TRAVEL SPECIAL.... Joys of wellness

Joys of wellness

Choose an experience which nourishes your soul and plan a holistic holiday around it

If 2018 has been a thrilling year but has left you tired, kick start 2019 with a wellness vacation along with your family or that special someone. Think spa retreats, ayurveda, yoga and fitness camps to get the spring back in your step.Various retreats in destinations such as Thailand, Germany and Indonesia teach tourists the art of conscious breathing, which helps you access the full potential of your lungs to reduce the effects of anxiety and stress. Wellness experts combine outdoor wild movement sessions such as climbing, running or other such fun exercises. There are also options where wellness boot camp participants can add spa therapies to adopt a more holistic approach for an overall relaxation. Afterall, being healthy begins with the mind, touches the heart and then realises the soul. Here are some more ideas to get you planning.

A YOGIC LIFE

If you are inclined towards yoga, consider a programme that helps you kick start a routine which can be followed once you are back from your holiday. Besides, combining wellness and travel multiplies the benefits by two folds; you enjoy a serene environment of the retreat and gain exposure to new cultures and ideas alongside. Choose from Vinyasa and Hatha yoga classes, meditation and pranayama sessions, and a variety of healing workshops. Topics include Yoga Nidra, understanding Chakras, Ayurveda, and Vedanta. The central idea of these programs revolves around attaining a sustainable lifestyle of yoga. Retreats in Munich, Germany offer an interesting and diverse take on imbibing yoga. Guests are encouraged to engage in Prana Vinyasa solar-lunar sessions, Soma Prana Vinyasa, or tantric Yin yoga sessions, and spring lifestyle vitality practices.

Find your inner balance at Byron Bay, Australia hinterlands with retreats that offer to slow the pace, making it ideal for beginners. Embracing nature form an integral part of healing, hence, accommodations in the region are rustic, offering simple yet wholesome vegetarian meals.

MINERAL-RICH MUD WRAPS

Region: Israel

Fringed by the Dead Sea, Israel is popular for short relaxation breaks that allow absorbing the medical properties of the saline lake’s water. The healing prowess of the country doesn’t stop at just that; numerous hot springs make for a visit to Israel a wholesome package. Ein Gedi National Park, nestled an hour’s drive away from Jerusalem, houses four springs that flow through the park. The Ein Gedi springs, a hot spring in the region has mineral rich waters which contain high percentage of sulphur. The mineral is a vital for constructing proteins and amino-acids, a crucial function of the skin. The outcome benefits not just the skin but also the rest of the body. Spas in region offer a variety of mud-packs and natural pilling techniques, all designed and executed by expert therapists. For a more enriching experience, begin with hiking to the top of the fortress at Mount Masada to catch the first light. Enjoy a yoga session amidst a beautiful sunrise view. Thereafter, walk around the fortress to descend towards the Ein Gedi Nature Reserve; relax in the waterfall pools surrounded by the exotic flora and fauna of the desert. You can further continue to the Dead Sea, immerse in the mud and float in its healing waters.

LOCAL INGREDIENTS FUSED WITH TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE

Region: Morocco

Morocco offers the perfect blend of adventures, discoveries, and relaxation. You can spend blissful days enjoying a day out at the many beaches and soothe your mind, body, and soul in a traditional Moroccan-styled treatment. The country offers a huge pedigree of spa treatments; take your pick from a combination of treatments at a traditional hammam (steam baths), followed by massages and use of therapeutic natural products local to the region. The Rhassoul Mud, mined in Morocco, is popular for its remarkable cleansing properties. The renowned Argan Oil, found in southern Morocco, as well as henna, which is commonly used to improve skin and hair quality have made it to the ingredient list of many high-end brands. Another magic ingredient is the rose from the Dades Valley. The scent of the flowers is sweet, with notes of honey and treacle. Just walking through the fields itself is a rejuvenating experience. Expect to find some, or all, of these products at Moroccan spas during your sessions.

TOP HOLISTIC WELLNESS TRENDS AROUND THE WORLD

01 MUSIC THERAPY: PUGLIA, ITALY
02 ANTI-AGEING SESSIONS: GENEVA
03 THERMAL SPRINGS: REYKJAVIK
04 HEALING RETREATS: BALI
05 CRYSTAL HEALING: OKANAGAN

Compiled by Shireen Kanchwala
ETTR20DEC18