The recently built, Dolomiti Lodge Alvera’ located in Cortina D’Ampezzo within the Dolomites, was the best birthday weekend of mine! The romantic lodge had an amazing Pool and Ayurveda Spa making it a perfectly relaxing experience.
Collin and I left our room in our white, cotton robes and slippers and made our way down to the spa. As soon as we walked in we knew we were in for a treat.
Maria, our Ayurveda specialist, gave us a tour of the spa and kindly explained each service. My eyes were wide with excitement and we desperately needed a relaxing weekend.
Collin and I are always doing something. Whether it be traveling to a new city or local town together, meeting up with our Italian friends for a BBQ, or hanging out along the lakeside with our American friends, we are always go-go-go. So it was nice to be able to relax for once.
Large floor to ceiling glass windows lined the front of the spa, welcoming the green mountain view. The heated infinity pool was available both indoor and outdoor with automatic glass doors dividing between the two options.
Hydrotherapy
Hydrotherapy is said to be an amazing remedy for all people but especially those living with Chronic Pain and Inflammation. The benefits are endless when it comes to just 5 minutes of hot sauna or cold showers.
The benefits important to me, as someone living with an Autoimmune Disease, are: improved immune system, circulation, and toxin detox. And if that isn’t enough, there are a ton of Anti-aging and natural healing mechanisms.
Situated behind a long, frosted wall in the back hid the Finnish Sauna, Cold Storm Shower, Cold Breeze Shower, Steam Bath, and Ice Machine. After hanging my robe on the wooden knobs available, I delighted in trying out every one of the Saunas and Showers lol.
I used the Cold Breeze Shower first which was a gentle, ‘cooling mint’ mist raining down from the ceiling under UV blue light. The shower smelt amazing as I was directed to cool my body gradually from lower limbs to head.
Afterwards, I grabbed a cotton cloth and went to the Finnish Sauna. It was all black wood with 2 or 3 levels to sit on. I laid my cloth down and relaxed naked, letting my body temperature rise.
The Saunas were both enclosed with one-way glass, allowing for privacy within the Sauna. Once I had enough (usually 5 to 10 minutes max), I headed for the Cold Breeze Shower again.
Now I was curious to try their Steam Bath. I opened the door to a cloud of Steam before finding my way to the benches. Again I laid my cotton cloth down and sat naked. It was only 2 or 3 minutes before I was dripping in sweat. Exiting the Steam Bath, I felt as if a weight had fallen off my body. I felt lighter, I could breathe better, and I was relaxed.
Drenched in sweat, I decided to try the Cold Storm Shower. I let the water hit my feet and legs before I completely submerged myself in the water. Again the water poured down from the ceiling, although this time, it was a ‘Scots Pine’ scent under UV blue light.
The Infinity Pool
Grabbing my bath towel I dried off and found myself in my bathrobe again. Available to guests was tea and water. I opted for the Chamomile tea which I poured into a simple white teacup with saucer. There were plenty of thick, cushioned loungers both inside and outside. I sat on a lounger that faced the mountains as I drank my tea.
Every room or area of the spa felt like its own vibe and intention. The colors in the main room were cream and olive green and as you made your way to the room with the beverage stand, it was a soft peach and light grey. It was peaceful and quiet throughout and I had the entire place to myself while Collin got massaged.
I made my way to the outdoor lounge chairs to read my book under the sun. The weather in September is always perfect. I can sit in the sun without overheating or developing any heat rash, but also dip in the cool water which isn’t too hot or too cold. It’s a reason I love my birthday, because the weather is always so nice!
Of course I had to experience the infinity pool which was heated to a lukewarm, perfect temperature under the blissful sun.
When it was my time for the massage, I showered off again and went into my massage room.
The Ayurveda Massage
The spa was the closest room to the mountains out of the entire spa. I liked the idea of getting massaged with the mountain range next to me…it was good for my mind, body, spirit’s intention.
I was aware that every Ayurveda Spa has its own practices and techniques and being in a different country meant I could potentially have a different experience than I have had in America. Instead of worrying what it would be like, I remained curious and open to what was in store for me.
I met with Maria and discussed my current state and explained my intention for the massage. I’m sure while I was talking she was reading my body and deciding which Dosha I was or what treatment I would receive. She gave me a light, cloth underwear to change into and instructed me to lay on the table face up.
