Wellness Meets the Workplace: A Conversation with Redwood & Reef

Wellness is becoming increasingly popular in the corporate and business setting. In addition to meetings and retreats, wellness offers the opportunity to recharge and reconnect. In this blog, we had the chance to ask Colleen Chen, the owner and founder of Redwood & Reef, about the benefits of bringing wellness to a corporate setting, and why Monterey provides the perfect setting for mindful meetings and retreats.

Q: Can you tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start Redwood & Reef?

A: Long before I became a certified instructor, yoga has been a part of my life. The practice has always been a space to reconnect with myself, find clarity, and navigate life's challenges with greater steadiness.

Redwood & Reef grew from a desire to share those benefits with others in an approachable, welcoming way. Living on California's central coast, I'm continually inspired by the calming influence of the forests and the ocean. Those natural elements are woven into every experience I create, whether we're practicing yoga beneath the redwoods, settling into a guided meditation in a meeting space, or experiencing the calming resonance of crystal singing bowls in a spa environment. Before becoming a wellness facilitator, I spent more than two decades working in corporate communications, video production, and broadcast journalism. That experience gave me firsthand insight into demanding schedules, high-pressure environments, large scale conferences and the importance of creating moments to slow down. Today, I love helping people reconnect with themselves through simple practices that leave them feeling more grounded, present, and energized. 

Q: What inspired you to bring wellness into a corporate retreat space?

A: Having worked in corporate environments myself, I understand how easy it is for meetings and conferences to become packed with information and activity. While those events are valuable, people often need intentional space to pause, recharge, and reconnect in order to get the most from the experience.

Corporate retreats provide a wonderful opportunity to support employees as whole people, not just professionals. Even a single wellness session can help participants feel refreshed, think more clearly, and engage more authentically with their colleagues throughout the remainder of the event. 

Q: Why does movement, meditation, and sound work so well for corporate teams?

A: Each practice supports people in a different but complementary way. Gentle movement helps release physical tension from long hours of sitting, travel, and screen time. Breathwork and meditation calm the nervous system, allowing participants to become more present and focused.

Sound baths add another unique dimension. The vibrations of crystal singing bowls create an immersive environment that encourages stillness without requiring any prior experience. Whether on their own or layered into a mini retreat program, these practices help participants reset mentally and physically, making it easier to communicate, collaborate, and approach conversations with greater openness. 

Q: What memorable moments have you witnessed at Redwood & Reef that illustrate the value of wellness experiences?

A: One of the most meaningful moments happens at the end of nearly every session, when people sit quietly for a few moments before speaking. You can almost feel the shift in the room. Faces soften, shoulders relax, and people begin interacting with one another from a calmer, more authentic place.

I've also had participants tell me they hadn't realized how much stress they were carrying until they experienced a moment of stillness. Others have shared that a sound bath was the first time in months they felt truly relaxed. Those moments remind me that even a brief pause can have a lasting impact.

Q: How can event planners make wellness feel inclusive for employees who may be new to yoga or other wellness experiences?

A: Inclusivity begins with removing the expectation that participants need to be flexible, experienced, or even familiar with yoga. My sessions are intentionally gentle, accessible, and adaptable for all abilities.

I encourage participants to move in ways that feel supportive for their own bodies, and every practice includes options. Many people arrive feeling uncertain but leave saying they were surprised by how comfortable and approachable the experience felt. Wellness doesn't have to be intimidating—it can simply be an opportunity to breathe, move, and reconnect.

Q: For meeting planners who have never incorporated wellness into an event, what does a typical corporate wellness session look like from start to finish?

A: Every session is customized, but most begin with a warm welcome and a brief introduction, so participants know exactly what to expect. We start with simple breathing exercises to help everyone arrive and transition out of "meeting mode."

From there, we move through gentle mindful movement designed to release tension and improve wellbeing. Depending on the group's goals, we may include guided meditation, mindfulness practices, or a crystal singing bowl sound bath. Sessions conclude with a few quiet moments for reflection, allowing participants to return to their day feeling refreshed, focused, and re-energized. 

Q: How do movement and mindfulness help teams connect differently than traditional networking or team-building activities?

A: Traditional networking often focuses on conversation and shared tasks. Wellness creates connection through shared presence.

When people slow down together, breathe together, and experience a moment of calm together, barriers naturally begin to soften. Participants often leave feeling more relaxed, more open, and more connected—not because they were asked to interact, but because they shared an experience that encouraged authenticity and presence.

Q: What changes do you typically notice in participants after a wellness session, whether it's mentally, physically, or as a team?

A: Physically, people often notice less tension in their neck, shoulders, and back, along with deeper breathing and greater energy.

Mentally, there's usually a greater sense of clarity, focus, and calm. Participants often say they feel more centered and better able to engage with the rest of their day.

As a group, I frequently notice conversations become more relaxed and collaborative. People seem more patient, more attentive, and more willing to listen to one another.

Q: In today's fast-paced workplace, why do you think companies are placing a greater emphasis on employee well-being and wellness experiences?

A: Organizations increasingly recognize that employee well-being isn't separate from performance—it's foundational to it.

When people feel supported physically and mentally, they're better equipped to think creatively, communicate effectively, and adapt to challenges. Wellness experiences also demonstrate that an organization values its people beyond productivity, helping foster stronger engagement, resilience, and connection. 

Q: What makes Portola Hotel & Spa and Monterey such an ideal setting for incorporating wellness into corporate meetings and retreats?

A: Monterey naturally invites people to slow down. Between the ocean, coastal air, towering trees, and beautiful surroundings, the environment itself supports restoration.

With a variety of meeting space sizes and walkability to the ocean, Portola Hotel & Spa complements that atmosphere perfectly by offering a welcoming setting where business and wellness can coexist. Whether participants are attending a conference, leadership retreat, or company gathering, incorporating wellness into such a peaceful destination creates a more balanced and memorable experience. 

Q: How do you customize wellness experiences to meet the unique goals, culture, and energy of each corporate group?

A: No two groups are exactly alike, so I begin by learning about the organization's goals, schedule, and participants.

Some groups need an energizing morning session to begin the day with focus. Others benefit from restorative movement after hours of meetings or a deeply relaxing sound bath to close a retreat. Every session is thoughtfully designed to fit the group's comfort level, time constraints, and desired outcomes, ensuring the experience feels meaningful and accessible for everyone.

Q: If attendees could leave a Redwood & Reef wellness session with one lasting takeaway, what would you hope it would be?

A: I hope they leave remembering that they always have the ability to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves, even in the middle of a busy day.

Wellness isn't something reserved for retreats or vacations. Sometimes just a few intentional moments of mindful movement, conscious breathing, or quiet reflection can help us return to ourselves with greater clarity, resilience, and ease. If participants carry that simple reminder into their work and daily lives, then the experience has truly served its purpose. 

Plan A Wellness Retreat for Your Event

If you’re ready to plan your conference or meeting at the Portola Hotel & Spa, our team is here to help. Our knowledgeable staff members are available to answer questions and bring your vision to life. To start planning, call us at (831) 649-4511, or complete a Request for Proposal today. To add wellness into your meeting or event, connect with Redwood & Reef here.

Photos coutesy of Redwood & Reef