Relax, Recharge, and Renew in SRQ: Treat Yourself to Holistic Health in Sarasota

Taking care of business, taking care of loved ones, taking care of clients, taking care of the errands, the cooking, the bookkeeping... Regardless of how we spend our day-to-day lives, most of us can agree: We could all use a moment to take care of ourselves.

Whether you're planning a full self-care itinerary for your much-needed Sarasota vacation, or simply slipping away for a quick dose of midday rejuvenation: there are a broad range of whole-body holistic health options to explore on Florida's Gulf coast.

Refresh your body and mind -- and brighten your spirits -- in energetic healing spaces that offer healthy eating, natural spa treatments, yoga, meditation and more in Sarasota County. You may just emerge a new person -- or at least a healthier and happier one.

Bring Balance to Mind and Body: Yoga, Meditation and More

Moments of stillness and silence can be a rare blessings for those of us who are often on the go. Slow down, tune in, and unwind with mind-body balancing practices such as yoga, Tai Chi and meditation to lower blood pressure, correct insomnia, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote better holistic wellness.

Pineapple Yoga + Cycling Studio, located in historic Burns Court in downtown Sarasota, welcomes all skill levels. They offer three types of Vinyasa Yoga (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced), Restorative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Yoga Nidra, Children's Yoga, Stand-Up Paddle Board Yoga, and Yoga Posture Clinics. Not to mention an indoor/outdoor studio and several opportunities to try your practice in exotic locations like The Ringling and The Sarasota Modern boutique hotel.

Southwest Florida Beach Yoga is the local resource for classes in nature's studio: the beach! Enjoy quiet time on the white sand beaches of Florida's Gulf Coast with sunrise, sunset and even full moon classes. These classes are for people with all abilities and body types at three popular South County beaches: Nokomis/North Jetty, Manasota and Venice. The best part? These fun, friendly classes are free to the public—just bring a blanket, bottle of water and open mind. Check online to see a full schedule of classes (dates and times are often subject to change with the seasons). 

Yogi Bodhi offers trendy and challenging stand-up paddleboard (SUP) yoga for the adventurous types looking for a memorable, uniquely Florida fitness experience. Instructors will guide classes through a series of simple poses with beginner to advanced options while you drift along Sarasota Bay. Don't worry, there's even time at the end of each class for an expression session and photos to fully appreciate this unforgettable experience.

Rosemary Court Yoga, located in the historic downtown Rosemary District, is part of the Rosemary Wellness Center. The studio is housed among the Wellness Center's collection of 1920s bungalows, offering yoga for all levels in a variety of styles, ranging from slow-paced, deep ligament-accessing Yin yoga to motion-oriented vinyasa flow classes.

The Sarasota Mindfulness Institute offers non-religious classes and workshops on meditation and mindfulness, including a 'Mindfulness in Parenting' class for parents and caregivers. Other offerings at the Sarasota Mindfulness Institute include meditative breath and movement classes such as Tai Chi and QiGong.

Therapeutic Touch: Acupuncture, Massage, and Spa Treatments

Tense muscles need to unwind before the mind can fully relax. A good massage soothes overworked, tight or out-of-alignment muscles, and can mold a brand-new you. Many also swear by acupuncture as a practice that alleviates pain and stress, bringing balance to the body, better sleep and improved moods.

In south Sarasota, Mandala Med Spa is Sarasota's only Indonesian medical day spa, offering therapeutic, deep tissue, and Thai massage, hot stone therapy, hot oil scalp massage, herbal poultice massage, body wraps and scrubs, Balinese floral soaks, and variety of skincare and facial treatments. Mandala also offers yoga and pilates classes.

Located in the Lakewood Ranch/UTC Mall area, Sirius Day Spa is a one-stop-shop for over 40 spa services including massage, meditation, facials, body wraps, a serenity lounge and more.  Sirius also offers a unique "Wellness" program for experiencing multiple services and amenities at the best value. With a wealth of experience and space for private treatment, you can rest easy knowing Sirius will customize its services to exactly what your mind, body and spirit need.

