Canyon Ranch Story

8/3/2019 Canyon Ranch Story

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LIVINGSTYLE28 wellness 35 outdoors 36 the right stuff

LIVINGSTYLE

28 Berkshire Living Feb/Mar 2011


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RefresherCourse

Our guide to a luxurious, three-prongedstaycation at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Mass.

WRITTEN BY CATHERINE CENSORPHOTOGRAPHY BY TROY CAMPBELL

ANYONRANCHISENORMOUS. The Lenox, Massachusetts,spa complex measures one hundred thousand square feetand houses indoor and outdoor pools; a running track;

racquetball, squash, basketball, and tennis courts; state-of-the-artcardio and weight rooms, dance and yoga studios, and space for cy-

cling, Pilates, and Gyrotonics. These are just the exercise options;there are also treatment rooms offering more spa services than youcan shake a loofah at and outdoor activities spanning kayaking andhiking to high-ropes course challenges.

All of this action is connected to the gloriously restored 1897Bellefontaine Mansion, where guests take healthful, gourmet mealsand report for integrative medical services (even annual physicalsare offered) through a series of glass-covered walkways. Its like thebiggest, most elegant Habitrail youve ever seen, populated by the

worlds luckiest and fittest hamsters. And yet most Berkshirites have probably never been inside.

Most of our guests come from Boston, New York, and other areaswithin driving distance, confirms Heather Gallagher, marketing

C

Sitting Pretty: The 1897Bellefontaine Mansion sits at

the heart of the Canyon Ranchcampus in Lenox, Mass.


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specialist for Canyon Ranch. Very few come from the surroundingarea. Given the possibilities for a staycation, with benefits such asstress reduction, weight loss, or pampering on a grand scale, thisseems like an egregious oversight. Why shouldnt Berkshirites con-sider Canyon Ranch just as they do its neighbors Tanglewood andShakespeare & Company?

According to Gallagher, most guests stay for three nightsthe

minimum requiredand it takes them just as long to figure outwhats here. (Aside from physical wellness, the center specializes inspiritual and metaphysical stuff like handwriting analysis, astrology,and Shamanic journey.) For those contemplating a visit, its helpfulto have a goal in mind, an organizing principle by which to con-struct a roadmap through the establishments many classes, lectures,and services. Since that takes workand work is antithetical to a spastaycationhere are three Canyon Ranch itineraries based on di-verse goals: weight loss, stress reduction, and simple, self-indulgentpampering.

Weight LossCanyon Ranch abidesby a holistic philosophy,

so to characterize someclasses and services asuseful for weight lossand others as helpful forstress reduction is, per-haps, to miss the pointentirely. As anyone whohas ever struggled to losea few pounds knows,stress can undermineeven the best nutritionand exercise regimens.

A popular lecture atCanyon Ranch is, in fact,titled, Is Stress MakingMe Fat? (Spoiler: yes, itis), and fitness managerBrian Wright notes that, Stressed is desserts spelled backwards.

Experts here, like life-management therapist Melanie Masdea,believe that individuals must tackle emotional and behavioral is-sues to reach the root of a weight problem. Thats a lot to craminto a three-day weekendespecially when combined with exercise.Depending on specific needs and goals, one might want to extenda stay or consider the three-day plan an introduction to healthierhabits.

Canyon Ranch nutritionist Chrissy Wellington recommends a jump-start, opting for intense calorie-burning exercise classes and

loading up on knowledge during the visit to create a workable pro-gram of nutrition, cardio, and weight-training for success at home.Unlike some spas, Canyon Ranch doesnt put clients on starvation

rations or even limit caloric intake with set meals. Each of the twoonsite dining optionsa caf serving casual meals and a more for-mal dining roomoffer restaurant-style menus but instead of pricesnext to each item are caloric and nutritional information. Meals areall-inclusive, so patrons order whateverand however muchthey

want. In the dining room, the bountiful salad/breakfast bar servesyogurt, muffins, hummus, and nuts along with fruit and vegetables.Self-restraint is key. If weight loss is your goal, youre going to haveto count your calories.

While the dining room can provide useful lessons in portion

sizeguests are always surprised at how small the servings areifweight loss is your goal, I recommend booking a nutritional consul-tation, Wellington says.

While a well-rounded exercise program is one that incorporatescardio, strength-training, and core work, Wellington suggests pri-oritizing cardio. To lose just one pound, you must burn approxi-mately 3,500 calories over and above what you already burn. Anintense cardio class, like Canyon Ranchs Dirty Dozen, is the exerciseequivalent of a blast furnace. The formula is simple: starting at oneend of a basketball court, participants do one pushup, then run to

the opposite end and back. The next set begins with two pushupsbefore repeating the process, and so on to twelve pushups. Whichadds up to seventy-eight pushups and a whole lot of running beforetackling the second exercise: body-weight squats. More exercises fol-low. This insanity lasts forty-five minutes or until you forget howto count to twelve.

