The idea of a real wellness getaway has always sounded nice, but it’s often been pushed aside in favor of more adventurous trips with family and friends. My body and mind certainly needed the pause, but invariably, I found myself opting for vacations that required my passport — the ones that leave you with travel memories, if not dehydrated and anything but rested.
So when CIVANA — a luxury wellness resort near Scottsdale, Arizona — started trending across social media feeds, it felt like a sign of the times. As travelers swap party trips for wellness-forward getaways, this was an intriguing invitation to finally put the excuses aside in favor of a vacation that left me energized rather than exhausted. And after a well-timed solo getaway during Valentine’s Day weekend, I can confirm that this might just be my new favorite vacation style.
Desert Bathing In The Sonoran Desert
The mindful experience of desert bathing is an interpretation of its predecessor — forest bathing — a Japanese practice known as Shinrin-yoku, coined in 1982 by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries. In response to rapid urbanization and high levels of burnout in Japan during the ’80s, the concept was developed as a preventive health measure, promoting immersion in nature as therapy. The practice requires an intentional use of the five senses, consciously engaging sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste to evoke a state of calm, reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mental well-being.
At CIVANA, guided desert bathing experiences take guests off-property for a scenic hike in the Sonoran Desert, along the Jewel of the Creek Trail, a two-mile loop in Cave Creek, Arizona. While capturing the moment isn’t off-limits, guides encourage you to disconnect during the walk and be fully present, feeling the natural basalt formations. Seeing the variety of colors across the landscape as the seasons transition. Hearing the stream of Cave Creek run alongside you. Smelling aromatic native plant species. And although taste is technically part of the original concept, in an effort to leave no trace, it’s left to the imagination.
What Desert Bathing Does To The Nervous System
True to its claims, the three-hour desert bathing experience was indeed peaceful, even with increased presence on the trail due to the holiday weekend. Moving through the Jewel of the Creek Preserve with only one goal — to take it all in — felt like relief for my nervous system, all too often overstimulated by internet noise and endless to-do lists. Instead of artificially connecting to nature through a mindfulness app or online video, I was in it. Watching saguaro cacti sway in the breeze and feeling the cool sensation of running creeks, that brief but deeply engaged time was proof of nature’s power as a healer — and of how my stay at CIVANA was reshaping me in ways I’m still processing weeks later.
Inside CIVANA: Luxury That Restores Instead of Depletes
On a typical vacation, I tend to find myself restless — somewhere between wanting to do it all and never leaving the room. But every element of CIVANA’s experience is restorative, like you’ve treated yourself to a holistic wellness ecosystem, from the food and programming to the landscape itself. The luxury resort and spa team meet guests wherever they are on the journey, providing a nurturing 20-acre space for self-discovery, exploration, and relaxation in the Sonoran Desert.
From early-morning intention-setting ceremonies to yoga classes, sound alchemy, and workshops on mantra-making, Feng Shui, and numerology, one of the biggest draws for guests is the 10+ complimentary daily wellness experiences. During yin yoga, I embraced the fiery tension in my muscles and joints that I had ignored during years of self-soothing and survival, breathing my way through it.
One of the most popular daily activities — and my personal favorite — was the sunset sound healing session. As I settled in and the singing bowls began harmoniously humming, I remembered: healing happens between all the strategy and hard work we’ve been told is the gateway to happiness. The gong’s reverb resonated through my body. The cascading sounds of the rainmaker washed over me as I imagined my heart’s desires doing the same. Chimes danced throughout the outdoor deck as a final moment to be present — a perfect way to end the day.
Perhaps the most indulgent experience on the property is CIVANA’s 22,000-square-foot, award-winning spa. Available to guests who book a spa treatment or day pass, the spa offers a curated menu of services, including facials, massages, body scrubs, and mani/pedi services. Guests also enjoy all-day access to the Spa’s hydrotherapy thermal circuit — hot and cold pools, a cool waterfall shower, and a sanarium — during the day of their booking.
Why So Many Black Women Are Choosing Wellness Getaways Like This
While self-care has increasingly become a topic of conversation, there’s often an added layer of belonging that quietly shapes the choice of luxury wellness experiences. For Black travelers, and particularly Black women, that reality is often compounded by life events surrounding our gender, race, roles, and identity. So it was a delightful surprise to see so many other Black women during my weekend at CIVANA — choosing themselves and not waiting on anyone.
During the “I Am” mantra-making workshop, one guest confidently added “African American queen” to her affirmation. My heart fluttered a bit with glee. There was no shrinking. No softening of identity to fit the room. Just ownership. And in a space centered on healing, her declaration felt powerful for us both.
A deeper look into the meaning behind the resort’s name reveals that CIVANA signifies an intense desire for new people and experiences. Seeing Black women in their 20s and 60s wander throughout the property each day became part of my own restoration. It was a reminder that the turn up will always be waiting somewhere in the world, but some seasons deserve something more. Some guests come to address old wounds, while others seek a deeper understanding of intentional living, mindfulness, and pursuing purpose — and CIVANA holds space for it all.
Normally, I reserve the first few days post-vacation to recover from dehydration, irregular sleep, and over-indulgent meals. But this trip left my mind feeling light, my body more mobile, and my soul cleansed. Instead of being an escape, CIVANA gave me room to consider my own definition of a life well-lived — uncluttered by the weight of the world and fully rooted in who I am.
