fbpx
  • 5 of the Best Holistic Health Retreats

    5 of the Best Holistic Health Retreats

    Explore the true meaning of holistic health on one of our indulgent holistic health holidays where you will learn to nourish your mind, body and soul, the key interdependent components of your overall well-being. In beautiful surroundings you are invited to indulge in spa treatments, healthy cuisine and a variety of fitness activities which will enable you to enhance your wellness. Healthy holidays can sustainably change your life; your luxury holistic health retreat will introduce you to a lifestyle in which all aspects of your well-being are addressed and once you return home you can apply newly-learnt health tips to your daily life.

  • A Holistic Approach to Health and Fitness

    Karina StewartKarina Stewart

    Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya in Thailand has twenty-two years of experience in the study and practice of diverse Asian healing and spiritual traditions. Inspired by her mother's interest in natural healing, meditation and yoga, Karina founded a health centre in Kathmandu, Nepal prior to opening Kamalaya. Her vision behind the award-winning retreat in Koh Samui is integral wellness programmes that aim to access the inner healing power within each individual and support a harmonious integration of heart, body, mind, and spirit

     

  • Healthy Holiday Hack: How to Double your Annual Leave in 2019

    Grab life by the horns and satiate your inner nomad as we help you to secure more time off work next year, so you can double your leave in 2019. Inspiring worker bees and wellness travellers around the world, these wellness holiday ideas are perfect for an extended healthy holiday. From fitness in the dramatic Swiss Alps and weight-loss amid the volcanic mountains and iconic rice paddies of Bali to active mindfulness in Spain, these destinations emanate the best of what wellness travel has to offer. With a little strategic planning around the 2019 bank holidays (and maybe an understanding boss), ditch the desk for longer and let your fit flag fly at one or more of these exciting destinations.

  • Holistic Living and Wellness with Stephanie Rault

    Stephanie RaultStephanie Rault

    Wellness Consultant at Absolute Sanctuary, Stephanie originally became a therapist to fulfill a passion in empowering others to improve their health and happiness  and inspire them to lead healthy lifestyles. With over 10 years of experience, she is able to work with her clients in a flexible, fun and caring way, creating a safe and supportive environment while exploring what really works for them. Stephanie not only conducts wellness consultations but also private sessions in clinical hypnotherapy, intuitive life coaching and smoking cessation programmes. 

  • Holistic Mental Health Healing with Dr Stefania Doria

    Holistic Mental Health Healing with Dr Stefania Doria

     

    As part of our ongoing Insider Interview series, we regularly sit down with wellness professionals across our portfolio of resorts to for detailed insights into their specialisms and how they help their clients. Today we sit down with Dr Stefania Doria of Lefay Resort and Spa Lago di Garda to talk all things holistic mental health!

  • Inside RAKxa’s New Authentic Eastern Retreats with Dusadee Tancharoen

    RAKxa’s New Authentic Eastern Retreats

     

    Today we’re going to be delving into one ofRAKxa Wellness & Medical Retreat’s newest programme collections, Authentic Eastern. You might be thinking to yourself, how are these new programmes different to the ones already on offer fromRAKxa? Well, with helpful insights from the resort Managing DirectorDusadee Tancharoen, all of your important questions will be answered! So, keep reading for some great information surrounding these new programmes and to find out if they may be perfect for you to embark on during your special wellness journey! 

  • Interview with Andrea Hurst on the Benefits of Reflexology

    Andrea HurstAndrea Hurst

    The title of ‘Guru of Reflexology’ belongs to Andrea Hurst, world renowned for her 20 years’ experience in the healing art of Reflexology. Based in London’s most prestigious neighbourhood Mayfair, she combines a deeply rejuvenating and restorative holistic experience with a thorough and insightful analysis of reflex points.  Queuing up at her door are a long list of VIP clients from A-list Hollywood stars to fashion designers seeking her pioneering treatments. With recommendations from Gwyneth Paltrow and features in Vogue and Tatler magazine, Andrea is certainly an A-Lister herself in the world of Reflexology.