Of course, not everyone can hack a class this intense, so CanyonRanch offers cardio for all levels of fitness. Wellington suggestsStride, a treadmill interval class. Participants vary speed and inclineduring walking or running to create periods of exertion and recov-ery. Whats great is that you can replicate the experience when youget home, Wellington says.

Those burned-out on traditional strength training might want

LIVINGSTYLE WELLNESS


Stressedis dessertsspelled

backwards.

Let There Be Light:The one-hundred-thousand-square-foot spa complexis an architecturalwonder; (opposite)of forty-plus fitnessoptions, spinning isespecially popular.


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to give the Kettlebell Essentials class a try. Reminiscent of a small, overstuffed handbag, akettlebell is a solid round weight with a purse-like handle; some of the more interesting exer-cises involve swinging them in rhythmic, whole-body motions that feel surprisingly pleasant.(Unlike most strength training, which fatigues an isolated muscle, this whole-body workis considerably more gentle; the swinging motion is soothing, like pumping your legs on aswing.) Instructor Karen Allison observes that the body responds metabolically to kettlebellsbecause the weighted exercises, done for time rather than number of repetitions, incorporatecardio and core work. Throw in a class like Define Your Midline, which focuses on corestrength, and youve got yourself an exercise program geared toward weight-loss success.

Stress ReductionIt isnt always obvious that youre a stress case in dire need of help. For instance, I know Imaffected by stress in my life from all the usual sources: nutty colleagues, sneaky deadlines, anadolescent daughter, and an aging rear-wheel-drive convertible that wants to make wobblysnow angels on rural roads. I always assumed I handled stress well. I dont bark at peopleoften, I dont empty the refrigerator after a bad day, and I dont self-medicate with martinis.So Im fine, right? Not really. A few months ago, I had a really tense morning at work anddecided to walk it off at lunchtime. I pushed the lobby door forcibly and took it cleanoff its hinges. Hulk angry!And since Hulk in this case is only four feet, ten inches tall, sheclearly has some issues.

To get in touch with whats happening inside, Masdea recommends Restorative Yogaor beginner classes, meditation, the Breathing for Health and Vitality lecture, and a tai chi

walk. These are precisely the kinds of activities I usually avoid because they dont burn lotsof calories, build biceps, or keep me entertained which may explain why I need them. Iresolve to give some of them a try.

First up: the tai chi walk. As I soon discover, it starts at 7:45 a.m., outdoors. Two strikesagainst it already. Okay, maybe Im being hasty. As the instructor explains, tai chi is an ancientmartial art that enhances energy and improves focus and mood. Its flowing, graceful, and soslow that it makes my brain itch. Somewhere between cloud hands and whatever it was thatinvolved flapping my arms, I lost it. Were standing outside on the terrace of the BellefontaineMansion, and the instructor points out October Mountain, home to James Taylor. Lets sendhim some positive energy! she chirps as we initiate yet another round of super-slow arm flap-ping. (James, if youre reading this, I apologize. I did not send you positive energy. Instead, Isent a kind of slow, simmering frustration. If you feel the need to write something really dark,thats probably my fault. Feel free to ignore the impulse.)

I had better luck in yoga. Restorative Yoga, it turns out, could be called Esoteric Naptime.Tools: a bolster, a blankie, and a mat. Flop forward; flop on each side; lie on your back withyour butt on the bolster. Those feeling feisty can extend their feet toward the ceiling. I did




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fine with the poses but sprang too rapidly out of them, prompt-ing the instructor to chide me gently. In this race, she says, theslowest finish first. I want points for not responding, Only in theBerkshires, honey. See? Progress.

Beginners yoga is slightly more active than Restorative Yoga,but still gentle enough that you have time to wonder if youreburning any calories. That, actually, isnt the goal; instead the focusis on purposeful breathing and getting in touch with whats hap-pening inside. Since I benefit from specific, actionable recommen-dations, I really liked mind/body instructor Mark Gerows lecture

on breathing. Rather than just telling our group that were all abunch of mouth-breathers (which we are) or commanding us totake deep breaths more often, Gerow teaches techniques for turn-ing breathing into a coping mechanism. For instance, individualscan lower their blood pressure immediately by making their exha-lations longer than inhalations. And one can stimulate the rightbrain, where creativity supposedly lives, by closing the right nostriland breathing through the left nostril.

Although I tried to get in touch with my insides, I found thatthe most successful stress-reducers during my Canyon Ranch stay

were also the most superficial. I liked Strip Fit (relax, no clothing isremoved) because I was too caught up in following instructor JanetLees choreography to be embarrassed and I had fun imagining that

Lap of Luxury: Top-notchmassage therapies andplush accommodations

(below) make for oneindulgent staycation.


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I might be able to make it as a professionalerotic dancer if the lights were really dimand the patrons extremely drunk. Oh, andthe Lavender Relax treatment (more on thatshortly) coaxed me into a very happy place. It

was the least busy my mind has been in a longtime. Feeling calmer isnt exactly the sameas becoming deeply spiritual, but it helpsme step away from stress. Masdea seems toagree. Whether its dancing barefoot in Nia[a movement practice] or going for a hike orgetting a manicure, its all [about] health andhealing, she says.

