After nearly two years of uncertainty and unease, people are craving the serenity of a wellness.
And who wouldn’t want to indulge in a bit of TLC after the time we’ve had? Maruia River Retreat co-founder, Cristina Holopainen, shares a little on her self-care philosophy and stunning wellness facility.
Tell us a little about yourself and how Maruia River Retreat came to be?
My husband Lasse and I have always respected our role as caretakers of nature. We started our foray into eco and wellness tourism with yoga studios in the Philippines, called Urban Ashram. Later, we ran an off-grid, eco-glamping surf and yoga resort in Baler, the birthplace of surfing in the Philippines, called Easy Adventure.
What’s the core foundation of Maruia River Retreat?
That we can heal with nature. Being immersed in the beauty of New Zealand, with the option of active relaxation activities, we can learn to evoke our own relaxation responses. Our retreat experiences include forest bathing, nature walks, soaking in the river hot tub and infrared sauna, dips in Maruia River, and being served delicious food from the kitchen garden and nearby growers. Our yoga classes share principles and intelligent movements that can be applied to everyday life. A lot of our guests have never done yoga before and leave wanting to start a yoga practice because of the immediate benefits they feel.
What do guests value most when they embark on a retreat?
Most guests come because they need time away, be it to release stress, feel better about their bodies, quiet their minds or connect with each other. Couples, sisters, best friends, and old friends benefit from time together in an inspiring natural setting. Why the guests come is quite distinct from what they appreciate when they leave. They share feedback with us about the food, the quality of the yoga, and the thoughtfulness of our hosts.
What will be the most popular wellness trends for 2022?
More solo travellers, more natural and environmentally friendly experiences like walks, or forest bathing, and staying longer in less crowded destinations. Wellness, I believe, will be the fastest growing segment for purposeful and meaningful travel for the post-Covid traveller.
Tell us a little about upcoming Maruia River Retreats.
We’ll continue to offer three types of packages throughout the next year as we continue to introduce wellness into the tourism trade. Our Reconnect with Nature, or Dinner-Villa-Breakfast-Yoga package, continues to be our best-seller for couples.
Our Personal Restoration Retreat, a fully guided wellness experience with massages and private yoga classes, has had amazing take-ups from solo travellers and those wanting a longer stay of pampering. And our regular retreat offerings, run either by us or highly reputable local and international facilitators, always bring in diverse groups of people.
Upcoming events include:
• Introduction to Yoga Retreat: 12-15 May
• Winter Writer’s Retreat: 23-26 June (Matariki weekend)
• Eat. Yoga. Love. Self-Care Retreat: 21-24 July
• Balance: Food + Health + Happiness Retreat: 22-25 September
