opt for one of the daily experiences, ranging from low-impact barre classes to yoga basics. Depending on the time of year, The Wellhouse also offers numerous opportunities to explore the farm’s natural surroundings through group endurance hikes, runs, or meditation and yoga classes in the middle of the woods.

After a day of pushing your physical limits, there are a handful of therapeutic spa opportunities, which can be made into a portion or an entire day’s worth of relaxation. Seasonal immersions include Come Grass Time, running from March through May, which is designed to help you emerge from the winter ready to experience growth and change, with skin-healing massages and scalp treatments. Harvest Time, which takes place in the fall months, helps prepare guests for the cooler months ahead with warming oil massages and soothing facials. In the summer, Lay-By Time provides a needed respite from the heat with a cooling cucumber and grapefruit facial, as well as a restorative manicure and pedicure, while the Restin’ Time experience in the winter begins with a private yoga session and nourishing full-body massage, accompanied by a warm cup of the spa’s special Blackberry Farm tea.

Of course, it’s not only the spa experience that makes a stay at Blackberry Farm restorative and healing. Guests are encouraged to take part in a number of the experiences over the course of their stay to achieve full-body wellness and a sense of inner contentment.

A Uniquely Intimate Experience

Today’s spa resorts are evolving to offer more than massages and pedicures; they are comprehensive getaways for visitors to revisit the importance of taking care of themselves. Our health is the most important thing we have to care for, and through strategic programs and offerings, destinations across the country are helping people tap into the power they have over their happiness.

For more info, visit miiamo.com, blackberryfarm.com, and canyonranch.com