Ohm My Orlando
Ohm my. Guess what? I am going to reference my rut again, but it’s relevant. I swear! Because the experience that I am about to share with you in this nifty little story was referenced in that particular post.
And, no, next week’s post won’t reference my rut because let’s be honest…that rut is soooo OVER.
Back to the story…
Not too long ago, I was researching new things to do in the Orlando area. A tumble down the internet rabbit hole led me to an event at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes called “Meditation in Movement.” Even though I don’t appear (or act), particularly zen, I have always loved meditation. Andrew Johnson’s meditation app has lulled me into sleep for years, so the addition of movement with meditation piqued my interest.
The Ritz Carlton is quite fab, so I asked my best friend, Nicole, if she would like to join me for the activity followed by breakfast on-site at the resort. She was down, so I commenced with the planning of our “girl date.”
I called the Ritz to make a reservation (I’m a planner!) and was told we just needed to show up at the Fitness Center to register. How easy, right?
Fast forward, and it’s time for us to spend a little “bestie time” at the Ritz. We bounced our way to the Fitness Center to get our meditation on. We were met by an amiable staff member that informed us that typically, events like “Meditation in Movement” were only available to resort guests. She asked us to wait so she could see if management would allow us to take the class. Thankfully they allowed us to participate, and soon after that, we met our Zen Master, Henry, who guided us down to the lake.
There were three of us that took the class, so we had plenty of room to spread out when we got to the lake. We were told we didn’t need our yoga mats and that being barefoot during the session is best. So off went the shoes and on went that new age-y, chime-y music that I love so darn much.
Have you ever watched a movie that has a large group of people doing Tai Chi in a park? That’s what we looked like during our session, but instead of 30 people slowly moving together, there were three of us. We pushed and pulled our energy to the rhythm of the music. And at one point we were told to push energy from our armpits (I may not have done that part. Don’t tell Henry).
The nearly hour-long session went by so much faster than I expected. After Henry bid us “adieu” Nicole and I sat on the grass for a bit before making our next move – to get coffee and breakfast (yes…in that order).
Our final stop was First Drop – a little cafe featuring artisanal coffees, housemade gelato, and breakfast sandwiches that were saying, “Hey, girl, heyyyyy!” As I looked at the case filled with pastries and sandwich options, my internal “angel chorus” sounded as I saw a lovely looking Everything bagel with smoked salmon. Yes. That. Please.
With our drinks and breakfasts in hand, we made our way to the outdoor seating area to relax, eat, and catch up on our lives. We talked and laughed. And at some point during our chat, I thought it would be a good idea to order a wine fridge for my Lady Parlor. So I did (more on that another time).
Despite the little hiccup when it came to registering for the class, overall we had a wonderful time at the Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes. The grounds are so, so pretty and every staff member we encountered was friendly and professional. I’ve been to the resort a few times to go out to dinner, and they never disappoint.
Ohm my Orlando. I love you. I really do.
Meditation is one of the ways that I try to de-stress. What do you do to take the edge off? And have you been on any fun (or zen) adventures lately? Please share in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.
Work Hard. Play Hard. Drink Chard.
Laurie
P.S. This is not a paid post. The issue with the event being available to resort guests only was a bit of bummer. Next time, if I see an activity of interest, I will call and ask if it is open to non-resort guests. Lesson learned.
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70 Comments
Dr Nic
This was a lovely experience. The movement of the body, so guided and intentional, was nothing I had done before and definitely something I will do again.
I hope the Ritz reconsiders non-guests. We paid for the class and tipped Henry: we dined at their lovely coffee shop and tipped the ladies there as well (they were such fun and extremely friendly!).
And by the way, I may have had a coffee from First Drop before as well as after meditation 🙂 Yes, I started without you!
Your lovely lady bestie thug girl,
Nicole
lauriegannon1
You did start without me, but we ended together! Let’s go back for the gelato, coffee and hammocks!!
Lorna
Best line: I called The Ritz to make a reservation. We should hang out, ha!
lauriegannon1
Lorna, we are absolutely kindred spirits! I love planning. Love, love, love it.
Indrani
Good rejuvenating experience. I never tried yoga without mats. I guess I must try that on green grass lawns under the sky. Great pics.
lauriegannon1
The green grass was different yet very soft and comfortable. Do you practice yoga often? I enjoy it even though my flexibility is nil. 🙂
The foodie journey
That sounds like such a fun day! Would have been so annoying to show up and not be able to follow the class, good thing they let you in!
lauriegannon1
It was a great day! It would have been a bummer to not be able to take the class, but that Everything bagel still would have been mine.
