Know who you’re traveling with. Understand that things won’t always go perfectly smoothly, but if you mentally prepare yourself for potentially stressful situations, you’re promoting personal growth and wellness.
The pandemic has shaped the way we travel and live, with a growing trend leaning towards health, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle. More than ever, individuals are seeking not just getaways, but immersive wellness retreats that help rejuvenate the body, mind, and soul. Destinations that provide a serene environment, unique wellness offerings, and an unparalleled experience are in great demand. In this interview series, we are talking to property owners and hospitality companies who are at the helm of these wellness havens. As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cyndy Olliff.
Cyndy Olliff, co-owner of Healing Arts at Stable View, has had many jobs throughout the course of her career, which all had the theme of serving/caring for others, including camp counseling, babysitting, retail management, secretarial positions, and food service management. This theme has once again shown itself in the Healing Arts Studio at Stable View, a serene environment to share in community and wellness.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Idecided, early on, that furthering my formal education was not on the table, but my interest in learning and gaining a deeper understanding of the world, led me to the study of alternative, holistic wellness, which has become a constant habit in my life, today. And, I have sought to better understand alternative medicine, and holistic wellness, by being trained in many wellness forms, including, yoga teacher training, yoga gangsters, Reiki healing, sound bowl healing, and arial yoga.
Was there a particular person who gave you the most help or encouragement to be who you are today? Can you share a story about that?
My early yoga instructor’s ability to help me identify, and heal, from past trauma, encouraged me on my holistic journey, which has molded me into who I am today.
Through my early yoga instructor’s training and guidance, I was able to share the story of my sexual abuse, as a child, and in doing so I was not only able to acknowledge to myself that what happened was not my fault, but I was also able to forgive my abuser.
Can you share your favorite “Life Lesson?” Why does this resonate with you so much?
In the past, I’ve been asked the question, “if you could go back in time, what age would you pick?” and my response to that has always been I wouldn’t go back at all, for anything, because it’s all of the people that I’ve met along the way; it’s all good experiences, and all the bad experiences, that have turned me into the person that I am today, and to go back in time would change that.
What are some of your most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think they might help people?
Stable View, which started as a retirement vacation home, to spend time with my personal horses, has been an exciting project, and has evolved to this bustling horse Eventing destination, a gathering place for nature lovers, and a haven for all animals through our conservation efforts, including bee keeping, providing habitats for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, and through our blue-bird program.
But the Healing Arts Studio is exciting because it will be an escape from the technical world, where we can value community, in each other’s company, and heal our bodies and minds, by taking a step back from day-to-day distractions.
Based on your research or personal experience, why do you think travel can lead to better wellness? Can you share a story?
When you change your surroundings or distance yourself from your day-to-day distractions it gives you the opportunity to see the world differently, and it can raise your awareness of how other people live.
I once had the opportunity to go on a mountain yoga, horse riding retreat with my sister. It was the perfect opportunity to do two things I love, ride horses and better my health through yoga, and I got to share that experience with a friend and family member, and it helped us grow closer and to get to know each other, in new ways.
What are a few things that distinguish your property from thousands of other wellness properties around the world?
The natural surroundings create a peaceful and serene environment, ideal for relaxation and healing, and the property’s history as a gathering place for people and animals, as evidenced by the discovery of 10,000-year-old arrowheads, enhances the overall experience of relaxation and rejuvenation. The studio’s outdoor infrared sauna also offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature while enjoying the therapeutic benefits of heat therapy.
I do want to add that the evolution and the development of the Healing Arts Studio was very organic and throughout the process the right people have naturally become a part of it. We’ve come across quality people, in an organic, natural, way and that’s an intricate part of how The Healing Arts Studio is developing. We also have 21 professionally decorated accommodations, on site, which provides an organic outlet for Healing Arts Retreats.
What makes your property a beautiful escape for a body and mind recharge?
The Healing Arts Studio is located on Stable View which is a mere 15 minutes away from the charming town of Aiken, SC which makes it easily accessible to the equestrian community and visitors attending events or training sessions. This proximity makes it convenient for individuals to incorporate wellness treatments into their routine without having to travel long distances.
What are your “5 Habits You Should Develop in Order to Make Travel into An Opportunity for Wellness & Personal Growth?”
- Research where you’re going — The climate and the culture — Wellness and personal growth teach you to slow down, pay attention to your surroundings, and think things through, only pack what you need, so you don’t have extra baggage, and that’s personal growth, it’s a process.
- Be open-minded when it comes to new experiences — Challenge yourself to do something outside of your comfort zone. Personal growth happens when you learn to go with the flow.
- Be able and ready to adapt to change. Don’t waste your energy being upset about things you can’t control.
- Take time for you — while you’re getting away to promote personal growth and wellness, you still need to remember to prioritize why you took the trip in the first place.
- Know who you’re traveling with. Understand that things won’t always go perfectly smoothly, but if you mentally prepare yourself for potentially stressful situations, you’re promoting personal growth and wellness.
Based on your experiences where do you see the future of wellness travel heading in the next 5–10 years?
We’re already seeing an increase in awareness about Wellness Alternative Medicines and Wellness travel, and I would say that in the next 5 to 10 years it’s going to become even more prominent because with technology, as we continue to be bombarded with more and more information, I think people’s bodies and minds are automatically going to say “I need time away from this,” and unplugging is going to become one of the most important things for the wellness of the human race.
Is there a person in the world, or in the U.S. who you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?
Honestly, it would probably be fascinating to talk to Oprah Winfrey not only about her involvement with Deepak Chopra, but being a successful, American, businesswoman, I would love to pick her brain about how her life struggles shaped her, and how alternative wellness played a part in making her who she is today.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
You can find me, at Stable View’s website: https://svagatheringplace.com/, or at Stable View Healing Art’s WhatsApp Group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/GzgDbJKLZS14A3wJT1Sj50
Thank you for these really excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent on this. We wish you continued success.
About the Interviewer: Wanda Malhotra is a wellness entrepreneur, lifestyle journalist, and the CEO of Crunchy Mama Box, a mission-driven platform promoting conscious living. CMB empowers individuals with educational resources and vetted products to help them make informed choices. Passionate about social causes like environmental preservation and animal welfare, Wanda writes about clean beauty, wellness, nutrition, social impact and sustainability, simplifying wellness with curated resources. Join Wanda and the Crunchy Mama Box community in embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle at CrunchyMamaBox.com .
