Try a winter wellness weekend

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) (MCT) - When winter's shorter days keep you indoors, take full advantage of those slower hours. Think, contemplate, sort and work through issues, goals and dreams.

"Coming through the winter solstice, from dark into light, is a great time to reflect on your past, connect with your current state of being and redirect yourself toward your future intentions," says Laurie Bellavance, assistant director at The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, Va.

A quiet wellness weekend can be the place to begin your new priorities.

Colonial Williamsburg storyteller Sharon Rogers will guide participants through "story" meditation.

"This is a concept that's never been used in this kind of setting," says Rogers. "The concept for the 'story' meditation came from my own personal desire to practice mediation but my inability to focus my energy on an abstract place or time with no specific goal or structure. I could not quiet the chatter in my mind long enough to find the quiet energy of the peaceful journey in a meditation." Here are some of her answers to questions about the method.

Q: Why yoga and Pilates?

A: Yoga allows your stress to fade away and enables you to get in touch with your inner self; it's great for all fitness and flexibility levels. Pilates is a relaxing, yet invigorating mat workout that strengthens and stretches every muscle in the core, or abdomen area. We also offer Yogalates _ a blend of yoga and Pilates in one seamless class.

Q: How do stories promote wellness?

A: Stories "speak" to where a person has been, where they are now and where they are going. The story is experienced but what is "spoken" to the heart is different for each person with each different story. Finding our connection in story allows us to connect to ourselves and connect to our spirits. When we connect to ourselves and to others, we experience a calmness and peacefulness that leads to wellness of mind and spirit.

Bellavance also answers questions about her spa's services.

Q: How do juniper and cypress massages benefit skin?

A: They both have detoxifying oils that, blended together, enhance circulation, tone skin and eliminate toxins. Juniper oil has a camphor scent and is an excellent antiseptic and diuretic; it can be carried in a first-aid kit. Cypress oil has a woody, slightly spicy smell that's calming and beneficial to the respiratory tract.

Q: Why walk?

A: The one-hour walk begins at 8 a.m., when the sun is still rising in the sky, birds are singing and everything is waking up. The rhythmic pattern of walking clears the mind and helps you focus.

Light Your Virtual Prayer Candle For a Loved One this Christmas

Q: The recipe for your signature tea?

A: Served warm in winter and iced in summer, it's a combination of mint tea, apple juice and cinnamon sticks - soothing and delicious!

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Combining spa services with spa fitness programs _ aerobic classes, personal training, exercise programming and wellness seminars _ allows a mind, body and spirit approach to wellness.

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NEWS TO USE

"Resolve to Take Care of Yourself in '09" is the focus of special wellness weekends at the Williamsburg-based spa during January. Sessions include an evening stretch-and-relax class, morning hike through town, yoga and Pilates. Juniper and cypress massages and green tea facials can be added.

What: Wellness weekends

When: Fridays-Saturdays during January

Where: The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, 307 S. England St., Williamsburg, Va.

What's the weekend about? Stretch and relax class, one-hour walk, yoga and Pilates, meditation and warm apple mint tea.

Cost: $30 for the basic weekend; $89 with 60-minute juniper and cypress massage or green tea facial.

Register: www.colonialwilliamsburgresort.com/spa; 757-220-7720, Ext. 7741.

What's next? Professional skin-care program in February.

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LAURIE BELLAVANCE

Age: 49

Residence: Surry, Va.

Career: In the skin-care industry forever; formerly, assistant spa director for Au Naturel Medical and Wellness Spa in Ottawa, Ontario Canada

What relaxes me? Every evening I enjoy a glass of red wine and listen to meditation CDs before turning in for the night.

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SHARON ROGERS

Age: 44

Residence: Williamsburg

Career: Day job as administrative assistant for Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; storyteller as time and demand allows. Member National Storytelling Network and recently awarded scholarship to attend storytelling festival; bachelor's degree in theatre from Lipscomb University.

What relaxes me? Taking walks with my dog in early morning hours; it's a quieter time, a time to just enjoy being and not doing _ the dog enjoys it, too!

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© 2009, Daily Press (Newport News, Va.).