Confession: I terrible When switched off. I constantly need to be productive and have a never-ending to-do list on my mind. Even when we have plenty of free time, we struggle to rest and relax and instead keep busy with administrative tasks or do extra training (high strength), or you can find elaborate cooking recipes.
I know this isn’t good for me, so I often vow to slow down, but I actually find it really difficult. After a few hours of lazing around on the couch in your pajamas, guilt creeps in and you revert to your usual productive ways, continuing the cycle of stress.
At least that was the case until I ditched my laptop and headed to the Spanish hills in search of health. retreat in MasQi, Energy House. There are many specialized programs, including detox, anti-stress, and yoga options, but I signed up for her 3-night “renewal vacation.” Designed to help you “rest, connect with yourself, and make the changes you need to live a calmer, more conscious life,” it sounded like exactly what I needed.
But why not try living a slow life for a few days? Really Will it help calm my exhausted nervous system? Here’s what happened…
Please tell me more about MasQi
MasQi is the brainchild of 49-year-old Sonia Ferré. She ditched her hectic lifestyle and stressful job in 2014 after dealing with her personal crisis and opened a holistic bolthole to embrace a slower, more spiritual way of living. I did.
Her aim was to create a healing space for people to get off the grid and get away from it all. Learn how to quiet, rebalance, and rejuvenate your mind to reconnect with nature.
how? A carefully selected program of yoga, meditation, sound healing, energy therapy and Ayurveda, led by Sonia (a trained psychotherapist and yoga teacher) and her team of experts, in the most enchanting natural environment It is done through.
Food is also an important part of MasQi’s puzzle. It’s macrobiotic. This means our menu contains no meat, dairy, sugar or refined ingredients, and everything is organic, seasonal and locally sourced. “Our menu is balanced, tasty, easy to digest, and contains nutrients that make you feel good and energize,” Sonia tells me. More on that later.
my first thoughts
Arriving at Valencia Airport on Friday afternoon, I feel far from zen. At good old Gatwick Airport, fire alarms went off, huge queues formed at the security checkpoints and the plane was delayed for two hours. On the plane, I was sandwiched between loud sniffles and constant crunching, and I was feeling relaxed, but then again, I wasn’t. Work is also on my mind. Did you respond to your boss’s urgent email? When will you find time to write this review? You might want to log on and double check that you have “Out of Office” turned on.
But as our taxi slowly meandered down the rocky path and into the grounds, the buzzing in my mind stopped and I felt my tense shoulders drop several inches. A secluded and quiet location, surrounded by his 360 degree views of the Sierra de Mariola Mountains, and far from the hustle and bustle of London. There are no beeping horns or children screaming, just the gentle chirping of birds and towering pine trees swaying in the breeze.
The main building is a lovingly restored 19th century farmhouse set on a beautiful lawn dotted with wooden sun loungers and overlooking an outdoor terrace. There, you can shelter from the midday sun while sipping on a cold tumbler of freshly brewed kombucha.
The interior of the restaurant has a rustic and chic atmosphere, with simple yet stylish interiors. Common areas feature antique wooden furniture, wicker baskets, potted plants, and incense sticks that complement the beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls. The bedroom (ours is his first-floor superior suite) has a similarly relaxed feel, with plush furniture in earth tones, crisp white walls, and great light. A huge freestanding bathtub with stunning views of the hills is the highlight of our large, modern bathroom.
And there’s a tranquil pool area with plenty of daybeds, flowering bushes that provide shade. still There are even more mountain views. It also has a cool, calming treatment center and a large geodesic dome where yoga and group meditation sessions are held.
When I take it all in, I am truly filled with gratitude. I really think MasQi is the perfect place to completely reset your mind, body, and soul.
What is the topic?
Our first full day started with herbal tea in bed (no coffee at MasQi until after breakfast), then on the dewy grass for a 90-minute yoga session in the dome. walk. Ashtanga with Sonia. Sonia expertly guides us through the poses and provides adjustments to ensure everyone gets the most out of the class. The atmosphere of the sun shining through the panels and the gentle yoga music playing in the background is magical, and a sense of calm washes over me as I move from pose to pose.
I was very pleased to learn that Sonia and her soft-spoken team use Sanskrit, avoid cultural appropriation, and have a deep understanding of yoga’s cultural heritage. I often roll my eyes during classes back in London, but the practice here feels authentic.
MasQi does not have any activities scheduled for the afternoon. Guests are free to do whatever they want.Before the trip, I had I had planned to try some serious hiking (there are lots of scenic walking routes around the nature park), but once I got here I found it surprisingly easy to stay put and relax. .
