The beauty of Hamptons Wellness Week is that there are no rules, little direction, and endless possibilities. When we first created Hamptons Wellness Week, the concept immediately grew beyond just free fitness classes. It’s about connecting, growing, and thriving. It’s about creating a balance between old and new, challenging and rejuvenating, and balancing goodness for the mind, body, and soul.

In reflecting on my own experiences during Hamptons Wellness Week, I only wish that I had had the time and energy to try EVERYTHING! Here are a few of my summer Wellness Week highlights:

I spent Sunday at the Southampton Farmer’s Market meeting and greeting (and eating fresh local goods!) and was lucky enough to catch a Pure Barre class right across the street. I walked in feeling great and walked out feeling extraordinary, flexible, and fit. Is the goal of Wellness Week to diet and detox all week? Heck, no! But a week full of wellness sure does make us more in-tune with how we fuel our bodies. The more energy-packed foods we eat, the more energy we have to move. Kicking the week off right set me up for better balance all around.

Monday morning came along and I was so excited to step out of my comfort zone and onto the beach for Jimmy Mindardi’s Beach Workout. After hearing about Jimmy for years, I couldn’t wait to get started…and then I couldn’t wait to get finished…! Holy heart-rate, Batman! It was a morning to remember, that’s for sure. If you’re looking for a full body challenge, cardio BLAST, raw outdoor workout, (and have some $ to spend) Jimmy’s your guy. Tell him “Killer” sent you.

Just a beach, some cones, some flags, and about 10 of the most in-shape women I’ve ever met in my entire life. Needless to say that Tuesday I woke up sore as ever. But I had things to do and people to see, so I headed to Hampton Bays to MARVILfit and I’m glad I did. I pedaled through the pain with Marisella and her gang. If you’re going to try something new and you have a feeling you’ll be meeting some inspiring people, it’s worth the drive and the sore muscles, trust me. Get back on the bike…always get back on the bike!

And so I did. When I walked onto the treadmill at Barry’s Bootcamp on Wednesday morning, I wondered if my legs may just fall right off. They did not, thankfully…and as soon as class wrapped up, that post-Barry’s high was well worth every minute, incline, and lift..and later came some stretching, lots and lots of stretching.

By Thursday, my body had just about had it, it was time I “take care of what I’ve got.” I decided to balance out the physical exhaustion with some much-needed spiritual goodness. The day started with yoga, ended with yoga, and included nothing but R&R in between. Thank goodness for Time to Breathe Zen in Southampton! I enjoyed a private yoga session with Kristina, who is not only one delightful yogi, but also incredibly skilled, graceful, welcoming, and clearly intuitive as this is how we wrapped up:

Pure bliss. After our yoga session, I moved right along to some reflexology and meditation. I sunk into the cozy chair and into my own little world. Utilizing the wide variety of guided meditations on the personal tablet during my reflexology treatment, I was definitely breathing nothing but zen. What’s better than personalized yoga, reflexology, and meditation? How about following it all up with a manicure and pedicure for 50% off?! Yes, please!

Thanks to Flying Point Nail Spa for putting the icing on cake of my afternoon of pampering! Just thinking about it makes me excited for the next Wellness Week! After all, where and when can you get utterly pampered and super fit all in the same week, at HUGE discounts?! Oh I love me some Hamptons Wellness Week!

Sporting newly primped nails and full of zen, I headed to Wolffer for some Sunset Salutations.

Along with many other Wellness Week warriors in the vines, we didn’t want to leave!

So we stayed. If that doesn’t say “job satisfaction,” I don’t know what does! Just an hour of Yoga in the Vines can turn anyone into a yogi, it’s really just that good. Talk about a day of R&R!

Friday morning started with a green smoothie and some Dance Cardio at Elements Fitness Studio. The weekend couldn’t have kicked off any better! This class is the perfect combination of cardio, core, strength, sculpt, and choreographed fun, head to toe! It just may be impossible to get bored of this fast-moving class and I can’t wait to head back for more!

Last but definitely not least, it was time to ditch the yoga pants and celebrate an amazing week at the Old Stove Pub for our “Wellness Wing-Ding” (smiling here with Kim of Hamptons Health Concierge and Emily of AKT in Motion, two fabulous HWW providers.) With the sun shining, drinks flowing, live music playing, healthy apps passing, plates breaking, (opa!) and Hamptons Wellness Week rockstars all in one place, a good time was had by all. Greeks know how to throw a party that’s for sure!

The perfect way to wrap up a perfect week! Ok, enough of me, what about YOU?! Regardless of how you chose to spend your Wellness Week, if you put yourself first, tried something new, went outside of your comfort zone, spoiled yourself, and felt better, healthier, more balanced, GO YOU! You succeeded at Hamptons Wellness Week! Where and how did you spend your week? What did you try? Who did you meet? How did you challenge yourself? Where did you pamper yourself? What was your favorite part? Least favorite? We want to know! Email kiley@hamptonswellnessweek.com and/or anastasia@hamptonswellnessweek.com with your thoughts, highlights, questions, and suggestions! We can’t wait to plan the next Wellness Week this JANUARY (mark your calendar!) and your input means a LOT to us as we embark on our second year!

Most of all, we can’t thank YOU enough, participants, providers, trainers, instructors, sponsors, and supporters! It’s YOU who makes this event so amazing, so keep up the good work! Be sure to follow Hamptons Wellness Week on Facebook and Twitter for exciting updates and stay well!

One Healthy Hamptons: Happy Hamptons Wellness Week to all and to all, a great SUMMER!