Beautiful Taos is located in the north central part of New Mexico, 1 ½ hours north of Santa Fe. Taos is situated in the Great American Southwest nestled near the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountain Ranges. With an arid climate and over 300 days of sunshine per year, Taos has become a mecca for health and healing. Our relaxed atmosphere, pristine beauty, and eclectic cultural mix give Taos a special aura, making it truly the "Land of Enchantment."

Taos invites you to health and wholeness through a myriad of events, services, and activities. Sunterra Guest Lodging and Estrella Massage and Day Spa are a great beginning. Sunterra Lodging offers luxury accommodations in a quiet retreat-like setting with spectacular vistas and sunsets. Receiving a treatment at our Day Spa can help care for the body, calm the mind, and soothe the spirit. Estrella Massage and Day Spa invites you to retreat, relax, and rejuvenate after a busy day of sightseeing and exploring.

Taos embraces a variety of holistic health practitioners to assist you on your healing journey. Some of these include acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathic, naturopathic and wellness centers. Your hostess, Teresa, will gladly refer practitioners. You may also link to their information following this article.

Diet and exercise are two key components to a healthy lifestyle. Taos has several premium places to buy healthy, fresh organic food. Cids Food Market is our natural health food store and is located north of Taos Plaza on Highway 64. This gourmet food market carries everything from organic meat, fresh organic produce, to vitamins and top quality health and beauty aids. The Taos Farmers Market is open May-October on Saturdays from 8am-1pm, next to the Taos Public Library. It is a great place to meet locals and purchase local organic produce. The Taos Herb Company, located in the Raley's Shopping Center, is an encyclopedia of natural medicine, herbs and supplements. They will gladly assist you and share their wealth of knowledge and expertise. There are a variety of restaurants offering healthy cuisine, many using fresh produce from local farms. Please view the links that follow.

Taos offers two health and fitness centers, located conveniently on the north and south side of town. The Northside Health and Fitness Center and the Taos Spa and Tennis Club offer classes from Akido-Yoga and weight training /management. The Taos Youth and Family Center, just east of the Taos Visitor Center on Highway 585, has a state-of-the-art olympic size pool and warm water therapy pool. There are adult and children's swim times. The Youth and Family Center has classes for children, ice skating, skate boarding, hockey, basketball and a game room for family entertainment and fun. There are several outdoor tennis courts and golf courses nearby. Taos and the surrounding area offers a multitude of first-class outdoor activities. From hiking, biking, river rafting, fishing, horseback riding and llama trekking. The Taos Ski Valley is world-renowned offering beginning and expert skiing, the ski school is rated one of the best in the country. Taos is your host for any outdoor excursion you can imagine. Our clean, crisp mountain air and spectacular scenery will surely lift the spirit. The Rio Grande River Gorge, just west of Taos, offers unsurpassed beauty and grand vistas. It is a great place to hike, bike and soak in the natural hot springs located on the river.

Not only is Taos considered a mecca for healing, it has long been a haven for artists of all visions and aptitudes. Taos first established itself as an art colony in the late 1800's and early 1900's. People living here and visiting intuitively know that art can contain healing forces to benefit humankind. Art and music are food for the soul just as nutrition is medicine for the body. The practice of art as therapy, is a way healing art is nurtured. Art is no longer for commodity or mere purchase, but the unfolding of the creative process itself. In the genuine work of art, the spirit must shine through the material form. Taos offers a variety of art classes throughout the year, held at several prestigious institutions. Galleries, workshops and art openings from local artists abound. Visit www.taosnews.com for weekly, monthly, and yearly happenings.

To truly experience health and wholeness, we must honor the mind-body-spirit connection. The inner is a reflection of the outer, and the outer is a reflection of the inner. The food we eat, the books we read, the people we associate with affect our well being. Our homes have a profound affect on our health and can help to sustain us and support our ongoing growth and healing. Taos is known as the "solar capital of the world." More and more people are turning to "green building" and sustainable architecture. In Taos you can learn about alternative forms of energy and building. There are seminars, workshops and classes to experience sustainable living. Learning to live and build with less impact on the earth, does not mean we must sacrifice our modern amenities. We need to learn how to harmonize them, to heal ourselves and our environment . Taos is the forerunner in architecture that sustains and heals, from the traditional adobe home, to earthships , rammed earth, strawbale, and pumice homes.

While you are visiting Taos, there are several day trips worth mentioning. Deemed sacred by the indigenous Native Americans Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs has been a gathering place and source of healing for hundreds of years. Just one hour southwest of Taos, Ojo offers hiking through stunning high desert and riverside trails. Chimayo, a small farming and art community is located on the scenic "High Road to Taos." The Santuario de Chimayo is a modern day spiritual pilgrimage where thousands of people seek refuge and healing from its legendary 'healing dirt'. The Santuario has been hailed as the "Lourdes of America" where many people receive miracles and blessings. Abiqui, Georgia O'Keefe country, is also an hour away from Taos offering spectacular scenery, hiking and a variety of courses at the well known Ghost Ranch Conference Center. Lastly, there is the "Enchanted Circle Drive" winding through small mountain villages with vast mountains and vistas.

Taos and the surrounding area abound in activities, nature, and cultural events to welcome every visitor, especially those who seek health, wholeness, and spirit. The following links are available for more information and depth about local happenngs.

These images represent the artistry of Taos photographer (and massage therapist), Carla Friedman. A refugee from the Pacific Northwest - she now lives in an old adobe chapel, beneath New Mexico's enormous sky. Carla approaches her subjects as would a practitioner of contemplative Japanese archery. With the intent to unmask extraordinary beauty within ordinary things - mind, breath, and eye unify, until the spirit of the moment is captured with tenderness, respect, and reverance.

Photos can be purchased at Estrella Massage. For more information please contact Teresa at 1 888 751 7307.