Other than a gentle stroll along a tree-lined path leading to a local stream, my afternoons consist of lounging in the garden with my Kindle, soaking up the sun by the pool, and taking a few naps after lunch. . I don’t feel the slightest bit of guilt about “doing nothing,” so I think the laid-back atmosphere is having an effect on me as well.
At 5 p.m., everyone gathers in the dome for some kind of meditation, whether it’s a sound bath or a beginner’s workshop. The first experience lasted 2 hours (!) gong bath; This is an ancient practice that uses deep vibrations and sound to stimulate the vagus nerve and help you reach a deep state of relaxation.
Lying sprawled out on my yoga mat, I try to let go of my hand as the rhythmic sounds echo throughout the room, but I can’t calm down. Objectively speaking, lying still for long periods of time is harder than doing a HIIT workout.
It’s only half the time that my thoughts begin to soften and my body eases into a calm state. In fact, I was so relaxed that I fell asleep, but only woke up when I heard the instructor’s sleepy voice drifting over me, ending the session. When I roll up my mat and head back home, I feel strangely relieved and free from worries.
Please tell me more about the treatment method
In addition to traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic treatments, MasQi offers more innovative “energy therapies,” one-on-one coaching sessions, tarot readings, and macrobiotic workshops.
On the second day, I arrived at the massage house wearing a robe and getting ready for my second treatment of the weekend, Shirodhara. An ancient Indian practice involves pouring warm oil on the forehead, third eye, and temples to relax the nervous system and relieve symptoms of stress, anxiety, and insomnia.
The oil gradually drips down onto your forehead, giving you an unusual sensation of floating. All the tension I had built up melted away and my head felt surprisingly light. It’s truly bliss.
As part of the update package, I also have a mentoring session with Sonia, which is basically like therapy. I’m not very good at opening up, but she made me feel so safe that I found I could share my insecurities with her. As they spilled out, she listened carefully and offered me some thoughtful, actionable advice that I could take home and implement.
Next is kinesiology. This is a nearly touchless therapy designed to identify energy blockages around the body and rebalance them. To be honest, I’m a bit skeptical about this, but my therapist Faust, who has a mysterious and wonderful ability to identify what’s bothering me, quickly changed my mind.
I like spending my holidays drinking Bubbly more than green juice. What does the food and drink look like?
I researched macrobiotic diets before my trip and was very worried. Not so much for myself, but mainly for my partner Sam. Sam has the appetite of a horse and snorts when I make something with kale, quinoa, and chia seeds. So I shoved a few snack bars into his suitcase to keep him from getting hungry.
As it turns out, it was completely unnecessary. MasQis meals are wholesome and wholesome, yet truly delicious and filling. Chef Alvaro is a complete wizard in the kitchen, using locally sourced and organic ingredients to create the most vibrant and flavorful dishes.
Breakfast is a three-course meal, starting with miso soup to revitalize your metabolism and regulate your body’s digestion. Next is a comforting bowl of porridge with seasonal fruit, nuts and seeds, followed by chunks of homemade toast with different toppings each day, from pumpkin seed pesto to cashew butter and banana. After the meal, you can finally have your first coffee of the day, and how delicious it is! I’ve always been a “coffee as soon as I wake up” person, but I’ve found that I can function just fine without consuming caffeine early in the morning.
Lunch and dinner, served at separate tables on the large terrace, are equally impressive and include at least four courses. Charred sweet corn and pickled red cabbage, mackerel with lime sprinkles, avocado and mango salsa, and smoked tofu with soy sauce and peanut butter sauce. Plus, the desserts are incredibly delicious and contain no dairy or refined sugar. I still dream of chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake…
Now, all this “macrobiotic diet” stuff may sound like a lot of good value, but rest assured, mealtimes are fun and you can enjoy a glass of refreshing wine with your meal. If you want to enjoy a glass (or two), you won’t get any nasty looks from the staff. MasQi is both a health destination and a vacation.
final verdict
It’s been a few weeks since I returned from MasQi, and I’m still not over the experience. From the decor to the food, every aspect is exceptional and it’s clear that Sonia and her talented team genuinely care about your well-being. No wonder so many people keep coming back.
The big question is: Am I a calmer, less stressed person? I think so, yes. Of course, I still have time for myself, but overall I feel like my mind is quieter and more prepared to deal with life’s curveballs.
I now meditate every morning (yes, really!), I nourish my body with whole foods, and I don’t beat myself up for being “lazy” if I don’t go to the gym. In fact, I recognize that rest is absolutely important for physical and mental health, and I enjoy unwinding. I think that’s a result.
Room rates for the two-night renewal program start from 627 euros and include three activities and one massage or therapy session.Book now
