World’s Best Pampering Spas

 

WHAT? Pampering spa treatments are non-invasive, relaxing, and focus on the aesthetic beauty of the face, hands, and feet. 

WHY? Pampering retreats are a great way to get over jet lag, feel refreshed, rejuvenate your skin, and to treat yourself. 

WHO? Anyone who cares about grooming, looking younger, and feeling relaxed should try a pampering retreat. Pampering programmes are not just for women anymore.  Treatments specializing in men’s needs are very common and it is very common to see men at dedicated spas. Pampering treatments can be social, so it is quite common for couples, friends or relatives to go on pampering retreats together to spend quality time with each other. Pampering programmes are available at many resort spas with childcare facilities or activities for partners, which allows you time to focus on indulging yourself.

WHERE?  Pampering treatments are available at day spas, resort spas, and destination spas, but most pampering retreats can only be found at resort spas with dedicated programmes which include spa cuisine, fitness activities, and classes.

WHEN?  Most pampering retreats last between 3 – 7 nights, but some programmes can last up to one month and incorporate fitness, detox, weight loss, or other specialities.

Unlike other spa retreats that restrict alcohol and enforce strict diets, pampering retreats normally allow you to drink alcohol and choose your meals from a la carte menus to give you the option.  Depending on the location, spa retreats may offer outdoor fitness, sporting, or leisure activities in addition to your pampering programme.  All pampering retreats allow you to use the spa’s saunas, steam rooms, pools, and Jacuzzis.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS –

Pampering retreats are for anyone, but some spas are better than others.

Best Spa for COUPLES:  Kamalaya, Thailand

Perfect for couples, yet not inundated with cooing lovers, this resort is great for couples who share the same approach to holistic healing and want to enjoy the beautiful Thai scenery together by blissing out and getting beautiful together.

Best Spa for PARTNERS:  Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman

This hideaway resort is just two hours from Dubai, but makes you feel like you have found your own private paradise.  You can get the royal treatment at the spa without worrying that your partner will be bored.  They can choose from paragliding, canyoning, diving, rockclimbing, fishing, microlighting, mountain biking, or kayaking. If they aren’t adventurous, but not into spas, they can enjoy cooking classes,  peaceful cruises, lazy walks along the beach, or reading in your private plunge pool.

Best spa for MEN:  Canyon Ranch Tucson, USA

This is one of the world’s best spas, so they know how to make their guests feel special.  In addition to relaxing massages and grooming, located in the Arizona desert, this spa offers a whole host of outdoor activities for you to get back to nature, get some sun, and get in shape.

Best spa for MODELS:  Parkhotel Igls, Austria

This leading medical spa is a favourite amongst models for its state of the art facilities and exclusive service.  The focus of this retreat is on rejuvenation, so nutrition and trendy treatments will leave you feeling relaxed and looking younger.

Best spa for EXECUTIVES: Chiva Som, Thailand

Located in Hua Hin, just a two hour drive from Bangkok, this pampering spa is very popular amongst executives on business in Bangkok.  Chiva Som has a programme to fit almost any budget, but their high-end services are excellent value for money.  They have developed their own unique line of spa products, which are also on sale at Harrods.

Best spa for VIPs:  Parrot Cay, Turks & Caicos

The COMO spa at this exclusive resort offers ultimate escapism and is popular with UK celebrities such as Miranda Hart and Hollywood A-listers like Demi Moore. But you don’t have to be a celeb to spa like one!

Can’t decide why spa or which retreat is best for you?  Speak to Jo at Healing Holidays – she’ll give you excellent advice.

By Spa Samurai

Stop Smoking Treatments That Work

The majority of smokers want to quit, but find it too difficult.  At some point they have tried going cold turkey, hypnotherapy, reading a self-help book, or swapping cigarettes for nicotine-replacement patches, gum, or e-cigarettes.  A few lucky people never start again, but most smokers spend years caught in the stop-start cycle, feeling out of control and unhappy.  Some people find that they replace fags with food, and start smoking again when they find that they have put on weight.

Over the counter products alone don’t always work.  If you are serious about quitting, I suggest a week-long smoking cessation retreat at a specialist spa to get help to stop smoking and to learn how to never start again.

Rather than just replacing the nicotine, “Stop Smoking” spa retreats will:

• Uncover the reasons you smoke
• Break the triggers that cause you to smoke
• Get rid of the cravings you have for cigarettes
• Give you techniques to deal with stress
• Educate you on how to be a healthy non-smoker

Spa retreats offer state of the art facilities and the top doctors, lecturers, and spa practitioners in their field.  Modern techniques and therapies are administered to get fast, long-lasting results.  Some of the most popular treatments include:

• Hypnotherapy
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Detoxification
• Laser Therapy
• Magnetic Therapy
• Oxygen Therapy
• Serotherapy
• Ozone Therapy

In addition to lectures, counselling, and therapies, papering spa treatments are used to help you relax and relieve stress during this detox process which can be stressful on your body and taxing on your nerves.  You will learn relaxation techniques that you can practice once you return home as well.

Activities to distract yourself from your yearnings for cigarettes and fitness (particularly outdoor fitness) will make you feel healthy and curb your cravings.

Spa retreats help you to relieve the stress of quitting cigarettes, teach you coping strategies, and will help you focus on your priorities without any distractions or temptations.  It is a time to focus on yourself and to devote to improving the quality of your life to be healthy, live longer, and have more quality time to spend with your family. 

MY RECOMMENDATION –

SHA Wellness Clinic has an excellent 7 day programme to stop smoking using cutting edge technology, supervised by doctors.

Speak to Jo at Healing Holidays to find out more about the retreat.

What is your favourite spa to stop smoking? Let me know and I’ll blog about it.

By Spa Samurai

Pain Relief Treatments That Work

Chronic pain affects not only your physical well being, but your emotional and social contentment as well.  The ageing Baby Boomers are not all growing old gracefully, and their demands for pain treatment are changing the face of the pain management industry.  Traditionally people visited their GPs when faced with both acute and chronic muscular or skeletal pain, but these days they are seeking specialist treatments at spas.  Once considered “alternative medicine”, destination spas are replacing doctors’ clinics because they provide cutting edge facilities and a relaxing environment to recover from accidents, illnesses, and injuries.

Day spas are a popular choice for temporary pain relief, but specialist destination spas offer unique programmes with the industry’s top practitioners that make pain management retreats a better choice for long term wellness.  The most effective pain management retreats last a minimum of 7 nights which is the least amount of time that your body needs for treatment, re-alignment and for the pain to be alleviated through a reduction in swelling.

The key benefits of a week-long physical renewal retreat are:

• Get physical relief from your illness, accident, or injury.
• Improve your posture
• Get off pain medications
• Create a long-term strategy to cope with or alleviate pain

The key therapies used during a week-long pain treatment programme are:

Hydrotherapy:  Techniques using thermal baths and a variety of showers are used to soothe the body, reduce swelling, improve circulation, and diminish stress.  Hydrotherapy has been particularly effective in treating rheumatism and digestive problems.

Balneotherapy:  The use of sea water in treatments is particularly popular in Europe, but this technique is used all over the world.  The medicinal properties of sea water date back to Roman times.  The minerals  absorbed through balneotherapy are especially used to treat arthritis pain and fibromyalgia.

Mud Treatment:  The use of mineral rich muds and algae administered through baths and wraps were once only thought of as important for beauty treatments, but are now seen as an effective mean to reduce pain associated with bone injuries and muscular problems. Heat packs made of mud, algae and herbs are used to treat back and joint discomfort.

Acupuncture:  This ancient Chinese practice has moved into mainstream Western medicine as it is painless and extremely beneficial in acute pain relief.  Performed frequently and correctly, acupuncture relieves not only muscular pain, but can treat digestive disorders and skin diseases as well.

Massage:  Various massage techniques (e.g., sports massage, shiatsu, hot stone massage, Thai herbal massage) are administered as appropriate to treat specific injuries.  Massage relieves discomfort caused from tension, stretches muscles, and re-aligns the body.  Relaxation allows the body to recover and triggers hormones that reduce pain and promote healing.

Physiotherapy:  Specialist therapists will evaluate you to create a customized rehabilitation programme to realign the body, strengthen muscles, and increase flexibility. State of the art tools will expedite the recovery process.

Education:  Classes, lectures, and reading materials will be provided to teach your more about your specific ailment and give you the knowledge necessary to treat yourself after you return home, prevent further injury, and lead a life free of pain.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS –

1. Parkhotel Igls, Austria – This medical spa’s  week-long Musculoskeletal System retreat is perfect if you suffer from back pain or joint discomfort.
2. Chiva Som, Thailand – This holistic destination spa offers 3 – 14 night Phsyical Renewal retreats that focuses on pain management, posture alignment, and performance enhancement.

Do you have any tips for pain relief or a spa retreat that you can recommend?  Please let me know.

By Spa Samurai

The Uncelebrated Benefits of Stress Relief

Everyone knows what stress is, but very few people know how to undo its effects.  Stress can quietly creep into our lives through work, family, finances, and even friends.  It’s often easy to try to ignore it, to create unhealthy coping strategies, or to let it get the better of us.  We all know that stress is harmful because it leads to heart disease, but we overlook the other benefits to our overall health and well being that come from releasing stress.

Stress can also be responsible for the following -

Fat:  The body releases stress hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine in situations that it finds potentially dangerous.  These hormones impede weight loss and may be the reason that you can’t seem to shed those last few pounds.  Stressing about what you eat or weight loss is counterproductive.

Anxiety:  The same stress hormones that are preventing you from shedding fat are causing a fight or flight response in your body that is altering your mood, your productivity, your relationship and your quality of life.  The stress response is your body’s way of protecting you from danger, but too much of this will shift your mood to agitation, loneliness, and depression.

Headaches:  Hypertension is a by-product of stress and it may be responsible for your chronic headaches. Stress headaches are caused by lack of sleep, eye strain, or muscular tension caused by anxiety. Working too much, staring at a computer for too long, or allowing things to build up may actually be manifested in stress-related headaches.

Bad Skin:  Stress changes the balance of hormones in your body, wears down your immune system, and can be responsible for outbreaks of acne.  This stress-induced hormone imbalance causes your skin to produce excess oil and is contributing to increasing rates of adult acne.

Early Death:  Heart disease is the most common killer from stress , but stress plays a damaging role for those with other diseases.  Stress weakens your immune system and leaves your system open to infections, which is particularly dangerous for those with already compromised immune systems due to HIV or treatments for diseases such as cancer or Hepatitis C.

The good news is that stress is manageable and most of the detrimental effects related to stress can be reversed. For those who need a break from their work and family lives, stress management programmes at health spas offer a relaxing retreat where you can get advice from professionals which will give you the necessary coping skills which will improve the quality of your life and your longterm health and wellbeing.

Stress relief retreats  at destination spas typically last from 3 – 14 nights and include relaxation, exercise, and education.  

Although programmes differ according to the specialty of each spa, most stress management retreats include elements of the following:

• Diet:  Detoxifying diets prescribed per body type help to cleanse the body of toxins.  There are even specialized foods (including dark chocolate) that will relieve stress from the inside out.
• Fitness:  Private training sessions, group exercise, and outdoor activities are a quick way to change your hormonal balance and blow off some steam.
• Yoga:  Yoga is a way to focus your mind away from stress, concentrate on your cleansing breathing, and stretch your muscles which relieves tension as well as repressed emotions.  The union of body, mind, and spirit  is a practice that you can take home with you as well.
• Meditation:  Many spas in India or Ayurvedic-based spas also offer lessons on breathing and meditation.  Meditation helps the mind from wandering and is an effective way to stop the downward spiral of negative thoughts in stressful situations.
• Cooking Classes:  Fun and social, cooking classes give you an opportunity to be light hearted and learn some delicious recipes for a healthy lifestyle.  Top chefs regularly share their most popular recipes and teach you about nutrition.
• Massage:  Relaxing massages physically remove tension from the body, cleanse the muscles of toxins, and trigger happy hormones to combat the cortisol.
• Pampering Spa Treatments:  Body wraps, salt scrubs, aromatherapy, saunas, steam rooms, and whirlpools all help you to feel relaxed, cleansed, and to dilate your blood vessels to fight hypertension. Relaxation causes the body to produce dopamine which makes you feel happy and helps to remove stress hormones from your system.
• Self Discovery:  Doctors, specialists, and other spa goers will be a part of your classes, lectures, and group discussions to provide a support net to help you change your life.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS –

My favourite spas for stress management retreats at the moment -

1. SHA Wellness Clinic, Spain
2. Chiva Som, Thailand
3. Longevity, Portugal

Speak to Jo at HealingHolidays.  She answered all of my questions about the different programmes and helped me pick a great spa.

What’s your favourite spa for stress relief?  Please let me know – I’m always looking for good recommendations.

By Spa Samurai

Why Choose a Medical Spa?

There are many misconceptions about medical spas – the name conjures frightening imagery of invasive surgical procedures performed at a posh, hospital for the privileged.  But today’s “medi-spas” offer so much more than plastic surgery and are becoming a popular option to treat a variety of conditions using specialized treatments performed by the best doctor’s in their field.

Medical spas, or medi-spas, are hybrid of beauty spa and doctor’s clinic.  Clients are offered medical procedures performed with the expertise only found in a doctor’s office, plus the relaxing, pampering treatments offered in a health spa. Doctors oversee the medical spa and aestheticians handle the routine spa treatments.

The most popular treatments at a medical spa usually deal with acne, ageing skin, or hair removal.  Medical spas offer state of the art skin care treatments that were previously only available in a dermatologist’s clinic.

ACNE: The approach to treating acne is much more scientific than in day spas in beauty salons and the range of treatments is far greater.  Doctors at medical spas can treat breakouts, lighten hyperpigmentation post breakout, reduce scarring and improve the overall appearance of the skin.

ANTI-AGEING: Body reshaping and non-invasive cosmetic surgery are performed by skilled specialists under close medical supervision at medi-spas.  Photo facials, microderm abrasion, chemical peels, skin tightening, and injectables (e.g., botox, fillers) are some of the most common treatments to reduce the signs of ageing and leave you looking younger.

HAIR REMOVAL:  Medical spas are a popular choice for hair removal because they offer the most modern facilities and advanced laser technology.

The growing trend at medical spas this year is dental reconstruction and fertility treatments.  Some of the most ground breaking developments in medical health spas even includes DNA testing.

Medical spas aren’t only about the quality and availability of medical procedures.  Medical spas offer a high degree of personal privacy, personalized service, and luxury that is unrivalled, even in the best private hospitals.  These benefits, combined with relaxing massages and pampering spa treatments make medical spas the perfect place you to improve yourself and to treat yourself while you recuperate in comfort and serenity.

MY RECOMMENDATION –

It is difficult to choose the right medical spa, and due to the technology and specialist practitioners available, the cost can be high, so it isn’t a decision to be taken lightly.  Make sure that you know all of the procedures available, the doctors that will be in attendance, and the general atmosphere of the medi spa before you choose.

Speak to Frances at 020 7843 3597 at Healing Holidays for the best advice and most current information.


By Spa Samurai

What is Spa Cuisine?

Spa holidays differ from other types of holidays because if you go to a destination spa on a dedicated retreat,  you will most likely be put on a specific diet of spa cuisine that is personalized to fit your body type and to help you reach your goals.  Spa cuisine is lovingly prepared by experienced chefs who work closely with nutritionists to provide healthy, balanced meals that are beautifully presented. If you visit high-end spas, the food served is a culinary delight that will satiate even the most discerning epicureans.

Generally speaking, spa cuisine is:

• Portion controlled
• Low calorie
• Locally grown
• Organic
• Nutrient-rich
• Balanced
• Detoxifying

Some spas focus on specific dietary philosophies developed by doctors:

• Dukan Diet: This high-protein, French diet focuses on a four phases approach to losing weight quickly and keeping it off.
• Mayr Cuisine: This  detoxifying diet is based on cutting-edge science and is used to get to the root of serious health issues that stem from the digestive organs. 
• Raw Food Diet: This Swiss diet to promote detoxification  and longevityconsists of eating unprocessed, uncooked foods or foods heated to less than 40 C.  Raw foodists are primarily vegan or vegetarian, but the consumption of raw fish or meat is also practiced.
• Macrobiotic Diet: This simple, healthy diet is touted as the key to longevity through eating grains, local vegetables, and avoiding processed/refined foods as well as most animal products.
• Ayurvedic Diet:  This ancient Indian philosophy focuses on fresh, organic, locally sourced foods to create a unique eating program designed to balance the body, based on each person’s individual dosas (three energies that circulate in the body).
• Detox Diet: This is a general term for diets that promote the body’s natural process of eliminating toxins.
• Fasting Diet: This is a general term for diets that restrict calories and solid foods in order to promote weight loss and longevity.  Depending on the diet, herbal teas and broths are allowed.

MY RECOMMENDATION –

Speak to Karen at Healing Holidays on 020 7843 3597 for advice on choosing the right diet for your next spa retreat.  She has first-hand experience and some funny stories that she’s happy to share!

Do you know of any popular diet philosophies (that aren’t Hollywood fad diets) that I’ve left off?  Please let me know and I’ll update the blog.

By Spa Samurai

How to Prepare for a Spa Holiday

A spa holiday is a wonderful way to focus on your wellbeing.  Spa retreats are very effective in treating specific health issues, but more importantly, they offer an opportunity to break your daily habits and to develop fresh, healthful behaviours that will have a beneficial impact on your life in the longterm.

Spa holidays differ from other holidays because most retreats held at destination spas have an element of detox and stress relief that may take some preparation.  By preparing your mind and body for your retreat, you will get better results from your retreat and you will enjoy it much more.

For some, separation from work, the internet, and their smart phone is unthinkable.  Not all spas require you to submit your links to the outside world upon arrival, but certain programmes (e.g., Stress Relief) will wean you off your habitual reliance on filling your life with distractions. Many spas have an imposed silent hour during the day, so reading (books,  Kindles, and iPads for reading are allowed) and meditation are good ways to take advantage of this serenity of the silence. 

Many people struggle with detoxing on a spa holiday.  Even if you consider yourself healthy, you may be unaware of how many toxins (e.g., air pollution, processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, sugar) you absorb in your daily life and the reaction that your body has when they are removed.  Some people have acute psychological reactions where repressed emotions are brought to the surface and they may be brought to tears suddenly. Most people experience headaches and extreme sluggishness when they take caffeine and sugar out of their diets.  If you haven’t prepared your body for the shock of withdrawal, then your first three days of holiday can be spent in a foul mood, most likely in bed. 

If you want to get the most out of your spa experience, here are some tips to help you prepare in order to get your money’s worth and enjoy your time away improving yourself:

Before you go:

• Three to five days prior to departure, stop drinking coffee, black tea, soft drinks and alcohol.
• Two days prior to departure, reduce the amount you smoke and phase out the excessive use of internet and mobile phones.
• You should drink herbal infusions, fruit juice or water.
• Avoid consuming sugar or sweeteners, meat or dairy products and reduce the amount of salt consumed.
• Try to eat your last meal of the day before 7:00 pm and choose a low carb option.
• Get a good night’s sleep so that you do not arrive exhausted.

On the flight:

• Drink water to stay hydrated which will help you combat  jet lag.
• Wear comfortable clothing to travel in so that you arrive relaxed and comfortable.
• Prepare yourself to be without your mobile phone constantly at your side.

Have you been on a spa retreat?  I’d love to hear your tips.  I’ll update my blog  with your advice and give you a shout out & backlink!

By Spa Samurai

The Best Treatments for Insomniacs

We constantly seek stimulation in this digital age.  Nowadays everyone has a smartphone and uses it to fill the gaps in their day – work emails, social media updates, games, texting, and oh yeah – talking on the phone (how old skool)! We can’t seem to be separated from our phones for a minute and we all know someone that can’t help themselves from constantly checking their screen.  This over stimulation and fear of missing out on something is contributing to increased anxiety and sleeplessness. With the blessing of mobile convenience comes the curse of insomnia!

Sleep disorders are on the rise in the UK and there is an alarming number of couples who sleep in separate beds. Sleeping in the spare bed or on the couch is accepting the discomfort of sleepless nights, but now there are some effective holistic spa retreats that offer insomniacs a good night’s sleep.

Playfully called “Sleep School” or “Sleep Camp”, sleep retreats offer diagnosis and sleep enhancement therapies to get to the root of the problem and find solutions to treat sleep disorders.  There are numerous causes in addition to overstimulation that can contribute to sleepless ness – an unhealthy diet, stimulants (e.g., caffeine, sugar, supplements), stress, fear, and bad habits can all impair your circadian rhythm. Sleeping is a natural process and should be viewed as a monster that feeds on fear.

Sleep retreats are offered at specialized spas and usually last from 3 – 10 nights.  You will begin with a sleep enhancement consultation to determine the cause of your sleep imbalance.  The focus of the retreat is to address sleep issues through treatments and therapies that draw on naturopathy, traditional Chinese medicinal philosophies (e.g., acupuncture, Qigong), Indian medicinal philosophies (e.g., yoga, pranayama), and massage to treat your disorder in resort and to give you the tools to continue to once you have returned home.

State of the art technology such as polysomnography and auto-CPAP therapy is used in conjunction with specialized macrobiotic diets and relaxing spa treatments in most sleep retreats. Nutritionists, doctors, and lifestyle coaches teach you tactics  to break the cycle of insomnia.  At the heart of the strategies is mindfulness to stop the downward spiral when your thoughts begin to spin out of control.  You will also learn important facts like most people don’t need the golden 8 hours of sleep that most people think is necessary to be functional the next day.

So next time you are laying in bed stressed out about work or on the verge of murdering your partner who is blissfully snoring away next to you, you will know how  to shut out the mental noise (and noise from snoring) to finally be able to sleep like a baby.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS –

SHA Wellness, Spain – The 7 day “Sleep Well” program treats insomnia and apnea through Western diagnosis techniques and natural therapies.  They understand, from a medical perspective, the influence of sleeplessness on the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous system. SHA Wellness has earned its reputation as an expert in the field of sleep therapy through years of experience and a fully comprehensive program.

Kamalaya, Thailand – The “Sleep Enhancement Program” was started last May and is offered in 5, 7, or 9 day increments or you can add a 5 night “Add On Sleep Enhancement Program” on to any of the other spa retreats that they offer.  A unique combination of Eastern medicinal techniques (e.g., Chinese, Indian, Japanese) are used to create a balance between mind and body to provide long term solutions to insomnia.

