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EmbracingChange

Creating changes within a hectic lifestyle is often easier said than done, but now you can immerse yourself in a week-long experience at the mesmerising Kamalaya, which makes an emotional makeover one of the most rewarding things you could ever treat yourself to Writer Vivienne Tang

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basically the entire retreat, are designed in a way for you to commune with nature, but without having to abandon your five-star luxuries, such as iPod, mini bar and an enormously cosy bed and pillow (Kamalaya also offers a sleep enhancement programme and is therefore highly focused on getting you the perfect pillow from a long menu of goose down, buckwheat, etc for some excellent shut-eye).

I’m told that I have my first medical and personal wellness consultation lined up for 2:45pm. So I head over to the Wellness Sanctuary, which is a huge holistic spa complex with numerous treatment rooms, consultation suites and al fresco resting areas, all offering some terrific views.

My Body Bio-impedance Analysis (BIA) is a five-minute, non-intrusive check where I’m hooked up to a machine, which tracks my body composition, giving me feedback

on crucial health factors, including body mass index, hydration, and so on. The therapist can then guide me regarding my needs, such as diet, vitamin intake and exercise, prescribing anything from gentle nurturing to fitness.

As expected, my results aren’t glowing. Surprisingly, my energy levels seem to be normal, but the water intake of my cells isn’t optimal, even though overall, I’ve got enough water in my body, which could be a good indication of water retention. Sylvia, my consultant, is positive though and points out that a few changes in my lifestyle and eating habits can change this outlook very quickly. She reminds me to avoid distilled water and make sure that it contains natural minerals. She also recommends dry brushing, exercise and finishing a hot shower with an ice-cold rinse, as well as including more protein and fibre in my diet, along with gotu kola (also dubbed the ‘brain tonic’, as it not only tightens skin but also improves mental clarity). We also agree on saving my emails for when I retreat to my room. She doesn’t want me to go all cold turkey with my work, but it will hugely improve the results during this retreat, she says, and I couldn’t agree more that I should be focused on being in the present. She also hands me my programme of treatments for the next week

Set amidst a tropical forest with gentle

waterfalls and ponds, the wellness

haven is centred around a monk’s cave

ThIS PAge: guests can choose from daily holistic activities, including meditation. oPPoSITe PAge: The two-bedroom Beachfront Pool Villa offers privacy amid the trees. oPeNINg PAge: guests can enjoy lunch at Amrita Café, overlooking the beach

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Being a slave to long working hours in hong Kong, mixed with the frenetic pace of the city and the growing use

of social media and technological advances (ie I tend to get withdrawal symptoms if I’m apart from my phone for more than 15 minutes), clearly I’m in dire need of a change.

Luckily, I’m invited to Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary and holistic Spa in Koh Samui to be the first person to sample their latest programme, embracing Change. In addition to its other eleven programmes, it’s Kamalaya’s first wellness retreat, which focuses on exploring one’s inner self and enriching one’s emotional potential, all while enjoying the gorgeous environment and tasting its award-winning food. I don’t have to think twice about this amazing offer and immediately jump at the opportunity

to experience this new programme in the hope of reconnecting with myself, treating myself to some much-needed ‘me’ time and possibly breaking away from the hamster wheel – well, at least for a week.

DAY 1My plane arrives at Koh Samui airport, where I’m being picked up by my driver who brings me to Kamalaya, which is located on the southern tip of the island, far away from the buzz on Chaweng beach, nestled beautifully into the luscious hills. Set amidst a tropical forest with gentle waterfalls and ponds, the wellness haven is centred around a monk’s cave that was once used by Buddhist monks as a place of meditation and spiritual retreat. expressing its true essence through its name – in hindu, kamal means ‘lotus’ and alaya means ‘realm’ – the

place symbolises growth and unfolding of one’s spirit.

one of the receptionists guides me to my suite, and as we walk through the winding path, past gushing water fountains and palm trees, I feel like all my worries are instantly slipping away with every step I take. It seems daunting at first, and the fear of letting go creeps up for a split second, but I give in and cut myself loose from the comforts and the shackles within my own mind and gently glide into what feels like an unknown territory. They don’t say ‘life begins at the end of your comfort zone’ without a reason. And perhaps, my embracing Change programme has just begun.

