Energy Healing at Canyon Ranch Miami Beach

Canyon Ranch likes to refer to itself as “Heaven on Earth.” And when you drive up to the luxurious Hotel/Condo/Spa towers in North Beach, it’s easy to see why. Even the valet parking has a panoramic ocean view.

But in addition to its oceanfront tranquility, the all-suite hotel aims to not only help you relax, but also to be healthier. Yes, Canyon Ranch has a renowned spa. But, really, what resort in Miami Beach doesn’t? So what has this hotel done to set itself apart from every spa in Miami?

It’s called Energy Healing.

THINK OF IT AS PART DOCTOR’S OFFICE, PART SPA

This unique therapy is practiced at Canyon Ranch’s Health Center. Headed by former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona, the center features a team of physicians as well as psychological therapists, physical therapists, physiologists, nutritionists, nurses and Chinese medical practitioners.

If you go in for energy healing expecting to get a normal massage, you may find yourself a little surprised. What Michelle Alva - the Center’s resident energy healer - does is not simply a relaxation of muscles, but a transfer of energy.

RELAXATION PLUS ENERGY

So what exactly is energy healing, you may ask? Some may be tempted to call it a simple massage, but it’s a much more intense process than that. Alva makes a point of telling you as you lay down that she transfers her energy to you while she massages your muscles. Stopping on pressure points to accentuate the transfer.

It’s a little strange at first, especially if you’re used to the somewhat-impersonal massages you get at a traditional spa.

“If you just go in for a massage,” Alva said, “You sometimes don’t even know the therapist is in there with you. Here, you always know I’m here.”

Instead of just working knots out of your muscles, Alva starts by putting her hands on your forehead and chest o begin the transfer of energy. After getting a feel for your aura, she begins a more traditional massage, asking which areas you’d like most focused on.

The session intensifies, as Alva introduces aroma therapy and the room is engulfed in lavender. As the smell gets stronger, so does the massage. On this day, my calves were particularly sore from a long run the day before. When she got to that area she not only massaged the muscles, but moved them. Stretched them. Got blood flowing in them as they were being massaged. And, what do you know, when I stood up they felt energized. Tingling with energy, all my soreness was gone and I felt like I could do the same long run again.

She finished the process with some aural therapy involving crystal bowls. It creates an eerie, high-pitched echo in the room that relaxes you even as you are filled with energy.

I’M NOT INTO THIS HIPPIE NEW AGE STUFF EITHER……..

Yes, it sounds a little new-agey. And even for a skeptic like me, it was hard to buy into the whole concept of energy healing. But whether there’s a scientific explanation for it or not, I can’t argue with its effectiveness. And unlike the Canyon Ranch Spa, the Health Center is open to the public. So if you’d like to try out this whole energy healing thing for yourself, or just learn more about the process, Canyon Ranch is a great place to start.

HEAR MORE OF WHAT MICHELLE ALVA HAS TO SAY ABOUT ENERGY HEALING

Related Categories: Miami: Travel News, Miami: Things to Do, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

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