Rejuvenate & Reinvest in Yourself this Spring in the Petoskey Area

As we transition into spring – the season of growth and renewal – it is the perfect time to focus on self-love. Focusing on activities that awaken your senses, celebrate life and generally increase endorphins can be as simple as a quick mani and/or pedi, a walk along a wildflower laden woodland trail or taking up a new hobby.

Massage & Spa

Boyne City Massage and Wellness (located above the Alpine Chocolate Haus in downtown Boyne City…BONUS) offers an array of holistic treatments meant to rejuvenate one’s mind, body, and soul. Relax with a Signature Eminence Facial, Therapeutic Massage, or Red Light Zen Session—which helps reduce inflammation, increase circulation, and speed healing and recovery. Massage by the Bay in downtown Petoskey provides a variety of massages (including hot stone, couples, and prenatal), acupressure treatments, exhilarating body scrubs, reflexology, and cupping.

The Spa at the Inn at Bay Harbor’s Lavender Blossom Swedish Massage or Lemon Verbena Hydration body treatment are perfect for spring. While there, feel free to order a mouthwatering treat such as decadent strawberries, French macarons or snack platters featuring meats, cheeses, fruits or Mediterranean small plate options. You can also choose from a selection of wine, sparkling tea and kombucha. The Inn even offers weekly Barre, Yoga, Tone & Stretch and Sound Healing sessions from its fitness center, jumpstarting your focus on health and wellness.

Head to The Spa at Boyne Mountain, for the Manuka Honey Body Treatment, a sweet service for softening and hydrating the body, with a dual-action exfoliation followed by a moisturizing application of creamy body lotion. The Zen Trilogy massage starts with warm oil drizzled onto the body, followed by a Swedish massage and then a gentle rolling of bamboo sticks to work out any tension. A warm oil scalp massage and foot reflexology rub cap off this indulging treatment. Day passes and group wellness retreats are also available.

For a more inclusive retreat experience, book a weekend at The Inn at Bay Harbor—along the southern shore of Little Traverse Bay or Mountain Grand Resort at Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls where luxurious accommodations, diverse dining, and unparalleled spa treatments can be found.

Body Movement

Attention yogis, astronomers, and astrologers…Yoga Roots and Healing Arts is hosting a Full Moon Yoga, Astrology + Manifestation session on Monday, April 22 at its studio in downtown Petoskey. Participants will learn about the full moon’s astrological position and how to align with it to support overall personal well-being. Journaling of individual dreams, goals, and intentions are part of this event. Snacks, including herbal drinks, fruits, and sweets, will be offered. Yoga Roots also offers a series of public group and private individual classes and other events throughout the year.

Those new to yoga might enjoy Gentle Yoga held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with Jennifer Lovely as part of the Lifelong Learning Club North Central Michigan College. These classes run for four weeks, throughout the month of April, and is aimed to relieve stress, calm the mind, increase flexibility, and strengthen the body with less extreme positions—both floor-based and standing positions. The class is for all ages, abilities and body types. Just bring your yoga mat and water bottle.

Enjoy Nature

If organized exercise isn’t your speed, a simple walk along the shore of Little Traverse Bay—searching for Michigan’s state stone, the Petoskey Stone—is a great way to get out and get some fresh air. Or check with the Petoskey Audubon Society to see if they have any upcoming birding walks scheduled, where you’re sure to see Michigan’s state bird…the robin. The Harbor Springs Chapter of the North Country Trail has also released its 2024 Hike Schedule, which allows you to explore various sections of this national route while searching for wildlife and flora—including Michigan’s state wildflower, the trillium.

Classes & Events

Perhaps you’re looking to learn a new skill, pick up a new hobby, or find other ways to quietly reflect. NCMC’s Lifelong Learning Club is offering Beginning & Intermediate Group Guitar lessons with Owen James, Line Dancing with Suzie Cartwright, Spring Foraging for Wild Herbs, Fused Glass art classes, Bay View History Walking Tours, and many other programs throughout the year.

Fustini’s Oils & Vinegars is continuing its virtual Olive Oil Tasting events throughout the spring season, with other classes and events likely to be added so check the website calendar.

If you’ve always been interested in drawing or painting, Crooked Tree Art Center has a full schedule of classes available for all ages including a special class through Challenge Mountain for adults with disabilities. It’s also time to sign the kids up for Summer Camp classes, so check the website for details.

The Petoskey District Library is always a source for great events and programs including Chess Club (every Monday at 3:30 pm), Mah Jongg (every Tuesday at 1 pm), and the Petoskey Ukulele Players (every Thursday at 12:30 pm in the Carnegie Building). Also on the April schedule, they are hosting programs like Creative Greeting Card Making, French Conversation Group, Lower Case Brush Calligraphy, the Page Tuners Book Club, a Petoskey Film Series, and of course, activities around the Solar Eclipse on April 8 (among many other offerings).

Mental Wellness

Over at McLean & Eakin, the staff is focused on journaling as a way to deal with anxiety, depression, stress, grief, and relationship issues or to just focus attention on specific tasks. If you’ve been thinking about putting pen to paper, stop down and pick out the perfect notebook to keep your innermost thoughts, and maybe grab a book or two to inspire your writing.

 

About the Author: Dianna Stampfler is the president of Promote Michigan and the author of the best-selling books “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses” and “Death & Lighthouses on the Great Lakes.” She loves traveling around the Great Lakes state, with Hemingway country being among her favorite destinations.