My suite, for a night, comes with sweeping views of the ocean and the entire property, as well as an intimate terrace with outdoor bath and shower. All the rooms, and

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and lets me know that I can always move certain sessions in case they overlap with any of the classes on the holistic Activity Schedule. Kamalaya offers all its guests a weekly schedule of daily group sessions, such as yoga, Pilates, qigong, meditation and power walks, which can be attended free of charge and combined with one’s customised programme.

once finished with my wellness consultation, I head for my first massage of the week, a Vital essence oil Massage, which is soothing and perfectly eases me into my stay at Kamalaya.

I have dinner at Soma where I join the communal table, and we order à la carte. even though Sylvia doesn’t want me to lose weight and to build my protein and fibre intake instead, I still decide to detox this week and abstain from wheat, added sugar and caffeine. So I opt for a green vegetable soup and strips of zucchini and cauliflower in a pumpkin sauce for my main.

DAY 2I have a packed schedule ahead of me

transformational. We switch back and forth between various past lives and release emotions I didn’t even know were hidden deep within. I feel much better albeit a bit fragile and delicate after this huge release, and I move my upcoming (what I gather will be very painful) deep tissue session to another day, so I can relax for a bit and integrate everything.

I head down to the beach for a stroll and a bite to eat at Amrita Café, which is located down by the pool and just slightly

ThIS PAge: The Sea-View Villa comes with all the luxury comforts one can think of. oPPoSITe PAge: The Yoga Pavilion offers sweeping views of the ocean and the surrounding hills

where I feel secure and nurtured. I have a few minutes before my next

therapist whisks me away for the Traditional Asian hand and Foot Massage, and I opt for a protein shake at the Wellness Sanctuary. guests who, like myself, aren’t consuming enough protein can supplement their diet with two protein shakes a day, and I decide to give it a try.

My masseuse takes me into one of the treatment rooms up on the hill, and luckily I get the corner room built out on to the very edge on stilts, which offers (in my opinion) one of the best spots on the entire property to admire the stunning Koh Samui sunset. each time I open my eyes, the sky changes its colours from yellow and turquoise to orange and then red, while my massage therapist firmly kneads away any stiffness and blockages.

It’s been a long day and I’m exhausted. I have a splitting headache from detoxing, so I keep to myself at dinner and simply opt for a quick sweet potato roesti with shitake

off the beach, where private dining salas and intimate alcoves create a serene ambience. I bump into some of the guests from last night’s communal table, and we chat for a bit before I have to move rooms. even though it’s already past peak season, the property is still operating at full occupancy. I switch my Sea-View Suite for a spacious Sea-View Villa, which I really can’t complain about. The villa comes with a terrace set in a beautiful jungle-like environment, and the bathroom outside makes a great spot for stargazing while having a late-night shower.

once moved, I have my first embracing Change consultation with Meditation & Life enhancement Mentor Smitha, who I openly talk to about my fears and frustrations, highlighting old patterns that no longer serve me. Smitha, who’s very understanding and patient, guides me through a short meditation to integrate my different personalities (strong/weak, male/female, etc) and helping them to come together in what she calls a ‘happy place’,

mushroom ragout and rocket salad.

DAY 3 I’ve gotten a good night’s sleep and I feel ready to rock ‘n’ roll again. gone is the headache, and I feel revitalised.

I start the day with Chakra Meditation at 7:45am. It feels great to be up so early, taking in the panoramic views again from the Yoga Pavilion. Rajesh, another great Meditation & Life enhancement Mentor with a great following, is hosting it, and he gently guides us through the procedure as we all visualise the colours, with mudras (hand positions) in tact, chanting the corresponding sounds.

Feeling rushed with back-to-back sessions, I decide to leave out the next holistic activity, which is a relationship workshop, held by Rajesh. even though it comes highly recommended, I feel like I haven’t been able to catch my breath ever since I got here. So I sadly give it a miss.