Also in Lakewood Ranch is Four Pillars, a wellness spa offering luxurious facials and med spa treatments. The four categories that make up this spa's namesake are "mind, body, spirit and social connection" and what sets it apart from the rest is the variety of services offered. Energy treatments like Reiki and Chakra Balancing, essential oil education and even interior design wellness for those looking to incorporate natural health into their lives & homes are all available in addition to classic services like massage therapy, skin treatment, guided meditation and yoga.

Sarasota's Holistic Shopping Spots

From organic skincare and aromatherapy essentials to healing crystals, salt lamps and spiritual and metaphysical literature -- holistic health items for the home are available in a collection of charming local shops and small businesses throughout Sarasota.

Pixie Dust Metaphysical Boutique in downtown Sarasota is filled with metaphysical gifts, spiritual jewelry and art, crystals, Pagan and Wiccan supplies, tarot cards, New Age books. In addition to restorative yoga classes, Pixie Dust also offers psychic readings, sound baths treatments, therapeutic massage, Reiki treatments, chakra clearing, and energetic cleansing services.

Elysian Fields has been a Sarasota standard in spiritual literature and metaphysical offerings and gifts since opening its doors in 1991. Find books on world religions and spirituality, alternative medicine, Feng Shui, and other New Age topics, jewelry, candles, Tibetan and Japanese imports, and more.

The Crystal Cave is the rock that anchors the eastern border of the Historic Downtown Village at Gillespie Park. Please don't let our bad puns dissuade you from visiting this charming shop, filled with mountains of healing and energizing crystals, as well as rocks from around the world that are just plain neat to look at. In addition to cool stones and gems, the Crystal Cave offers metaphysical trinkets and books and tarot cards, and hosts regular crystal healing classes, tarot readings, and gong meditations in its crystal-charged space.

In downtown Sarasota's historic Burns Court, Starflower Essentials is part natural skincare boutique, part spa -- calling itself a 'spapothecary.' Starflower offers spa treatments, including facials and massages, herbal medicines and dietary counseling by appointment. The boutique carries a full line of organic skin, hair, bath, and body products.

Get Your Greens, Beets and Other Healthy Eats

A healthy body starts with what we put in it -- and Sarasota's year-round sunshine highlights the abundance of green goodness the subtropics have to offer. Several restaurants in Sarasota County offer healthy vegan and vegetarian fare, as well as specialty options including raw food items, locally sourced ingredients, and fresh-pressed juices.

Sarasotans aren't hard pressed to get a cold-pressed juice, thanks to three Crop Juice locations scattered throughout town at University Park, downtown Sarasota, and Gulf Gate. Crop offers a variety of energizing, detoxifying, immunity-building, anti-inflammatory, and protein-boosting organic, cold-pressed juice options at each location. Get up to eight cups of raw, leafy greens along with nutrient-packed fruits, herbs, nuts and other wellness-boosting ingredients in each 12oz-16oz serving of goodness on the go.

Cafe Evergreen in Nokomis strives to provide "clean" foods -- organic, free of GMOs, and locally grown and sourced whenever possible. Dining in at Cafe Evergreen is a neat experience, as the restaurant is located in the oldest standing building on Tamiami Trail between Venice and Tampa, the restored 1923 south county bank and post office. Though the menu offers a variety of vegan and vegetarian dining options, as well as juices and smoothies -- omnivores are also welcome, with fish and poultry options on the menu.

 Lila is among the most popular restaurants to hit the fresh green scene of downtown Sarasota. Lila offers a variety of vegan-friendly options on a locally-sourced, seasonal menu, in which the fresh ingredients speak for themselves.

Discover Your Sarasota Self-Care Routine

Picking up a healthy habit and taking the time to treat ourselves to a little stress relief now and then is a practice that could benefit us all -- but not everyone's self care routine or vacation treat looks the same.

Fortunately for one and all, Sarasota offers a variety of healthy holistic avenues to explore -- from mind-body practices like yoga and meditation to tension-relieving massage and spa services. If you're overdue for a gift to yourself -- why not start with better health?

Treat yourself.