Gijón hosts wellness retreat focusing on yoga, gastronomy and nature

Gijón recently hosted a wellness retreat dedicated to personal well-being, healthy eating, and nature. From 23 to 25 October, the ARTIEM Asturias hotel served as the venue for the inaugural edition of Refugio, organised in collaboration with Less&Conscious. The retreat featured specialists in yoga, gastronomy, sustainability and conscious living, aiming to provide a space for participants to disconnect from their daily routines, adopt healthy habits, and focus on self-care.

During the three-day event, attendees engaged in workshops, meditation sessions, movement activities, culinary encounters, and nature walks in the surrounding area of Gijón. The initiative was led by María Abajo, founder of Less&Conscious, a naturopath and aromatherapist, alongside yoga instructor Aida Artiles, environmental activist Carlota Bruna, and culinary creator Chloé Sucrée.

Embracing autumn for balance

The retreat began on Friday with a welcome session and an introduction to the philosophy behind the event. ARTIEM representatives explained that Refugio aims to address well-being from a holistic perspective, combining rest, movement, nutrition, and connection to the local environment. María Abajo facilitated the first workshop, titled 'Mapa Interno', focusing on regulating the nervous system and identifying personal emotions and needs. Through conscious breathing exercises, meditation, self-massage, and writing, participants explored various tools to manage stress and reduce self-imposed pressures. Abajo emphasised the importance of respecting natural rhythms and leveraging autumn as an ideal time for reflection.

The first day concluded with a dinner featuring a tasting of local products, integrating Asturian cuisine into the experience from the outset.

Conscious eating and seasonal cooking

Saturday was dedicated to exploring the relationship between well-being, nutrition, and daily habits. The day commenced with a roundtable discussion where participants reflected on issues such as digital hyperconnectivity, setting boundaries, self-expectation, and the need to reclaim simple activities that promote focus and tranquillity. A highlight of the day was the participation of Chloé Sucrée, founder of Being Biotiful, who shared her vision of intuitive cooking based on quality ingredients, seasonal products, and simple preparations. During her talk, Sucrée explained how to create balanced and appealing dishes from an organised pantry, emphasising vegetables, food colour, and the enjoyment of cooking as a daily activity linked to well-being.

This session continued with a practical meal prepared collaboratively by Sucrée and Rebeca Fernández, chef at ARTIEM Asturias, using local and seasonal ingredients. This collaboration highlighted the integration of culinary creativity with local cooking and reinforced the importance of the region in the retreat's offerings.

Yoga and meditation for reconnection

The afternoon of Saturday featured Aida Artiles, a model and Jivamukti yoga instructor, who led a session of meditation and conscious movement. The activity combined breathing exercises, relaxation techniques, and a sequence of yoga postures adapted to the participants, focusing on self-connection rather than technical perfection or physical performance. Artiles advocated for yoga as a tool to reconnect with oneself and find a space of calm amid daily demands. Attendees also enjoyed free time in the hotel gardens and spa, along with additional tastings of Asturian products and opportunities for conversation.

Engaging with sustainability by the Cantabrian Sea

The final day shifted activities to the natural surroundings of Gijón. After breakfast, environmental activist Carlota Bruna led a walk that concluded by the Cantabrian Sea, where participants engaged in a discussion about the link between individual well-being and planetary care. Bruna, recognised by Forbes as a notable figure in sustainability in Spain, highlighted the importance of incorporating small changes into daily habits to reduce environmental impact. Suggestions included responsible consumption, repairing items instead of replacing them, choosing second-hand products, reducing food waste, and supporting local tourism. She also referenced the legacy of primatologist Jane Goodall, emphasising the capacity of individuals to contribute to environmental protection through their daily choices. This conversation effectively tied together two of the retreat's main objectives: personal care and environmental responsibility.

ARTIEM's commitment to wellness tourism in Asturias

ARTIEM Asturias, located in Gijón and surrounded by gardens, played a central role in the development of the retreat. Its facilities, green spaces, spa area, and gastronomy based on local suppliers enabled a programme that combined indoor activities with outdoor experiences. This initiative aligns with ARTIEM's hospitality model, a hotel chain certified as a B Corp, which integrates sustainability, well-being, and community engagement into its operations. Through such initiatives, the Gijón establishment aims to expand wellness tourism opportunities and offer experiences that connect hotel stays with the natural and gastronomic resources of Asturias.

Refugio aims to become an annual event

Following the positive feedback from the first edition, ARTIEM and Less&Conscious plan to continue the project and establish Refugio as an annual event dedicated to conscious well-being. Organisers intend to incorporate new experiences, specialists, and collaborations to further explore the relationship between rest, nutrition, movement, and nature. The inaugural event in Gijón reflects a growing interest in tourism proposals that extend beyond traditional accommodation, offering experiences focused on personal care and connection with the destination. With this first edition, Refugio opens a new avenue of activities linked to wellness tourism in Asturias, leveraging the region's natural, gastronomic, and scenic appeal beyond the summer season.