TRAVEL & ARRIVAL
If you are driving in, please enter the location where you will be leaving from in the Driving Directions box (below).
If you are flying into and/or out of Tucson, a representative from Miraval will be at the airport (in the baggage claim area) to greet you and guide you to the resort shuttle. There is no charge for this service (and no tipping).
Arrival can be anytime on Thursday, although rooms may not be ready until after 3:00 pm. If you are scheduled to arrive early, you may want to pre-schedule a spa service or take part in a special session of the Equine Experience (1:00 - 4:00 pm).
Dear LBC Participants:
Soon you will become part of a unique gathering in the incomparable Sonoran desert at Miraval Resort & Spa outside of Tucson, Arizona. From the evening of December 6th until noon on the 9th, approximately 150 of us will take part in Life Beyond Cancer VIII, a weekend of restoration and information for both cancer survivors and oncology nurses.
Restoration will be in the form of healthy food, exercise opportunities, body work, and relaxation within the beautiful environment of Miraval.
Information will be offered through presentations and workshops that focus on methods of self care, long-term survival, and community advocacy. Through panel discussions and informal networking, both survivors and oncology nurses will draw upon the expertise of each other to learn more about the components of healing.
SPA SERVICES
It is highly recommended (but not mandatory) to make spa appointments BEFORE you arrive. If you are scheduled to arrive early on Thursday (either in the late morning or early afternoon), this is a good time to pre-schedule a spa service as the rest of the weekend is so packed. You can make appointments by calling 1-800-363-0819. Go to www.miravalresort.com for a complete updated list of spa services available.
EQUINE EXPERIENCE
Unique to Miraval, this program provides remarkable insight into your personal and professional relationships in an enlightening and enjoyable way. You will work with our specially selected horses practicing equestrian "ground skills." The Equine Experience facilitates self-discovery, revealing patterns of learned behaviors that either enhance or hinder the flow of personal and professional relationships. It also creates opportunities to look at ways in which each person creates her/her own personal stress in their daily lives. Presenting yet another opportunity at Miraval to discover more and better ways of being conscious of each moment of "living" (as opposed to merely surviving the day-to-day experience), this program is an exercise in enjoying the present.
The Equine Experience is the most popular program at Miraval and with limited space, we require that you sign up as soon as possible. You may PRE-REGISTER with Susan Leigh (sleigh@mindspring.com) so that everyone has an equal chance for the limited spaces. Choose either Thursday, Friday or Saturday afternoon from 1-4 PM. Refer to the agenda to see what day would work best for you. And if anyone can stay Sunday afternoon, we have been able to add a special session that day.
This will be first come first serve. Each class accommodates only 10 participants. You will be put on a waiting or cancellation list if more apply than can be accommodated.
SPECIAL REQUESTS
Please let us know if you have any medical needs or special requests for your room. There are limited handicapped accessible rooms, and there is NO smoking in any of the rooms or buildings at Miraval. Each room has an outdoor patio. Also, the buffet meals can satisfy just about any type of dietary requirements. Special requests can also be made.
In order to accommodate as many as possible, it will be necessary for a number of you to share a room. We will try to fulfill as many requests as possible for single rooms, but cannot promise that this will happen. If all single rooms are assigned and you are unwilling to share a double room, we may have to ask you to give your reservation to another candidate on the waiting list.
HELPFUL HINTS
A few extra hints or reminders to help with your planning:
• You will need to bring a credit card (required at check-in) for extras, such as, books, tapes, gift shop purchases, bar beverages, or spa services (other than the 2 that are included). Make sure you have a little extra room in your luggage. Also, there is NO tipping!
• Remember that if you are flying, you will be met at the airport and transported to the resort on the Miraval shuttle. Look for someone holding a Miraval sign by baggage claim.
• There will be a sign up board for all Miraval activities when you get to the resort. The sooner you know what activities you would like to participate in, the better chance you will have to get into your desired programs. This is for the Miraval activities only – not the conference sessions.
• Dress is casual, casual, casual. Bring clothing appropriate to the activities you want to participate in. Be sure to bring a jacket or heavy sweater for the evenings and early mornings.
• If you want to have certain kinds of massages that use heat (e.g., the hot stone massage), make sure you don’t have any medical reasons that might cause any problems, such as, recent radiation, lymphedema, or high blood pressure. Check with your doctor or lymphedema specialist if you have any questions. Also, mention any special needs when making spa appointments so that the Miraval staff can help you select safe and appropriate treatments.
• You may make appointments for any of the spa services before you arrive by calling Miraval (1-800-363-0819) and asking for spa reservations. Note that cancellations for spa appointments are 4 hours before you are scheduled. With so many people wanting spa services, the earlier you sign up, the better chance you have of getting your preferred time and type of service. The weekend package includes 2 spa services up to $110 per session. If you want to try a more expensive treatment or have more than 2 services, the extra costs will be charged to your room.
• The weather will be in the 50’s – 70’s during the day, and down into the 30’s – 40’s at night. It can be COLD in the desert, so bring something warm! We have early morning healing services around the kiva while the sun is rising. Although there is a fire in the open pit, we have had many very cold participants bundled up in anything they could find to keep warm. Gloves and hats are also a good idea.