     

  • Preidlhof Announces Transformational Wellness Offering for 2023

    Preidlhof Announces Transformational Wellness Offering for 2023

     

    Looking for agetaway in Italy, where the food is ‘eccellente!’, the views are immaculate, the weather’s gorgeous and most of all you get awellness escape that satiates all your healthy endeavours? ThenPreidlhof’s announcement of transformational wellness offerings for 2023 should get you sufficiently excited! Not only have they developed a whole new retreat – their Integrated Wellness Retreat. But they have also updated their current retreats and developed some highlights to get excited for throughout 2023 withintheirglowing flow retreats 

  • Steve Harvey - Benefits of Holistic Healing

    Steve Harvey - Zighy BaySteve Harvey

    Steve Harvey is an extremely gifted holistic healer, life and relationship coach and energy therapist, with an established global reputation, who has treated the likes of Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lopez, Demi Moore, Donna Karan, and Bruce Willis to name a few. He is currently coaching at Zighy Bay in Oman where he helps his clients in maintaining the right attitude, in order to keep their lives, health, and relationships on track. His approach to wellness is through the body, mind, and spirit, and his understanding of Eastern and Western therapies have inspired many.

     

  • The Benefits of a Silent Meditation Retreat

    The Benefits of a Silent Meditation Retreat

     

    For some, the idea of spending hours in endless silence might seem a daunting prospect, but first consider the benefits of a silent meditation retreat on your health and overall well-being. This reconnecting experience is perfect for those suffering from a stress-induced burnout, for it allows you time to reconsider your hectic lifestyle and gain a greater understanding of yourself, by developing a more effective coping strategy for managing your stress levels. Whether you are a meditation guru in search of a new challenge or someone who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life, there are many long term benefits of a silent meditation retreat that can help address your wellness needs. Find out how absolute, undisturbed silence can benefit your relationship with those around you and help you re-establish a healthier relationship with yourself.

  • The Benefits of Alternative Therapies

    Deniz Susever - Kempinski Barbaros Bay BodrumDeniz Susever

    Deniz Susever is a Watsu-Tantsu-WATA (water dance), EFT practitioner and Yoga Teacher at Kempinski Barbaros Bay. She began her journey of alternative therapies and healing energies in 1997. After being introduced to yoga as a guest she decided to go to Rishikesh (India) and became a yoga teacher, she also has studied Integrative Massage in India. Deniz has excellent charisma in Watsu (Water-Shiatsu), Tantsu (Watsu on land) and Water dance (WATA) Therapy training in India. The last six years she has been a Vipassana Meditator.

     




     
    Interview with a Watsu Practitioner

    What inspired you to study alternative therapies and remedies?

    I started my journey of alternative therapies and healing energies with Reiki, and I discovered that everyone of us has a healing power. Being in a position to provide healing for clients and also myself has filled me with tremendous happiness. Reiki has enhanced my interest in the workings of the human body, and the energies which surround us and are also within us.


    What is Watsu and how is it similar to Tantsu?

    Watsu is a fusion of water and shiatsu is a form of body massage performed while floating in warm water. It combines the therapeutic benefits of warm water and Zen Shiatsu, Yoga, Alexander Technique and Meditation. Tantsu is Watsu on land. There's no set pattern to the movements and there is stretching, wavelike movement of the water, the breath and heart connection, stillness and cradling throughout the session like on Watsu.


    As a waterdance therapist, do you feel water is an important element when it comes to healing?

    Water is a miraculous element which transforms and heals the person physicaly, physiologicaly and psychologically. Waterdance is combined with underwater movements reminiscent of the womb and creates a tremendously healing experience. The water itself carries teachings that can actually support and nurture extraordinary relaxation by encouraging effortless insight into ourselves.


    WATA (waterdance) is a unique form of bodywork, can you describe how it works?

    Waterdance is a form of aquatic bodywork like Watsu, it begins on the surface. Then the receiver is given a nose clip and step by step is gently guided under the water. The session incorporates elements of massage, dolphin and snake movements, rolls, somersaults, inversions and dance. The effects are physical release such as joint mobilisation and can encourage deep states of relaxation.

     

    Kempinski Barbaros Bay Bodrum - Watsu pool

    The Watsu pool at Kempinski Barbaros Bay


    As an EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) practitioner can you describe this technique and how it is beneficial?

    EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) combines Acupressure and Affirmation Techniques which works by neutralizing disruptions in the body's electrical system, then stops the chemical chain reaction and frees the person from emotional and physical discomforts. New or old emotional upsets, life long phobias, compulsive behaviors and unhealthy patterns can often be released easily. These techniques are so gentle, rapid and startlingly effective.


    Why is integrative massage so beneficial and how is it different to other massage therapies?