I read stories of not receiving a blanket to cover yourself in Europe and at this location, that held true. It is very normal in some European countries to be topless at the pool or beach. I welcome any (appropriate) opportunity to partake in the act. Having already laid topless in my garden and on the beach, this was no problem for me.
Maria entered again and she mixed up what would be my heated essential oils for the massage. She circulated around each of my chakras starting from the crown of my head working her way down to the root. The massage was very relaxing and at one point I fell into complete meditation.
If I am intentional with my breathing, I can transport myself into a relaxed realm during Ayurvedic massage.
I felt like I was floating in the chair, unaware of where my body ended and the warm room began. I reached a point of no thoughts, which is not always easy for me. It was as if I was exactly where I was supposed to be.
One thing I started doing during my Ayurveda massages is paying attention to my body and how it feels…noticing if there is any tension or discomfort anywhere, as well as where I was feeling good.
During the noticing, I do not think about why I feel that way or what caused the feeling. I simply notice and am aware.
It is also really important to notice how you feel after the massage. After all, the Ayurvedic massage is intended to release toxins and mental or emotional blocks you’ve been carrying, and balance your energy centers (chakras).
I believe it is okay to feel like a lot has happened. Most of my massages do. The release is being felt throughout my entire body and can take a few minutes, hours, or days for your body to get adjusted.
I try not to judge the process but trust it instead. As for this treatment, I noticed my body welcomed the warm essential oils. When stimulating my sacral chakra, I noticed a lot of heat and friction. I wouldn’t consider this as either good or bad, but as an awareness.
Instead of combating what I was feeling I tuned into it, giving my body water, a shower, and some meditation. When I stood up to leave the room, I felt happy and fuzzy. My body was rejoicing in the attention and appreciation it just received, and I was too! The Ayurveda massage worked wonders for me.
The Meditation Tank
Our Ayurveda specialist, Maria, directed me toward the Meditation Tank after my massage and facial. Located in a private room was what looked like a single bed. The Meditation Tank was something I always wanted to try but hadn’t gotten the opportunity yet.
Maria explained how the tank worked. “There was a flat board laying above the water. After removing my robe, I would first sit on the middle of the board and work my way to a laying position on my back. Once I was laying flat, I would wear headphones that directed a meditation and the board would submerge under water.”
I was super nervous for my first time and asked Maria where the stop button was incase I needed to get out. She reassured me everything would be okay and encouraged me to relax into it at my own speed. I had the room to myself and could go as fast or as slow as I wanted.
The bed had a protective sanitary sheet that was replaced after each use. I took off my robe and hung it on the door. Following her instructions, I found my way to the middle of the bed. The bed was warm but hard when I laid flat. I put the headphones on and selected the 10 minute meditation for my first time. I was super nervous for some reason!
I closed my eyes and clicked start. I always wondered what the flotation tank would be like. A few people had told me it felt like you were floating and that you couldn’t tell the difference between what was water and what was your body. I tried not to attach myself to their words as I wanted my own experience.
Soon, the board began to lower down into the water. As it lowered, a floatation bubble surrounded me like a giant glove. I could feel the warm water on the back line of my body and sides. The board I once laid on for support drifted far beneath me as I laid swaddled in this warm cocoon guided by meditation. (I’m calling it a cocoon because it’s the only word that I think explains what you lay within)
The instructor’s voice was familiar. It was similar to the Headspace meditation app I used to use. The meditation guided me by becoming aware of my body and how I was feeling. From my smallest toe to my foot, ankle, calf, knee, thighs, hips, stomach, chest, shoulder, arm, hand, fingers, neck, face, head, and hair. We went through each body part slowly, one side at a time, noticing how it was feeling, or what it needed. Soon I was in complete concentration with my breath work.
Some of my friends were right, I felt like one with the tank. The water temperature meets your body temperature as you lay evenly in the floatation cocoon. It feels like you are laying on a cloud because the floatation supports your body weight entirely.
When the meditation was over, the board raised up to meet the backline of my body and lifted me up out of the water to its starting position. The floatation device disappeared and I found myself laying still on the board once again.
After my meditation and shower I felt like a new woman. I got ready for our evening and on went an unforgettable dinner and intimate night with Collin. Thank the universe for Ayurveda! lol
Read more about the benefits of Ayurveda in my post, “Why I practice Ayurveda”.
