TheBuzz Erika Engle

Exercise might not be so bad after all

Halekulani may be on to something.

If all exercise involved chocolate and wine, more of us sedentary types would actually do it. For some of us, merely working the e-word into our vocabularies is an accomplishment.

Yes, yes, yoga is about more than just physical fitness.

That's where David Romanelli comes in. He is the co-founder of At One Yoga in Arizona and is Yahoo's Mind-Body Expert.

"His unique blend of spiritual practice and emotional, mental, and physical well-being reflects the essence and pleasures of Halekulani," said General Manager Janis Clapoff, in a statement.

Romanelli teamed up with Katrina Markoff, owner and chocolatier of Chicago-based Vosges Haut-Chocolat for the Yoga + Chocolate experience, which integrates yoga poses with chocolate.

Anybody remotely aware of tourism knows that spa experiences are a huge draw at destination resorts. Yoga experiences are increasingly becoming a draw and the hospitality industry is finding more ways to address such niche travel, according to a recent Associated Press story.

Some 30 percent of affluent travelers responding to a Ypartnership survey cited yoga as their favorite program or service at spas, while 65 percent chose massage. Ypartnership defines affluent travelers as comprising the top 7 percent of the U.S. population, with incomes of $150,000 or more.

One needn't rake in that kind of dough to experience Yoga + Chocolate + Wine at Halekulani next month.

There are three sessions to choose from: "Yoga + Chocolate," from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 6 at the Hau Terrace; the yoga-free, chocolate-centric "Walk the Chocolate Covered Path to Enlightenment," from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday on the Garden Terrace; and "Yoga + Chocolate + Wine Exploration," from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Hau Terrace.

Each costs $75, but $150 buys admission to all three weekend sessions. Space is limited, so reservations are required via 931-5010.