The Power of Possibility at Canyon Ranch

Last week, I took a few days off to go to Canyon Ranch and spend some quality time with my mom. Canyon Ranch has several locations; Lenox MA (Berkshire's), Tucson AZ, Las Vegas in the Venetian, Kissimmee FL & the Cunard QM2 Cruise Ship. Before visiting the Berkshire location last week, I had only been to the one out in Vegas. There's a huge difference between the two. Vegas, there are no windows, few classes and spa treatments and you pay per class. The Berkshire location is by far the better place to go. When driving into the campus, it's very impressive - even more impressive on the inside! There is a gate that all visitors stop at and security will verify who you are and if you are a returning visitor or first time visitor. Security will then let the bellmen know that you are on your way so that they are ready to greet you. When you arrive to the main entrance, everything is taken care of for you. Your bags are taken out of your car and delivered to your room when it is ready. All you have to do is check-in, look at what classes are being offered and you're ready to go!

Our first day there seemed to last forever. I wasn't really in the mood to take any exercise classes and I wasn't quite ready for lunch yet, considering it was only 11am. So, we took a walk around to get acquainted with our home for the next 3 days. I had a facial scheduled for right after lunch, so I was looking forward to that. Our room wouldn't be ready until 3 at the earliest, so we relaxed until then. Besides, we had 3 whole days to take classes and make use of our time there. Our first dinner was good. The portions are small and you have to ask for salt. Everything on the menu lists calories, protein and fat grams per item. I have to say it sort of takes the fun out of eating if you know exactly how bad it is for you! There is a salad bar during lunch & dinner and if you order a soup along with your meal, you feel like a pig compared to what others are eating.

The first morning we had breakfast, we were seated next to 2 woman who were eating their breakfast. Everyone gets a pamphlet when they check in as well as a bag to hold the water bottle they hive you as well as the T-Shirt you get. Neither woman had their pamphlet schedule with them so they asked to borrow one from us. We started talking to them and it turned out that one of them lives not far from my mom. And since they were both Jewish, we instantly played "Jewish Geography" - very small world considering they had several friends in common! It was the start of a friendship. We spent the next 3 days having lunch if we ran into each other and planned dinners. I took classes I've learned to like and went to lectures that I learned from. All in all it was a great experience and I'd even do it again (if you're reading this, mom!) My mom and her new friend have even exchanged e-mails and have already set up a time to meet up for lunch with a mutual friend of theirs.