A mind, body and soul reset in the Spanish hills
Confession: I’m terrible at switching off. I have a constant need to be productive, with my never-ending to-do list always at the forefront of my mind. Even when I do have the luxury of free time, I struggle to rest and relax, instead busying myself with an admin task, squeezing in an extra workout (high intensity, of course) or finding an elaborate recipe to cook.
I know this isn’t great for me and I often vow to slow down but in practice, I find it really difficult. A sense of guilt creeps in if I spend a few hours lazing on the sofa in my PJs, so I go back to my usual hyperproductive ways and the stressful cycle continues.
At least, that was the case until I ditched my laptop and headed into the rolling Spanish hills for a wellness retreat at MasQi, The Energy House. There’s a host of specialised programmes to choose from, including detox, anti-stress and yoga options, but I signed up for a three-night ‘renewal break’. Designed to help you ‘rest, reconnect with yourself and make necessary changes to lead a calmer, more conscious life’, it sounded like exactly what I needed.
But could a few days of slow living really help me soothe my frazzled nervous system? Here’s what went down…
Tell me more about MasQi
MasQi is the brainchild of 49-year-old Sonia Ferre, who opened the holistic bolthole back in 2014 after dealing with a personal crisis which saw her abandon her hectic lifestyle and high-stress job to embrace a slower, more spiritual way of life.
Her aim was to create a healing space for people to go off grid and get away from it all. To reconnect with nature, learn how to quieten their minds and leave feeling rebalanced and reinvigorated.
How? Through carefully curated programmes of yoga, meditation, sound healing, energetic therapies and ayurveda – led by Sonia (a trained psychotherapist and yoga teacher) and her team of experts – in the most mesmerising natural surroundings.
Food is also a key part of the puzzle at MasQi. It’s macrobiotic, meaning there’s no meat, dairy, sugar or refined ingredients on the menu, and everything is organic, seasonal and locally sourced. ‘Our menus are balanced and delicious, with nutrients that are easy to digest and make you feel good and energised,’ Sonia tells me. More on that later.
My initial thoughts
Arriving at Valencia airport on a Friday afternoon, I’m feeling far from zen. A fire alarm at good old Gatwick resulted in crazy queues at security, followed by a two-hour delay to our flight. On the plane, I was sandwiched between a loud sniffer and an incessant cruncher – relaxing, it was not. Work is also on my mind; did I reply to that urgent email from my boss? When will I find time to write up this review? I’d better log on and double check I put my ‘out of office’ on.
But, as our taxi slowly meanders along a rocky path and pulls into the estate, my mind stops whirring and I feel my tense shoulders drop a few inches. Secluded, serene and wrapped in 360-degree views of the Sierra de Mariola mountains, it’s a far cry from the hustle and bustle of London life. No beeping horns or screaming children, just gentle birdsong and towering pine trees whistling in the breeze.
The main building – a lovingly restored 19th-century farmhouse – sits on a luscious lawn dotted with wooden sun loungers and overlooks an al fresco terrace, where guests can shelter from the midday sun with icy tumblers of freshly brewed kombucha.
Inside, the vibe is rustic chic, with simple yet stylish interiors. The communal area is filled with antique wooden furniture, wicker baskets, potted plants and burning incense to complement the beamed ceilings and exposed stone walls. It’s a similar laidback story in the bedrooms (ours is a superior suite on the first floor), with plush furnishings in earthy tones, crisp white walls and superb light. A huge freestanding tub, which offers jaw-dropping views out to the hills, is the centrepiece in our large, modern bathroom.
Then there’s the tranquil pool area, with plenty of daybeds, flowering bushes to provide shade and yet more mountain views. Here, you’ll also find the cool, calming treatment centre and a large geodesic dome, where the yoga and group meditation sessions take place.
Taking it all in, I feel incredibly grateful. MasQi really does feel like the perfect setting for a total mind, body and soul reset, I think to myself.
What’s on the agenda?
Our first full day starts with herbal tea in bed (there’s no coffee at MasQi until after breakfast) before padding across the dewy grass for a 90-minute yoga session in the dome. It’s Ashtanga with Sonia, who expertly guides us through the postures, offering adjustments so everyone can get the most out of the class. With sunlight streaming in through the panels and gentle yoga music tinkering in the background, the atmosphere is magical and a sense of calm washes over me as I move from pose to pose.
I’m extremely pleased to find that Sonia and her softly-spoken team have a deep understanding of the cultural heritage of yoga, using Sanskrit words and avoiding cultural appropriation. I often find myself rolling my eyes during classes back in London, but practising here feels authentic.
At MasQi, there are no scheduled activities in the afternoons, so guests are free to do as they please. Ahead of the trip, I had planned on tackling some hardcore hikes (there are tonnes of scenic walking routes around the natural park) but now I’m here, I find it surprisingly easy to stay put and relax.
