Self-Care and Wellness at Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells

sundara Spa | wisconsin dells | wellness retreat

Over the 4th of July holiday, my family headed-up to Lake Delton, Wisconsin to rent a house for some socially-distanced relaxation and outdoor fun together! While in Wisconsin, I was fortunate to be able to spend a day at Sundara Inn & Spa, located on the scenic outskirts of Wisconsin Dells. Some guests of the spa are referring to Sundara as a “Luxury Quarantine” as it is safely tucked away in the woods near Lake Delton.

My spa day was filled with unwinding, relaxing and of course social distancing. Sundara has taken numerous actions and precautions to ensure wellness, cleanliness, and safety. The entire facility was treated with a Bio Protect treatment which protects surfaces from viruses for an extended period of time. Additionally, guests are monitored with temperature checks upon arrival and other cleaning and health protocols have been added to help ensure guests’ safety.

Sundara is an easy drive from the Chicago area, just about two and a half hours northwest. Our family travels to this area of Wisconsin every year for the beautiful outdoor activities including: swimming, golfing and variety of restaurants and activities for the kids to partake in. While this year’s trip looked a bit different due to coronavirus, we still had a much-needed, wonderful time! Sundara is also within driving range of Madison and Minneapolis. The spa makes for a perfect solo-vacation, couples or group getaway, or wellness retreat.

Self-Care is Not Selfish

I booked my spa day to nurture my body, mind, and soul because one could argue that in the era of coronavirus self-care is more important now than ever. No matter where you live or who you are, the last three months have most likely been stress-filled and challenging. And I can’t “stress” enough the importance of taking care of yourself, because as the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.”

One of my favorite guidelines at Sundara is that the spa is electronic free, so it truly is a chance to unplug, disconnect and focus on healing the mind, body, and soul. With the constant flow of information and news today, a good digital detox is crucial to help regulate our nervous system, calm the mind, and reset our body. As a mom and chronic illness fighter, I know firsthand how important self-care is and that spending a day at Sundara not only benefitted myself, but my family as well.

Sundara Signature Massage

One of the spa therapies I received was the Sundara Signature Massage. This massage is customized to your specific stress-relief and body needs and includes the selection of an aromatherapy essential oil. I chose the uplifting and invigorating citrus oil for my massage. My other go-to scent is usually lavender, but I wanted to feel refreshed and energetic for the remainder of my day with my family afterwards.

Benefits of Massage therapy

Did you know that there are numerous benefits to massage therapy beyond stress relief and relaxation? Massages help to improve circulation, reduce pain, eliminate toxins, reduce fatigue and improve quality of sleep. Massages can also even enhance immunity for some people. Research has indicated that receiving regular massage therapy can help boost our immune system by flushing toxins and increasing blood flow throughout the body. It can increase the level of white blood cells which help our body fight disease, and also helps to reduce the production of cortisol. (amcollege.edu)

“Researchers working with patients with compromised immune systems have found massage therapy can improve how the immune system functions. Those same benefits can translate to people seeking to fight off the common cold, flu and other seasonal illnesses,” says Jeff Smoot of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA).

Due to the effects of neurological lyme disease, I often have muscle spams and nerve issues, so the massage helped to soothe my sore muscles and provided a much needed reset and relaxation. I felt very safe throughout the service and the therapist took several precautions including wearing a mask and sanitizing the space before and after the massage.

Massage Therapy at Sundara Spa

Sundara offers a range of massage services besides the Signature Massage, including a CBD Massage, Elements Hydrotherapy Massage, and Marma Ayurvedic Massage to name a few. I had the Marma Massage last year and that service was wonderful and healing as well. The Marma Massage even incorporates a ritual foot bath. Before your massage, you are able to relax in one of the peaceful waiting rooms (seen below) where you can curl up with a good book or simply just be.

Mindfulness and Guided Meditation at Sundara

Sundara also offers a wide-array of daily wellness activities and classes. Prior to my massage, I participated in a 45-minute Guided Mediation class that was very beneficial for me. The class took place in one of Sundara’s “Tranquil Spaces” called the Woodland Reflection Room. The space is outlined with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the forest for a peaceful connection with nature and wildlife. Animals such as white-tailed deer, eagles and birds, and even woodchucks are often spotted in their natural habitat. Wooden rocking chairs and chaise loungers are lined in front of a warming fireplace and serene artwork, which complete the relaxing space.

The guided meditation class was led by an experienced instructor who vocally walked us through the entire 45-minute practice. We collectively chose the theme for the meditation to be gratitude, which spoke to my soul because gratitude is something I try to include in my every day life. Gratitude has positively impacted my life over the last couple years physically, mentally, emotionally, and even financially. I am a firm believer in the power and healing of gratitude, especially when incorporated into a meditation practice. The guided meditation was broken down into three sections which included breath-work and guided imagery. It was the perfect mix of challenging and relaxing for me.

Benefits of Meditation

I was thrilled that Sundara offers Guided Mediation because this is a practice I have been trying to further incorporate into my daily life this year. Meditation is said to be exercise for the mind. According to Headspace, there are thousands of studies that have shown mindfulness meditation can positively impact both mental and physical health. Meditation helps to control stress and anxiety, and can help improve sleep and pain.