Speak to Tracy at Healing Holidays.  She can answer any questions you have about these two spas and she can recommend her own choices for the best sleep retreats.

By Spa Samurai

Recommendations for Outdoor Fitness Retreats

The main benefit of a dedicated fitness retreat for me is to train outdoors in a group setting, act like a kid again, enjoy nature, and make working a social event. 

Here are my favourite destinations for outdoor fitness retreats at the moment:

Six Senses Zighy Bay,Oman:  This is a stunning resort with a luxury eco-concept that I stand behind.  They offer locally grown, organic cuisine that is healthy and deeee-licious! They have an incredibly indulgent spa for relaxation treatments, a dive centre on site with two boats for scuba diving, and personal trainers that give you the attention and encouragement that you need to push yourself without getting bullied by a drill sergeant. As if that’s not enough, you can choose from hikes, kayaking, mountain biking, and even paragliding!

Mii Amo, USA: This beautiful spa is nestled in the red rock canyon of Sedona, Arizona, not too far from the Grand Canyon.  Sedona is touted as a vortex of energy by local new agers and the spa embraces Native American elements in their treatments.  Guided hikes through the rock formations not only makes you fit, it leaves you spiritually revitalized!  The weather is almost always sunny and warm, but because it is much higher in elevation than Phoenix, you don’t get that scorching desert heat.

COMO Shambala, Indonesia:  In addition to the fitness facilities and spa located at the resort, Bali offers unique opportunities for outdoor adventure including volcano hikes, river rafting, rock climbing, canyoning, paddle surfing, and guided group challenges.  They even offer a fantastic biathlon where you trek through the rice paddies, then bike through the jungle gorges. Indonesian food is fresh, healthy, and can have a tasty kick!  Their juices are outstanding too!

Chiva Som, Thailand:  I love Chiva Som because it is a world-class spa with both Eastern and Western treatments, located on the beautiful,sunny beaches of Thailand.  It is a great retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation, but it offers excellent training facilities and fitness programmes too.  The instructors offer free form training and actually create an entirely custom workout regiment for you, like you deserve.  They take into account your goals and your injuries, but most importantly, they listen and they make working out fun.  For those of you that need some tough love, their boot camp retreat is excellent for a challenging workout and for camaraderie.  There is nothing like an intense session on the beach, then jumping right in the ocean to cool off!

Ananda, India:  Ensconced in the foothills of the Himalayas, Ananda Active, is a fitness retreat that is totally unique. They offer outdoor activities like trekking, white water rafting, and yoga.  They also have a decadent spa where they have designed relaxing and rejuvenating treatments to help you recover from your daily adventures.  As the spa is in India, the healing philosophy is based around Ayurveda, which is fascinating.  The pranayama (breathing) sessions improve your stamina while exercising and help to cleanse your body.

Let me know what you think about these suggestions.  Please tell me what your favourite spa is for an outdoor fitness retreat – I’m always in search of new resorts to add to my wishlist!

By Spa Samurai

Why Choose a Fitness Retreat?

Fitness retreats aren’t just weight loss boot camps anymore.  Today’s fitness retreats are the place to go to focus on your general wellbeing and to get results that you just can’t seem to find in the gym.  All fitness programs begin with a doctor’s visit to get your medical history and to assess your ability to participate in certain activities.  But the reason most people make fitness the focus of their holiday is to take advantage of the unique experience that can only find at dedicated fitness retreats.

The benefits of a fitness retreat:

Trainers:  You will have personal interaction with some of the world’s top personal trainers and fitness instructors. The individual attention you receive from these celebrity trainers and trainers to the celebrities can only be found in resort. You can expect personal training sessions as well as group sessions.

Facilities:  You will have access to state of the art training and spa facilities using the latest equipment and technology to offer you unique workouts and fast results.

Nutrition:  You will meet with a nutritionist to put together a meal plan that is tailored to your body.  You’ll attend workshops to learn how to eat a healthy, balanced diet when you return home and they’ll even give you some exclusive recipes.  You don’t have to worry about what to eat – your nutritionist and chef will take care of you and cater for any allergies.

Motivation:  You will find motivation from your personal trainer through a variety of encouragement methods.  You will also find camaraderie in group fitness sessions .  This Cross Fit-like mentality helps to pull you through days and makes exercise social and fun.

Recovery:  You will treat yourself to daily massages and spa treatments which will help your body recover quickly to reach your maximum potential, reduce injuries, and increase flexibility.  Dry saunas and steam rooms  will relax you, while hydrotherapy pools and specialty showers will invigorate you.

Outdoor Workouts:  You will be a kid again training outdoors and participating in adventure sports.  Sessions will be held on the beach, in the mountains, or in the countryside to make training more interesting and to take in the beauty of nature.  Most spas also offer adventure activities such as kayaking, river rafting, canyoning, or trekking as a part of their a la carte menu.

MY RECOMMENDATION –

Some of the world’s best and most unique fitness retreats are offered by Healing Holidays.  Ask for Tracy, she's fab!

By Spa Samurai

Destination Spa Vs. Resort Spa

Now that you’ve decided to go away for a spa break, you must choose between a destination spa and a resort spa.

Destination spas are fully equipped spas with state of the art facilities and the top practitioners in their fields offering dedicated spa retreat programmes.  The emphasis is on overall wellness with each spa specializing in a different area of expertise, a particular philosophy, or a unique location.  Most people go to destination spas for week-long programmes to kick start their health or to focus on a particular issue that can only be overcome through diet, exercise and spa treatments which are carefully constructed and calculatingly executed.  Spa purists love destination spas, but there are programmes at every spa that are also appropriate for first timers, so anyone can benefit from a spa retreat.

