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Holidays are great, but sometimes the best escape is one that encourages you to turn inwards. What better way to reflect than a wellness journey on your own with zero distractions? Stephanie Shiu shares her top picks for self-discovery.
FOR AN AYURVEDIC APPROACH: ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYAS Set on a 100-acre Maharaja’s Palace Estate in the Himalayan foothills of northern India, the awardwinning Ananda in the Himalayan foothills of Dehradun, India, offers a blend of Ayurveda and yoga guided by health experts. While everything from stress and weight management programmes are available, you can’t go wrong with Ayurvedic Rejuvenation, which comprises personal yoga, pranayama, meditation and cleansing therapy. Or if you’d like to take the latter a step further, the 14-21 night Panchakarma offers the ultimate deep clean. Nothing complements the detox process better than views of spiritual Rishikesh and the Ganges River Valley. www.anandaspa.com


FOR MEDI SPA SEEKERS: SHA SPAIN WELLNESS Don’t be fooled by its slick white interiors and Mediterranean resort vibe, Sha Spain is not only a resort but a wellness clinic. Located in Sierra Helada Natural park, this is the place for a total health overall. The integrative Sha Method combines medicine with natural therapies and nutrition. The streamlined selection of Optimal Weight, Detox, Healthy Ageing and Rebalance programmes range from seven to 21 days and are led by a team of experts in preventative, holistic, dermo aesthetic, regenerative and revitalising medicine, among other specialities. That being said there is nothing clinical about its suites and residences, which are beautifully designed spaces using calming natural materials that bring the outside in for a sense of balance. shawellnessclinic.com


FOR GODDESSES ONLY: ESCAPE HAVEN If you’re looking to treat yourself, whisk yourself away to luxurious Escape Haven in Bali, where you can expect to be surrounded by like-minded women who prioritise self-care. Whether you opt for the Revive Surf or Bucket List packages, your needs will be tended to by resort butlers as you savour views of rivers, rice paddies and jungle. Twice daily yoga classes are included in all retreats, in addition to extensive spa offerings and healing therapies, which include reiki, theta healing, tarot and bodywork sessions. When you’re not lying prone on a massage table, cool off in one of the property’s four pools, at the nearby surf beach, or be tempted by retail therapy and epicurean delights beyond the sanctuary. escapehaven.com
FOR SPECIFIC HEALTH CONCERNS: PLATINUM HEALING If you’re looking for a reset, Platinum Healing in Sussex is much more than just a detox or yoga retreat. While juice cleanses are an option, programmes have also been tailored to specific health concerns, such as Stop Smoking, Fertility Detox, Menopause and Inner Child Healing. A holistic approach is taken when addressing issues ranging from adrenal fatigue and allergies to hormonal imbalances, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and ME. The focus here goes beyond the physical to address the emotional and psychological aspects of a detox, with therapies that include hypnotherapy, relationship counselling and executive coaching. For those looking for more unique treatments, you’ll also have access to soul plan reading, past-life regression and spiritual coaching, all within lavish accommodation surrounded by lush fields and forests. www.platinum-healing.com




FOR YOGA AND DETOX IN ONE: THE WALDHOTEL HEALTH & MEDICAL EXCELLENCE Combining two iconic wellness practices of yoga and detox, the Detox Yoga retreat with Sandra Schunck at Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, has been created to improve mental clarity, emotional balance, grounding and peace, while also boosting the skin’s appearance, muscle tone and flexibility while brightening the eyes and helping the joints. Suitable for all levels, yoga styles include vinyasa, hatha, ashtanga and yin, each complemented by pranayama and meditation. This will be supported by the Waldhotel Color Cuisine method designed to ramp up energy and vitality. Expect morning sessions to be dynamic, while evenings classes will be slower paced, with plenty of stretching and meditation. It also includes spa time, where a foot massage, detox oil peeling, detox massage and Deluxe Antioxidant Revitalizing Treatment by SkinCeuticals will leave you glowing inside and out. www.buergenstock.ch
FOR ANIMAL LOVERS: HEALING WITH HORSES Designed to bring playfulness back into busy lives, Jessica McGregor Johnson combines her coaching methods with the healing equine energy on the Caribbean island of Mustique. Imagine personal coaching while you’re on horseback exploring idyllic trails and beaches… The animals themselves will act as guides, and serve as a mirror to help you identify blocks in your life. You will be asked to set an intention for the retreat to give your experience more focus, whether you have faced trauma or simply feel stuck. You will also be able to spend time with Liz Saint, equine specialist and life coach, who has worked with horses in luxury locations for the last 35 years and has been using them as tools for personal transformation since. jessicamcgregorjohnson.com


RETREAT FOCUS:

NAVUTU DREAMS RESORT An eco-luxury escape in Siem Reap, just minutes from Angkor Wat
A tropical, tranquil location just minutes from Siem Reap, Navutu Dreams Resort is Siem Reap’s only destination for wellness and yoga retreats. Committed to its eco credentials, the resort was recently awarded ASEAN’S Green Hotel Award for 2020-2022.

With 28 luxurious rooms, organic gardens, three swimming pools, two fully-furnished yoga shalas, spa and healing rooms and fitness centre, Navutu dreams has everything you need to a rejuvenating escape. Looking to nourish your body? Niam Niam restaurant offers an organic farm-to-table dining experience, offering authentic Cambodian favorites as well as Italian and Western cuisine. Be sure to check out the Wellness menu, which uses only locally sourced produce in its deliciously healthy dishes.
Navutu Dreams has an excellent yoga programme, as well as a lineup of healers that will leave you feeling centered and fully revived. On the menu you’ll find Reiki, Shiatsu, Acupressure, Pranayama, Sound Healing, Chakra Balance, Pranic Healing and Kansa Wand Massage, to name just a few.

WIth direct flights from Hong Kong, close proximity to Cambodia’s historical and cultural centre, and affordable treatments in luxurious, low-key surrounds, Navutu Dreams Resort is an ideal destination for a quick getaway from Hong Kong. www.navutudreams.com
