Olivia Hosts Wellness Retreat in Hawaii

Winnie McCroy READ TIME: 2 MIN.

From August 30-September 5 Olivia Travel, the world's largest travel company offering chartered cruise, resort, adventure and luxury vacations specifically for the lesbian community, has scheduled its first-ever health and wellness program which will take place on the beautiful island of Hawaii at the five-star Mauna Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows. Guests will be invited to participate in workshops on yoga, meditation, nutrition, fitness and health and will also have the opportunity to enjoy the top-notch comedic and musical entertainment Olivia is known to provide.

"Our guests work incredibly hard and are looking for a vacation where they can unwind, relax and regroup," said Judy Dlugacz, president and founder of Olivia Travel. "We have partnered with some of the most respected professionals in the wellness industry and combined with the breathtaking views and exquisite amenities the Mauna Lani Bay Hotel offers, we really believe this will be the first of many Olivia health & wellness vacations intended to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul."

Dr. Wayne Dyer, best-selling author and expert in the field of self-development, has been announced as the keynote speaker and will introduce a step-by-step program for turning your thinking into the reality you want. Featured presenters include New York Times best-selling author Susan Piver, who will be on-hand to conduct a seminar on mindfulness and establishing a meditation practice, and owner of OHAH Yoga, Richelle Donigan, will lead the yoga and meditation sessions.

Carolyn Dunn, Ph. D. will teach how to take small steps to eat smart, and Rhonda Feldman will be speaking on physical issues of women's health and aging. Patricia O'Connor and Carol Adams will be leading sessions on empowerment, and comedienne and founder of HaHa Institute, Karen Williams, will be presenting "The Healing Power of Humor."

"Humor is one of the simplest ways to relieve ourselves of excessive emotional and mental baggage," said Williams.
"Laughter opens our energy channels and places us directly in the present moment, where memories of the past can no longer burden us, and speculations about the future seem irrelevant."

Williams believes that the real power of humor exists in the mutual recognition of our human frailties and foibles, and that humor is a powerful and important cultural tool that we can use individually and collectively to heal ourselves.

"Our health and wellness program is now another benefit of an Olivia vacation. Completely optional, these activities will take place mostly in the morning so that by lunchtime our guests can focus on the sun, surf, sand and the many other wonders of the Big Island. We are just so thrilled to offer this getaway to our Olivia family," said Dlugacz.

For more information about the Hawaiian Luxury Resort, including availability and pricing, visit www.olivia.com


by Winnie McCroy , EDGE Editor

Winnie McCroy is the Women on the EDGE Editor, HIV/Health Editor, and Assistant Entertainment Editor for EDGE Media Network, handling all women's news, HIV health stories and theater reviews throughout the U.S. She has contributed to other publications, including The Village Voice, Gay City News, Chelsea Now and The Advocate, and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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