Latest news with #YucatánPeninsula
Vogue
14-07-2025
- Health
- Vogue
How the Aquatic Healing Therapy Janzu Taught Me the Art of Surrender
I dissolve into weightlessness in the arms of therapist Daniel Acatl, founder of Meyaj Wellness, as he floats my body above the translucent waters of the Bacalar Lagoon in southern Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula. With my eyes closed and a clip secured around my nose, he guides me through a series of slow, spiraling motions in the freshwater sanctuary, gently submerging and lifting me in rhythmic waves. Acatl never takes his hands off me, always gripping either my wrists, ankles, knees, or back, allowing me to feel held and secure enough to completely let go. At times, he softly cradles me into his arms like a child; at others, he takes my hands in his and flies me through the water in expansive swirls. But the tenderest moments come when he places one hand beneath my head and the other at the small of my back, slowly guiding my upper body beneath the water—this is when I truly melt into the experience. It's only minutes into the ceremony, and I feel completely safe with him, as he always knows when to bring me back to air at the perfect moment. Though I'm aware of reality and in my body (and completely sober, may I add), what unfolds truly feels like a psychedelic journey: light fractals of the blazing sun dance above my eyelids, tension melts from my limbs, and my body feels limitless. It's a practice of complete and total surrender and one that sends ripples of pleasure and bliss and euphoria through my body. Though many describe Janzu as a rebirth experience, for me it feels like a step beyond that—a return to my truest form, an aquatic liberation dance into the innate essence of who I am. I'm fortunate to be guided by Acatl, one of the leading practitioners in southern Mexico who specializes in Janzu ceremonies. The water-based practice is native to the region and was first developed in the 1990s by Mexican healer Juan Villatoro. As a participant in my friend Amalia Moscoso's inner child transformation retreat at Kokoro Mio, a boutique hotel tucked into the jungle just outside Xul-Ha, the southernmost point of the lagoon, I was privy to a session with Acatl as part of the programming. (He leads the hotel's wellness offerings, guiding guests not only through Janzu, but also temezcal sweat lodge ceremonies and fire circle rituals.) Given Janzu's profound effect on me, I delved deeper into the therapeutic form with Acatl to understand why exactly it's so powerful. 'Water therapy has the power to restructure cellular memory through constant friction and ion exchange, providing improved blood flow and deep lymphatic drainage,' says Acatl. 'It helps reduce inflammation in the body and muscles and relieves pain. But what makes Janzu a particularly powerful form of water therapy is its profound emotional and subconscious release of trauma and fear, and why it's considered a rebirth therapy.'
Forbes
08-07-2025
- Forbes
Paradise Awaits At Hilton Cancun, A Family Friendly All-Inclusive Resort
Hilton Cancun, An All-Inclusive Resort, Aerial View; Mexico Hilton Cancun Summer vacation is here and Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort, is the perfect family friendly escape for kids of all ages that want to relax and have fun in Mexico. Conveniently located in the heart of Cancun's Hotel Zone, it feels secluded because it's set on 100 acres of unspoiled Mayan coastline along the Caribbean Sea and is isolated from others. Cancun, a Mexican city on the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, is a destination that truly feels like paradise. From Miami it's about a two hour flight and from New York or Toronto it's just over four hours. After a seamless check in at Hilton Cancun, we received our matching EasyGoBand wristbands, one side unlocks your door and the other has a QR code to access the Digital Directory for activities, menus, and room service. Minutes later we had our toes in the sand and were plotting where to eat dinner. Hilton Cancun has 12 unique culinary experiences, 715 rooms and suites with mangrove or ocean views, access to an exclusive spa sanctuary, daily activities such as pool parties and live music, and facilities for kids including a water playground. Every staff member we met during our stay was kind, polite, and helpful, not to mention patient while we practiced our Spanish with Canadian accents. The walkable and modern family friendly resort has everything you need if you don't want to leave the property. However the region is packed with fun adventures such as learning history at Chichén Itzá, snorkeling or diving excursions, zip lining through jungle parks, and one of our favorite authentic Mexican activities - swimming in cenotes. Keep reading to see what it's like to stay here. Lobby at Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, family friendly Hilton Cancun Forbes Plunge Into These 3 Refreshing Cenotes On Your Next Mexican Adventure By Miriam Porter Modern Rooms And Suites Ocean Front, two queen room; Hilton Cancun, Mexico Hilton Cancun Our home away from home had everything we needed to relax in style and the modern and spacious rooms and suites have several options to choose from including 398 with absolutely stunning ocean views. The Mexican-inspired décor includes natural wood and we had two cozy queen beds (you can choose one large king), a massive 65-inch HDTV, safe, iron, hair dryer, individual A/C, mini-fridge, Nespresso machine, and a large private balcony facing the ocean. Furnished with a table, chairs, and sprawling lounge to relax with a book, it was my favorite place to read and sip my morning soy latte. This family friendly resort has spacious suites able to sleep six and connecting rooms are available. Forbes 3 Charming Canadian Towns With European Vibes For Your Next Vacation By Miriam Porter Activities, Entertainment, And Kids Clubs Chill pool view at Hilton Cancun; Mexico Hilton Cancun Stay cool and soak up the warm Mexican sun at their two large infinity pools overlooking the rolling waves and Mayan coastline. There is towel service, lifeguards, and you can order refreshing cocktails and snacks to your lounge chair or Bali bed. Pool classes include aqua awakening, a floating