In 2023, Michelle Steadman approached me with a compelling business idea: floating sound baths. I knew the concept was in line with that year’s global wellness trends—immersive experiences, sound baths, wellness travel—but we never could have imagined how well received it would be. Launching the business was fun and seamless (a good sign you are… Read more »
We are avid enthusiasts of our valley’s mineral hot springs for the many health benefits they deliver. Our very first edition of Desert Health in 2011 featured the second annual Miracle Hill Spa Tour, and in 2023, we published a special insert, “Hidden Gems of Desert Hot Springs.” Miracle Hill is where you’ll find the… Read more »
The New Year offers a time to reflect on what we’ve learned and imagine what’s ahead. This time of year, we traditionally make our annual resolutions to counteract the “bad” we have done and make corrections so we can be good. But unfortunately, less than 10% of us continue those resolutions past the second Friday… Read more »
A recent theme I posted, “Master Your Energy,” has sparked a lot of conversation about what true energetic alignment really means. Many of us have been out of alignment for so long that it almost feels natural, but alignment is actually our original state. It’s where our energy flows with ease, our decisions feel authentic,… Read more »
Your digestive system is like a food-processing machine. After all, it is responsible for breaking down your meals, absorbing nutrients and eliminating waste. It’s home to trillions of microorganisms; it contains its own nervous system and communicates directly with your immune system, metabolism and your brain. That’s why it is so important to look after… Read more »
Every year holiday joy permeates the air. Festive spirits inspire spreading more light to loved ones, friends, communities and to the world at large. I believe it’s possible to be joy-full all year long with help from several introspective insights. The word simcha in Hebrew is defined as “happiness” or “joy.” The term is used… Read more »
Ikigai (“ee-kee-guy”) is not a newly coined word, but rather a philosophy firmly established in Japanese culture. The term comes from the ancient Japanese language (dating back to the Heian period), where “iki” means life, and “gai” means “value,” translating to “reason for being” or “value in life.” It was in the late 20th century… Read more »
The holiday season asks a lot of us. Between family gatherings, social obligations, gift shopping, year-end work deadlines, and the kids’/grandkids’ school activities, it’s easy to feel you’re being pulled in a dozen different directions at once. What if, instead of white-knuckling your way through, you had an anchor—something that kept you grounded no matter… Read more »
As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, many people notice a subtle, or sometimes dramatic, shift in mood, motivation and energy. For some, these winter blues deepen into a clinical pattern known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) — a recurrent depressive episode that begins in late fall and lifts by spring. Symptoms often… Read more »
Imagine living a life with the potential to harness hardships, neutralize suffering and transform adversity into the silver lining of life. The pearl-producing oyster does just that and provides a lesson for us all. We are more similar than we know to the soft, tender, vulnerable mollusk. We are also made up of a multitude… Read more »
Attending a retreat has always intrigued me. The mystique of their locations in remote jungles or foreign coastal towns was the greatest attraction, as was the thought of escaping to a faraway land alone. But then reality always set in, and the thought of spending time and money in an exotic destination without my significant… Read more »
Burnout is no longer just a workplace buzzword. It’s a full-blown public health crisis. Whether you’re a professional, caregiver or volunteer, the emotional toll of constant responsibility can quietly erode your energy, empathy and sense of purpose. Originally coined in the 1940s to describe engine failure, “burnout” now captures the human experience of emotional and… Read more »
When we talk about “getting back to our roots,” we often think of visiting the places we grew up, cooking a family recipe or reconnecting with people from our past. But roots are more than memories. They are the living threads—people, places, foods and rituals—that continue to nourish us and give our lives meaning. Like… Read more »
As the pace of life quickens and the noise grows louder, more of us are being called to find something deeper, more grounding, more real. But what is that? For some, that’s prayer. For others, it’s meditation. But what’s the difference between the two? And why do they both matter? As a child I was… Read more »
Remember when carefree summer days were all about living in the moment? No school, no work, no worries. Waking up to sunshine, a smile and the excitement of what the day would bring! Then adulthood set in. We hope our summer edition helps lighten the load and bring you back to those days by adding… Read more »
A retreat is an intentional pause from the busyness and noise of everyday life—a sacred stepping away to reconnect with yourself on a deeper level. It’s a space where you can rest, reflect, and realign with what matters most. Whether nestled in nature or created at home, a retreat offers the opportunity to quiet the… Read more »
Welcome to our best time of year! Our clear desert skies are blue, the mountains shine in copper and gold and the crisp air brings calm with every deep breath. It’s a welcome sight in what has already felt like an overwhelming year. Have you found yourself dwelling on negative thoughts? With this year’s many… Read more »
In their Wheel of Wellness, a popular model used for conceptualizing dimensions of wellness, researchers Jane E. Myers, PhD, Thomas Sweeney, PhD, and J. Melvin Witmer, PhD, define wellness as “a way of life oriented toward optimal health and well-being… ideally it is the optimum state of health and well-being that each individual is capable… Read more »
Like the desert wildflowers pushing through the sunbaked earth, awakening from winter’s quiet slumber, we too might feel an internal stirring. This annual rhythm of renewal can inspire us to emerge and bloom. As a yoga teacher, I’ve witnessed countless students recognize this moment — when something within them is ready to emerge and expand.… Read more »
The world feels different lately, doesn’t it? People are talking about rapid change, heightened emotions and a growing sense that something profound is happening — both within and around us. This conversation, particularly vibrant in spiritual communities, often centers around a concept known as the Earth’s frequency shift. Some call it a journey toward the… Read more »