Photos Courtesy of Velocity Black. 
ESSENCE Senior Beauty & Style Editor Akili King believes ‘glow’ is more than skin deep. In The Ritual Report, she shares personal healing practices—from acupuncture for skin and grounding benefits to ‘dopamine dressing’—designed to inspire readers to find creative ways to soothe their nervous systems and reclaim their magic from the inside out.
I’m a firm believer that everything happens in divine timing—even for the things that, in the moment, don’t feel so divine. In my case that’s included everything from a breakup, to moving unexpectedly, and job changes. Looking back, I’m grateful for it all. And more recently? I had zero birthday plans for my 31st birthday. But, I’m so happy I didn’t end up over-scheduling my week, as it allowed me to say yes to a wellness retreat with Jhene Aiko.
Before this opportunity arose, the one thing I knew I needed was a getaway…especially after the endless work and busy schedule that, as a beauty and fashion editor, can come from fashion month, (ironically) Black History Month, Women’s History Month, awards season, and more.
When Velocity Black, an app-based membership club that offers digital concierge services and luxury travel experiences, reached out to me about taking a trip to Montage Healdsburg in Sonoma Wine Country to experience one of their curated trips, I couldn’t say no. And the itinerary wasn’t just stacked with activities like sound baths, workouts, ice plunges, and more. The week was also hosted by one of my favorite musicians and wellness gurus, Aiko, alongside Dr. Jonathan Leary, founder of Remedy Place, and celebrity trainer Kirsty Godso.
After a long travel day that included a 6 hour flight to San Francisco and a 2 hour drive from the airport to Sonoma, the evening on Sunday kicked off with a lovely dinner and a chance to chat with the other members and editors on the trip. This was all right before a sound bath guided by none other than Aiko herself. As we all laid down on our mats, her soothing voice led us through a guided meditation while she utilized singing bowls and instruments for extra relaxation. I felt immersed in her ethereal world, and truly could’ve laid there for hours.
Post sound bath Aiko shares, “it was super special being able to do this because I’m fairly new to doing sound baths,” she explains. We couldn’t tell. “Even though I incorporate them into my music, hosting intimate sound baths is a dream come true, because I’m also receiving the sound medicine. It came at the perfect time because it’s been a hectic week.” I couldn’t relate more, as I had been prepping for our upcoming issue, planning out upcoming content, and even weighing the fact that I may have to move soon. I loved her point about how giving to others can also be a healing experience, too.
I arose from the meditation feeling like my shoulders were lighter, thoughts were slowed down, and as though I was ready for bed. It helped that I drank a delicious rose-infused tea, right before going to sleep, to usher me into a peaceful slumber.
The next morning began with a high intensity workout led by Godso. The workout got me right, as I was sore for a few days after this. I was totally inspired to get back into being active again—as I’ve found it difficult to keep up my usual practices during this tough winter and super busy season. But the group class was a reminder of how important it is to carve out time for myself, regardless of how busy life may get. Following the session, I enjoyed breakfast before we got ready to head to an olive oil tasting and a lunch at Skipstone Winery. Upon returning to the hotel, a much-needed nap and bath in the luxurious bathtub was a must.
That evening, I got to chat with Aiko about everything from sound baths to what self-care means to her these days, before we sat next to one another at dinner, and she showed me adorable photos of her son. Above all else, her outlook really inspired me. To her, wellness is all about “finding moments throughout the day,” she tells me. “Being well is not about being perfect. It’s about being in the moment,” she adds.
At this point, I’m starting to feel like she’s speaking directly to me. In a fast-paced industry, it’s hard not to get caught up in perception and “perfection.” I needed this reminder. “I’m all about taking things as they come and learning to appreciate it all,” Aiko explains. “Whether you feel good or bad about something, feelings are fleeting. So it’s just about being grateful that we’re even alive.” These words stuck with me for the remainder of the trip—and beyond. Being so busy, it’s easy to feel like “I don’t have time for this or that,” or perhaps a full “routine” just feels overwhelming some days. I needed the reminder that sometimes taking care of yourself just means expressing gratitude quietly, saying a simple prayer, and doing something that brings you into your body and the present moment. It doesn’t have to be expensive or over-complicated.
The next day, I was feeling inspired and I hit the gym when I woke up—something I’d been putting off for too long. Others opted for ice bath plunges, but I just simply am not ready for all that (I truly despise being cold!). But maybe one day I will be bold enough to try it out. After my workout, I ate my lunch and had a bit of time to just chill. I sat by the fire on my balcony, journaled and meditated briefly, and then showered and changed for a tea ceremony.
This session was led by Aiko and herbalist and the founder of Plant Magic by Ndidi, Jennifer Ndidi Ilonzeh. Ilonzeh created a custom blend, “Bloom,” inspired by Aiko, that we all got to try and take home, alongside Aiko’s Jhenetics CBD Lotion (which I’ve been using on my recent neck pain, and it’s really helping!) with us. It wasdecoding=”async” src=”https://media.essence.com/vxcjywbwpa/uploads/2026/04/IMG_7737-scaled.jpeg” alt=”This Wellness Retreat With Jhené Aiko Helped Me With Burnout” width=”400″ height=”533″ />
After the ceremony, that day, we got to test out some Remedy Place offerings. I tried the compression pants, which are great for lymphatic drainage. And, in a weird way, they helped me face my claustrophobia, which began after a near-death balcony accident I was in back in 2017. At first, the squeezing brought up a lot of anxiety, but as I breathed deeper, and surrendered to the moment, I began to feel better.
The final evening concluded with a trip to the restaurant Cyrus. It was such a unique experience, as for the appetizer portion, the restaurant opened up their kitchen and guests got to walk through and try different starters and drinks. My favorites were the sushi and the mushroom broth (so good!). The courses, too, were unique and delicious. The gorgeous view of their vineyard didn’t hurt, either.
The following day, to close out the trip, I had lunch with two of the editors, Jaelani and Dawnie, who were invited. Following, I did a bike ride around the nearby neighborhood with Dawnie. It was spontaneous and super fun. I can’t remember the last time I had the time and space to do something like that. To finish off, I laid by the pool all day and got some much-needed sun before my massage. I left the trip feeling like I was floating. Inflammation from my eczema had gone down, I was worrying less about what lied in the weeks ahead, and I surrendered to the present—with gratitude. Like Aiko says, “that’s true wellness to me.”
TOPICS: The Ritual Report
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Author: Akili King
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