The Co-Founder of Tulum’s Amansala Resort and Bikini Boot Camp talks about sun-kissed R&R and how to stay fit at the beach and centered at home.
- Tulum is the ultimate getaway because…
It blends sophistication with nature. I use the term eco-chic to describe Amansala, but really that is a great way to describe all of Tulum. You can wear a beautiful caftan or cover-up with flip flops without a stitch of makeup, and dine al fresco with a glass of wine and walk with your toes in the sand back to your cabana.
- Make sure you pack…
Cover-ups, sarongs, caftans, cut-off denim shorts, flip flops, bathing suits, workout gear, anything cotton, light and breezy. And a hoodie or pashmina in case of a chilly winter night.
- Easy exercise you can do at the beach…
Walk. Walking is an amazing way to tone and get a cardio workout that you can sustain for a long period of time. The morning walk at Amansala is a ritual that people love. We blend the walk with little spurts of running to beef up the cardio and then you can throw in your favorite workout moves, like lunges, squats, then take it down to the ground for some push-ups and planks, and then bring it back up again. Remember that your body does not know if you are dancing, running, walking or swimming; the important part is to just get your body moving.
- At Amansala, our guests spend their days…
Waking up at sunrise, sipping a cup of Chiapas coffee or herbal tea, taking a walk on the beach before a vinyasa flow class in our beachfront shala, moving their bodies in one of our fun fitness classes and lunching on grilled fish salad and, of course, lounging on the beautiful beach. The afternoon may include a massage, some reading in a hammock from their terrace, a ripe mango for a snack and then maybe a Pilates class before dinner.
- And their nights…
Dining on the fresh catch of the day, conversing with all of the amazing people at the hotel that makes it feel like one fantastic dinner party and enjoying a margarita under the star-filled sky. Afterwards, if they’re up for it, some tribal drumming or a salsa dance class. Or they can get out and explore one of the local hot spots, like Mateo’s, down the road.
- Our yoga playlist…
It varies so much. Music controls the mood and the whole vibe of a class, so it depends if we are trying to get people to be reflective or to be energetic.
- And our dinner playlist…
Everything from Putumayo is wonderful. We play a little of everything, from African to old-school Tracy Chapman to compilations.
- My tips for bringing a zen vibe into your everyday life…
Start each day spending five minutes or so writing whatever is going on in your head. If possible, take a walk with the first 10 to 15 minutes in silence. Try to consciously do only one thing — when eating an apple, be in the moment paying attention to what you are doing; when speaking with someone, be in the moment and look in the other person’s eyes.