WA N D E R E R
TR A INING BR E A K
TI SANA, ITALY For an invigorating break that will blow your preconceptions out of the water, look no further than this detox retreat
T
i Sana seems to be one of a kind. The Italian wellness centre uses the latest science to help link physiology with stress and diet, as they are all so inextricably tied in our modern lives. HFM has not seen such progressive thinking for a while. This is not just a training, detoxing break away from the stresses of life (as well as meat in your diet), but a way to evaluate your health, wellbeing and fitness. And it’s suitable for anyone, from a top sportsman or a patient recovering from illness, to those who simply need to reboot an unhealthy life. Get over your preconceptions about holistic treatments – this is a place where the latest proven science will make you think about your life. Like HFM, you should come away not only feeling fitter and healthier, but also knowing how best to tackle your goals. As the owner and manager of Ti Sana Erica D’Angelo says, ‘Whether you’re getting super-fit or you’re stressed or ill, we will improve the quality of your life and health.’ With food
science technologist Mario Sella, D’Angelo is writing a manual for modern health. Where: Ti Sana is a converted 18th century farmhouse near the River Adda in a beautiful national park, close to Milan and Como. What for? Fitness, health and wellbeing, with the following: Bioimpedance (body composition) test: The focal point and mirror of our health. Ti Sana’s conductivity readings give you so much more information than usual, including your cell water retention – crucial for how you carry glycogen and deal with cortisol; how much dangerous adipose fat tissue you have and how much potassium your body needs; plus your body fat percentage and daily calorie consumption brackets. It’s key to your daily life in terms of stress, physique and energy. Hypertrophy class: The definitive way to increase your muscle mass and burn fat without weights, doing a slow-twitch muscle workout. Concentrate on greater muscle mass and your body can cope with extra insulin HEALTHY FOR MEN
41
JUNE/JULY 2013
from cortisol, carried as glycogen in your muscles, instead of storing the insulin as fat. Exercises: Slow press-ups – down for three seconds (eccentric), and holding for one, and then coming up slowly (concentric). The same formula is used for leg raises from the gluteals, pushing the pelvis up from the floor, followed by tricep dips off a chair, leg lunges or squats and slow abdominal crunches with arms above the head. HFM noticed the effect of this workout in a week. It’s the slow muscle extension that is so crucial. Tomex test: A fascinating test based on conductivity (you’re rigged up like Frankenstein, but it’s painless) which assesses how the body responds to stress and which areas of your body are inflamed, helping to judge emotional and psychological status. Regmatix: A treatment used to unlock cells in the body that are not working so well and causing stress. By firing delta and beta waves into the body, it can help manage stress. For example, delta waves can reduce cortisol in the evening and help to improve sleep. Other treatments: Angel Of Water – a colonic irrigation machine, not to mention massages, facials and body treatments. Soul food: Strictly vegetarian meals or a full juicing programme – to cleanse your body from the inside out. After a few days the effect is energising – you don’t even feel hungry once you are used to it. Activities: Power walks, martial arts classes, mountain biking, boat rides. Facilities: Spa, infrared sauna, steam room, swimming plunge pool, mini gym and exercise studio. Ti Sana offers a range of different programmes but for best effects it is worth staying over a week. Visit www.tisanadetoxretreat.com.