After lunch, I meet Sylvia for a Flower Remedies consultation, who asks me a

today. First, I’m off to a hatha Yoga class at 8:45am. The Yoga Pavilion lies at the very top of Kamalaya and overlooks the entire property, with breathtaking views of the ocean and the surrounding hills (the sunsets from here are awe-inspiring and terribly romantic). Doing yoga in such a setting sure beats attending a class with 30 other people in a stuffy room in hong Kong. I breathe in the clean air and rest my gaze on a formation of clouds as we take a few minutes in vrksasana.

After this, I head to breakfast, where I down my daily wheatgrass and equally

potent gotu kola shots. I also help myself to some humus, as well as avocado and pumpkin dips with some flax seed (as suggested by Sylvia). The food is extremely flavoursome, and what I assumed would be a bit of a bore turns into a wonderful experience I look forward to three times a day.

I’m booked in to see one of the visiting practitioners, Wayne Walker, for a two-hour Releasing session, which turns out to be overly emotional, but highly

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Medicine, tells me about their humble beginnings and how she and husband John Stewart met in the himalayas and eventually dreamt up Kamalaya eight-and-a-half years ago. I love listening to Karina’s tales, they’re truly inspiring and uplifting, and it is phenomenal to see how their philosophies and energies trickle down through their staff and are felt throughout the entire property, be it in the food, accommodation or the healing therapies.

I have another hand massage scheduled after lunch, together with Chi Nei Tsang, which massages and energises internal organs. Karina explains to me how the Traditional Asian hand and Foot Massages have been created with acupressure points in mind to open up the heart and various other energy centres to facilitate flow of chi again. No wonder I feel completely relaxed and calm as soon as the therapist starts massaging my hand. Chi Nei Tsang I’ve only ever tried once before, and it was an utterly painful experience, so painful that I never wanted to relive it ever again. But Karina assures me that the treatment is divine, and she’s absolutely right. I immediately doze off, only recalling the sounds of crickets and birds happily chirping, and once I return from my little slumber, I notice how that stubborn pain in my stomach/liver area has completely vanished.

It’s almost the end of another busy day, but I have one more treatment scheduled with Wayne. I enjoyed my last Releasing

session so much that I’ve booked another one with him. Last time it seemed more about the bigger picture and my approach to life, and today it seems that we’re getting into some very specific details related to current physical pain. once again, I emerge from it feeling several kilos lighter with a

By accepting circumstances and dropping into acceptance of yourself and the way things are, you step into awareness, which

eventually creates great change

ThIS PAge: group yoga with panoramic views; a Meditation & Life enhancement Mentor teaches a guest how to meditate. oPPoSITe PAge: embracing life’s potential

number of thorough questions about my lifestyle, covering everything from bowel movements to oCDs to my input in the environment. According to all these answers she then creates two Bach flower remedy blends, which she delivers to my room later that night – one for everyday use that tackles fear and guilt and helps me not to worry about other people’s opinions, and the second one for when I’m working, which helps when feeling overwhelmed and overworked.

I head for a Yin Yoga class, which is mainly about stretching and opening the hips. I notice that there’s a sense of frustration arising as I’m going through the asanas, and I strongly believe that by opening the flow of chi in certain areas, the body will release deep seated emotions that we’re storing in those specific areas, hence the frustration. I love this class, and I’m already thinking about which postures to include in my regular stretching routine back home.

DAY 4 I’m excited about the Pranayama class with Smitha this morning, as I feel that I really need to do something about my breathing. I often experience shortness of breath, and I’m looking forward to learning new techniques that I can weave into my exercises at home. We do the Breath of Fire, which is said to be good for the brain and then some techniques with pauses to increase our lung capacity.

After that, it’s my first acupuncture session with Violeta. I’ve never really bothered much with acupuncture in hong Kong because of my fear of needles, but my therapist is extremely knowledgeable and professional and seems to know exactly what I need, and I feel completely safe in her hands. After an extensive consultation and an inspection of my tongue, she pricks in several needles (all rather, and thankfully, painless), dedicating time to the front and then the back of my body, strengthening and moving stagnant energy around my kidneys, liver and bladder.

