Be well: Koreshan State Historic Site in Estero is home to mind, body and spirit classes

Getting fit at Koreshan State Historic Site can be a bit of an adventure. 

The state park — named after a group of early settlers to Estero who believed Earth was the center of the universe — shows that it is much more than old buildings and hiking trails by offering outdoor wellness classes that include crystal bowl meditation and an intense, sweaty bootcamp.

In the still darkness of morning or in the misty dusk of Florida summer, the workout boot camp brings serious fitness seekers to the park.

For those who prefer a quieter, stiller experience, the meditation class is a better fit.

But participants of both classes told The Banner that Koreshan State Historic Site's atmosphere and the ability to pursue wellness with a group make the programs worth attending.

“I love this park and this space,” said Nicole De Carvalho, known as the "Gypsy Sea Witch," who holds the crystal bowl meditation class in the park. “I have a lot of connection here. My husband and I met here. Having the historic settlement here you have something of a spiritual experience.”

On Wednesday nights, she leads groups of people into stillness.

At a recent session of De Carvalho's meditation class, her students sat on blankets on the ground, on chairs or benches. She slowly made the four white bowls before her hum.

Together, the teacher and her students were under a towering oak tree that is draped in Spanish moss. Her bowls were arranged on a table covered with decorative tablecloths.

Their backdrop was Koreshan's woods, its lawns and the historic Planetary Court building. The smell of incense from a burning candle filled the air.

This approach to mental and spiritual wellness proves useful for people who are searching for a way to unplug, she said.

“It is a weekly opportunity to disconnect with the daily chaos of life,” De Carvalho said. “The crystal bowls are a great way to balance your energy centers and to meditate in a setting like this rich in history and lush in landscaping. And to have nature in the background is a really neat experience. It is also to connect with other like-minded people.”

Tracey Collins said she comes to bowl meditation every week and loves the park setting.

“There is a major kinship among us,” Collins said. “You go from being a lone wolf to a sense of community. This is a magical place.”

Kerry Calavano, another student, said Koreshan State Historic Site is the right place to meditate.

“The beauty of the nature mixed with the general consensus that we all come here to find inner peace really makes that happen," Calavano said.

Derek Marinell, who said he attended the class for the first time, drove to Estero from Lehigh Acres.

“I watched a few videos of this online and thought it would be cool, and I wanted to get some relaxation in,” Marinell said.

While Koreshan is the place some go to find peace, it is also the place others go to break a sweat.

On the other side of the park many hours before the crystal bowl meditation class, a group of fitness enthusiasts moved fast, burned calories and took in the same natural atmosphere that the park offers its guests.

Tiny lanterns sliced a few beams of light in the velvety 5:30 a.m. darkness at Koreshan State Historic Site on a recent weekday.

Not even the birds had started their morning chatter when the group gathered or boot camp class. Instead, the sound of shuffling feet and heavy breathing were heard — and the occasional motivating shouts of Johnathan Blevins, who teaches the fitness boot camp.

Energetic pop songs kept the mood light while nine women and men tried the grueling workout.

Blevins holds this boot camp at the state park weekday mornings at 5:30 a.m. and then again in the evening at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

“It started out busier at night, now it is busier in the morning,” Blevins said. “It is the only book camp in this area. It’s a gorgeous park. It’s all part of the atmosphere. You are sweating, but having a good time, and they love to sweat.”

Joy Hazell and her husband Geoffrey Wasson pumped weights, jumped, did push-ups, burpees and ran around a small area.

“We get up at 4:15 (a.m.) and have coffee,” Hazell said. “Then we come here. It makes the work day go much better. It just fires your brain up. I can’t do it at night because at night I have a gazillion excuses.”

Andrea Hoffer worked out while wearing a t-shirt that read “Suck It Up, Buttercup.”

“I come as much as I can,” Hoffer said. “I can’t afford to be unhealthy anymore.”

Hoffer said she wakes up at 4:30 a.m. to get to class.

“I have known Johnathan for a while and he started my fitness training,” she said. "I was 8 to 10 sizes bigger. I trust him to keep me motivated.”

Sena Marquess said she comes eight times a week, attending both morning and evening classes.

“I am just trying to reach my goals a little quicker,” Marquess said. “I’m more motivated to come here and work out in a group. We are like a camp family. That’s what keeps me coming back.”

Lauren Robbins said she tries to get to boot camp every morning. 

“I really like the diversity of the workout,” Robbins said. “Nothing is ever boring. I like the non-traditional setting. It’s a workout family. We hold each other accountable and we push each other. Everybody is really welcome.”

Blevins said he used to hold boot camp in Naples, but he found there were too many such fitness classes in that area.

So he headed to Estero and decided the state park was the perfect setting, Blevins said.

While the group mostly stays in an area by the park house, they do jog around an island of greenery for one of the exercises.

They also get to watch the first streaks of golden and pink light swirl across the sky over the park. By the time the workout is over an hour later, the sun is up and the sweaty participants can move on to the rest of their day.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Crystal Bowl Meditation

WHERE: Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesdays

COST: $15 plus $5 per car park admission

DETAILS: 754-444-9779

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Boot Camp

WHERE: Koreshan State Historic Site, 3800 Corkscrew Road, Estero

WHEN: 5:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (There is a free boot camp on Saturdays at 8 a.m.)

COST: $15 for one class, $100 for 12 classes or $150 per month unlimited

DETAILS: 660-909-2812