Some cenotes in Mexico are sacred places where Maya ancestors left offerings to the gods. Caves have long held importance for wellbeing and fortune, and now cave therapy is a wellness trend that travelers seek out in places throughout the world. Caves have been central to the human experience, whether as early forms of shelter or as sacred religious sites. But eventually humans crawled out, stood up, looked around, and realized the outside world held more creature comforts.
That’s led to dozens of dark retreat centers opening across Europe. Now the therapy is catching on in North America, thanks in part to the high-profile endorsements of NFL player Aaron Rodgers and actress Rosario Dawson. For professional athletes and creatives, darkness retreats can provide a much-needed escape from the hum and chatter of public life. “Sitting on that couch all day or scrolling on your phone, that is death,”after completing her four days at Sky Cave.