
Promoting the power of breathwork and nature is a priority for Nina Smiley, Ph.D., director of mindfulness programming at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. Dr. Smiley aims to continually integrate the power of mindfulness, natural settings and breathwork into developing a deeper understanding of wellness. Here, she talks to WellSpa 360 about her career aspirations, her favorite healthy recipe and more.
Log in to view the full article
Promoting the power of breathwork and nature is a priority for Nina Smiley, Ph.D., director of mindfulness programming at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. Dr. Smiley aims to continually integrate the power of mindfulness, natural settings and breathwork into developing a deeper understanding of wellness. Here, she talks to WellSpa 360 about her career aspirations, her favorite healthy recipe and more.
How did you get started in the industry?
Several threads came together to make this happen. Decades ago, my twin brother introduced me to mindfulness and the resilience it can bring to each moment, and I knew that I wanted someday to share this with others. Receiving a Ph.D. in psychology gave me another perspective to integrate with mindfulness. Working at Mohonk Mountain House, a Victorian castle resort where wellness has been a focus for more than 150 years, allows me to share mindfulness in a truly inspirational setting.
What makes the wellness industry exciting right now?
In addition to integrating the power of nature into a deeper understanding of wellness, breathwork is emerging as a complementary approach that is tremendously powerful as a wellness practice. I’m involved with the Breath-Body-Mind Foundation, which is working internationally to bring breathwork to people in need.
What is your favorite healthy recipe?
I love the delicious simplicity of roasted root vegetables and the creativity of having so many wonderful options to put in the mix. Parsnips, turnips, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes and brussels sprouts drizzled with olive oil and seasoned as desired are a colorful, healthy and easy treat. I feel connected to the earth as I prepare these meals and enjoy the fragrance that roasting brings to my kitchen.
What is new at Mohonk Mountain House?
Mohonk Mountain House has always sought to use its unique setting to bring the natural world into wellness. We just introduced the Lakeview Summerhouse, our first outdoor spa treatment room, which overlooks a pristine sky-water lake surrounded by woodlands.
Our new Lakeside Immersion is a contrast experience, which starts with a dip in Lake Mohonk for cold therapy. The guests then heads indoors for hot cider or tea, guided yoga stretches and warm ginger inhalation therapy. We have also recently created other spa treatments centered around contrast therapy.
Finally, our new Seasonal Wellbeing Collection is a holistic approach to staying healthy each season. Encouraging guests to explore the natural changes that cycle throughout the year as an opportunity to be deeply rooted in wellness, we address different seasonal needs with customized spa, fitness and mindfulness offerings. Summer focuses on renewal, fall brings awareness of balance and harmony, spring looks toward detoxification and winter is about building immunity.
What is a dream you’ve always had and hoped to accomplish?
Bringing mindfulness meditation to Mohonk Mountain House and creating new opportunities to support wellness in a natural setting is my ongoing dream. Exploring how nature, mindfulness and breathwork continue to evolve to support wellness together—nurturing people in real life and real time—is my ongoing dream.