Other than one gentle amble along the tree-lined paths down to the local stream, my afternoons consist of lounging in the garden with my Kindle, sunbathing by the pool and a few post-lunch catnaps. The laidback vibe seems to be rubbing off on me because I don’t feel an ounce of guilt for doing ‘nothing’.
Come 5pm, everyone reconvenes in the dome for some form of meditation, whether that’s a sound bath or a beginner workshop. Our first experience is a two-hour (!) gong bath; an ancient practice which uses deep vibrations and sounds to stimulate your vagus nerve and help you reach a state of deep relaxation.
Lying spreadeagled on a yoga mat, I try to let go as the rhythmic sounds reverberate around the room, but I’m feeling restless. Lying still for an extended period is objectively harder than a HIIT workout, let me tell you.
It’s only halfway through that my thoughts begin to soften and my body eases into a state of calm. In fact, I feel so relaxed I drift off to sleep, only waking when I hear the soporific voice of our instructor drifting over me, bringing the session to a close. As I roll up my mat and head back to the house, I feel strangely light and detached from my worries.
Tell me more about the treatments
MasQi offers traditional Chinese medicine and ayurvedic treatments along with more innovative ‘energy therapies’, one-to-one mentoring sessions, tarot readings and macrobiotic workshops.
On day two, I arrive at the massage house robed up and ready for my second treatment of the weekend, Shirodhara. The ancient Indian practice involves pouring warm oil onto the forehead, third eye and temples to relax the nervous system and ease symptoms of stress, anxiety and insomnia.
As the oil steadily trickles down onto my forehead, the sensation is an unusual one and I almost feel as though I’m floating. All my built-up tension melts away and my head feels wonderfully light. It’s truly blissful.
As part of my renewal package, I also receive a mentoring session with Sonia, which is basically like therapy. I’m not usually the best at opening up but she makes me feel totally at ease and I find I’m able to share my anxieties with her. As they come spilling out, she listens attentively and offers some thoughtful, actionable advice that I can implement back at home.
Next is kinesiology, a barely touching therapy designed to identify energy blockages around your body and rebalance them. I’ll admit, I’m somewhat sceptical about this one, but my therapist Fausto, who has a mystically impressive ability to identify what’s troubling me, quickly changes my mind.
I prefer my holidays with a side of bubbly rather than green juice. What’s the food and drink like?
Reading up on the macrobiotic diet pre-trip, I was seriously worried. Not so much for myself but mainly for my partner Sam, who has the appetite of a horse and turns his nose up if I make anything with kale, quinoa or chia seeds. As such, I shoved a handful of snack bars into my suitcase to make sure he didn’t go hungry.
Turns out, that was totally unnecessary. Though healthy and wholesome, the food at MasQis is downright delicious and plentiful. Chef Alvaro is a total wizard in the kitchen, whipping up the most vibrant, flavourful dishes from organic, locally sourced ingredients.
Breakfast, a three-course affair, starts with miso soup to kickstart the metabolism and prepare the body for digestion. Next, it’s a comforting bowl of rice porridge with seasonal fruits, nuts and seeds, followed by a hunk of homemade toast with different toppings each day, from pumpkin seed pesto to cashew butter and banana. After eating, you’re finally allowed your first coffee of the day and my god does it taste good. I’ve always been a ‘coffee as soon as I wake up’ gal, but I find I’m able to function just fine without my early morning caffeine hit.
Lunch and dinner, served at separate tables on the wide terrace, are equally impressive, with no less than four courses to devour. We’re talking charred sweetcorn with pickled red cabbage, mackerel with lashings of lime, avocado and mango salsa, and smoked tofu with a soy and peanut butter sauce. Plus, desserts so tasty, it’s hard to believe they’re dairy and refined sugar-free. I’m still dreaming of the chocolate and hazelnut cheesecake…
Now, you might be thinking all this ‘macrobiotic diet’ stuff sounds very worthy, but rest assured, mealtimes are fun and you won’t get any disapproving looks from staff if you fancy a crisp glass of vino (or two) with your meal. MasQi is just as much a holiday as it is a health destination.
Final verdict
It’s been a few weeks since returning from MasQi and I’m still not over the experience. Every single aspect from the decor down to the food was exceptional and it’s clear that Sonia and her crack team genuinely care about your wellbeing, it’s no wonder so many people come back.
The big question: am I a calmer, less stressed individual? I think so, yes. Of course, I still have my moments but on the whole, my mind is quieter and I feel better equipped to deal with life’s curveballs.
I’ve started meditating every morning (yes, really!), I’m nourishing my body with whole foods and I don’t berate myself for ‘being lazy’ if I don’t go to the gym. In fact, I take pleasure is lounging around, recognising that rest is absolutely crucial for my physical and mental health. I’d call that a result.
Rooms start from €627 on the two-night renewal program, including full board, three activities and one massage or therapy session BOOK NOW
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