Sandy
wow this sounds wonderful. I’ve never been but going to the Ritz one day is on my bucket list!
lauriegannon1
Hi, Sandy! If you go to the Ritz, you will have to let me know! I’ve never stayed the night at the hotel, but have gone to a few of the restaurants. They are wonderful!
Yuni
That hammock and the beautiful setting is sooo calling out to me and I live halfway across the world. It looks like such an incredible place and I hope you did find your zen.
lauriegannon1
Hi there, Yuni! Where in the world do you live? 🙂 I did find my zen and some smoked salmon. That combination is absolutely fabulous!
Natalie Allen
In the past, I’ll break out an adult coloring book and have at it for a little while. It’s very meditative and can give me a sense of completion when I finish that feels really good and like I have control over something. Currently, my husband and I have been traveling the world since January and the adventures have been epic. I don’t want to stop! Keep up the good work!
lauriegannon1
I need to read your posts!! Where is your favorite place you have gone and what is next on your itinerary!?
And thank you so much for your kind words!!
Cristina Coroiu
That bagel looks amazing. I want one as well. Also the last photo, with the hammock and the sand makes me wanna be there. I’m glad you were allowed to take part and became zen 🙂
lauriegannon1
Thanks, Cristina! I would share the bagel with you if I could. 🙂 The hammock looks so lovely. I think I need to find my zen again. 🙂
Amber
This sounds like such a wonderful time! What a gorgeous area. I tend to read to take the edge off. It helps!
lauriegannon1
Thank you, Amber! I love reading, too! What have you been reading lately?
Tabitha Bradley-Raines
That sounds like a fun girls trip! I haven’t been much of a meditator but I may look more into it.
lauriegannon1
Thank you, Tabitha! It was definitely fun and very relaxing. And then I jolted myself with coffee. Mmm…
Sarah Bailey
What a great sounding time, so nice of them to let you partake in a class as well if it was typically only meant for guests!
lauriegannon1
Hi Sarah!!!! (Can you see me waving?) I am glad they let us participate. They have a gingerbread house making class over the holidays. I hope they let me take it!!!!
Everyday Made Fresh
I totally want to lay in that hammock, and listen to the water! Glad you still got to do the class! I hate when little things aren’t mentioned.
lauriegannon1
I’m so glad they let me take the class. It was worth it. Maybe we should take a “hammocking” class together? 🙂
Joan Cajic
This looks like such a fun experience, I wish I could be able to go on something like this, hopefully one day.
lauriegannon1
I hope you do, too! If you do, please let me know. 🙂
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
I’m not even kidding, that sounds like just what I need to take the edge off! Good thing I only live about 45 minutes from Orlando! Thanks for the heads up on this!
lauriegannon1
Hi, Kristen! If you do, please let me know! By the way…Highball and Harvest is another great restaurant on-site at the Ritz. They have a nice wine list, craft cocktails, and excellent food. The good news is that you don’t have to be a resort guest to enjoy the restaurants. 🙂
lucicoo
That sounds really nice. Meditation is something that I do almost everyday. I take 30 minutes to get off the internet and listen to music to center me.
lauriegannon1
Hi, Luci! Meditation is one of my favorite times of my day. It’s very relaxing. Have you ever used a meditation app before?
XoLivi
Wow it is so beautiful there. I need to start meditating!
lauriegannon1
Meditation is awesome! Or you could just go and drink coffee. Or eat gelato. Or drink wine. Whatever makes you happy, Ms. XoLivi! 🙂
La Shell
This vacation time off sounds awesome! The Ritz, meditation, THAT BAGEL!
lauriegannon1
That bagel was delicious! And I still can’t believe that the poppy seeds decided to not make me look like a hot mess. That day ruled!!!
Andrea
that bagel looks yummy. and how exciting meditating. i go through spells of doing it and spells where i dont. i have a friend that lives in orlando.
lauriegannon1
Hi, Andrea! I hope I dream about the bagel tonight. 🙂 I would say that I use a meditation app about five days a week. It’s very soothing to use to fall asleep. What part of Orlando does your friend live?
Ally BA (@ally_barrett)
I would have called to make a reservation too! That bagel wow, I haven’t had a bagel in so long and it seriously looked delicious. I love the ritz, I stayed there the first time I went to Disney World.
lauriegannon1
I really wish they had said something to me on the phone when I called. I guess I sounded very much like the guest staying in room #1234. 🙂
It sounds like you need to treat yo’self to a bagel! What is your favorite kind and what do you like to have on yours?
jill conyers
That sounds like an event I would love and even better that it’s in Orlando.
lauriegannon1
It was a really lovely time! The only catch is that the events are for resort guests. I’m glad they let us participate!