According to ScienceDirect, an eight-week study showed that mindfulness meditation reduced the inflammation response caused by stress. Typically, mental and physical stress cause increased levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. This hormone triggers many of the harmful effects of stress, including the release of inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. (Those with lyme disease know about cytokines all too well).

Through the practice of meditation, we can work on building-up areas of our brain and actually rewire it. The rewiring of the brain enhances positive traits such as focus and decision-making and helps to diminish harmful traits including fear and stress.

Healthline explains that meditation can even help improve pain in some individuals. A large study looked at the effects of habitual meditation in over 3,500 participants. It found that meditation was associated with decreased complaints of chronic or intermittent pain. While I haven’t personally seen long-term effects on my chronic pain yet, meditation has offered short-term pain improvement and I am hopeful that if I stick with it I will begin to notice more positive physical impacts and changes.

The Mission of Sundara

“In everything we do, our mission is wellness and service. We provide a sanctuary from stress, a healing touch, a kind word, a place to reconnect. We set an example of love and respect for the earth. We embrace the joy of wellness in our own lives.”

— Sundara

I highly recommend Sundara to anyone looking for stress-relief, relaxation or simply to unplug. Even though the spa is only a couple hours from home, it really feels like you are in another place away from the world while you are there. They take your health and wellness seriously, which includes precautions surrounding coronavirus. What I loved though is that the precautions in place didn’t take away one bit from the atmosphere and experience of Sundara, they were very intentional and mindful with the implementation of their health and safety protocols.

Since opening in 2003, Sundara’s mission has been wellness in all that they do and remains all the more so today, even during these difficult and uncertain times. In 2019, Sundara was named a “Top Wellness Destination Spa” by Organic Spa Magazine, and one of the “20 Best Destination Spas” by Town and Country Magazine.

Sundara also features a restaurant with chef-prepared cuisine inspired by the farming way of life in Wisconsin. The spa has both indoor and outdoor pool areas for relaxation and socialization, and the indoor pool area includes a swim-up bar. After my spa services and meditation, I spent some time by one of the beautiful outdoor pools where I ordered a healthy and delicious lunch. I opted for a summer salad with spinach, goat cheese, grapes, and pecans and the vegetable hummus spread, which included freshly-cooked green beans, tri-colored carrots, warm pita bread and cucumbers.

Visit Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells

While I only spent a day at Sundara, the resort offers spacious and relaxing lodging options so you can choose to spend an entire weekend (or week) focused on self-care, healing, enjoying nature and pampering yourself. To learn more about what Sundara Inn & Spa in Wisconsin Dells has to offer visit the website here.

Sources:

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/massage-therapy-may-boost-immune-system-to-combat-cold-flu-300171787.html

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24395196/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889159112004758

My Wellness Experience at Sundara Inn + Spa in Wisconsin Dells

Sundara Spa | Wisconsin Dells | Midwest Spa Resort

Sundara Inn & Spa is located just three hours northwest of Chicago in Wisconsin Dells. Sundara invited me to spend a day with them on my recent family trip to Wisconsin Dells and I share my experience below.

If you’re in need of a relaxing get-away, look no further! Sundara Inn & Spa is THE destination for an ultimate Midwest spa weekend that can destress your body and energize your soul! People travel from all over the country to visit Sundara, which is tucked away in the forest, on the outskirts of the Dells—the property is serene! It is about a 3-hour drive from Chicago, which in my opinion is the perfect distance for a mini retreat—far enough away, but not stuck in the car all day.

I have been under heightened stress the last couple months, so this was the perfect addition to my trip to release tension and supplement my healing journey. Self-care is crucial to healing, because as the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty cup.” I have been to many spas over the years, but none of them can really compare to the feeling of wellness and abundance that Sundara offers.

Sundara is a True Wellness Spa

From the moment I arrived for my spa experience, I was impressed by the beautiful aesthetics, peaceful energy and warm welcome from the management and staff. Sundara’s main mission is wellness, and it shows. The spa and resort provides a sanctuary away from stress and seeks to embrace the joy of wellness. While all of the common-areas are electronic and cell phone free (which I LOVE), there are also spaces to connect with light conversation including the Cambrian Oasis with pools, waterfalls, and both indoor and outdoor swim-up bars. You can also dine with friends on the Savana Dining Patio that has a beautiful outdoor fireside seating area.

Local and Organic Dining in Wisconsin Dells

Speaking of dining, I was also very intrigued by the on-site restaurant, Nava, which serves Chef-prepared cuisine inspired by local farming in Wisconsin. Sundara’s wellness cuisine and restaurant has been recognized in Travel + Leisure and Luxury SpaFinder magazines. The best part to me was that they even have their own indoor garden stocked with everything from kale and tomatoes to a variety of nutrient-packed microgreens. As a certified integrative nutrition coach, I really care about where my food comes from, and I can honestly appreciate the hard-work behind sourcing your own produce, especially in the Midwest with the challenging weather and fluctuation seasons. (see garden pictured below)

Ayurvedic Massage and Finding Your Dosha

After I toured the restaurant and resort area, I headed to the Relaxation Room to wait for my massage. My first treatment was an Ayurvedic therapy known as the Marma Massage. This isn’t like your typical basic, swedish massage. This unique treatment integrates healing energy work. The Marma Massage is a mind/body balancing treatment focused on releasing energy blockages throughout the body using Ayurvedic massage techniques. A massage therapist works with your meridians, chakra centers and marma (vital energy) points to enhance your body’s natural healing abilities.

