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Health experts often extol the necessity of unplugging from our uber-connected lives. Even just a few minutes of quiet time every day might be enough to restore balance and inner harmony. But sometimes a greater reset is needed: a chance to truly detach from the electronic tethers that bind us to the stresses of work and home. If you’re looking to recharge your batteries in the figurative sense, turn off those notifications on your devices and read on for some destinations just a bit beyond the Lehigh Valley that should be on your to-do list.
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Harmony Mountain Institute
North Abington Township
The ultimate spiritual awakening awaits at Harmony Mountain Institute. The 80-plus-acre campus is anchored by a mansion converted into a Zen escape—think Italian villa with influences from the Far East. There are outdoor and indoor retreat spaces throughout the property that encourage reflection, including an Asian garden and a grass and stone labyrinth on the east lawn.
The Inner Harmony Wellness Retreat Program was designed for those seeking to become free of chronic illness, negative thinking and addictive behaviors. The weekend agenda includes yoga, mindfulness, meditation, massage and more. “It’s not just a typical spa,” says Dr. Steven Szydlowski, one of the teachers at the Institute. The center uses what it calls a “methodology of metamorphosis,” focusing on key areas like healing, nutrition and energy. The goal, Szydlowski says, is putting a plan in place for optimum physical, social and spiritual health: “How can you walk away feeling better about yourself?” Harmony Mountain also hosts corporate retreats for a one-of-a-kind team-building experience with your work crew.
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Himalayan Institute
Honesdale
Accommodations at the Himalayan Institute could be described as minimalist. Simplicity is encouraged at the facility, where guests are invited to free their minds from distractions and let go of the business that encumbers everyday life. The Institute offers a number of multiday or weekend wellness retreats, all designed to foster physical and mental well-being. Programs range from simple relaxation to more in-depth detoxification and rejuvenation, and focus on everything from diet to gut health to movement to cleansing techniques. “We run the gamut and people can figure out what they’re looking for,” says Kristina Pugh, director of marketing. The center abides by the tenets of Ayurveda, which is a holistic healing system with roots in India.
The more adventuresome can sign up for one of the Himalayan Institute’s excursions, a tradition since the 1970s. Past pilgrimages have taken participants throughout India and into several other countries, including Mexico and Cameroon. “You go to these very special places that have history of where the Himalayan Institute comes from,” Pugh says. For those seeking enlightenment closer to home, domestic destinations are a possibility, too: think Great Smoky Mountains and Yosemite National Park. The Institute says each experience is carefully crafted to leave you inspired and empowered to live your best life.
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Photo by Andrea Killam Photography
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Photo by Keith Scott Morton
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Photo by Andrea Killam Photography
The Lodge at Woodloch
Hawley
Why wait for the weekend to escape the grind of everyday life? Mondays can be anything but dreary thanks to the Midweek Magic packages offered at The Lodge at Woodloch. Of course, it should be noted that any day at Woodloch is sure to be heavy on the R & R. The all-inclusive resort and spa is all about helping guests reconnect with past passions while discovering new ones along the way. There’s a plethora of possibilities that populate the calendar; guests can sign up for an adventure in the great outdoors, or stay inside for an exercise in creativity, such as an art class or a cooking demonstration. Sound therapy classes offer a fresh perspective on stress reduction (Gong with the Wind, anyone?). “With over 35 classes and activities offered daily, the options for exploring your wellness path are endless,” says Brooke Jennings Roe, Woodloch’s director of communications. “The best part is that the offerings change seasonally so that there is always a reason to return.”
With so much to see and do, Woodloch takes the “unplugging” part of its experience seriously; all digital devices must be placed on silent or vibrate. And watching videos or listening to music without earbuds in common areas is a big no-no. “Smartphones can be such a distraction and a crutch, and allowing yourself time and space for wellness in a stress-free environment is paramount,” says Jennings Roe.
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Deerfield Health Retreat & Spa
Stroudsburg
Whether you’re flying solo or gathering up some pals for a weekend of self-care, Deerfield Health Retreat and Spa aims to make all of its guests feel like family. “It’s like a summer camp for adults,” says owner Joan Wolff, whose mother founded the destination getaway 42 years ago. “The camaraderie is just great.”
Nestled in the heart of the Pocono Mountains, the lush, scenic 12-acre campus is ripe for relaxation. But if lounging around in a wicker chair or hammock is a little too low key for you, never fear: Deerfield offers an abundance of exercise options designed to get you moving and grooving, and maybe even nudge you outside of your comfort zone. Among the possibilities: Spintro, a group cycling glass that can be as intense as you want it to be, and Yo-Wei, which combines yoga-inspired postures with hand-held weighted balls for a unique full body workout. Hikers will find plenty of room to roam in the nearby Delaware Water Gap Recreation Area.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are opportunities to connect with other guests or to nosh privately in your comfy quarters. Finally, seal the deal on a total body rejuvenation with a stop at the Deerfield spa, where you can craft your own package of services.
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The Nest at Skytop Lodge
Skytop
With all there is to see and do on the sprawling grounds of Skytop Lodge, it might be easy to overlook The Nest. But it’s worth making the trip up to the fifth floor of the lodge to spend a few glorious hours in this deluxe day spa. Billed as a “boutique oasis,” The Nest offers a wealth of services meant to recharge the body, mind and soul. There are treatments you might expect, like the Swedish massage and warm stone massage, and treatments you might not expect, like the Bamboo Lomi Lomi, the Nest’s take on a traditional Hawaiian massage that incorporates bamboo sticks and rhythmic movements to enhance relaxation.
Guests are encouraged to spend time in the Quiet Room before and after treatment to take in the stunning mountain views and truly embrace tranquility, if only for a few moments. If you want in on the (in)action, it’s best to call a few weeks in advance. Appointments are scooped up quickly.
Hit the pause button a little closer to home at these rejuvenation destinations:
The Healing & Wellness Corner
Easton
There are only three items you need on your to-do list at the Healing & Wellness Corner: relax, restore and re-energize. The team makes it easy to do all three with an assortment of massages, facials, organic body wraps and Reiki sessions.
NuHouse
Easton
NuHouse aims to bring the healing arts of East and West together into a single building. There are a host of services available, including cryotherapy, laser therapy, massage, acupuncture and Reiki, with a dedicated team of “house healers” on site to help you find the solution to whatever ails you.
The Sweetness of Salt
Hellertown
Healing might be as simple as breathing inside this salt cave, which preaches the benefits of halotherapy, a wellness treatment that uses the inhalation of salt air to alleviate respiratory conditions. The salty setting—packed with over 25,000 pounds of Himalayan crystal salt—could work wonders for your skin, too. Facials and massages are available by appointment.
Metta Relaxation Co.
Bethlehem
A trip to the Dead Sea is out of reach for most of us, but a trip to Metta Relaxation may be the next best thing. Metta offers float therapy: picture yourself stretching out in a tub filled with 1,100 pounds of Epsom salts dissolved in 11 inches of water, heated to 94 degrees. It’s a gravity-defying experience that all but guarantees supreme relaxation.
