Art is considered to be a central component of wellness at this luxury spa resort.
I just returned from my fourth visit to The Lodge at Woodloch, a spectacular spa and resort located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Yes, lucky me! And I was fortunate enough to be able to teach two art classes there this year: Zentangle drawing and painting acrylic dots on rocks and paper.
It’s wonderful to visit Woodloch for so many reasons…the farm-to-table gourmet meals, the lake where you can kayak and paddleboard, the woods you can hike in, the fitness classes (TRX beat my butt into submission!), the Sport Tea (a noncaffeinated iced tea that is delicious and energizing, but won’t keep you up at night), and the spa, of course. The aestheticians and massage therapists are uniformly excellent there, and there’s something, well, spa-like, about sitting in the outdoor infinity pool hot tub or having your sore muscles pounded by the indoor waterfall, and then relaxing in one of the peaceful lounges while drinking herbal tea.
But my favorite part is sharing calming art techniques with other guests at The Lodge each evening. I love to see how everyone is given the same instructions, and yet each piece of art produced is unique. No so-called mistakes, only your individual interpretations allowed! I use these techniques at home when I’m feeling anxious, agitated, bored, or can’t sleep. It is soothing to engross yourself in handwork that takes you away from daily life, something I’ve been so grateful for during this pandemic that never seems to end!
Wooded trail at The Lodge at Woodloch 
Zentangle tiles created by Woodloch guests 
Photos of The Lodge at Woodloch