On Location: Home in Tucson
Unique Homes magazine spent the weekend learning about the residential opportunities at Miraval—a resort and residential community in Tucson, Arizona. This is the last of three blogs in our ‘On Location: Home in Tucson’ series.
Each new day brings new opportunities to look deeper into oneself.
The itinerary for my last day at Miraval included a challenge event (Quantum Leap) in which I’d scale a 25-foot pool before stepping over the edge (and out of my comfort zone) and learning the importance of trust; a breath work class where I’d be taught to evaluate my breathing patterns and help form breathing routines to implement during fitness activities; a cooking demonstration to taste how sweet life can be; and a lecture where I’d learn how to better manage stress, pain, emotions and strong urges to lead a healthier, happier life.
The 6:00 am hour comes fast when you’re nestled in the comforts of a 650-fill power Hungarian Down, but the
morning sun eases you out of a sweet slumber and propels you to begin a new day. On this crisp morning, I grabbed my water bottle and headed out for a nature hike to get my blood flowing. Little did I know, a native southwestern was waiting for me at my door. Turns out, the pig-like mammal pictured to the right (known as a Javelina) was also out for a morning hike and I got an up-close look at him as he (or she) went racing by me to scurry up the hill. Wish the javelina had time to stop and chat, I would have loved to learn about a favorite hiking path!
Living in the moment, I changed my agenda for the morning to include a roughly two-mile hike, hatha yoga and a breath work class before heading to the Cactus Flower Restaurant to have lunch and take part in a cooking demonstration. There is something about cooking that relaxes my mind and leaves me yearning to try new dishes. This afternoon, our dessert demonstration included chocolate tacos with fresh fruit salsa. The chocolate shell, made with a high percentage of cocoa, was filled with white chocolate mousse and seasonal fruits (raspberries, blueberries and strawberries). The divine dessert left my palette satisfied and nurtured.
After lunch, I headed out to the ranch to work with Rooster and Biz, two of Miraval’s finest horses who would help me discover I hold the reigns that direct my life.
“Pay attention to what you think, feel and do, because life is coming from you,” explains Wyatt Webb, director of equine programs.
With my intention set, I approached Rooster, who weighs in at roughly 900 pounds, and used non-verbal communication to have the horse pick up his hoof and allow me to clean it out. My posture and swagger let Rooster know I was set on achieving my goal. And, without hesitation, Rooster lifted his hoof as I gently cleaned it out and reflected on how I shaped my own outcomes that afternoon.
My next intention was to have Biz (pictured left) walk or trot around the horse arena without physical force or verbal directions. I simply positioned myself on a diagonal of his back left leg so he could see me and walked toward him. With each step I took, he moved in the direction I was facing. And, as I turned my body, picked up speed and continued in the opposite direction, so did Biz. My non-verbal movements led him around the arena, showing me that stature is just as, if not more, important as verbal and written communication.
It wasn’t about cleaning out Rooster’s foot, or about leading Biz on a walk; it was about listening to my inner thoughts and emotions and acting in a way that would satisfy my intentions.
Retreating back to my villa, I made use of the outdoor shower before draping myself in a Turkish bathrobe and heading to Palm Court for cocktail hour.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if you’re sporting a harness and jumping from a 25-foot pole, draped in a full-length robe or dressed in a cooking apron, you will find yourself here at Miraval–in more than one place, in more than one way.
—Lauren Varga
Keep a look-out for the print editorial on Miraval and its residential offerings in the upcoming June/July issue of Unique Homes magazine.