PamperingEven with all of the health and healing going on at Canyon Ranch, theres still room forsybaritic pleasures. Guest rooms, for example, have flat-screen TVs and silky Anichini andMascioni sheets, custom designed for Canyon Ranch by William Caligari. The giant bathtowels wrap around me almost twice and the cushy terrycloth robes are so chic that someguests wear them to dinner. In addition to workout wear, the Showcase Boutique gift shopsells fine jewelry and scented candles. And the spa and salon components offer so manyfacials, massages, and beauty treatments that a girl could check herself in for a three-day

weekend comprised exclusively of pampering. Amazingly, almost no one does that.Most people come here for a reason, says spa director Samantha Cooper Brex. Some

come thinking they just want pampering, but after a day they realize what we have here and

they start exploring. The most popular spa service at Canyon Ranch is the basic Swedish-stylemassage. Its stress-reducing, it feels good, and its good for you, says Cooper Brex. Touchtherapies can be remarkably therapeutic; for those uncomfortable with massage, Cooper Brexrecommends a facial, which, like massage, helps to relax the mind while imparting healthier,cleaner skin.

I choose Lavender Relax, an indulgent, one hundred-minute-long aromatic body treat-ment. First, the practitioner rubs me down with an exfoliating scrub, wiping it off with warm

washcloths. She massages my legs, arms, and torso with lavender-scented cream and wrapsme, burrito-style, in heated blankets. While I bake, she rubs my feet and completes a lavenderscalp treatment. It is blissful. James Taylor, I sent you positive energy. You might be in a betterplace now. I know I am. BL

Catherine Censoris an editor, writer, and former personal trainer who lives in Katonah, N.Y.

Soul Soothers: Canyon Ranchsspa complex features aseventy-five--foot indoor pool;(below) a fieldstone fireplacein the Mansion lounge invitesrelaxation.



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Canyon Ranch165 Kemble St.Lenox, Mass.413.637.4100

www.canyonranchlenox.com

THE GOODS


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outer limits

Night CrawlersWRITTEN BY AMANDA RAE BUSCHILLUSTRATION BY ALISON KOLESAR

TSALMOSTASEASYASWALKING, doesnt require a ton of expensive equipment, andmakes some Berkshirites yearn for the dreariest of months: snowshoeing is hot thisseason again.

Every year, there are more snowshoers than the year before, says Dave Bacon, owner, withhis wife, Linda, of Canterbury Farm Ski Area in Becket, Mass. A lot of people just wanna getoutside and exercise, and when they get older theyre worried about sliding around.

But while forgoing skis to traipse along the propertys seven-and-a-half miles of snowshoe-specific paths on frosty flippers (rentals are available) can be invigorating during the day, its a

whole new adventure after the sun goes down. The Bacons knew this back in 1985, when theyopened Canterbury and began scheduling three full-moon group tours per winter.

Its a unique period of night, and kind of eerie, Dave says. The shadows, the starsthevisual aspect has a mysterious feel to it.

Skimpy snow cover, frigid temperatures, and cloudy skies can leave full-moon excursion-ists in the dark, however; folks in Pittsfield dont wait around. For the past few years, a crew ofa dozen-plus off-season hikers and mountain bikers gathers on Monday nights at the PittsfieldState Forest for an informal snowshoe trek along the Taconic Range crest.

You pull into the parking lot, and it is pitch-black, says Pat Rosier, the groups unofficialleader. But you recognize the voices.

Headlamps are essential. Rosier also stresses the importance of dressing in layers. Because weare climbing, and because you cant go too far without goingupin the State Forest, the biggestproblem is that people overdress, Rosier says. Youre working hard; its easy to get warm.

On blustery evenings, the group forgoes the paved accessroad for the woods dense trees, which block much of thewind. Those fearful of wild animals, such as resident blackbears, take comfort in that a dog or two are usually presenton the outings. And, while doing it in the dark certainlyappeals to thrill-seekers and fans of the macabre, its also ac-cessible to nine-to-fivers who simply want to switch up their

workout routine. After work its so easy to go home, think-ing its cold and dark outside, Rosier admits, but you getout there and its fun. Especially if theres a lot of snow.BL

Amanda Rae Buschissenior editor ofBerkshire Living. She wroteabout her experience moonlight snowshoeing in the Jan/Feb 2009 issue.

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OUTDOORS LIVINGSTYLE

www.berkshireliving.com 35

Full Moon SnowshoeFeb 19 and Mar 19$15; equipment rentals, $20Canterbury Farm Ski Area1986 Fred Snow Rd.Becket, Mass.,413.623.0100

www.canterbury-farms.com

Monday Night SnowshoeMondays at 6-7:30Pittsfield State ForestMeet at Headquarters BuildingPittsfield, Mass.

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