Hey y’all!

In this post I’ll share all about Water element self care.

You’ll want to theme your retreat around the Water element if you are exploring creativity, passion, emotions and sexuality. This theme is ideal for couples OR practicing some self-love!

Your ideal Water element yoga retreat itinerary/activity ideas include:
• Waterfall Yoga Hike
• Waterfall Hikes & Swimming Holes
• Water Element Yoga
• Get Creative
• Soak in a Natural Mineral Bath
• Soak in a Salt Hydrotherapy Tub
• Tempt Your Tastebuds

I live here and Asheville is also known for it’s hippie-ish, alternative, healing vibes as well as great food, festivals and live music.

If you’re local, use this to plan a self-care stay-cation, discover new things to do and support your neighbors & Asheville business owners!

If you’re nearby (in the US, especially the Southeast), use this as a resource to plan your next wellness/self-care trip to Asheville, North Carolina.

Alternatively, you can also order many things online and apply the principles & ideas here to plan your own retreat wherever you are.

You ARE the Water Element!

Water is a huge element in Nature and in us. Your body is somewhere between 50% - 75% water!

The season most associated with the Earth element is Spring, but it’s good to keep in touch with all the elements year round.

The sense most associated with the Earth element is taste.

Waterfall Yoga Hike

Relax and reconnect with your body, mind and with nature during our most popular tour. Includes up-close views of a 150 foot waterfall, historic structures, 2.5 mile (to the falls & back) easy-moderate guided hike, guided meditation, guided yoga in the forest. Optional: take your shoes off and wade in the water at the base of the falls. Free pictures and lightweight yoga mats to borrow provided by your local guide & certified yoga teacher. This is our most popular location. Also available for private groups of 4 or more. [Available Weekday/Weekend Mornings, Year Round, Weather-Permitting]

Waterfall Hikes & Swimming Holes

The Asheville area has a strong connection to the water element since its a temperate rainforest, has the French Broad River running through it (thought to be one of the oldest rivers in the world) and has literally hundreds of waterfalls, creeks, streams and swimming holes.

Here are a few more easily accessible swimming holes where you can enjoy a refreshing dip. Just make sure to be mindful and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.

Looking Glass Falls
👪 💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 0.3 Easy📍 Pisgah Forest, Brevard, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Hooker Falls
👪 💦 🆓 🚻 ❄️ 🥾 0.7 Easy📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Wintergreen Falls
💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 3.1 Easy/Moderate📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

Bridal Veil Falls (via High Falls/Visitor’s Center)
💦 🆓 ❄️ 🥾 4.7 Easy📍 Dupont Forest/Cedar Mountain, NC 🧭SW
🗺️ Map/Directions Link

More hikes and waterfalls here on my list of the best 25 hikes & waterfalls near Asheville:

Water Element Yoga

This post will share yoga poses that really help you connect with the Water element followed by yoga videos that will help you:

• Open tight hips, hip flexors

• Add more dynamic movement (Water element) to your yoga practice

• Gently move and lubricate each of your joints

Get Creative

FiredUp Creative Lounge offers lots of fun ways for kids and/or adults to visually express yourself including:
• Paint your own pottery
• Glass fusing
• Clay sculpting
• Pottery Wheel
• Canvas Painting

They have special events, are open daily and you can spontaneously walk in or book a group session in advance. Their Asheville location is downtown at 26 Wall Street Asheville, NC 28801 but they also have a location at the Hendersonville Mall.

Soak in a Natural Mineral Bath

Located Northwest of Asheville, the Hot Springs Resort and Spa has drawn tourists and travelers here for decades. The natural hot springs have drawn people here since the 1770s, the first hotel was built there in the 1830s and it has a fascinating history from there. Today, make reservations in advance to enjoy one of their Mineral Baths. You can also enjoy massages, meals and camp or stay in a cabin.

Pro tip: I hosted a yoga retreat in Hot Springs a few years ago. These are NOT sit-in-the-actual-ground hot springs. The water is pumped into and drained out of private, covered outdoor hot tubs and I’d describe the temperature more as warm than hot.

🏠 If you’re doing a home retreat, take a warm bath with epsom salts and a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Soak in a Salt Hydrotherapy Tub

You’ll have to take a shower before soaking in a therapeutic salt mineral hot tub. Your experience also includes access to a sauna, towels, sandals and a yakuta.

Add on a tub-side tea service using Shoji’s own Signature Tea Blend, made in partnership with Dobra Tea Co., and served with Raw Unfiltered Honey & Japanese Tea Crackers. They also offer a variety of massage and automated massage chairs.

Book a rustic stay in the House of Wind, the House of Earth or the House of Moon.

Make reservations in advance!

Shoji Spa & Retreat is located just east of Downtown Asheville:
96 Avondale Heights, Asheville, NC 28803

Tempt Your Tastebuds

Asheville is a foodie paradise!

Gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, keto, farm-to-table, tapas, local, seasonal… the eclectic eateries in Asheville have it all.

There are so many delicious places to eat, but here are a few of my favorites that offer particularly interesting flavor profiles.

Table

I’m not sure what exactly I was putting in my mouth, but the flavors and textures were fantastic! My fiance and I ate here during the summer and practically inhaled the House Bread with cultured butter, Spring Greens Salad with sprouted lentils, champagne-shallot vinaigrette and Grilled Black Trumpet Farm Mushroom with polenta, spring peas salad

Table is a small, seasonal, New American restaurant in the heart of downtown Asheville. A daily changing menu, created by Chef Jacob Sessoms and his seasoned team, is inspired by a wealth of American culinary traditions, paying particular homage to the South. It is located downtown at 18 N. Lexington Avenue. Make reservations via Open Table.

Pro tip: I noticed some dishes are served on local East Fork Pottery!

Plant

This is my preferred place to go to celebrate special occasions and has been rated by Zagat as one of the best vegan restaurants in the country. Seriously, you want to eat here even if you’re not vegan.

Every dish is delicious and presented as an edible work of art so I’d recommend trying the things that are rarer and you are really unlikely to make yourself:

[PLANT] CHEESE aged cashew · farmer’s pecans & flowers · almond ricotta · roasted garlic & olives · rosemary amber & fruit · pickled vegetables · black garlic oil · house bread

LASAGNA CRUDA [RAW DISH]
heirloom tomato · live herbed almond cheese · marinated pepper · beets · arugula · arugula-pecan pesto · micro greens · oregano - infused olive oil

Take out and reservations are by phone only 828-258-7500 and the restaurant is located North of downtown. 165 Merrimon Avenue Asheville, NC, 28801, United States

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White Duck Taco Shop

Ideal for a quick, casual but uniquely tasty bite to eat. White Duck began here in Asheville but has since opened locations in Hendersonville, Charlotte, Greenville, Johnson City and Nashville.

Order chips and queso to start and then choose at least two funky taco flavor combinations including Banh Mi Tofu, Thai Peanut Chicken, Bangkok Shrimp or Duck with Mole.

Pro tip: You can substitute jackfruit for any taco, making it vegan or vegetarian!

The flagship location is in the River Arts District near the French Broad River with tons of outdoor dining.
388 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28801
There are also locations in downtown Asheville and South Asheville/Skyland.