    Integrative Massage is done by applying oil which cleanses and relaxes the body. This massage contains 3 parts: in the first part, we awaken the body by pressing the important points which we call "marma". After that, by applying oil we stimulate the lymphatic system and detoxify and strenghten the muscles, joints and ligaments. In the last part, we increase the flexibility and the energy level of the body with some passive static stretching exercises.


    Can you describe Klang massage and what makes it distinctive?

    Nepal's traditional sound massage (Klang Massage) is applied with special bowls produced from an alloy of 16 different materials. Before the session we determine the chakras we are going to work on and we work on every chakra with their colour one by one. The person can explore the self-regeneration and self-treatment power of the body with sound vibrations.


    What is Vipassana Meditation and how is it beneficial?

    Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2,500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living. In Vipassana Meditation one experiences that everything is passing away. In our life, pain or pleasure is also impermanent, so no need to generate attachment or craving for something which gives pleasure and no need to generate anger or hatred for something which makes pain. When we see things as they are, we can live life in peace and harmony.

     

    Kempinski Barbaros Bay Bodrum - Vipassana meditation

    Meditation at Kempinski Barbaros Bay


    What inspired you to become a yoga teacher?

    When I encountered Yoga in 2000, I was living in a small town (Kas) in Turkey. We were gathering with some friends and doing yoga asanas and some pranayama techniques. I was working as a diving instructor at that moment which is why I was very familiar about explaining the postures and some details like in the diving courses. My friends were encouraging me to become a yoga teacher and I tried some of the yoga styles like Kundalini, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Vinyasa during these years. Afterwards I visited Rishikesh (where yoga was born) and ended up learning with traditional Hatha yoga which I like a lot because each pose is like deep meditation.


    Kempinski Barbaros Bay offers a wide range of treatments, with your training in yoga, massage and waterdance therapies, how well do guests respond to these?

    Our guests are very lucky, because we give them all special care and try our best to offer the highest levels of satisfaction. They understand the importance of relaxation and the healing effects of holistic therapies. They are very open to try new therapies like Watsu, Waterdance or Aqua Reflexology.


    Stress has become prevalent in society, what top tips do you have to reduce stress?

    Practise meditation ,yoga asanas (postures), and keep your inner smile on and think positively. After work take a warm shower or bath before you sleep. Eat healthy super foods (like spirulina, wheatgrass and sprouted seeds) Drink chamomile or melissa tea, walk barefoot in the grass and listen to classical music Start the day by laughing before you get up from the bed - dance and sing!


    For more information visit Kempinski Barbaros Bay.

  • The Benefits of Going on a Holistic Holiday

    Benefits of Going on a Holistic Holiday

     

    Everyone needs a break every now and then, but the fly-and-flop holidays that involve nothing more than lazing around by the pool won’t provide you with the long-term benefits that your mind, body and soul really needs. You may have a relaxing break, putting the stress and strains of everyday life to one side, but as soon as you arrive back home you will soon feel these same stressors and tensions arise. Focusing on not only providing a relaxing holiday but the tools you need to lead a more balance lifestyle long-term, here we take a look at how a holistic holiday can offer healing benefits for both your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.

  • The Best Summer Holiday Destinations for Wellness Travellers

    The Best Summer Holiday Destinations for Wellness Travellers

     

    As the days grow longer and temperatures begins to rise, it’s time to jet off and enjoy the season before the arrival of the autumn equinox. When looking for summer holiday inspiration, we’re all searching for the perfect place to relax. Boost your health and fitness in spectacular destinations as we unveil the best summer holiday destinations for wellness travellers. From a back-to-nature active retreat in Menorca, to a bespoke mindful getaway in Sri Lanka; combine relaxation, wellness and an exotic location for the summer holiday of a lifetime.

  • Where to go for a Holistic Hideaway

    Where to go for a Holistic Hideaway

    Feeling stressed and need a break to take your mind off of things? Take this opportunity to re-energize yourself by escaping on one of our holistic hideaways where you can focus on re-balancing your body, mind and soul. From Thailand to Spain, choose from our great range of healthy holiday destinations which offer a variety of holistic wellness activities, in addition to tailored spa therapies suited to your personal needs.

  • Where to go on Holiday for Spiritual Healing

    Where to go on Holiday for Spiritual Healing

    With the art of healing just as important for our emotional well-being as our physical health, the need for spiritual healing should never be overlooked. Playing an important role in times of emotional stress, bereavement, loss, mental and physical illnesses, our spiritual life is what drives our overall well-being and supports all aspects of our life.

Get £50 off your first holiday