Absolutely You...

Absolute Sanctuary has been a part of our Spa WellnessTravel Collection for several years. Each year there’s a selection process that I go through to make certain that the destination spa we choose to work with is offering a positive experience and outcome for the guest when booking with Spa Wellness Travel.

On the surface, Absolute Sanctuary may look like a solo establishment but for those living in Bangkok; they know there’s much more before it began.  For Benjaporn Karoooknornsakul, it was an inevitable progression for the advancement of Absolute You.  A Thai woman living and working in finance first discovered yoga in 2001 and has been hooked ever since - it resonated with her and she felt the benefits.

On returning to Bangkok, she was adamant she was going to continue her practise and in doing so set about opening her own studio.   As her life and body changed, as it does with age and after having children, her curiosity and dedication to allowing your body to be the best it can be lead to the addition of Pilates reformer classes then CoreBlast classes.  With a mission to improve your lifestyle and evolve you to someone you want to become, Karooknornsakul has created Absolute You. 

Eight studios are now dotted around Bangkok, as well as an Absolute Fitfood outlet - knowing you cannot look and feel good alone on exercise that you do need a nutritional wholesome balance diet to improve your being.  Now this takes us back to where we started, at Absolute Sanctuary.

An award winning destination spa, Absolute Sanctuary in 2016 was awarded “Best for Yoga” by Wellness Travel Awards – spafinder. 

With a large array of fitness and yoga classes at Absolute Sanctuary, guests in the new year can expect an upgrading of facilities, a larger gym and the addition of a rhythm cycling studio in addition two the two new wellness programs – Lifestyle Change and Meaningful Holiday.

Lifestyle Change package is structured over 30 or 60 days with three defined phases to strengthen you and give you the knowledge to take away so your transformed you lives beyond the stay at Absolute Sanctuary!   Enquire and book your stay today.

Spa Wellness Travel reservations: 03-5254 1411

NEW Lifestyle Collection at The Barai

The Barai is an amazing spa resort located on the beautiful beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.  It was the sister property I.Sawan Residential Spa & Club at the Grand Hyatt Bangkok that brought The Barai to my attention. The space, the treatment, the facilities and the comforts that were dedicated to allowing an individual to retreat and switch off, was breathtaking.

It is a thrill to be advised that The Barai at Hyatt Regency's new Lifestyle Collection has just been released.  To clarify, all though the package may seem dedicated, it is still a spa resort, there are no medical persons conducting or monitoring treatments, but there is a dedicated Director of Spa, Sylvia Marsden overseeing all.  Here is a bit of insight to what you can expect...

THE BARAI Lifestyle Collection was created around the three pillars of good health: rest and relaxation, exercise, and healthy nutrition, all of which are essential to leading a long, happy and healthy life. Programs are available in 3, 5 and 7 day choices:
- Ultimate unwind
- Bespoke yoga journey
- Vital body cleanse
- Dynamic fitness kick-starter
- Healthy weight kick–starter (5 and 7 days only)

 “We are very proud to launch our new Lifestyle Collection programs which will focus on identifying our guests personal lifestyle needs, offering support and guidance to help recover from the daily stresses of modern life. After completing the program, our guests will leave THE BARAI feeling revitalised and healthier at the end of their stay. With each program, our guests will receive a Healthy Lifestyle Consultation including a comprehensive Body Composition Analysis with our new InBody machine which goes beyond traditional body composition analysis. Guests will be able to get a detailed analysis of their body fat percentage, lean body mass, and total body water in order to track their health progress and understand how their diet, lifestyle and training regime are influencing overall body composition,” said Ms. Sylvia Marsden, Director of Spa, THE BARAI.

 This Lifestyle Collection offers a wide range of relaxing and result-oriented programs that draw inspiration from ancient traditional Thai health rituals, along with the best and most innovative of Western therapies. Taking a holistic approach to mind, body and spirit while focusing on a customised itinerary, the programs are designed to meet the needs of each guest, addressing the most important elements of health & wellbeing. Each program also complemented by a new healthy menu to be served at McFarland House restaurant.

Relax with a Massage

Treatment room at The Barai

The Barai Suite

McFarland House

OFFER:

To share the joy of these Lifestyle Collection programs, Spa Wellness Travel has a special offer for reservations made 30 days in advance: Stay 3 / Pay 2 : Stay 5 / Pay 4 : Stay 7 / Pay 5

For all reservations contact us: T:03-5254 1411 or  E: Spa Wellness Travel Reservations

Water is the place to get active...

There’s such an array of activities available today to help and keep us feeling well and healthy.  It’s the structured form of exercise that we are requiring more of as our lives become more confined to living a sedentary lifestyle; we live in homes that require less physical activity as there’s minimal if any garden to attend to, jobs that have us sitting at a desk or in a vehicle for hours on end (with only fluctuating spurts of standing) or we choose to sit for a duration of time viewing a screen whatever size it maybe.

After a five month recovery from surgery, I’ve been pondering my activity options as I need to expand my exercise routine.  My routine of late has involved walks combined with a bit of incline running, to practicing my friend JessieChapman's yoga dvd at home. But now I want more, but on contemplating an hour’s combat class it would be pointless, as I couldn’t physically sustain that duration as yet.  I have added to my routine lately a weekly visit to the local aquatic centre, that activity has involved walking a few laps of the 25m pool(at a rapid pace) followed by swimming a few laps (at a not so rapid pace!). I then discovered aqua fitness.

I love being in the water, preferably ocean, I was searching for the next level of exercise, something that was going to be a tad more invigorating than my walks and stretching, but nothing too strenuous that I'd feel deflated or strained because I wasn’t at the level of fitness required for the exercise. So, I have now experienced my first deep water aqua and movement unlimited class.  The deep water has now become part of my weekly routine, its has benefits and its entertaining!  

Forget the notion of “that’s for the old folk” .  Yes they are there, but so are the young and physically fit all adding variety to their exercise regime.  Who else is out there getting physical with aqua fitness is the lovely Mandy who set up Aquamums.  Aqua fit may not be the most heart-racing form of exercise, but it is great for the mind, coordination and to put you into stead for a great nights sleep. 

Mandy with her Aquamums

The reasons and benefits for participating in aqua fit classes is that they can: Increase muscle strength

Build endurance

Increases flexibility

Burn calories

Reduce blood pressure

Are good for:

Low-impact exercise

Alleviating pressure on the joints

Relieving stress and decreasing anxiety

The class descriptions at BASC aquatic centre are:
 Deep Water
A whole body conditioning workout to improve overall strength, particularly the core (abdominal) muscles. Participants are required to wear a buoyancy belt as your feet are off the bottom of the pool.

White Water
A high intensity class designed to elevate the heart rate and improve fitness levels. May involve some moderate resistance work for strength development. An ideal class to add as variety to your weekly fitness regime.

Gentle Aqua
A fun class with a gentle touch. Designed for the older adult, beginners and pre/post natal, classes are social, gentle and conducted in a comfortable / safe environment.

Movement Unlimited
A moderate intensity aerobic workout with a focus on a ‘variety’ of exercises, with ‘fun’ being the key ingredient. This workout is aimed to improve muscle tone and flexibility.

As I regain my fitness and wane from this activity to the next, I’ll be grateful for the experience and the next level of fitness Aqua Fit has taken me to and hope in decades to come, I’m still confident to don the swimsuit and frequent an aqua fitness session.

Kamalaya - aqua fit

If you've experienced the benefits and joy of Aqua Fit we'd love to hear about it....

To experience aqua fit on your next holiday book your Spa Wellness Travel holiday staying at either stunning spa health retreat - Kamalaya + Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand.