HEALTH & WELLNESS
FOUR PILLARS
Underneath Aegle’s tranquil exterior and zen vibe is serious science backed by top international doctors and a staff of medical professionals such as nurses and nutritionist-dieticians. At the helm of the Aegle Wellness Centers are Dr. Claude Chauchard, an internationally renowned anti-aging and preventive medicine specialist, and Dr. Ben Valdecañas, the Philippines’ foremost authority in sports and regenerative medicine and the center’s Medical Director. Together, they created the center’s programs, which hinge on four key concepts: natural detoxification, weight management, aging medicine and holistic health.
DETOXIFICATION
CHECkING Can four days in paradise alter the way you live, and, your health’s destiny? By Trina EpilEpsia BouTain
H
ow are you? Like, really? Many of us reply, often without thinking, that we’re fine. But have you ever stopped and thought this through? How are you really—physically, emotionally and mentally? I, for one, tend to think about my health and wellbeing only when things go awry—which means it’s too late. Like many people, I get concerned only after the fact. Sunscreen became a big thing when I noticed sun spots and fine lines. Rest became a priority only when I was hospitalized. Yes, we embrace YOLO (you only live once), but that’s exactly the point—we only have one life and one body. What happens when that breaks down?
RAY OF LIGHT
I was sick when I visited the Aegle Wellness Center in Balesin Island, and was also a little apprehensive with the battery of health tests, physical exercises 98
OUT and seemingly rigorous diet that I was to undergo—all part of the center’s Natural Wellness Package, a 4-day retreat that aims to get my health back on track. Colonics? Circuit training? I believed I needed to be in the pink of health just to pass through the center’s heavy glass doors. Aegle, which is named after the Greek goddess of good health, has two branches; one in The City Club in Makati and the other in the paradise island in Quezon Province. While the former is a city haven that one can visit at anytime, the latter is a wellness destination found in the resort’s Mykonos Village, where whitewashed villas with glistening cobalt roofs offer serene views of the Pacific ocean. The imposing establishment houses a state-of-the-art diagnostic center, several aesthetic machines, a hyperbaric chamber, complete spa amenities—including several thalassotherapy pools on multiple floors— and its own restaurant, Ambrosia.
Some of Aegle’s detoxification treatments include the IV therapy, colonics and the hyperbaric chamber. Dr. Louie Valencia, one of the center’s doctors following my program, made sure to give me a potent cocktail for the IV therapy, the effects of which I felt immediately. The next day, the virus was long gone, although my sinuses were still there, making the hyperbaric chamber impossible as it increases air pressure up to three times the normal. The oxygen treatment is usually used in
GET RESTED Medicine and relaxation come together in Aegle
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doctors. As we all have different needs, this necessitates customized treatments. Based on your blood tests and consults, you will be given a month’s supply of morning and evening supplements (which are all FDA-approved and prepared in the center itself). After the treatment, patients can then take another test to see if there are adjustments to be made. Meanwhile, the consults, which can go on for hours, is intentional according to Dr. Valencia as they wanted to make it more like a partnership between patient and doctor, turning them into health collaborators.
THE VIEW Breathtaking Balesin Island is home to Aegle Wellness Center
HOLISTIC HEALTH
tandem with IV therapy to give the body a rejuvenation jumpstart. The colonics is a different story. While I opted not to undergo it (patients are encouraged but not required to follow the scheduled activities), it is also another way to give one’s body a detox boost, especially if you’re are suffering from gut-related ailments. Detox of course, doesn’t just mean getting poked and prodded. There are more soothing treatments such as massages, trips to the infrared saunas and endless dips in the thalassotherapy pools, a popular European wellness tradition that involves soaking in mineral-rich pools. Aegle is the first to have thalassotherapy pools in Asia, and it uses healing seawater, filtered and then enriched with essential oils and other minerals to treat a variety of ailments from clogged sinuses to tight muscles and even contact dermatitis. Each one also offers a spectacular view of the island, which, when paired with a delicious smoothie, makes getting better seem like an indulgent treat.
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
At Aegle, food either heals or poisons the body. Processed junk food is out, but surprisingly, treats such as gelato and wine are allowed. To make eating and following a healthy, balanced diet easy, a nutritionist is present during every meal to explain the dish’s nutritional benefits and answer client questions. She’s also there in case you’re tempted to order chips with your steak. But, yes, you can have a steak. It is the center’s mission to make its clients understand that eating a healthy meal suited to one’s daily caloric needs is not only
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doable, but also immensely pleasurable. To make you eat as varied as possible, they encourage you to pick a different restaurant for each meal. Great focus was given on the ingredients: where they were sourced (organic, freerange, etc.), how they were prepared and their portions. Food intolerances and preferences are also accommodated without a hitch, so those who avoid gluten, dairy and other inflammatory food won’t have a problem. Of all of the treatments, this was
“pATIENT AND DOCTOr ArE COLLAbOrATOrS ON ONE’S HEALTH”
certainly one of the most eye-opening ones, considering how Filipinos love to eat and loathe being “on a diet.” In tandem with all the good food was the exercise. Dr. Valdecañas gave simple instructions: work with one’s body, meaning to exercise in the morning when our cortisol levels were on a high; do it daily, so that it would become a habit; and to balance cardio with stretching and resistance training. The point was to make a habit of moving. To be honest, I believe it was the hour-long circuit training that ultimately cured me of my cold. After an hour of gasping and wheezing, I was suddenly overcome by a feeling of wellness on the drive back to the center. By the time I sat down for my midmorning consult, I felt truly healed.
AGING MEDICINE
Key to the center is the blood test and subsequent consultations with the
The program’s other important components are the yoga and guided meditation classes, which, like every other activity and treatment in Aegle, are designed to be integrated into one’s life back in city. If the idea of the working out, having blood tests and talking to doctors doesn’t make you feel relaxed, understand that this elevated concept of R&R gives your body the rest it truly deserves. After all, how many of us have come home needing a vacation from our vacation? Truth be told, merely being at Balesin, with its lush forests, cool sea breeze and warm waters is already healing. Fusing that with medical innovation makes for a truly one-of-a-kind expereince. The amazing thing about the retreat is that one ends up feeling greatly empowered.Thanks to the Aegle team, you are now better educated about your body’s needs and how you can take control of your health’s destiny, regardless of genetics or your past lifestyle.
THE GOOD LIFE The Natural Wellness package is inclusive of transporation, food, lodging and medical treatments
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