You are the ‘I’ in Miraval

Mar 29

Written By Editor

Looking for inspiration? Meet Mark Stebbings, General Manager of Miraval Arizona who shares Miraval’s mission of transformative wellbeing along with the most sought-after experiences and one-on-one private sessions. He even divulges which 2024 events and workshops are the most personally anticipated.

Mark Stebbings started as the General Manager of Miraval Arizona in 2018. Since then, he’s been delighted to welcome our guests and is eager to help share Miraval’s vision for wellness through mindfulness, social connection and balance.

How does the location of Miraval Arizona affect the guest experience?

At Miraval Arizona, the sun shines 350 days a year on 400 acres of Sonoran desert where life balances between desert and mountain in a serene space of discovery and quiet reflection. The very name, “Miraval,” is a colloquial contraction of the Spanish translation of “valley view.” We believe in the power of a combination of activities and design to inspire first-time guests and return visitors alike to discover the symbolic spaces that lie within each of us.

Our landscaping design takes its cue from natural elements like leafy palms, and striking saguaros in the desert landscape - minimal, appropriate, and consciously leaving a light footprint. Every planted species is native. Our guests temporarily lodge in a home that symbiotically engages the desert, its soul, and life itself among bird calls and chirping insects. A nearby observatory mandates low light use, creating a perfect backdrop for celestial viewing year round.

What is the true definition of Wellness?

Wellness and wellbeing definitions are typically rooted in being present, which is the key principle in mindfulness. Miraval Arizona’s mission of creating life in balance through mindfulness has been guiding individuals to elevate their wellbeing for over 25 years.

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment and accepting it without judgment. Through practicing mindfulness, you can remain fully present and attuned to the moment. Mindfulness enhances our level of focus, efficiency, and ability to cope with the pace of modern life while fostering feelings of gratitude and compassion in a cycle of positivity.

At Miraval Arizona, one of the ways we encourage mindfulness is what we call ‘Miraval Mode’, our digital mindfulness practice encouraging guests to unplug and live in the present, freeing up space to become conscious of the mind-body-spirit intersection.

Devices are allowed only in designated areas as a gentle reminder to guests that they can moderate and control their use of them. If taking a phone call or sending a text takes priority during their stay, we encourage guests to be present and engage with their phone.

Whenever they are finished, we encourage them to come back, unplug and be present for themselves again. This is key in creating a life in balance and overall personal wellbeing.

How would you describe the accommodation experience at Miraval Arizona?

Miraval Arizona’s collaborator in design, Clodagh, brought the outside in and the inside out through the use of contextual environmental materials, colors, fragrances, local elements, and native plants. Built in harmony with the healing power of the Sonoran Desert, our design goes beyond the physical, using feng shui and biogeometry healers to create a smooth uplifting flow of energy.

Clodagh created our private villas and casita-style suite designs. No detail was overlooked—even paint colors complement the hues of the desert. In the villas (private homes with several bedrooms and a full-sized gourmet kitchen), the fourth wall dissolves. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels slide to reveal a spa and pool, fire pit, and stone patio backing up to a pristine, unobstructed view of the Catalina Mountains.

It’s a strange and beautiful thing to be uncertain where the inside ends and the outside begins. Guests can choose to sleep (or even shower outdoors) privately under the stars, thanks to terraces, trellises, and artfully placed water features and rock walls. Energy flows through the house and to the mountains beyond.

Do you recommend that guests set an intention for their stay pre-arrival?

Absolutely. First, understand the difference between an intention and an expectation. Intentions open us up to all of the possibilities and free us from a predetermined outcome. Expectation narrows the field and attaches us to a specific result or series of actions. When we get really clear on our intentions, we can adjust our expectations to be achievable and realistic.

The Miraval journey begins with intention. Setting an intention is incredibly important as it allows us to help guide you, and helps you guide you.

For example, if your intention is to sharpen and develop your leadership skills, I encourage you to sign up for one of your equine experiences, for example Common Ground: Understand Barriers to Connection & Communication. Many people may not think that horses and leadership go together, however, you’ll learn about your non-verbal communication and how that influences your ability to lead yourself and others. You’ll work with one of our horses using communication, collaboration and creativity and have a reflective moment on your personal and professional relationships.

What are the primary reasons guests chose Miraval for their wellness journey?

With the wellness industry booming globally, there are many hotels featuring wellness these days. For example, the new Wellbeing Collective at Hyatt, a collection of hotels and resorts (Miraval included) offering meaningful wellness experiences.

Miraval Arizona offers a fully immersive and reflective experience, for you to dive deep into transformative wellbeing, whatever that means to you. Some of the most common reasons people come and stay with us range from; spa & relaxation, grief & loss, fitness, culinary & nutrition, reconnection with self and others, and leadership.

By focusing on our guests as individuals, and creating a customized itinerary centered on their personal intention, we provide a physically and psychologically safe space to fully engage in experiences and connect with fellow travelers (and themselves) authentically and on a deep level.

We do this not for the world to take notice, but for our guests and colleagues to take comfort in.

What is the vibe at Miraval Arizona?

The vibe varies throughout the day, following the circadian rhythm in all that we do at Miraval. In the morning, you may be more active choosing to start your day with a challenging hike, fitness class or challenge course experience.

In the afternoon, your day may be more relaxed with a yoga class, self-guided walk in one of our two labyrinths for a reflective moment or treating yourself to a spa service in our Life in Balance Spa.

We provide many areas on property for guests to take a pause and reflect, which is very important when you’ve been through some of our more intense and introspective experiences or private sessions offered by our Miraval Arizona specialists. We recommend taking a moment for you to reflect, instead of booking something directly after. Give yourself time to be present and be you.

