How to Shake up Your Self-Care Routine in Delaware

While traditional wellness practices like yoga, diet, and exercise remain popular, a world of alternative therapies is drawing interest for those seeking something deeper. From shamanic soul retrievals to energy-boosting red light therapy, and even a dance-inspired yoga class, these unconventional approaches invite us to explore wellness in surprising new ways. Whether you’re looking to reconnect with your past, revitalize your energy, or simply shake up your routine, these methods are designed to nurture the whole self and make 2025 a year of discovery.

Kick off the new year with some fresh moves at Free to Be Yoga & Movement in Middletown. Its popular Rhythm & Flow workshop blends yoga-inspired movements with elements of dance, creating a vibrant and free-flowing experience in the studio’s bright, plant-filled space. Owner and instructor Danielle Bukowski developed the class to help students explore their innate musicality, coordinate movement and breath with a beat, and, of course, have fun. “Dance and yoga are sister sciences,” Bukowski says. “This class encourages students to find autonomy and a connection to self. We are never forcing anyone to be a certain way; rather we are helping to show everyone that they don’t have to change. They have permission to take the choreography and move in any way that feels good and right for them.” Whether you’re new to yoga or dance or an experienced practitioner, Rhythm & Flow is designed for all levels of fitness and no prior dance skills are required. Students can come as they are, let go of expectations, and cut a rug—or a yoga mat.

Consider swapping traditional methods, such as acupuncture or dry needling, for the ancient healing practice of cupping therapy. This therapeutic technique, which involves creating suction on the skin using special cups, is regaining popularity for its ability to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and promote deep relaxation—similar to the benefits of acupuncture but with a distinct approach. While acupuncture uses fine needles to stimulate specific points (meridians) on the body, cupping targets a broader area through suction, helping to release muscle knots and alleviate pain. It’s particularly effective for those dealing with chronic tension, stiffness, or inflammation. The suction draws blood to the surface of the skin, encouraging increased circulation and promoting healing in areas that may feel stagnant or sore. Many people find cupping to be a soothing, noninvasive alternative to needles, and it can even help with respiratory issues by loosening mucus and improving lung function. Add cupping therapy to any massage session at Limestone Therapeutic Massage in Wilmington or Barefoot on the Beach Spa & Wellness Studio in Rehoboth Beach.

Looking to deepen your knowledge of self in the coming year? Dive into a mystical shamanic healing session. Medicine woman Terri Pippen, who sees clients at Heather’s Holistic Health in Dover, explains, “Shamans travel to different realities to do their healing. One modality is called ‘soul retrieval’ and another is called a ‘past life journey.’” Soul retrieval mostly addresses trauma from childhood. “When we have trauma in our life, part of us will splinter off to get through it. There is only so much pain we can handle. …I have been taught by my teachers how to journey, get those soul parts, and bring them back.” Pippen suggests this path for those who feel “disconnected” or like “something is missing.” Past life journeys, on the other hand, unearth traumas from previous lifetimes. “Any past life that we have had with some kind of trauma in it has to be taken care of. It is meant to be repaired in your next lifetime,” she notes. During a typical session, clients lie comfortably in a sacred space while the rhythmic beat of drums guides the journey.

A healthy diet doesn’t have to mean total restriction; you can indulge smarter. With more and more restaurants adding vegan and vegetarian options to their regular menus, it has become easier to stay on track. Wilmington favorite Mrs. Robino’s now offers a vegan lasagna that has even meat lovers opting for it. Restaurant operator Andrea Wakefield says the plant-based menu emerged organically when Faithful Friends Animal Society founder Jane Pierantozzi requested a vegan menu for a catered event. “I started researching Italian plant-based options and realized there were many delicious recipes,” Wakefield says. The rest is history. “Our customers were thankful for the options. Word spread and [now] plant-based eaters travel from all over to try out our menu.” Other restaurants are following suit. Grandpa Mac in Rehoboth Beach has crafted a plantbased version of mac and cheese, while Wilmington’s all-vegan Drop Squad Kitchen satisfies sweet cravings with their blueberry cobbler, banana bread, and dairy-free milkshakes.

Shake up your self-care regimen with an LED red light therapy (RLT) session. Available at Houppette in Greenville, these short but powerful sessions offer a cutting-edge way to revitalize your body and mind. Much like a sauna, RLT promotes circulation and helps with muscle recovery, making it a great tool for easing tension and reducing inflammation. However, unlike the heat of a sauna, which relies on high temperatures to induce sweating and detoxification, RLT uses low-level wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into the skin, stimulating cellular repair and collagen production. This process can help improve skin tone and texture, reduce fine lines, and accelerate healing from injuries. “LED RLT consists of red and near infrared light wavelengths that stimulate skin, and sometimes deeper tissue cells, to function more efficiently, which generally results in lower levels of inflammation, increased blood flow, and a host of other healing and cosmetic benefits. Not to mention, it’s cozy and warm during the cold winter months,” says Lizzie Johnson, co-owner of Houppette. The best part: Each session lasts just 12 minutes, making it a convenient option for busy schedules.

Switch up your usual bodywork routine and indulge in something a little more luxurious. Instead of a traditional massage, treat yourself to the Montalcino Thermal Mud Treatment at Currie Hair, Skin and Nails’ DuPont location in Wilmington. The unique spa experience taps in to the power of thermal waters sourced from the picturesque Montalcino region of Tuscany, offering detoxifying, revitalizing, and anti-cellulite benefits. The treatment blends essential oils to deeply purify tissues, while fucus and laminaria algae work to break down stubborn fats and promote smoother, healthier skin. In just one blissful hour, the process stimulates systemic detox, drains excess fluids, mobilizes toxins, and helps improve the appearance of cellulite, leaving you feeling refreshed and radiant.

Related: 8 Places for Plant-Based Fare Around Delaware