For lunch, I catch up with Kamalaya Co-founder Karina Stewart and the newly appointed Public Relations Manager Linda Schneegass. Karina, who has an extensive background in Traditional Chinese

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distinctive contentment. I stick to my new routine of an early

dinner, which leaves me enough time to digest and focus on my breathing and meditation exercises.

DAY 5 It feels like a slow Saturday morning. even the Wellness Sanctuary, which is normally busy with people going to and returning from treatments, seems quiet today.

Finally, I have some time to enjoy a longer breakfast, and I’m tempted by the smorgasbord of muffins, Danish pastry and fresh bread, but I’m sticking to my detox of vegetables and fruits, mixed with some organic fish and chicken. And due to the vast range of scrumptious Thai ingredients, the Detox Menu is far too delicious to simply

give in to temptation after only five days. My sessions with Smitha seem to get

easier, as I persevere with my five-minute awareness meditation every night before bed. I think I’m starting to get the hang of it, as I feel much more at ease with myself.

I explore the beach for a bit of sunshine and decide to make myself comfortable on one of the loungers for a quick power nap. Again, lunch is enjoyed at Amrita and I opt for my daily dose of coconut water. It is said to have the same composition as blood plasma and is therefore easier to absorb than water!

After lunch, I meet up with John Stewart (Karina’s other half) for tea, and he gives me a private tour of the property. We start at the monk’s cave, which John sort of stumbled upon back in 2000 when the land was

covered with overgrown trees and bushes. he was immediately mesmerised by its beautiful energy and quickly convinced Karina that this is where Kamalaya would flourish (as opposed to Nepal, where the couple was living at the time). guests can sit inside the cave for prayer and meditation, and at night it is lit up with candles, making it an even more serene experience. The most exciting news, however, is the addition of a sleek lap pool (nestled into the jungle) adjacent to a new gym with panoramic views of the ocean, which will be built right into the hill at the very top of the property. John takes me for a sneak peek and, indeed, I can see what the fuss is all about. The extension will be ready in November, and I’m sure the stunning new facilities will impress repeat customers as

well as first-timers. Too bad, time goes by so fast, and I’m

already on my way to my next acupuncture session with Violeta, where I’m not only treated to needles again, but also some moxibustion. The heat of the burnt herbs is soothing and comforting, as well as stimulating at the same time, and I can feel how the chi is starting to shift and flow again.

DAY 6 At today’s Power Yoga we focus on the core, as well as thighs, and I notice how weak my ‘non-existent’ abs are, and I make a mental note to sign up for Pilates classes when I’m back in hong Kong.

A swim in the pool and some lunch later, I’m booked in for my last acupuncture session. Today, we focus on my back, and Violeta attaches the needles to a device that generates continuous electric pulses for increased stimulation of those areas. Again, we work on my kidneys and my liver, and for my upper back, Violeta adds some cupping to the mix to spice things up. The sucking sensation is pleasant, and even though the glass bowls are cupped over the needles, I can’t feel any stinging or sharp pain.

That evening, I decide to join one of the visiting practitioners’ introductory evenings, this time with Astrology & Palmistry expert omesh. There is only one other guest there, as everyone else seems to be out on the Kamalaya Sunset Cruise. But it seems to be the perfect match, as both of us have studied astrology before, and we’re able to converse without having to repeat the basics.

DAY 7 It’s Yin Yoga at 7:30am with Mew and I’m really enjoying this class today. I came early to grab the mat with the best view and I’m really soaking up the natural surroundings. Already dreading the concrete jungle back home, I’m trying to make the most of my remaining two days here in paradise. There are still a number of tight spots that need a bit of work, but I’m really getting into some of those muscles that are normally neglected. I’m looking forward to incorporating some of these exercises and pay close attention to Mew’s instructions.

I’ve been looking forward to my session with Deep Tissue healing & Release visiting

practitioner Stephen Kirwin ever since I found out that I would be visiting Kamalaya. I’ve heard so many great things about his work, and my session doesn’t disappoint. I’m amazed at how much of my physical symptoms can all be traced back to a few muscles, as Stephen massages and stretches my shoulder and psoas, and I feel tingling sensations in my foot and hand.

