From rooftop yoga and meditation sessions to celebrity nutritionists and gourmet plant-based meals, goodness was in the air June 10 at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, one of the many properties worldwide to mark the sixth annual Global Wellness Day (GWD).
GWD is an international day focused on living well, both physically and spiritually, with the mantra “One Day Can Change Your Whole Life.” Founded six years ago by cancer survivor Belgin Aksoy from Istanbul, Turkey, the social movement is celebrated in more than 100 countries on the second Saturday of June every year. A special focus of the 2017 celebrations was to encourage kindness, gratitude, mindfulness and happiness.
As Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills continues to significantly expand its wellness offerings, GWD activities and events at the hotel were a testament to the many exhilarating and educational ways groups can incorporate wellness into the meetings agenda.
“We are increasingly seeing many of our meeting planners request healthy meetings options, so we have implemented things such as yoga and meditation on the roof, stretch breaks, fitness classes, green juice breaks, special wellness menus and presentations by local experts,” said the property’s Director of Public Relations Kim Kessler, who has developed partnerships with top wellness and spa influencers for Four Seasons and spearheaded the events for GWD.
The morning kicked off bright and early on the 17th-floor rooftop helipad with a yoga session led by Nikki Sharp, the new face of the health and wellness programs for Global Green and author of the Five Day Real Food Detox. Striking yoga poses with 180-degree views of the city was quite a way to start the day.
Celebrity nutritionist, yogi and wellness expert Kimberly Snyder, author of four New York Times bestseller books, including her latest, Radical Beauty, co-authored with Deepak Chopra, imparted words of wellness wisdom at a delicious breakfast following the yoga session (see sidebar).
Former NBA Star turned wellness expert John Salley discussed his personal journey and details on exciting new health food projects, followed by a colorfully nutritious lunch at Cabana Restaurant, created by the chefs of Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills with produce from the biodynamic farm One Gun Ranch in Malibu.
The meal was enough to make any carnivore think about adopting a strictly plant-based diet. Fantastic dishes included tomato watermelon gazpacho; butter lettuce salad with coconut yogurt green goddess dressing, shaved baby beets, pickled onions and watermelon radish; vegan tacos with poblano, portobello mushroom and cashew cream; guacamole with pomegranate seeds; and mango and torched figs with arugula and aged balsamic. Meanwhile, One Gun Ranch is available as a unique off-site venue experience for groups.
Afterward, we were treated to an Eco Beauty Panel featuring Tata Harper, founder of Tata Harper skincare; Romain Gaillard, founder of The Detox Market; Suzanne Hall, editor of The Chalkboard; and moderator Rona Berg, editor in chief of Organic Spa magazine. The event highlighted the benefits of organic beauty and skincare products and the latest trends.
Returning to the helipad, Alo Yoga influencers Andrew Sealy and Caitlin Turner led a demonstration of the fascinating practice of Acro Yoga, a mix of partner acrobatics, massage and yoga.
The day ended with a special afternoon meditation by spiritual expert Todd Savvas.
All of the activities and wellness experts that were part of GWD can be booked for groups convening at Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, which also recently renovated its meeting facilities and is undergoing a room renovation set to be finished this year.
