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Dreamscapes Magazine

Power Trip

Soothing Sorrow

How an island wellness retreat helped wash away grief

By Waheeda Harris 

Arriving at Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana on the Dominican Republic’s popular eastern side, an icy welcome fruit juice is on offer as an employee gently reduces my tension with a hand, arm and neck massage.

This all-inclusive wellness resort, bordered by lush Dominican jungle and white sand beach, is hosting the Mind, Body + Sol Retreat where I’ll follow a wellness schedule meant to help me recharge, release stress and sadness, and ultimately to find peace.

I have recently become a member of a club no one wants to join—those whose parents have passed away.  

Sun Salutations

We start with sunrise yoga on the beach. Palm fronds cast shadows on our yoga mats, and instructor Koya Webb invites my small group to set an intention for the day. As we ease into the poses, suddenly my calm state has fled and I’m feeling shaky. Tears flow unexpectedly. I quickly swipe them away, but the waterworks keep coming, as if a tap has been opened. Koya catches my eye, offering a supportive smile that helps ground me. I stare at the lapping waves until the jittery moment passes, focusing on the rhythm of the vinyasa movements instead.  

Sound Bathing to Serenity 

In the spa’s open-air lounge, surrounded by tropical plants, Andrew Francis from Vancouver’s ZENDEN Meditation arranges crystal bowls as Carrie Bailey, ZENDEN Meditation’s co-founder, hands out pillows and bolsters used to help us get comfortable as we lie down for this sound bath experience.

Andrew asks us to close our eyes and focus on the moment, releasing the tension in our limbs from head to toes as we slowly inhale and exhale. At one point, I feel a weight on my shoulder that then melts away, leaving me feeling lighter. The mellow sounds of the crystal bowls float and fade until Andrew’s voice returns. As I sit up, I check my phone, surprised an hour has lapsed when it felt like mere moments.  

Breathing into Balance  

In a breathwork class, facilitator Margaret Townsend has us sitting in chairs as she demonstrates breathing techniques. Long deep breaths alternate with shorter ones as I monitor my body’s reactions. I feel my energy ebb and flow into a state of relaxation.

Margaret invites us to move around the room, instructing us to use our abdominal muscles to push and pull the air from our lungs. And yes, ending the class lying on the floor, I do feel joy.  

Lesson Learned 

This four-day retreat has helped me release emotions I’d locked inside, and I’ve gained tools to navigate my grief with a renewed sense of balance. While some days have rocky roads, I feel stronger as I navigate the future without my parents. 

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