In the evening as you wind down with the sunset, you may have a relaxing conscious dinner and then head back to your guest room for what many guests call our ‘Miraval Sleep Experience’. Sleep is such an integral part of our daily lives and has a direct correlation with our overall well-being. We want our guests to feel comfortable and refreshed every morning to get the most out of their Miraval experience.

However, the vibe depends on you.

Would you tell us about the culinary experience at the resort?

Miraval Arizona’s culinary philosophy is built around the concept that living well is not just about eating the right food but creating and fostering community and relationships to support whole-person wellbeing.

Meals are part of our all-inclusive experience, allowing guests flexibility to choose from endless choices prepared with care and intention. Each Miraval stay includes three (3) consciously prepared meals and unlimited smoothies and nutritious snacks available throughout the day.

One of my favorite culinary experiences is our Just Cook For Me class, led by our chefs in the Life in Balance Culinary Kitchen. Guests will break bread together and enjoy a 4 course meal prepared in front of them, while conversing with fellow guests, sharing stories about the day, and learning from our chefs how they selected the evening’s dishes and wine pairings.

What is the spa experience like at Miraval Arizona?

Our Life in Balance Spa sanctuary allows guests to pursue personal transitions in a beautiful, natural setting with soothing and invigorating treatments from our expert therapists. Our offerings range from acupuncture, Ayurveda, body renewal rituals, energy & eastern services, traditional body massage, skincare, pre-natal and salon.

Many of the treatments we offer are unique to Miraval Arizona, and some have been adopted at Miraval Austin and Miraval Berkshires. A few of my personal favorite (and Miraval exclusives) are our Naga and Vasudhara treatments.

Naga combines Thai techniques with hanging silks to deliver deep massage and assisted floor mat stretches. This encourages blood circulation, eases energy blocks and relieves tension while improving flexibility and postural alignment.

Vasudhara is a truly transformative experience eases muscles with Thai stretches, body work in a gravity defying warm water float. Eye shields block all light as your therapist cradles your body and bathes your senses in underwater vibrations.

What are a few of the 2024 events and workshops you’re most looking forward to?

This is a tough question to answer, as I’m looking forward to all of our upcoming seasonal festivities, events and immersions this year. In May, we have our annual Mother’s Day Weekend (May 10 – 13) celebration, where we celebrate all who embody the spirit of motherhood.

Over these same dates in May, we also have an exclusive 3 day immersion led by our Miraval specialist Tejpal and professional counselor, Shari Gooter. This is a journey centered on healing and clearing at the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels.

In July (July 11 – 14), we are offering an always highly requested and guest favorite immersion with Miraval specialist, Rae Jessie. This exclusive 3-day immersion will take you on a journey of self-discovery and empower you to harness the power of your own intuition.

July is also National Culinary Arts Month & when we will be celebrating the launch of Miraval’s new cookbook, ‘Recipes For Life in Balance’ with our chefs and culinary teams.

In August (Aug 16 – 18) and November (Nov 15 – 17) we have a mystical 3-day adventure guided by renowned Intuitive & Medium Tina Powers. In this immersive experience, guests will learn invaluable techniques to tap into their psychic and intuitive abilities.

What are some of your favorite activities that guests shouldn’t miss?

This is also a tough question to answer, as it depends on what you’re coming for and what your intention is. Miraval is a very personal, customized and tailored experience. What’s right for me, may not be right for you and what’s right for me in April, may not be right for me in June.

However, some of our guests most sought after experiences and one-on-one private sessions include;

Spiritual Drumming with Miraval specialist, Richard Noel
Beauty of Imperfection with Miraval specialist, Lyndi Rivers
Elements of Healing with Miraval specialist, Rae Jessie
Private psychic reading with Miraval specialist & world-renowned psychic medium, Alexandra Nicol
Private Brennan Energy Healing with Miraval specialist, Tejpal
Private Equine Experience with Equine Specialist & Program Manager, Lucinda Vette

What are you most proud of at your resort?

This is the easiest question for me to answer. I’m most proud of our colleagues and our culture of maintaining a physically and psychologically safe space for both our guests and colleagues to create a life in balance through mindfulness. Again, we do this not for the world to take notice, but for our guests and colleagues to take comfort in.

We encourage our colleagues to experience our resorts offerings firsthand, stay overnight with friends and family as guests of the resort, and to utilize our new ‘I am Days’ program.

Inspired by a traditional mantra meditation, our colleagues wear name tags that say ‘I am,’ followed by a word they’ve chosen to represent their essence. These statements celebrate what we do as people coming together with authenticity and purpose.

The ‘I am Days’ program was designed to celebrate all colleague’s wellbeing and to encourage them to explore wellness both inside and outside of the resort. ‘I Am Days’ are available for all colleagues to come to the resort on one of their scheduled work days, and participate in a wellness experience of their choice. It might be a spa service or an experience, whatever will support their personal wellness journey the most.

What do you want Four Hundred members to know about Miraval Arizona?

We’re here to help people—whether they’re our guests or members of our team—create a life in balance through mindfulness. For over 25 years, that purpose has been our North Star, guiding everything we do, to whom we hire, to which programming we offer.

By staying true to our core purpose, we have established ourselves as a global leader in luxury wellness experiences. Our innovative, only-at-Miraval activities and spa treatments empower guests to consciously explore the connection between body, mind and spirit. We meet guests where they are, encouraging them to embrace the moment they’re in—and to make wellness a way of life, day in and day out.

A wise person once said, “It can be hard sometimes to hear the things we don’t want to hear, but what we need to hear”. We strive to provide a safe space for all to explore themselves in a vulnerable, and authentic way.

The ‘I’ in Miraval represents the individual. We recognize you and your intention as a unique individual and an integral part of the greater whole. You are the ‘I’ in Miraval.