It’s all interconnected and through all these treatments I’ve started to get a very good grasp of how my body functions, where I’m compensating, which supplements will help improve certain organs and which adjustments will be able to get me back on track again. I leave the session feeling light as a feather and full of enthusiasm to lead a healthier and happier life with the foundation I’ve created over the past week.

Believe it or not, I still haven’t visited the steam cavern during my entire visit. So I head over there and soak in the heat for about ten minutes, followed by lazing around next to the plunge pools, which offer a fantastic view of the ocean. If you feel like spending time on your own to reflect, this spot is a true gem and perhaps even a little secret hideaway, as none of the other guests tend to come up here.

In the afternoon, I have my last embracing Change session with Smitha, and she shares

ThIS PAge: Chi Nei Tsang massages and energises internal organs; the Traditional Asian hand and Foot Massage works on acupressure points to release blockages and increase the flow of chi again. oPPoSITe PAge: Far away from the island’s buzz, guests can enjoy some quietude on Kamalaya’s beach

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some valuable breathing (pranayama) exercises with me, which I can practise at home. Again, she recommends five minutes to start with, making it easy to integrate in my hectic day-to-day schedule without having to feel overwhelmed by it. overall, I’m really pleased with the progress I’ve been making. What seemed like a bit of an uphill struggle at the very start – taming the tireless monkey mind and having to talk about myself and diving deep into the abyss of my emotions, not knowing what I would find – I’m now starting to reap the benefits,

feeling much more content and nurtured. I now realise that my desperation to change parts of my life and me searching for that magic wand to ‘fix’ what was ‘broken’ was actually hindering me from seeing that nothing really needs repairing. Change comes from allowing ‘whatever is’ to be the way it is, and by accepting circumstances and dropping into acceptance of yourself and the way things are, you step into awareness, which eventually creates great change, as you’re more in tune with yourself and your needs, and you’re living your truth.

DAY 8 It’s already the end of my retreat, but I have one last Shirodhara session. I love this treatment where oil is trickled on your third eye to stimulate the chakra. It’s soothing and revitalising at the same time and it gives me plenty of time to reflect on my week here.

It’s not rocket science that one needs to turn within to achieve a sense of calm, and yes, I too have heard it and done it all before. I’ve had glimpses of this in meditations, but for some reason a workshop or a cleanse alone didn’t do the trick. I had to immerse

myself for a week in a setting that could allow this kind of change, an environment that is deeply connected with Mother Nature and lets you be who you are, where you can let your hair down and every minute in the day is dedicated to getting to know yourself again. That’s the beauty of Kamalaya and especially this programme, where you are approaching self-awareness from various angles over five to seven days, and because everything is interwoven it all starts making sense very quickly and you ascend feeling really connected with your true self, your needs and your emotions. You have a newfound deep understanding of who you are, which fills you with great peace and a

sense of completeness. If you have the chance to come to

Kamalaya, I’d recommend seven over three days. The more time you have to reconnect with yourself, the deeper and more groundbreakingly transformational it will be. After three days you just start to unwind and dabble in what you think is your inner world, but after the fifth day you really start to go within, moving from your mind into your heart, and you get to know yourself on a deeper and perhaps unknown level. I highly praise the embracing Change programme and suggest it to anyone who is seeking a change in scenery or whose life has become a bit stale. It’s not one of those weeks, where you have a tremendous detox and return back to your old lifestyle with your outdated habits that keep weighing you down. Instead, it provides a solid foundation for the life you truly want to live, and you can then return and implement the little exercises and diet changes, which you’ve experienced hands-on during this retreat, without feeling overwhelmed and allowing you to make choices and decisions from a completely different space. This is an experience that you will be able to treasure for the rest of your life and that nobody can take away from you. Forever, you’ll have a sense of peace in your heart that you can always return to. www.kamalaya.com

ThIS PAge: guests can while away in the plunge pools and little hideaways with sweeping views of the ocean; the award-winning food at Kamalaya makes a detox so much more enjoyable. oPPoSITe PAge: The pool area next to Amrita Café offers guests a beautiful setting to relax in between treatments