ESTES PARK - When I reflect on days I allowed stress to take over my body, I experience a great deal of regret. Yet, within regret, I find the opportunity to self-reflect and evolve. The challenge for me is finding the right time to do so. 

I walked through the resort and down the stairs to my spa appointment. Though the walk was short, it was long enough to consider my recent regrets and forgive myself for putting my body through unnecessary stress. And let’s face it, all stress is inarguably unnecessary. 

Upon opening the entrance door, I stepped into a spiritual vortex. The space didn’t have a distinct scent but a neutral one, as if to allow my senses to create whatever scent they craved. I checked in at the front desk and was shown to the women’s locker room, where slippers and a robe hung from a hook with my name. 

I quickly changed, put my belongings in a locker, and slipped the key into my robe pocket. I proceeded to the waiting area for some citrus electrolyte water. I looked around to find several massage chairs and two saunas. 

I filled out the required paperwork and waited to be introduced to my acupuncture practitioner. We walked to a private room. The light was dim, and the sound of ocean waves gently filled the space. What happened next was unexpected. 

My body, mind, and spirit must have been ready for release. My head hung low when asked to share what brought me there, and I cried. I sobbed for numerous reasons, mostly from relief. I can’t express how badly I needed this time.

The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa is part of The Estes Park Resort, which opened on Memorial Day 2001 as The Lakeshore Lodge. It is Lake Estes’ only waterfront hotel. The current owners purchased the lodge 11 years later, renaming it The Estes Park Resort. 

The resort was also once the town’s drive-in movie theater. In May 2024, Ember Restaurant and Bar opened, offering modern American dishes and a venue for all occasions. The panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains certainly add an extra layer of something special. 

After composing myself and surviving the initial process, I was poked with several filiform needles and left alone. I decided to meditate, practicing mindfulness to reap the full benefits of my holistic treatment.

An hour later, I no longer had the urge to cry. All I could feel was gratitude. That’s the beauty of self-reflection. It creates a sanctuary of solace and relief for the stressed soul. Acupuncture allowed me the space and time to reflect. I couldn’t be more grateful.

The road I had once seen as cracked and deteriorated was no longer broken. It simply needed what my soul needed: a few healing bandages, or in this case, a few healing needles.

The Qi Lounge Wellness Spa is at 1700 Colorado Peaks Drive, Estes Park. You can find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/QiLoungeSpa/ or call them at 970-235-0056.