New Orleans Travel Guide: top tips from your wellness insiders
Whenever I travel, I want my travel recs from people who have similar interests to me (especially if they are in the wellness world!). Today we’re sharing with you some of our loved recommendations with your New Orleans wellness insiders – aka some of our amazing practitioners in our collective!
Your New Orleans Wellness Insiders:
In today’s blog, your tour guides are some of our New Orleans’ very own healers — ranging from astrologers, tarot readers, and yoga teachers.
Denise Hancock is a nurse and consulting astrologer in New Orleans, Louisiana. She brings the benefits of a full life experience to her client work, with a successful career spanning finance, healthcare, education, and management positions. Denise practices a fusion of modern and traditional astrology and clients love her for her compassionate pragmatism.
Sofiya is a soundhealer, yoga teacher, and meditation guide in New Orleans. She leads multiple different styles of yoga and is a reiki master of over 30 years. She is recognized by the Ecuadorian government as a Cosmovision & Sacred Plants specialist/Guardian of the Fire in offering Shamanic Healing sessions & ceremonies.
Dina is a New Orleans-based healer who works across many healing modalities and has been a practitioner in the healing arts for over 15 years. With Luv Collective, she offers yoga, soundhealing, and tarot.
Top Travel Recs for New Orleans:
Where are some of your favorite wellness hotspots in the city?
“Spyre Center in the Garden District is a hit with me and my friends. Formerly a church, it is a beautiful setting with a variety of health and wellness offerings. You can get a day pass and use the pool, cafe and other facilities.. Check out their schedule for special events, therapies and classes.” ~Denise
Spyre Center for Yoga Classes
Favorite yoga and fitness classes?
“Some of the best yoga teachers in the city work for Wild Lotus, voted "best yoga studio" for 21 years in a row. They have a full schedule of classes, workshops and other special events. I'm a big fan of anything Dena Borman teaches, and I love the Sunday night Serenity Yoga with Andra Aitken. HINT: Around the corner, you'll find delicious local ice cream at Creole Creamery, which you totally deserve after that yoga class"!” ~Denise
“Yoga Classes at Swan River or Wild Lotus!” ~Sofiya
Favorite hikes or outdoor experiences?
All three of our guides were big fans of the city park sculpture garden!
“Stroll through City Park or Riverwalk, take a trolley car ride. ~Sofiya
According to Denise, “For outdoor experiences in and near the city, the easiest get away is to City Park. More than 50% larger than Central Park in New York City, City Park is 1300 acres with many different attractions, water features and 600 year old oak trees. My top choices at City Park are the Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, but you can also play golf, go horseback riding, rent bikes or a boat, even get coffee and beignets.
You cannot miss the Walda and Sydney Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the New Orleans Museum of Art in City Park. It's a streetcar ride away from downtown and the French Quarter. Stroll around the lagoons and under the spectacular Live Oaks while you view an amazing collection of modern sculptures. There are almost 100 sculptures on 11 acres, and it is free!
Around the bend, you'll find the New Orleans Botanical Garden. Unlike many city gardens, this one is a treat at every time of the year! I especially enjoy it during the winter holidays when temperatures are mild and the garden is decorated in style.
If you want to get a little more rugged but still stay close, check out the hiking trails at Barataria Preserve, which is part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve system. You're probably going to see alligators, birds and other animals as you explore the swamplands.
HINT: After you work up an update, stop by Jans Cajun Restaurant in Jean Lafitte for traditional cajun family style food.”
Favorite way to unwind in the city?
“Fav way to unwind in the city is to just walk around and listen to the music and stop into Cafe du Monde for a beignet and coffee!!” ~Dina
Must-stop boutiques or stores?
“Earth Odyssey for crystals and beautiful jewelry!!” ~Dina
Where do you go when you want the best juice?
“The Daily Beet- 3300 Magazine Street” ~Sofiya
Where do you go when you want to be a little witchy?
“Island Of Salvation Botanica- 2372 St. Claude Ave. Suite 100” ~Sofiya