Resort spas are spas located at hotels or resorts for day use by guests of the resort, although some resort spas allow non-guests to book spa services. Resort spas are more common than destination spas.  The quality of the spa facilities, treatments, and practitioners can be extremely high, particularly at luxury resorts, but most resort spas focus more on pampering, relaxation, and beauty treatments than intensive wellbeing programmes meant to foster personal growth. Resort spas are popular with casual spa-goers on a holiday where the spa isn’t the main focus of their experience.

Go to a DESTINATION SPA if you want:

• A purposeful retreat to focus on the solution to a particular issue/problem.
• An adult environment.
• Personal privacy and a high degree of discretion by staff.
• To be surrounded by like minded people who provide camaraderie, inspiration, and energy.
• A supportive environment to recover from a major life event.
• An experience where it is easy to meet others and to socialize.
• To practice under experts in their fields with personal interaction.
• A pre-determined diet of spa cuisine tailored to your needs.
• To follow a particular nutritional philosophy.
• To abstain from alcohol and other toxins, sometimes including caffeine.
• Consultations with doctors, nutritionists, and instructors.
• To make a major, long-term change to your health and habits.
• Programming which includes exercise, classes, outdoor activities, lectures, and meditation.
• An all inclusive pricing plan which includes accommodation, meals, classes, and some spa treatments.

Go to a RESORT SPA if you want:

• To go to the spa while your children or travel partners do something else.
• Spa treatments as a part of your overall holiday, but not to be the main focus.
• To spend time with friends or family that you are travelling with.
• To participate in activities such as golf, tennis, and water sports that are not provided by the spa.
• To drink alcohol or caffeine.
• To eat meals outside of the spa or to not be restricted by particular diets.
• To stay in a particular hotel or location that does not offer destination spas.
• To gamble.
• To relax and rest instead of taking classes.

Many resort spas are now offering more of the services and facilities of destination spas, but they typically charge extra for these classes or activities and offer them a la carte, as they do their spa treatments.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS -

Some of my favourite world-class destination spas:

1. Canyon Ranch Tucson
2. Chiva Som
3. Kamalaya
4. SHA Wellness
5. Mii Amo at Enchantment

Some of my favourite destination spas at the moment:

1. Spa Village Tembok Bali
2. Six Senses Zighy Bay
3. Shanti Maurice
4. Fusion Maia
5. Verdura

I always book my spa getaways with Healing Holidays because I think they offer the best spa holidays to the world’s top luxury spas and their new website  is very interactive with blogs, videos, and other useful resources.

By Spa Samurai

Fad Yoga Vs. Yoga Retreats

Yoga has progressed from esoteric to mainstream and has now gone hybrid!  Yoga studios seem to be popping up faster than Starbucks and almost every fitness club offers various disciplines of yoga, so it’s never been easier to get started.  Yoga is now an established  form of exercise and wellbeing for the general public in Western societies. Fad yogas  are going viral!  There is Paddle Yoga, which is done on the water on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP); Broga, which is caters to men (who can’t touch their toes); Aerial Yoga, which infuses acrobatics; and even Snake Yoga, which incorporates live reptiles!

It’s no wonder that there is a backlash from purists who are seeking out dedicated yoga retreats to get back to basics to focus on the traditional principles of yoga that have proven themselves for thousands of years.  Yoga retreats are suitable for anyone from inflexible beginners to inverted yogis. Instructors offer personalized attention to every student by offering options for varying degrees of difficulty and correcting the positioning of postures to ensure safety.  Experienced instructors, often the most highly qualified in their field conduct small classes with individual attention given that is seriously lacking in many of the fad classes in pop up studios. 

Yoga retreats are for someone who is looking to progress in their practice through intensive yoga sessions.  Most retreats offer a variety of disciplines (e.g., Hatha, Ashtanga, Bikram, Vinyasa flow), but some retreats keep it simple and only offer the most basic yoga, such as Hatha Yoga.  Many specialty yoga retreats offer unlimited yoga sessions throughout the day for the hardcore, but most retreats offer morning and evening classes.  Sessions can be held both indoors and outdoors which is a unique experience not available in urban yoga studios.

In addition to the yoga practice itself, yoga retreats offer a closed environment without distractions where you can focus on your practice and be surrounded by like-minded people who offer a supportive social network.  Most yoga retreats serve strictly organic vegetarian /vegan cuisine and prohibit alcohol.  A restricted diet aids in advancing your practice through detoxifying the body. When you aren’t holding a pose or hitting your flow, you can participate in workshops on the breath (Pranayama), enjoy traditional Ayurvedic cleansing treatments, relaxing massages, and aromatherapy. 

A perfect compliment to yoga is meditation which helps to focus the mind during yoga and provide clarity and relaxation outside of your practice.  Meditation classes are available for all levels from beginners, so if you have never had the experience, it is the perfect time to start.  It is much easier to reach deep states of meditation while you are detoxing and away from the distractions of your life at home.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS -

I think that short  yoga retreats in spa settings are the best choice for beginners.  More experienced practitioners will find benefit from longer retreats in sequestered Ashrams where the focus is more intense. 

My favourite retreats at the moment are offered at –

• Ananda: This is the ultimate destination for serious yogis looking for stripped down yoga in the Himalayas – where it all began.
• Chiva Som: This is a fabulous spa in Thailand with programmes of varying length and is appropriatefor all levels.
• Absolute Sanctuary: This is a great choice for beginners and offers a variety of yoga styles for you to try out to determine which one best suits you.

I book my yoga retreats with Tracy at Healing Holidays.  She regularly practices yoga herself and she is up on the latest retreats.