Joanna
How great that you were only 3 in the class! I love when you get more from a class because it’s less people. I love going to zumba but when the class is full I feel that there is no space at all to move properly.
lauriegannon1
I love Zumba but if the class is too full, I know my flailing arms are going to do some collateral damage. What other types of classes do you like?
CJ
Not sure I would ever stay at the ritz. I guess I will have to take the same approach you did!
lauriegannon1
I really lucked out with my approach! I wish they would make all events open to the public. 🙂
Laura Beth
I don’t meditate, but I do pray. I love nature sounds – They usually lull me to sleep. I’m with you – I would also call to make a reservation, too.
Here’s my most recent Adventure Time post: https://hotshotheadlines.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/adventure-time-norfolk-va-edition-round-4-lanternasia-2018/
lauriegannon1
I love the sounds of nature. I have quite a few apps on my phone that emulate the sounds, but there is nothing quite like being outside.
Thanks for providing the link to your post! I’m going to check out your latest adventure! 🙂
Laura Beth
Me, too. I love being outside and surrounding myself with nature as much as possible. My husband’s parents have a beautiful eight-acre farm, and I can’t wait to visit them again in a few weeks!
wonkabar23
That looks like a fun trip. I listen to music to de-stress myself and ideally in a nice setting like these.
lauriegannon1
It was a really nice time! What type of music do you like? I have a tendency to sing 80’s hits in my car. 🙂
jiselle jones
i enjoyed reading your post. u guys do look like u needed to de-stress!lol the grounds truly do look lovely.
lauriegannon1
Thank you so much for the feedback, Jiselle! The grounds were lovely. We did leave our hats at home for that particular trip. 🙂
Kim Lee (@KimsCravings)
I love Orlando and it looks like you found a great place to stay! Will definitely check it out next time I travel there.
lauriegannon1
Hi, Kim! I love Orlando, too! I didn’t stay at the Ritz as I am a local (although…maybe I should).
The events are actually for resort guests only, so if you do stay…you will have some pretty awesome stuff to do and GREAT places to eat.
Samuel onuoha
Sounds like a really grand experience, I guess I can only dream for now and that bagel oh! that bagel.. You are one hell of a story teller though.
lauriegannon1
Hi, Samuel!!! Thank you for the kind words! That bagel was sooo good. I might need to write a story about my love for bagels. 🙂
bestiesnotepad
Loved the way you narrated. You definitely seem to enjoy and love the place a lot!
lauriegannon1
Thank you for the kind words, Besties! I really enjoyed my time there. Now I want to go back for a cocktail. Mmm…
Blair Villanueva
I like that moment when o chpse to disconnect to the world and become a little selfish, and just think about meditation and relaxation. Glad you had a wonderful time at the Ritz.
lauriegannon1
We all need a bit of relaxation. 🙂 I would love to go back and stroll the grounds of the Ritz in the near future.
lavandamichelle
I think I would love to go to Orlando! I hear so much good stuff and the pictures I see are always wonderful. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
lauriegannon1
Thank you! My love for Orlando has grown over the years. There is so much to do! If you ever make your way to Orlando, you should check out Orlando Date Night Guide. They are a great resource for things to do.
umesh Kumar Bhardwaj
Thanks for sharing your post, You definitely seem to enjoy and love the place a lot
lauriegannon1
Hi, Umesh! Thank you for stopping by Work, Play and Chardonnay! I really did enjoy the time at the Ritz. Maybe I should go back this weekend?
Corinne 🍒 (@WhatCorinneDid)
First of all, this salmon and avocado bagels looks so delicious (i am a sucker for avocado!). I have never been to the ritz in orlando or anywhere else but that’s somewhere i’d love to go to! Sounds like you had a great experience!
lauriegannon1
That bagel was ridiculously delicious and filled with good stuff.
Your comment is making me want to seek out other hotel activities in the Orlando area. Hmmm…
Kelly Berryman
I think that I may be the world’s least zen person. The closest that I’ve gotten is listening to “Everything Zen” by Bush, but I no longer stream that because Gavin was so very bad to my girl Gwen. 😉 But seriously, if I’m supposed to count backward from 100, I’ll make it to about 98 before my brain yells “Squirrel!”
lauriegannon1
I’ve heard that lack of zen is now referred to as #NoChill.
There is no “havin'” Gavin your world. He’s banished. FOREVER!
Kelly Berryman
Shhhh… I still may listen to Chemicals Between Us if it comes up on random play. Shhhhh!
lauriegannon1
He does have to pay child support so…
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