Interviews

Nahid de Belgeonne

Nahid de Belgeonne is a qualified expert in yoga and Power Plates, and the founder of the Good Vibes brand of boutique fitness studios, offering a unique class combination of Spincycle for cardio, Power Plates for strengthening and toning and Glow Yoga for your soul. Nahid was inspired by many movement disciplines including Pilates, martial arts and the Feldenkrais Method, and practices an accessible style that leaves her clients feeling good within themselves. Empowerment, kindness and a sense of humour are key mantras in her method of teaching, coupled with a strong belief that everyone deserves to achieve the best health possible.

Deborah Straub

Deborah Straub is a Nutritionist at Canyon Ranch in Tucson, Arizona. She is a published author on bone health and breast cancer in a well-respected nutrition journal and textbook. Her areas of focus include maintaining a healthy weight during menopause, vitamin and mineral supplementation and breast cancer prevention. Deborah has a Master's of Science in Nutrition from the University of Arizona. She loves travel, hiking in the mountains of Tucson and her golden retriever, Riley.

Katie Handyside

Katie Handyside is the Sports Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and Health Coach at Reads Hotel in Mallorca. She has been working in and around Sports and Nutrition most of her life in London, Los Angeles, Vancouver and finally ending up in Palma de Mallorca where she has been running her own business in personal training and nutrition for over four years. Katie is a keen road biker and is also able to organise cycling tours, hikes and any kind of programme to suit all fitness levels and capabilities.

Pat Cash

Pat Cash came to the tennis world's attention in the 1980s when he turned professional and won his first senior title in Melbourne. Cash established a reputation on tour as a hard-fighting serve-and-volleyer, he became the youngest player to play in a Davis Cup final winning and claiming the cup for Australia. The crowning moment of Cash's career came when he won Wimbledon in 1987. He has now opened a fabulous tennis academy in the Caribbean at Buccament Bay and also works as a TV commentator primarily for the BBC and CNN.

 
Interview with an ex-professional tennis player

Tell us about your academy at Buccament Bay, how it started, and where you'd like to see it going in the future?

We got the academy up and running in 2011 with the Phase One courts, and it's been going well. We are lucky to have one of the greatest locations to relax, play sport and recharge. As the sports facilities including the remainder of the courts and complex are completed, Buccament Bay will be one of the world's best places to visit and learn to play tennis, and other sports and activities as well.

What are the most important attributes that a tennis player needs?

Tennis is a tough sport because you need so many things to play at a top level. Firstly you need to perfect all the technical areas of each shot; then there's the physical attributes of speed, agility and endurance topped with balance and timing. You need mental strength too: there's no clock to run out, so every point is important and it becomes a great mental battle.

What do you feel are the best exercises for tennis?

For the beginner, I think general hand/eye coordination. James Droy (the resident coach) and I have fun games for the younger kids, and tougher movement and agility exercises for the older kids and adults, but in the end you need a bit of everything.

Pat Cash playing at Buccament Bay

What are the most common pitfalls of an average player's game?

Usually technique issues hold players back as most people have been taught poorly. Sometimes it's better not to have had any coaching at all than poor coaching as some habits are hard to break. An understanding of body movement will help, which James and I are happy to explain.

During your tennis career, who did you find as the most challenging player to play against, and what aspect of their game made it difficult for you?

I was lucky and unlucky to be playing in such an amazing era of tennis. The mid-80's to mid-90's were very special with so many different styles and personalities to combat. Players like Becker and Lendl had power, control and variety; Wilander Connors and others never seemed to miss; and McEnroe, Noah and Edberg were precision attackers. All were great players and very different.

What do you find are the health benefits of playing tennis?

It's a total body workout and great for your fitness. It is one of the toughest sports in the world at the top level.

What top tips do you have for somebody who wants to instantly raise their game?

I think it's important to understand the best area to contact the ball. If the ball is too far away, you lose control and balance; if it's too close, you can't swing correctly. Getting the correct place to contact the ball will enable you to hit through the ball better.

How do you choose a suitable racket for, say, an intermediate player?

Rackets are very personal but the main thing is to get a decent set of strings with a decent tension - that will make a huge difference.

How fit does someone need to be to play tennis, and are you ever too old to give up?

