Mindfulness, Biohacking, and Nature-Based Therapy: My Experience at the Vikasa Wellness Retreat
After two months of packing, planning, and preparing for my next chapter in the Middle East, I knew I needed a moment to pause, reset, and breathe. I’ve learned to listen to those signs—and this time, they pointed me to Uruguay.
For years, Estancia Vik José Ignacio had quietly lived on my vision board. I’d bookmarked photos of quartz-filled fields, dreamed of quiet mornings doing yoga by the sea, and imagined a retreat that blended wellness with nature in a way that felt intentional, not performative. When I was invited as a guest to attend the March wellness retreat by Vikasa Retreats at Estancia Vik José Ignacio, it felt like the timing couldn’t have been more aligned (a huge thank you to Koehl Kael and Celia Health for getting the universal memo).
From the moment I arrived, I felt my nervous system begin to exhale. The property—tucked into untouched Uruguayan terrain—was filled with natural quartz, fresh ocean air, and wide open space. Five days here felt like a gift I didn’t know I needed during a busy time on transition in my life.
The retreat was designed to awaken the five senses—sight, touch, taste, smell, and sound—through daily experiences that blended movement, stillness, and connection to nature.
Day One: Sight
The first day was centered on how we see—not just with our eyes, but with our awareness. A visual awareness walk through the grounds shifted my perspective immediately. We set intentions in a circle, moved through sunset yoga to release travel tension, and ended with a candle meditation that invited presence over productivity. Stargazing closed the day, reminding me how expansive life is when we take a moment to look up.
Day Two: Touch
The second day focused on the sense of touch—beyond the physical. We began with a self-lymphatic massage to support circulation and detox and forest bathed in still silence to reconnect me to the earth’s rhythm. There was a hands-on farm-to-table gardening experience and a ceramics workshop that invited a different kind of mindfulness through shaping and creating. I also took part in a private equine therapy session with Dr. Kathryn Dundas—it was one of the most insightful and profound experiences I’ve ever had. Horses live fully in the present and mirror our energy, offering powerful lessons in self-awareness and grounding. Connecting with them in this way brought me an incredibly deep sense of calm and clarity. We ended the day with sunset stillness atop a quartz outcrop, causing me to feel grounded in a way only nature can offer.
Day Three: Taste
Mindful eating slowed everything down and deepened our awareness of the relationship between nourishment and presence. I then hosted a Hypno-Sound Bath for the group—an experience designed to regulate the nervous system through sound and vibration, blending the transformative power of therapeutic hypnosis with the soothing art of sound healing, creating space for stillness and integration. We rode horseback through the property—an unforgettable experience that reminded me what true freedom feels like. A personalized massage and a final incense meditation closed the day, and the balance of food, movement, and rest managed to hit every note.
Day Four: Smell
The day started with aromatherapy, activating the limbic system and inviting deep relaxation. We explored adaptogens and biohacking techniques, then biked to Playa Vik Jose Ignacio—an architectural gem with the most breathtaking infinity pool overlooking the ocean—for some fresh sea air (which was truly a therapy of its own). We flowed through a yoga session by the ocean, grounded by the sound of the waves and the open sky. That evening, we gathered for an asado dinner under the stars. Smell brought up memory, joy, and emotion in unexpected ways.
Day Five: Sound
Our final day focused on sound and its ability to guide us into stillness. Morning yoga was gentle and grounding. We followed with a Solfeggio frequency meditation and a private sound bath session that I gratefully received (it was such a treat being on the ”other side” of the bowls). In the closing circle, we reflected on what had shifted. A silent lunch in nature gave me the time and space to integrate it all. Sound, more than anything, reminded me how healing the quiet can be.
Beyond the Itinerary
Along with many beautiful memories, here is what I walked away from the retreat with:
Nature reset my nervous system.
Touch brought me back into my body.
Taste became a practice of presence.
Scent reconnected me with memory.
Sound returned me to stillness.
VIKASA Retreat was a comprehensive sensory experience that balanced biohacking and longevity tools with timeless, ancient grounding rituals. From adaptogenic detox juices to ceramics, from horseback riding to frequency-based meditation—it struck that rare balance between feeling pampered and deeply meaningful.
As I prepare for my next chapter, I’m carrying this experience with me as a reminder: wellness doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be intentional.
I would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Tina Cafferone and the brands Vai Con Alma , Bendita Infusiones, Samadhi Natural, VDAMIANI, La Colorada, PRANA, ORMUS PATAGONIA, Sagrada Madre Oficial, Shiva Crackers, and Laurel for the bespoke wellness kit welcome bags.
Your nervous system knows what it needs. Book a private sound healing or hypnotherapy session or experience Altha live at our next sound healing event.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A. Sound healing events typically combine guided meditation, breathwork, and the use of instruments like crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes to help calm the mind and body. These events are often held in community spaces, studios, or outdoor settings and are designed to create a collective sense of relaxation, balance, and presence.
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A. Luxury wellness retreats that include sound healing often offer a curated mix of restorative experiences—such as private sound baths, movement classes, detox-focused meals, and mindfulness workshops. These retreats take place in peaceful, high-end locations and are designed to support full-body restoration through a blend of modern and holistic practices.
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A. There are regular sound healing events globally and in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, hosted at wellness studios, desert retreats, and luxury resorts. These events often incorporate meditation, breathwork, and guided relaxation to enhance the healing experience. Checking our events page is the best way to stay updated on upcoming sessions.