The treatment also incorporates warm herbal oils to balance your specific mind/body type also known as your dosha. Prior to the massage, I filled-out a brief questionnaire to help determine my dosha. It was no surprise that I checked off many of the qualities of a pitta. There are three main Doshas you can fall under.

From the Chopra Center, “Pittas have a powerful intellect and a strong ability to concentrate. When they’re in balance, they are good decision makers, teachers, and speakers. They are precise, sharp-witted, direct, and often outspoken. Out-of-balance pittas can be short-tempered and argumentative.”

The Ayurvediuc principles are nearly 5,000 years old and focus on creating an ideal state of being through bio-energy and spiritual practices. Following the Dosha analysis, the treatment began with a ritual foot bath. My feet were washed with a detoxing cleansing bar followed by a light application of oils. The authentic Ayurvedic massage uses long flowing strokes to release energy blockages within the body. After the massage, I received a Dosha-specific tea to help further detox any impurities and rehydrate. I felt really good after the massage, I strongly believe in the power of energy healing and I think it is important to work on re-balancing your chakras especially if you are dealing with any sort of illness or dis-ease in your body.

Sundara Offers Organic Facials and Skincare Line

After my massage, I headed to the Radiance Room where I sipped on fruit-infused water and relaxed on one of the private chases. I received the Organic facial which is naturally healing facial customized to your skin care needs—in my case that included treating residual dryness from the winter and some minor dark spots from sun damage and hormones. My facial included products from the Eminence line, which I absolutely LOVE and use at home myself. I have been using Eminence skincare products for almost five years now and have been very pleased. They are plant-based, organic products that feel luxurious and smell delicious, the strawberry-rhubarb mask is one of my favorites!

Your skin is the largest organ, so I always tell people they should be mindful of what they put on it. Staying away from chemical-based skincare is not only better for your skin, but your overall health and wellness. The duration of the facial was about an hour, and it was very relaxing with a mini-massage and mask treatment. My skin was smooth as a baby’s bottom and naturally-glowing for a few days after.

Himalayan Salt Room at Sundara

After my facial, I was able to check-out the Himalayan Salt Room. I have been to salt caves/rooms back home before, so I was already familiar with the many benefits. This room was refreshing and vibrant. I can’t quite describe the relaxing feeling of having that pink salt below your feet—similar to walking on sand at the beach. Using salt for wellness benefits is also known as halotherapy.

How Does a Salt Room Work?

The negatively charged ionized salt and trace minerals that are present in the salt room’s atmosphere are said to help to naturally draw toxins and impurities out of the body, reduce inflammation, and even improve respiratory ailments like asthma or bronchitis by clearing the lungs. Some skin conditions can also be improved with halo therapy including psoriasis, rashes, eczema, and acne. Many people also receive stress-relief and similar benefits to meditation from the deep relaxation provided. Sundara has one of the only Himalayan Salt Rooms in the area.

Other Features at Sundara Spa

Some other notable features at Sundara include the yoga room and purifying bath ritual. The multi-purpose yoga room is outlined with floor to ceiling windows which overlook the forest, and on a good day you can truly be one with nature including many deer and other wildlife. I did see several deer just outside the window while I was in the room. (yoga room pictured)

Throughout the week, Sundara offers a full-schedule of activities and fitness classes beyond yoga including cooking lessons, meditation and water aerobics, to name a few. There are many different comfortable seating rooms you can relax in throughout the resort—the perfect place to curl up with a good book, practice meditation, or maybe even take your first nap in years!

Purifying Bath Ritual

Another feature unique to Sundara is the “Purifying Bath Ritual”. It is a five-step self-guided proprietary treatment designed to cleanse the skin, and clear the mind before spa services, or can be enjoyed anytime as an overnight guest of Sundara. It includes a rainfall shower, exfoliation (with Sundara’s signature sandstone body polish which uses ancient Cambrian-era sand discovered at the spa’s excavation site as the exfoliating agent), steam room, cooling rainfall shower and rotation between a hydro-jet hot tub, and cold pool for circulatory and muscular benefits. For the ritual, you follow a circular path, repeating the steps (above) as much as you desire, and it is recommended to allow yourself at least 30-minutes to compete the ritual.

Spend a Weekend at Sundara Spa in Wisconsin Dells

If you would like to extend your spa experience beyond a day, Sundara offers suites and overnight packages for individuals, couples, and even group retreat options. If you book, maybe I’ll see you there because I know I will definitely be heading back. Even though I only spent a day there, the benefits are still lingering over a week later, and I am grateful for the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes experience at the spa! If you are interested in learning more about Sundara or the types of services offered, visit their website.