By Spa Samurai

How You Know It's Time for a Detox

Almost anyone could benefit from a cleansing detox, but for some people a detox retreat is absolutely necessary.  Here are some signs that might let you know that it is time for a serious detox:

• Do you have health issues that can’t be diagnosed by a GP?
• Do you feel tired all the time or excessively lethargic?
• Do you have stubborn weight that you just can’t seem to shed?
• Do you feel regularly bloated?
• Do you get frequent headaches?
• Do you have IBS or digestive problems?
• Do you have fertility issues?
• Do you need to balance your hormones?
• Do you have blemished skin that isn’t responding to cosmetics and medicines?
• Do you feel that you need a life changing experience to start leading a healthy lifestyle?

A detox holiday can help to permanently eliminate many of these problems not only by cleansing your system, but by preparing you with the life skills necessary to make a long term improvement to your life.

We are constantly surrounded by toxins in the air we breathe and we voluntarily fill ourselves with toxins in the foods we eat and the lifestyle choices we make.  Many people choose healthy holidays such as a detox retreat at a destination spa to feel cleansed and to lose weight, but a proper detox has far-reaching benefits that many people do not expect. A detox leaves you feeling invigorated and filled with vitality because it not only purifies your body, it relieves deep-rooted stress.

What you can expect

DIET: Most detox retreats last from 3 – 14 nights and take place at specialized destination spa  retreats.  Detox programmes consist of a specialized diet purposely formalized and personalized to your needs.  You will meet with doctors and nutritionists to discuss your medical history so that they can create a plan that addresses your problems.

EXERCISE: Detox isn’t diet alone, it involves an exercise regiment, usually including yoga to further purge the toxins from your body through intensive breathing and stretching.  The postures in most yoga workouts are designed to relieve tension in muscles as well as release repressed emotions.  Yoga also focuses on relaxation at the end of each workout, which is necessary to eliminate stress. Yoga is particularly popular for detox holidays because it combines body, mind, and spirit to leave you feeling powerful, refreshed, and hormonally balanced.

RELAXATION:  Stress relief is a big part of detoxing for a few reasons.  Stress is not only the cause of many of the problems above, but it may also be root of why we subconsciously choose to fill ourselves with toxins in our daily life through smoking, caffeine, alcohol, and an unhealthy diet.  Relaxation and pampering helps to physically eliminate toxins in the organs and muscles and can change your hormonal balance. Massages, masks, wraps, and hydrotherapy are also great ways to treat yourself during your retreat, as detox programmes can be very challenging both physically and psychologically for many people.

EDUCATION:  Through meetings, classes, and lectures  with medical professionals, specialists, instructors, and peers, you will learn the skills necessary to make a positive change in your life and maintain the progress you have made on holiday once you return home.  You will be educated in nutrition, exercise, stress management and lifestyle choices to better understand yourself and be empowered.

MY RECOMMENDATION -

I recommend a detox holiday to anyone who is looking for a wellness retreat where they can not improve their physical health, but can grow personally.  Each spa has their speciality detox retreats and there are specific detox programmes to address certain issues, so it’s best to speak to a professional who is familiar with the spas and their offerings.  Speak to Karen at Healing Holidays.  She has been on detox retreats herself and she is very helpful!

By Spa Samurai

Anti-Ageing Retreats: What to expect & how to prepare

Let’s face it, everyone is in search of the fountain of youth and there are plenty of snake oil salesmen that make promises they can’t keep, but there are also some revolutionary new treatments and technologies that could help you turn back the hands of time.

Anti-ageing is a broad term that is often followed by magical words like “serum”.  But in reality there are many good treatments and products that are available to give your skin the appearance of looking younger.  Many destination spas have dedicated programmes consisting of a strictly detoxifying diet, pampering spa treatments, and aesthetic beauty treatments that deliver impressive results.

If you are going on an anti-ageing retreat, I recommend preparing for your retreat a week in advance to see the most dramatic benefits:

FOOD:  To look younger, you need to start from the inside out.

Before you leave –

• Eliminate alcohol, caffeine, and carbonated beverages. The first time I went to a spa and didn’t get my morning caffeine fix I had terrible headaches and no energy for the first two days.  I highly recommend phasing out caffeine in advance so that you don’t spend your time (and money) at a spa feeling rubbish.
• Stay hydrated with plenty of mineral water, freshly squeezed juices, and drinks with antioxidants.  I’m really into my fresh coconut water at the moment.  Read the labels of the juices that you buy – “juice drinks” are more sugar than juice.
• Avoid processed foods.  Cooking with natural, organic ingredients is cheaper, healthier, and more flavourful than buying packaged, prepared or processed foods. If  you can’t afford to buy organic, at least buy the base ingredients like fresh vegetables and fresh meat.

While you are at the spa you will meet with doctors and nutritionists who will put together a specialized diet for you during your stay.  Some spas  adhere by nutritional philosophies developed by doctors such as Mayr Cuisine or the Dukan Diet. Find out in advance if these diets are required as they are not for everyone.  Most spas will offer you spa cuisine during your stay which is healthy cuisine that is calorie controlled and portion controlled.  Food at a spa is normally grown on site, organic, and lovingly prepared by top chefs.  The focus of the diet is detoxification and delivering nutrients.  I was very impressed with the quality of the food, the size of the portions, and the presentation at all of the spas I have been to.  Spa cuisine sounds very restrictive and basic, but I actually found myself asking the chefs for the recipes so that I could recreate the dishes at home.

SPA TREATMENTS:  To look younger, you need to pamper yourself.

Before you leave –

• Try different types of massages before you go to find out what you like.

While you are at the spa you can expect some incredibly indulgent treatments.  I love massages and I am always fascinated at how many different types of massages are available.  Some are relaxing and some are quite intense, but they leave you feeling incredible.  Most spas have a wide selection of different temperature pools and a variety of water types including hot springs, sea water, and lap pools.  There are high pressure showers, rain showers, freezing cold showers, and showers you have never dreamed of for you to unwind in.  I enjoy the dry saunas and steam rooms with aroma therapy to sweat it out and to meditate in a Zen-like trance.

