Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites

Tribe, the luxury boutique hotel in Gigiri, Nairobi, celebrates the opening of Kaya Spa. Kaya, a 10,000 square foot spa and studio, combines traditional and new-world treatments from around the globe.

Traditionally, a Tribe relies on the resources of its surroundings and when a member needs healing, meditation or rejuvenation they look to the therapeutic properties of nature and its elements. Resource rich, mystical and often enchanted, forests have provided solace for tribes for generations. The Mijikenda Kaya forests stretch over 200 kilometers along Kenya's coastline. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the forests are believed to be a repository of spiritual beliefs and ancient healing.

Kaya, the spa and studio at Tribe, reflects the mysticism and enchantment of the Kaya forests while holding true to the glamorous and sophisticated design of Tribe and the warmth and personality of Kenya.

The five treatment rooms and rasul chamber offer a variety of spa treatments, from an urban body boot-camp and traditional Thai massages to ancient healing therapies. Kaya provides the body and mind with a tranquil zone to regenerate.

Kaya's product range is sourced from around the world, a complete offering of specialized products developed to complement each other and provide head-to-toe care. Dermalogica, developed by the International Dermal Institute, offers a comprehensive line of skin-care products for the face, hands and feet. This award-winning scientific approach has earned the line a reputation as the global leader in skin-care.

Spa Siam is a range of natural body and hair care products from Thailand, using exotic botanical extracts, oils and crushed roots like mangosteen, shiso, jasmine, rice bran and lemongrass. The all-natural ingredients are developed to relieve tension and return vitality and nourishment back to the skin and hair.

A first for Kenya, Kaya introduces maternity treatments through Mama Mio, a range of pregnancy-safe products effective in giving the expectant mother strong, elastic, healthy, and well-toned skin. The niche product focuses on relieving back and body aches associated with pregnancy, while maintaining the natural, healthy glow of a future mother. The range also addresses post-natal symptoms like stretch marks, sagging, dryness and cellulite through specific lifting, firming and anti-aging therapies.

Kaya's skilled therapists are all certified and trained in modern and ancient massage techniques, developed to extract the specific benefits of every product used. Supplementary skills training from Thai, Italian, South African and American experts in deep-touch therapy and healing are a testament to Kaya's commitment to providing the best treatments, on par with the world's most renowned spas.

Kaya's deep tones, unique artwork and fluid architecture set the pace for a tranquil experience, designed as a sanctuary for the body and mind. The couple's treatment room features a hot tub wrapped in black mosaic, set in a separate relaxation suite adjacent to the therapy room. The spa's men's and women's, double-volume resting spaces feature day beds, lounge furniture and steam rooms for pre and post treatment relaxation.

The spa includes a hair and nail studio, which features a large metal sculpture of a baobab tree as a central element. The studio's brighter green, red and orange hues radiate energy in to the more serene and subdued spa, suggesting balance and a holistic approach to wellness.

About Tribe
Tribe, located in the heart of Nairobi's sophisticated Gigiri district, is Africa's newest luxurious boutique hotel. The hotel is adjacent to The Village Market, the region's best shopping destination. The hotel offers 137 rooms, a popular grill restaurant, gym, complimentary wireless Internet access, a business center and meeting rooms, a wellness spa, individualized travel services and a well-versed concierge. Tribe promises sophisticated hospitality, situated near the United Nations and many of Nairobi's embassies.www.tribe-hotel.com

If you joined us in our previous Chopra Center 21-Day Meditation Challenge™, you already understand the incredible power of this journey and you're ready for more. If you're new to the challenge, new to meditating, or need a little help getting your practice back on track -- get ready to discover the untapped potential that rests within you, opening your gateway to true freedom, extraordinary bliss, and the life of your dreams!

Starting January 24, this life-changing journey is free to all participants, and we encourage you to invite a friend to experience:

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, if you want to harness the transformative energy of meditation to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve focus or connect to your inner wisdom, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn with masters in the comfort of your surroundings. We welcome our past and new meditators to be part of this transformational journey in setting the foundation for an amazing 2011.

Velas Resorts, Natura Bissé and Tequila Tres Generaciones have teamed up to create a new sensory culinary experience which exquisitely combines haute cuisine, the aromas of natural essences, relaxing ambient music and the unmistakable flavors of tequila. Guided by the resort’s sommelier and spa staff as well as highly regarded guest chefs, the four course tasting menu intertwines flavors, aromas, colors and shapes from the finest in Mexican and international products. The first sensory experiences of 2011 are being kicked off in February at Casa Velas (complimentary for hotel guests, $50 for non-guest) and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit ($50 per person, which also includes a gourmet dinner at the resort’s beachfront Selva del Mar restaurant).

“Although other hotels and spas may already offer some sort of sensory workshop, they focus principally on aromatherapy combined with massage or meditation, leaving out a wealth of possibilities to complement them,” said Pierre Bonin, General Director of Casa Velas. “By adding exquisite gourmet dishes created by renowned international chefs Mónica Patiño and Mikel Alonso, our resorts have obtained the perfect alchemy between aromas, libations and edibles.”

• First Course: Tequila plata (silver tequila) with smooth texture and taste combines with Neuro Aroma Detox (whose notes of lemon, orange, mandarin, lavender and rosemary are primary antioxidants and purifiers). Crab Salad with tangerine dressing, sage bread and lavender oil infusion enhances the scent as well as the tequila taste.

• Second Course: Tequila reposado (golden in color) with a bit stronger flavor and texture and a woody finish signals the beginning of the second phase of the experience. Neuro Aroma Relax is then provided with patchouli and sandalwood, helping to activate the body’s circulation. Incorporating all of the elements, Grouper Brandada wrapped in Acedera leaf with pink pine kernel, white pepper and fresh anis is then served.

• Third Course: Beginning with a taste of tequila añejo (aged for 14 months, with a dark amber tone and strong woody flavor) and accompanied by Neuro Aroma Stimuli (a mixture of notes of clove, cardamom, myrrh, incense, sandalwood and black pepper that alleviate muscle tension), Crocodile encrusted with pistachio, parsley and dandelion honey delights the taste buds.

• Fourth Course: A dessert such as a pink mousse of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries is served with a glass of Damiana, a beverage considered to be an aphrodisiac. With its lightly bitter flavor, it is a refreshing end to this journey.

The first Sensory Workshops of 2011 were held on February 12th and 13th at 5 pm at Casa Velas, followed by Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit on February 14th and 15th at 6:30 pm. A menu will be performed by Special Guest Chef Rafael Bautista from Les Moustaches restaurant, who holds the prestigious recognition: Star Diamond Award placing him as one of the top chefs in Mexico. Les Moustaches has been awarded with the same recognition by the American Academy of Hospitality, and is featured on the Top 10 list of restaurants in Mexico.

The Sensory Workshops are currently being held amidst the cobbled pathways and verdant surroundings of Casa Velas’ botanical garden and the oceanfront Jacuzzi terrace with vistas of the sunset at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.

For more information and reservations on the remaining Sensory Workshops throughout the rest of 2011, please call Velas Resorts at 1-888-210-9591 or visit http://www.velasresorts.com