Fit Yoga
Sagrada Wellness

Is it the dry air, the towering cacti and flaming flora, or the spirits on the whistling wind? There’s something about Mexico that gets under your skin, drawing you back time and again. Finding Sagrada, a true wellness center in the hills overlooking lovely art-colony San Miguel in central Mexico, was dumb luck. Owned and run by a young California couple, it’s small but spacious, sincere, and inspiring. Architect Scott designed and built the cabanas and outbuilding. Wife Eva Inglizian is both a licensed acupuncturist and an amazing cook. You can come whenever you like, but you might want to time your visit to coincide with a retreat from their ever expanding roster, which includes yoga/pilates, cooking, and East-West medicine. During the yoga/Pilates week, usually led by Scott’s dancer-sister Nicole, you’ll enjoy breakfast, an invigorating yoga class and a heart-pumping hike (affording killer views), then lunch, siesta and an afternoon session of a STOTT Pilates class that segues into a restorative yoga session. Evenings begin with a cocktail-hour mixer featuring mango margaritas or prickly pear cactus fruit margaritas, plus homemade salsa and chips. Our group bonded so deeply we never left the dinner table before 11pm.

Top Treatment: Eva’s not-to-be-missed acupuncture is relaxing and therapeutic. Offered in the comfort and privacy of your cabana, it’s ideal-but a Body-Tranquilo massage (also in room), or a Ayurvedic Woman’s massage (60 minutes/$100), is hard to pass up. Each is tailored to you and your specific needs and preferences.

Outstanding Product or Service: Treat yourself to an architectural tour of charming San Miguel, led by Scott. He has a devotee’s way of making unfamiliar things fun and exciting. But it’s not all note-taking: Snakes, drinks, and shopping are a bountiful part of the tour while seeing the sights.

Menu Rave: There’s no menu, so you’ll get that evening’s preparation, but my prediction is that every night’s offering will become your favorite dish. Eva, who’s half-Mexican and all vegetarian, can do things with simple ingredients you never thought possible. Her soups are to-die for, salads perfection, and each main dish is a dream come true. But if pressed, I’d have to say her Chile Relleno is a standing favorite. And save room for dessert! All are worth the calories.

Fab Factor: I committed to doing all the classes during my retreat with Nicole, and it was the prefect balance of rigorous activity, relaxation, and contemplation. It’s amazing what simple props (like bands, blocks, and blankets) can do to stretch a tight body. Friday night is sauna night in the traditional old stone sauna. Do slather on an avocado-honey mask for soft, supple skin.

Take-Home Bonus: I came home with a renewed appreciation for Mexican food and was inspired by Eva to try some new dishes (and by Scott to try some salsas and margaritas). Probably the strongest thing you’re left with, though, is the need to return to Sagrada.