Read Ranch & Coast Virtually Anywhere
Issue link: http://ranchandcoast.uberflip.com/i/1519617
form and technique; boot camp; and Tai Chi, an introduction into this ancient Chinese martial art described as "moving meditation that improves balance and body awareness." In just 45 minutes with instructor Manuel Velasquez, Fisher learned about Tai Chi's history and such poses as "parting the wild horse's mane." Also noteworthy: Katie Harris' meditation class. "It made me remarkably relaxed," Maas reflects. "Looking out at the mature trees from inside the wood studio made mostly of glass, I felt like I was in the middle of the forest." I especially enjoyed "sound healing," said to suppress pain, heighten the immune system, and produce deep relaxation. Stretched out on the carpeted floor, wrapped in Mexican blankets and cushioned by pillows, we listened to ethereal sounds from crystal bowls. It was so peaceful that some of the guests actually fell asleep. Another highlight for me was aerial yoga, "floating" in the air in a silky hammock suspended from the ceiling while flowing through yoga poses. I felt like a moth emerging from a cocoon after the gentle, soothing workout. ere were surprises too, such as a knitting/crochet class. "e instructor, a young man, was incredible," says Fisher. "He told us how it changed his life, slowed him down, and he wanted our 'first time with the needle' to be a beautiful experience. As corny as it sounds, it was beautiful! He gave everyone individual attention and was such a cheerleader." Fisher also signed up for a burlesque class which wasn't a "bump-and-grind experience," she says, but rather, a bonding exercise. "You'd think everyone would be giggling and embarrassed, but it turned into a somewhat close sisterhood experience." All agree that the food, much of it plucked from Rancho La Puerta's own six-acre farm, was plentiful and delicious. e vegetarian/ pescatarian menus include organic ingredients and local dishes. "My favorites were the soups and freshly made tortillas for tacos and quesadillas," says Westphal. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style in a large communal dining hall, or on a lovely terrace when the weather is nice. In the evening, an attentive staff serves dinner. Healthy snacks and smoothies are provided at various times during the day. While breaking bread together, we met many friendly, fascinating people from all over the United States: a solo photographer from New York who returns each year to recommit to healthy living, a retired couple from San Francisco, two longtime friends from Kansas City, mother-and-daughter duos, and extended families. After dinner, Rancho La Puerta offers guest lectures and movies. Szekely herself lectures once a week on health and wellness topics. Everyone's favorite experience was the hands-on cooking class at La Cocina Que Canta ("e Kitchen at Sings"), led by Executive Chef Reyna Venegas. Set in the heart of the ranch's six-acre farm, we all picked fresh herbs and vegetables for the multi-course evening meal. Guest chef was Janina (Nina) Garay, culinary director at Be Saha Restaurant Group San Diego and Baja which includes the Guild Hotel and Wormwood in San Diego. Garay put all of us to work in the expansive kitchen, offering advice as we prepared a menu that included farm spinach dip, yogurt flatbread, shrimp quesadillas, pico de gallo, and a "detox everything salad." "It was like our date night out, the personal tour of the amazing organic gardens and then the well-planned cooking class," says Westphal. "I loved pairing off and learning how to prepare different parts of the menu. Chef Nina was so willing to offer many tips as she demonstrated and oversaw our joint cooking efforts come together for an amazing meal." Westphal says Chef Nina also had a good sense of humor. "When I put a few too many of the cooked chilis in the shrimp sauce, she just said, 'We will just change the name of this course to Shrimp Diablo' — oops!" Maas especially remembers dessert: "We made these incredible peanut butter cookies that I can't stop thinking about!" Takeaways from our stay at Rancho La Puerta? "Breathe, slow down, meditate, create balance, and try to have some digital noise-free time daily," says Westphal. "It takes very little time to decompress from the stresses of our lives," adds Maas. "And even small changes like drinking more water, deep breathing, and enjoying our surroundings can make a world of difference." "Stress is like an onion," Health Coach Adita Lang told our class. "Peel back the layers so you can move on. Learn to let it go." She also asked us: "When was the last time you laughed so hard that you cried? We need that endorphin rush." My friends and I laughed long and often on our visit to Rancho La Puerta. In the end, the trip was all about friendship, sisterhood, and shared experiences. "e real highlight of the trip," says Westphal, "was being together with good friends on a new adventure." rancholapuerta.com Friends relaxed by the fireplace in the lovely dining hall. From left to right: Sandra Maas, Andrea Naversen, Suzy Westphal, and Lisa Fisher << ranchandcoast.com 64 MAY 2024 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE