Red Rocks at Dusk: Sedona, Arizona
It started off as a simple getaway: three days in Arizona, one of which would be spent at the Hilton Sedona spa, the other two days would go-with-the-flow, mood depending.
I arrived in Phoenix early Friday morning, Aug. 28, and spent the afternoon driving through Camelback Mountain and enjoying the scenery. That evening, I met one of my favorite people, the owner of SingleMindedWomen.com, for dinner. We dined on steak, drank wine and reminisced like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in years… a wonderful way to start your vacation.
The next morning I was on my way to Sedona by 8 a.m. The sky was a clean slate of blue, the heat was just peaking at its morning high and the radio was programmed to some of my favorite stations. Me and my rental KIA SUV were off down I-10 toward Flagstaff, next stop: Sedona.
The two-hour drive was desert-like, and no surprise: driving through Arizona leaves a lot to be considered, unless you’re into cactus. Turning off the road on Rt 189 to Sedona, the landscaped the changed and immediately I was drawn into the Red Rocks. Many have said that the Red Rocks produce a power unexplainable to man, but embraced by all: I think it’s entirely possible. Within seconds, you’re captivated by the beauty and history of the rocks and without hesitation, an entire day has passed without checking email, text messages or searching for a cell phone signal. Instead, the day is spent exploring, intrigued and interested about your surroundings. Before you know it, you’ve hiked 3.5 miles, burned thousands of calories (thanks to the Arizona heat in summer) and captured some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the US.
The next day I woke refreshed and relaxed – two moods I usually don’t experience on a daily basis. Possibly an occupational hazard, but sleep remains one of the essential life habits that I lack. This day was different. It was Sunday, also known as Spa Day, and I was ready to hit the zen… what I found was truly transformational.
My spa morning started with a private yoga session, led by Sherry Kennedy, an instructor at the Hilton Sedona Spa & Resort. She greeted me by taking both hands in hers, smiling widely and saying, “I’m so happy you’re here.” The 60-minute session was a combination of Hatha and Vinyasa yoga, infused with moments of meditation. The intensity of the movements and the solidarity of the class was a magical combination: I found myself intimately involved with each one of the poses, yearning to hold on a little while longer in hopes of discovering something new. Each stretch tended to a different sore muscle, or released a painful ache I’d been carrying around for days or months. I breathed deeply through each movement and found that I flowed naturally from one warrior pose to another, saluting the sun, standing tall as a tree, and worshiping my space. The release of the built-up tension, anxiety, and stress was an emotional stir, and when the bell rang after five minutes of silent mediation at the end, I opened my eyes and discovered I had been crying. I had released the toxins and re-energized my soul, and it felt wonderful.
Sherry turned to me, offered me a hug and said quietly, “You are a glorious and glamorous woman -this will be a very transforming year for you.”
I believe she is right.