BEAUTY TREATMENTS:  To look younger, you need to have beautiful skin.

Before you leave –

• Give your skin a head start by taking Nutricosmetic supplements. These specially designed vitamins for the skin stimulate regeneration and rejuvenation from within by boosting collagen levels. Collagen is the most important protein in your skin, 65% of the body’s proteins are collagen and they are responsible for the elasticity of the skin as well as critical for the moisturizing process. It is the protein that keeps skin’s tone and youth.
• Gentle exfoliation is vital for the wellbeing of the skin, don’t go for harsh dermabrasion products as they can damage skin but look for fruit enzyme exfoliators, which will improve the structure and health of the skin. So make sure pre-retreat prep involves regular exfoliation.
• If you can take time for a facial before you go, give your skin a deep pore cleanse. It is the best way to get rid of pollutants in advance of your trip. For an added advantage have an oxygen treatment as they boost circulation and stimulate skin cell revitalisation by 4 to 5 times normal daily rate, a great mini-work out before your full retreat.

While you are at the spa you will be given different facial and eye treatments, some even including oxygen, that will reduce blemishes, even out skin tone, and reduce wrinkles.  These aesthetic treatments, in conjunction with a detox diet, gave my skin a glow that I never had at home. I used to think they were strange, but I have grown to love salt body scrubs to exfoliate your skin and body wraps.  There are mud wraps, herbal wraps, wax wraps, algae wraps, and even chocolate wraps! 

So not only will your skin look younger, but you will return from your spa  holiday feeling stress free and utterly relaxed, which will make you feel younger!

MY RECOMMENDATIONS

• Preparing for skin for your spa holiday - visit the skincare spa at QMSMediCosmetics at Sloane Square.  The staff are wonderfully attentive, very professional and extremely knowledgeable.  They offer any of the treatments (above) and they have travel-sized cosmetics that you can take with you.  Go in for a tester - I have never used such amazing facial moisturizer! They have product lines specifically for men too.
• Making your travel preparations - There are some surprisingly affordable anti-ageing retreats for up to 29 days that include rejuvenating exercise regimes and classes to help you live a younger life when you return.  Ask Karen at HealingHolidays – she sorted me out with an incredible retreat at Longevity WellnessResort in Portugal.

By Spa Samurai

Guide to the Different Types of Spas

Spas are the perfect place for you to focus on your health and well-being, to regain balance and clarity in your life and to heal yourself.  There are many types of spas offering unique treatments and varied outcomes, so it is important to under the various types of spas available to ensure that you get the results you are looking for and to make your experience at the spa as beneficial as possible.

These days, mini-spa treatments are becoming easier to find – at the mall, at the airport, at a salon, at a health club, and even at the Chinese medicine shop on the corner.  While most of these “express spas” offer short massages and superficial facial treatments with varying degrees of privacy, serious spa goers choose either destination spas or resort spas to enjoy the benefits of some of the world’s top facilities and the best practitioners.

Day Spas offer a selection of spa treatments and often provide salon services as well.  Day spas are a good choice for people who are too busy for an overnight stay at a spa or simply can’t afford the full spa experience.  The main complaint with day spas is that due to limited space and high traffic, treatment rooms can be very small and nosy.  The quality of practitioners and the level of service at day spas is not up to the same standards of resort spas or destination spas.

Resort Spas (or Hotel Spas) are basically Day Spas located in hotels that offer spa treatments, fitness classes, and (sometimes) spa cuisine.  Often times the resorts also offer other activities such as golf, so a resort spa is a good choice when one person wants to relax at the spa and the other person wants to spend their afternoon golfing.  Resort spas allow you to enjoy spa treatments and facilities, but also have the option to eat meals that are not part of the spa diet or drink alcohol (after all – it is still a holiday!).  Although resort spas do not offer dedicated spa retreats, the quality of the accommodation, treatments, and cuisine can still be top class, particularly at spas at the world’s premier luxury hotels.

Destination Spas are the sanctuaries for the spa aficionados.  In addition to offering the a la carte treatments that resort spas feature, destination spas provide various healing programmes that include consultations with doctors and/or specialists, accommodation, meals, treatments, and educational classes by experts in their fields. These programmes, often referred to as retreats, focus on a specific purpose (detoxification, weight loss, stress relief, etc.) and are an excellent way to make a major, long term change to improve your health and habits. Destination spas offer personalized programmes based on your goals which often include a tailor-made diet of healthy spa cuisine, exercise, relaxation, and pampering.  Alcohol and food outside of the restricted menu may be allowed depending on the spa and the programme.  A minimum stay of two nights is imposed by most destination spas, although typically people go to destination spas for a 7 night programme to achieve the maximum results.

Medical Spas are a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa.  Medical spas are a comfortable environment to undergo medical procedures while ensuring a high degree of comfort and privacy.  Medical spas offer treatments that cannot be provided by traditional aestheticians. Medical treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical treatments (e.g., chemical peels), injectables (e.g., Botox, fillers), and laser treatments (e.g., photofacials)  require a doctor’s supervision, but relaxation treatments such as massage are also available for you to pamper yourself.  Medical spas are much more clinical than day spas, but provide a much higher degree of comfort and luxury than hospitals. Many medical spas now offer nutritional counselling, acupuncture, and holistic treatments as well.

MY RECOMMENDATION - 

I always speak to the experts at Healing Holidays who help me choose the right type of spa to best suit my needs and they take care of all of my travel arrangements.  Healing Holidays can provide first-hand advice to guide you to the world’s best resort spas, destination spas, and medical spas, but please be aware that day spas and spas in the UK are not featured. Ask for Jo, she knows her stuff!

By Spa Samurai