casino, aqua gym, cross net volleyball, and volleyball on the beach. Or wake up early for the sun salutation class or sunrise tai-chi, yoga. The beach at Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort in Mexico Hilton Cancun When the sun sets nighttime activities include entertaining music, Karaoke, glow parties, Latin shows, a silent disco, and live DJ. Keep in shape on your vacation by visiting their fully equipped fitness center with treadmills, cardio equipment, resistance machines and classes. My son was at the gym daily and loved the free weight options. Fitness Center at Hilton Cancun Hilton Cancun Family friendly resort offerings include a kids club for ages four to 12 with scavenger hunts, games, baking, crafts, face painting, movies, and rockstar night. There is a fun family splash playground with waterslides and refreshing water activities. Teens age 13 – 17 have a place all to themselves at the teens club with video games, ping pong, and pool games. It's the perfect opportunity for teens to connect with others from around the world. Splash playground for kids at Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort in Mexico, family friendly Hilton Cancun Forbes Add These 3 Charming Ontario Towns To Your Summer Bucket List By Miriam Porter Delicious Food With Plant-Based Options With twelve dining choices including outstanding speciality restaurants (3 highlighted below), a vibing lobby bar, café, food carts, pool bar, and Vela, a global buffet with a healthy breakfast smoothie bar and mouth-watering diverse food stations, you will not go hungry at Hilton Cancun. Gluten-free items are labeled on menus and if you are traveling with food restrictions just speak to staff before ordering. My son and I follow a plant-based diet and were thrilled to discover that restaurants here have an entire vegan section on their menus with multiple dishes to choose from. The Chefs created some of the best meals we've ever had that were visually appealing and totally delicious. La Luce – Italian La Luce Restaurant; Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort in Mexico Hilton Cancun We loved La Luce so much we went twice for dinner. This elegantly designed Italian restaurant has a wood-fired pizza oven and serves pasta, pizza, salads, soups, and Mediterranean classics. Enjoy a bubbly spritz or glass of wine as you nibble on starters and antipasti. We loved the Mediterraneo pizza with vegan cheese and wild mushrooms, and minestrone soup loaded with veggies. La Luce was so good it reminded me of the Italian meals I ate in Italy. Maxal – Mexican Maxal Restaurant, Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort in Mexico Hilton Cancun Lively singers and exceptional culinary presentation in every authentic dish make Maxal a vibrant and memorable dining experience. They serve upscale Mexican cuisine featuring local ingredients, creative dishes, and unique flavor combinations. It's the perfect restaurant to discover the spices of Mexican ancestral cooking practices and this transcends into their vegan dishes too. Our friendly and smiling server, Alejandra, explained the history of the items and my son had his first tortilla soup while I enjoyed Ceviche de Jícama. The entrees are exceptional and I suggest the Portobello Relleno de Garbanzo or Camote Rostizado con Mole Negro, an authentic Mexican sauce and marinade, veganized to perfection. Sunan – Asian Sunan Restaurant; Hilton Cancun, an all-inclusive resort in Mexico Hilton Cancun With outdoor dining just steps from the rolling waves on the beach, Sunan is the perfect place to enjoy flavors of Southeast Asia. We shared delectable spring rolls, Vietnamese rolls in rice leaves, and seaweed salad. Their main courses are next-level and my son loved the noodles with veggies and my favorite dish of our trip was Yakimeshi, a hot bowl with fried rice, steamed broccoli, and tofu. Raising the bar for plant-based dining, Hilton Cancun stands out for its health-conscious vegan offerings. Luxurious And Spiritual Spa Services Waldorf Astoria Spa Riviera Maya Quintana Roo, Mexico. Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya Guests of the resort have access to a world-class spa next door at the Waldorf Astoria Spa Riviera Maya. Relax and unwind with wellness rituals inspired by authentic Mexican traditions. This exclusive spa sanctuary is truly an oasis and features 21 specialized treatment rooms, lush gardens where they source fresh herbs and oils for treatments, steam room, sauna, gorgeous outdoor pool and hydrotherapy area with towering palm trees, and a relaxing lounge to sip tea. As we walked down the tree lined corridor into the circular spa lobby we were welcomed by wonderful smelling incense that I learned was burning copalli , an aromatic resin from a tree sacred to the Maya. The generic term, copal, comes from the healer tree family called Bursera and dates back to the ancient language of the Aztecs. Waldorf Astoria Spa Riviera Maya Quintana Roo, Mexico. Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya Mayan inspired spa treatments include massages, facials, and lavish therapeutic body rituals. I chose the Sacred Ceiba Ritual that combines old recipes for ointments and oils from ancient Mayan wisdom to create an authentic full body experience that left me feeling at peace. The ceiba ritual starts with a rejuvenating and detoxifying body scrub, then an all over mask is applied to release muscle tension, and the heavenly treatment ends with a massage to improve circulation with camphor. Chatting with a staff member I learned about ancient Ceiba trees on the property and their cultural significance. The ceiba tree is a connection between three worlds – the underworld via the tree's roots, the entrance to heaven from the branches, and our present world on earth is the tree trunk base. Ceiba tree at Waldorf Astoria Spa Riviera Maya in Cancun Mexico; by Miriam Porter Miriam Porter Being the tree hugger that I am, I couldn't resist hugging the Ceiba tree on my way out. More From Forbes Forbes Plunge Into These 3 Refreshing Cenotes On Your Next Mexican Adventure By Miriam Porter Forbes 5 Must-See Attractions In Kingston, Ontario For A Family-Friendly Summer Getaway By Miriam Porter Forbes The Best Meditation Retreats In The World By Miriam Porter