I had a chat with an 83 year old the other day who plays three times a week with his buddies. They have a great time and get all the joints moving and muscles working. As long as you can shuffle around, you should find someone to play with.

Which tennis tournament is your favourite and why?

I think all of the Grand Slams are very special and very different in many ways, but sometimes the smaller events are more fun, like the ATP event in Baastad, Sweden, or Delray Beach in Florida. Also I'm fortunate to play in the legends events these days, which are really relaxed and fun so I enjoy every event.

What aspect of combining travel and tennis do you enjoy the most?

Being an Aussie I have had to travel my whole life to get around the world. I hear many ex pro players don't like to travel anymore and I understand that, after 15 years of hotels, airports and tennis courts, travelling becomes far less appealing to some, but I can't stand still for very long. When I first travelled, there were no iPods, mobile phones or internet, so these things make travelling and waiting at airports kinda fun.

For more information about the Pat Cash tennis academy, visit Buccament Bay

80% of heart disease, stroke and Type 2 Diabetes, and over one third of cancers can be prevented with self-care: removing risk factors such as tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical
inactivity and excess alcohol consumption.

Dr. Stefanie Williams

Dr Stefanie Williams is a key opinion leader in dermatology and Medical Director of European Dermatology London, a private dermatology clinic in Harley Street and Chelsea Bridge. Her commitment to research and her passion for healthy skin led to the development of her own skincare boutique product range to help consumers find products which work and are proven to make a difference. With an expert aesthetic eye, Stefanie is very experienced in non-surgical treatments, fillers, botox, dermaroller, and skin revitalisation treatments. She has a special interest in the management of adult acne and skin pigmentation and has developed special medical facials tailored to soothe and heal. Dr Williams is a member of the British Association of Dermatologists, the British Cosmetic Dermatology Group, the European Society for Cosmetic and Aesthetic Dermatology.

Steve 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.

Sam Turnbull is the creator of the popular recipe blog It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken which receives over 1 million pageviews monthly. She is the author of the cookbook Fuss-Free Vegan published by Appetite by Random House which has over 250, 5-star reviews on amazon.com. Additionally, she hosts a YouTube show also called It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken. Sam and her recipes have been featured across TV, radio, magazines, newspapers, podcasts, public speaking events, prominent websites sites, and in notable cookbooks.

Dr Michael J. Breus

Dr Michael J. Breus is a sleep expert and author of The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan. He is a clinical psychologist and one of the youngest to pass the board at the age of 31. As one of the only psychologists with his credentials out of 163 psychologists worldwide, Dr. Breus specialises in sleep disorders and is the diplomat of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and of The Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. He is also author of Lose Weight Through Better Sleep and the creator of The Dr. Breus Bed. Dr. Breus treats athletes and celebrities and has appeared on CNN, Oprah, The View, and The Doctor's.

Deniz 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.

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.

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.

Susan d'Arcy

Susan d'Arcy has been writing for the Sunday Times for over 20 years, about luxurious spas and travel. As a spa expert she enjoys sharing her tips and insights about the best therapists, spas and treatments, on her very informative, yet entertaining blog, Spa Confidential.

Natasha Corrett

Natasha Corrett is a self-taught gourmet vegetarian chef and founder of Honestly Healthy¸ a leading alkaline-based food company which offers cleanses, cooking classes, food deliveries and tips for living a healthy lifestyle. The co-author of two best-selling cookbooks, Natasha’s passion began at the age of 16 when she spent the summer holidays with her father in the kitchens of Le Boudin Blanc, France. Having introduced the concept of “alkaline eating” to the UK, she now has a large celebrity following.

Wissam Awad

Wissam Awad is a Hypnotherapist specialising in Regression Therapy and Inner Child Healing. He is a trainer at the Regression Academy, responsible for the training programs in Romania and India and works alongside Andy Tomlinson, a world renowned pioneer and authority on Regression Therapy. Wissam is passionate about working with clients to liberate themselves from restricting emotional and behavioural patterns so that they can move forward in a joyful and empowered way. He also integrates body therapy with trance work in his sessions, which has a powerful effect on clearing unresolved 'body memories'. Wissam has worked in Switzerland and Thailand and now has a private practice in London.