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The Republican National Convention: 2,286 delegates, 2,125 alternate delegates, 15,000 credentialed media, nomination of candidates for president and vice president, formulation and adoption of a statement of party principles, adoption of rules and procedures governing party activities, and … yoga, candles, massages and meditation?

 

Indeed. Right smack dab in the middle of the madness, the Huffington Post is hosting The Oasis, a former nightclub turned new age haven where “delegates, elected officials and members of the media can take a little time to unplug and recharge,” explained Arianna Huffington.  

 

Convention-weary participants can seek their moments of nirvana in the form of yoga classes, massages, mini-facials, makeup refreshes, sleep consultations, meditation and healthy snacks. And if a convention booth with a line of massage chairs and yoga mats comes to mind, remember that Huffington is behind this. Pulling out all the stops, she hired Bryan Rafanelli — event planner to the stars — to create the retreat.

 

Rafanelli, the mastermind behind Chelsea Clinton’s wedding and a number of Obama events, said of The Oasis, “We really brought warmth, beauty and a sense of refueling and recharging into the space.” Which was done, judging by the images, through plenty of indirect lighting, mod décor, and the employment of many, many candles. One can practically smell the aromatherapy through the photographs.

 

As Rafanelli told Stylelist, "It's a place where you calm your mind and change the world, that's the idea of the Oasis."

 

And upcoming Democratic delegates, not to worry; you'll have a place to change the world too. Huffington and her team of peace-makers are bringing their Zen party to North Carolina next week as well. 

 

In the video below, Huffington gives Time magazine columnist Joel Stein a personal massage at the convention:

 

 

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