People have a variety of reasons for taking vacations, with many reporting a sense of rejuvenation and re-energization upon return. Sometimes, though, the entire purpose of a trip is to focus on wellness. Wellness retreats can range in duration from a few hours to a few days and can include everything from fitness and healing to spirituality, relaxation, or anything that contributes to a state of well-being.
Fortunately, there are several options for wellness getaways right in our own backyard.
The Counseling and Wellness Center of Pittsburgh offers one to two hour wellness sessions in several salt caves in the area, including the primary one in Monroeville and a newly opened location in Seven Fields. Although the counseling practice focuses on mental wellness, Shannon Albers, marketing director, explained that the founder, Stephanie Wijkstrom, envisioned merging somatic healing components, which they have done through reiki and herbalism in the past.
More recently, the practice added salt cave halotherapy to its wellness offerings. “Halotherapy works by dispersing dry salt particles that are naturally absorbent, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory, which may support respiratory and skin health. Whether you seek relief for respiratory or skin conditions or a space to rejuvenate your mind and body, our salt caves offer a holistic approach to relaxation and wellness,” said Albers.
Albers calls these retreats “bite-sized” because, unlike a full weekend package, the salt cave retreats last just a few hours. This makes them ideal for busy people who cannot take the time nor afford the expense of a longer retreat. The wellness offerings, which can include breathwork, sound healing, yoga, and reiki, can be tailored to a client’s individual needs. One does not have to be a patient at the Counseling and Wellness Center to take advantage of salt cave halotherapy. The center can also accommodate groups, such as friends or corporate retreats.
Spread across 50 wooded acres in Portersville, 40 miles north of Pittsburgh, is the Forest and Flowers Retreat. The space is a forest farm that grows flowers, herbs, and various perennial plants to enhance the diversity of the ecosystem. The property features a variety of amenities, a space for wellness education, and can even host small events. Guests can also book the retreat house for overnight accommodations or rent space to host their own wellness retreats.
“People can learn about nature, themselves, and their well-being. It’s a place for regeneration of the earth and ourselves, and to me, that is interconnected,” said Founder and Director Jenni Hulburt.
Visitors can book a stay at the retreat house, which is furnished with eco-conscious amenities such as natural cleaning products, aromatherapy products, a meditation cushion, and a sound bowl, among other items.
“I offer a self-guided retreat option for folks who want to be in a space that supports their well-being without necessarily engaging in planned or scheduled activities,” said Hulburt.
Still, because a stay at Forest and Flowers can be customized, she offers a planned menu of activities for those seeking a more guided wellness retreat. For example, Hulburt has hosted aromatherapy workshops; invited an acupuncturist to perform acupressure; led sound therapy drumming circle experiences; brought in a speaker to discuss astrology and its connection to nature; and welcomed a massage therapist.
Even those who come for the day to engage in workshops, such as a flower ceremony, can benefit from a wellness retreat. “It’s more of a relaxed day experience, where there is food, time for taking in the surroundings, learning, and peaceful moments on their own,” said Hulburt.
Michele Buehl offers a variety of services at Sound Intuition that target the mind, body, and spirit, including massage, cupping, reiki, and energy work. “I do sound healing with crystal bowls, drums, gongs, bells, and guided sound meditations,” she said.
At her wellness retreats, Buehl rents a cabin within a two to five hour drive from Pittsburgh for a group of no more than six women. At these retreats, the women focus on everything from inner healing and empowerment to connecting with nature, attending tapping workshops, participating in emotion code workshops, practicing affirmations, and engaging in sound and somatic body movements to release emotions. “We also do art therapy and meditation. I hold different workshops each day. Sometimes I add oracle cards, which are supportive cards that give everyone messages of encouragement,” she said.
Buehl also hosts a monthly moon circle, a three to four hour mini retreat that functions as a support group, featuring crafts and conversation.
Those who offer wellness retreats say people come for various reasons: to escape the pressures of daily life, to connect with nature and reconnect with themselves, or simply to have a unique, out-of-the-box experience.
“People say they are coming to relax, restore, and reconnect with themselves and others,” said Hulburt, adding that connections happen naturally once someone is on the property, as they are free from the distractions of everyday life. “The workshops and sessions are meant to connect people with nature and their own well-being, in whatever form that takes.”
“One of the interesting—and surprising—things is that people feel a sense of community and belonging,” said Albers. “Getting together with a group of like-minded people can be very healing, mentally and physically, helping people feel better and more connected.”
Buehl said one of the most important takeaways from her wellness retreats is that people leave feeling seen and understood, along with new friendships. “Everybody really connects, gets to know one another, heals together, and creates a beautiful sense of community.”
Even when life is going smoothly, it’s always a good idea to take time to focus on wellness, even if it’s just to add another tool to the toolkit for when life gets bumpy. “These are learning techniques you can apply when you’re not feeling well. Burnout can creep up on us if we’re not careful,” said Albers.
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