The Crossings: Retreat
To The Texas Hill Country
By Heidi Schoen
Healthy Planet Green Living Editor
Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there,
you must first see inside of you -Wally 'Famous' Amos
It is unrealistic to think there is a pause button for
our busy lives. An alternative is to carve out time
for self-reflection, a time to be present in your own
life. A self-gift to be sure but the reality is the
positive “karma” created radiates outward,
creating a positive ripple effect on the lives around
you. Sometimes that “carving out time” requires
literally removing oneself from distractions and obligations
which are stressful and interfere with our self-preservation
mode of meditation and reflection. A perfect destination
to revitalize mind, body and spirit is a wellness resort
and leadership retreat center, The Crossings in Austin
Texas. The Crossings is located in the picturesque Texas
Hill Country. The property includes 210 acres located
on the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve – a federally
designated wildlife area home to the endangered Golden
Cheeked Warbler and the Black Capped Vireo.
Entering the property the road climbs a curvy path;
the drive is surreal as the road meanders here and there.
Pristine sandy earth and shrubbery hugs the roadside.
It’s apparent the road was created with a healthy
respect for the land. At the top of the hill, the campus
opens up to reveal a series of thoughtfully built structures
that lay gently on the land. During the construction
of the property no hardwood trees were removed, as a
tribute to this process the deck overlooking the preserve
was masterfully built around the oaks. There are only
three types of hardwoods growing on the property: Live
Oak (evergreen), Shagbark or Shin Oak, and Spanish-Red
Oak. The Crossings has applied for a platinum level
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
certification. LEED is a third-party certification program
and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design,
construction and operation of high performance green
buildings.
The Crossings began as a seed of an idea in 1995 after
Ken Beck and his wife Joyce decided to follow their
dream to start a retreat center. The purpose of The
Crossings is to provide new experiences that expand
thought and inspire people to explore conscious choices
in their personal, work and spiritual lives. It took
Ken and Joyce and their team of consultants and friends
four years of searching to find the perfect location
and in 1999, the land was purchased. In 2003 The Crossings
opened home to seven separate lodges which house 70
guest rooms each built with an easterly view so guests
can welcome the rising sun alone - a time for contemplation.
In the spirit of Ying-Yang, the westerly view is best
seen from the expansive deck off the Cyprus Creek Dining
Hall where the end of the day can be experienced collectively.
The property includes The Wellness Center offering more
than 50 massages, balancing treatments, healing rituals
and other specialty experiences. During my recent visit
to The Crossings, I had the pleasure of getting a Watsu
® Aquatic Massage. Under a shaded canopy floating
in a private outdoor pool I closed my eyes and drifted
into a state of relaxation - like floating on a cloud.
The water is warm, close to body temperature. Gliding
through the water, the body melts away and then awakens
as gentle stretching and acupressure is applied. Another
remarkable treatment I experienced was a Five Element
Facial. The highlight of this treatment included a Chromatherapy
treatment (a form of color-light therapy) and a five-colored
clay mask which encouraged lymphatic drainage.
More than a destination wellness center The Crossings
property includes 2.5 miles of hiking trails that loop
through the property. The trails pass by the Solidago
Sanctuary a beautiful wooden structure where classes are
held and open to guests from sunrise until sunset. The
Sanctuary grounds are complete with garden spaces and
pools of flowing water. The labyrinth is nearby and during
my hike near dusk I spotted deer contemplating a visit
to the center. An active day or a day lounging around
the pool at the Wellness Center builds an appetite. Three
meals a day are included in the cost of lodging and the
vegetarian-friendly fare at The Crossings is delectable
and wholesome. One of the best views on the property is
found from the deck at the Cypress Creek Dining Hall.
There are always new Wellness and Personal Development
Programs at The Crossings. An upcoming event, Dare to
Fly: Two Hour Adventures in Self-Discovery promises
to be fun and full of adventure. The course includes
beginner-level trapeze lessons! The Crossings provides
the quiet space everyone needs to unwind or find a new
passion or interest, a place to make new friends or
reconnect with old ones. Whether it’s a girlfriend’s
weekend, corporate retreat or a week alone, seize the
first opportunity to discover your new favorite place
–The Crossings. Find out more about The Crossings
at www.thecrossingsaustin.com.
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