Desert Oasis
Vacation reawakens mind-body connection
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I hank von Portland
PEARL DISTRICT
1313 NW (ilixan Street 503.282.8200
BRIDGEPORT TILLAOS
1-5 S&L Boones Ferry Rd. 503.639.3800
cuecNi
5th Street Public Market 541.343.8904
• BATTU
Pacific Place. Third Floor 206.223.9700
thesensuouRbed.com
his column debuted more than two years
ago, hut there’s a significant aspect of my
past that I have yet to address publicly, for
reasons that will soon become apparent.
Like many other queers, I’ve endured
a lifelong struggle with my weight. I used to blame
it on unfortunate, genetically established metabo
lism. Or on crappy eating habits. Or on my desk
bound career.
But I’m starting to put it all together: After a brief
svelte period in my teen years, my weight skyrocket
ed just as 1 was becoming sexually aware toward the
end of high school—and just as 1 was entering a
conservative Christian college. Most students pack
on the dreaded “Freshman
aerobics and a muscle-release
15.” For me, it was more like
therapy called “Yamuna Body
the “Freshman 50”—and then
Rolling.”
some. Instead of addressing a
Of course, no spa stay is com
growing desire to explore my
plete without a little pampering,
sexuality, 1 insulated my body
so I booked an appointment for
in a layer of blubber to keep
the “Ultra Moisturizing Treat
anyone from seeing me as
ment,” an indulgence involving
more than just a jolly pal.
full-body exfoliation and a
I didn’t come out of the
slathering of vanilla lotion, after
closet until five years after
which you’re enveloped in a
graduation, when my body
sleeping bag-type cocoon and
gave«out on me: After suffer
lowered into a vat of warm
ing from dull chest pains for
water. (Ah, a return to the
months, I drove myself to the
womb.) I also tried out the
emergency room, convinced
“Lulur Asian Ritual,” featuring a
1989:
You
’
ve
got
to
hide
your
love
that 1 was having a heart
bathtub full of rose petals a la
away.
attack. Turns out I wasn’t—
American Beauty.
thank goodness—but at least
The four-day stay ended on
I was starting to listen to my
a calm note with a “Spirit
body.
Walk” led by a guru who offered
It tixik me another four
some profound advice on how
years before 1 finally addressed
to live life in the present, taking
my obesity. I joined Weight
in all of the sights, sounds and
Watchers, t<x>k up biking, cut
feelings that surround us. Then
back significantly on televi
1 had my chakras aligned by
sion (my greatest addiction)
a healing touch practitioner.
and dropped 65 pounds with
Since then 1 haven't felt
in 12 months.
better—even after returning to
That was 2003. Although
the stressful “real world.”
I’ve kept the weight off, I’ve
I don’t want all of this to
continued to grapple with
come Across as me bragging
lousy Ixxly image. 1 was able
about my decadent vacation—
MT
to contemplate this ongoing
1 truly hope that everyone can
am the walrus.
challenge during a life
find the time to treat their
changing,
mind-altering
bodies well, whether it’s book
vacation last month at
ing a stay at Breitenbush Hot
Canyon Ranch in Tucson,
Springs, blending a smixithie or
Ariz. The health resort offers
just drawing a bath. In a society
something for everyone—
that conditions queers to put
from makeup demonstrations
their minds at • odds with their
to medical consultations to
bodily urges, it’s an incredible
metaphysical journeys—with
feeling to actually see what
healthy
gourmet
meals
happens when the two are
working together. ©
included in the package.
I went on a hike, a bike
ride and a bird-watching
C anyon R anch has health
excursion (in which we
resorts in Tucscon, Ari?., and
spotted 15 stunning species
Lenox, Mass.; luxury
within an hour). I experi
condominiums in Tucson,
2006: Getting better all the time.
enced my first acupuncture
Chicago and Miami Beach; and
session and pedicure. 1 t<x>k classes to heighten my
day spa facilities in Las Vegas and Kissimmee, Fla.,
awareness of posture, balance and breathing and
and aboard the Queen Mary 2. For more
to introduce myself to the magic of meditation.
information visit wuw.canyonranch.com.
I learned how to make Shrimp Pad Thai at a cook
ing demonstration. Fitness instructors worked my
Arts and Culture Editor J IM RADOSTA needs your
ass (and gut) off with stretching exercises, water feedback. Write to jim@justout.com.