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Sallie: What gets you up in the morning? What is your \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: Well, there are so many things that make up my \u2018why\u2019 but if I had to say what comes to the foremost often is the opportunity to support people in order for them to realize all that is possible.<\/em> Sallie: As the Director of Spa and Wellbeing for Miraval, you\u2019ve been integrally involved in the opening of the new Miraval Berkshires. What is different about the new Miraval versus the original in Tucson?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: The best way to understand the difference is that the experience is necessarily distinct for two primary reasons. Sallie: When you have free time, what do you do for your own well-being?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: My go-to activity whenever I have a chance is to get outside. I enjoy cycling and hiking a great deal and I feel a sense of renewal when I can spend time close to nature.<\/em> Sallie: Tell us three things about Miraval Austin Resort & Spa that make it special.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: I am going to sound like a broken record here but hands down the people are what make the experience in Austin special<\/em>. But since I have already shared the role of our people play, I would have to say that it’s<\/em> the edginess of their program offerings. Sallie: I know you\u2019ve been involved in the spa and wellness world for quite some time. What are some of the changes you\u2019ve seen?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: Quite frankly<\/em>, the biggest change I have seen is one within the consumer. Guests arrive with much higher expectations and a much more savvy approach to what they are seeking from their experience.<\/em> Sallie: Miraval is known for very creative, unique spa and wellness treatments. This is a tough one, but please pick one<\/em><\/strong> treatment you really enjoy at Miraval and tell us a bit about it!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: I would say one service that I am incredibly proud to offer is Yojana at our Austin location.<\/em> Sallie: If you could choose to go to another destination spa or wellness resort anywhere in the world which would it be?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon: I have never been to Asia and I have heard wonderful things about Chiva-Som so I would love to get there at some point in the future.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon Marxer brings over ten years of experience in the luxury spa industry to Miraval. He prides himself on his facilitative, personal, and innovative dedication to all spa operations. Simon uses his expertise in creating new services and continually evolving the Miraval spa program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Simon is committed to bringing excellence to Miraval through the development of a personable, professional staff, use of high-end, natural products, implementation of successful service strategies and creation of innovative spa treatments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Vacayou [pronounced VACAY – YOU], we believe that travel has the power to change lives. The power to revive, rejuvenate and redirect your inner wellness warrior<\/strong>. And that\u2019s why we\u2019re here. Vacayou brings the world of wellness travel to you! Simon and I met 15 years ago when the extraordinary Cornelia Day Resort opened on Fifth Avenue in New York City. Now, Simon\u2019s career in the spa and wellness business is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":2759,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_ids":"","loftocean_post_format_gallery_urls":"","loftocean_post_format_video_id":"","loftocean_post_format_video_url":"","loftocean_post_format_video_type":"","loftocean_post_format_video":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_type":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_url":"","loftocean_post_format_audio_id":"","loftocean_post_format_audio":"","fallsky_single_post_hide_thumbnail":"","fallsky_single_post_template":"","fallsky_single_post_sidebar":"","loftocean-featured-post":"on","loftocean-like-count":12,"loftocean-view-count":6971,"loftocean_post_co_authors":"","loftocean_single_post_author_order":"","fallsky_page_header_layout":"","fallsky_hide_before_page_content_ad":"","fallsky_hide_after_page_content_ad":"","_cloudinary_featured_overwrite":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[3648,3611,3525,1208],"class_list":{"0":"post-2739","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-well-qa","8":"tag-northeast","9":"tag-spa","10":"tag-wellness","11":"tag-yoga"},"yoast_head":"\n
I have the good fortune and am in a<\/em> position that allows me to support the professionals who dedicate themselves to the well-being of others and play a small role in how they bring their talents and passions to those seeking it.<\/em>
This goes<\/em> along with knowing that my days are dedicated to meeting the ever-changing needs of guests and customers and supporting them in their pursuit of well-being.<\/em>
My “why” is the opportunity to make a difference and \u2018show up\u2019 for people and help them learn how to \u2018show up for themselves\u2019 and their well-being.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/em>
First, a Miraval experience is built on the foundation created by the authentic connection our guests make with our colleagues. The experience in the Berkshires is shaped by the team there.
<\/em>
Secondly, the team in the Berkshires knows well that each Miraval location<\/em> and Miraval experience is going to be different because every time one visits Miraval they are in a different place in their lives.<\/em>
As we move through the seasons of our lives, there is an opportunity to experience the seasons of the Berkshires and the beauty that each season offers.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Brunch](\"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/JamesBaigrie_MiravalBerkshires_cottage_737-1024x673.jpg\")
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I feel quite lucky to live in Tucson, Arizona where the hiking is incredible and the scale of the mountains always seems to assist me in \u2018right-sizing\u2019 the challenges of the day when compared to the scale and the enormity of the mountains there. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team in Austin has done an incredible job embracing the Austin spirit of experimentation and its<\/em> slightly different take on the expected.<\/em>
One example in the Spa setting is a service called Pranayama Dena or\u2019 flying breath\u2019. It is a service inspired by the sensation of flight and is experienced in a suspended silk hammock<\/em>. Rested under a weighted blanket, your service provider works from beneath the silk and uses his or her feet to release tension held within the muscles and incorporates a deeply relaxing yet subtle rocking motion throughout.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Miraval](\"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/JamesBaigrie_MiravalAustin_arrivalcenter_0859-1024x683.jpg\")
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They are seeking a personal experience and some dimension of transformation, and a sense of inspiration versus simply seeking relaxation.<\/em>
The Miraval experience is designed to be self-determined<\/em> and personal in nature to support these evolving expectations.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the development of the menu, our goal was to offer something beyond the couples massage for our guests coming with their partners. As a result, Yojana was created!<\/em> Yojana, the union between spirits, is a couples\u2019 experience that harnesses the healing power of sound and vibration to restore alignment and harmony to your connection.
<\/em>
Guests explore the power of intention, sound, and vibration, as the couple is guided through the Yojana ritual including a Tibetan bowl ringing ceremony honoring each other\u2019s intention.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/vacayou\/images\/w_2560,h_1667,c_scale\/c_fill,g_auto,w_1258\/f_webp,q_auto\/v1619804535\/magazine\/Spacious-King-Room-at-Miraval-Berkshires\/Spacious-King-Room-at-Miraval-Berkshires.jpg?_i=AA)
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\n\n\n\nAbout Simon Marxer<\/h2>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Simon_Marxer_Miraval-683x1024.jpg\")
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\n\n\n\nAbout Vacayou<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
No matter how far or how adventurous, our team scours the globe to curate the best in wellness travel. But the booking process can often be time-consuming and complicated. We\u2019ve made it much easier for you to search, discover, and book wellness and active vacations<\/strong>. With Vacayou\u2019s Instant Book, your dream wellness getaway is now just one click away<\/strong>.
Start the trip of your lifetime today, with Vacayou<\/a>. We are here to help create a healthier global community through wellness and active travel.
To keep up with the latest wellness trends and experiences, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter<\/a>. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"