RETREAT

HOOGLAND HEALTH HYDRO, HENNOPS RIVER VALLEY, PRETORIA

If you’re looking for an integrative approach to overall wellbeing, Hoogland Health Hydro has a team of expert medical doctors and psychologists, as well as a biokineticist, homeopath, chiropractor, nutritionist, life coach, lifestyle health consultant and even a microbiologist. Massage therapists, personal trainers, food experts and conservation guides are also on hand to support your personal journey to better health and vitality.

Retreats are usually two days, but can be extend up to two months or longer, depending on individual needs. First-time visitors are advised to book a minimum of four days in order to fully benefit from the retreat, and many Hoogland Health Hydro guests return on a regular basis to support their long-term health and wellbeing.

At the Hydro, a medically supervised water-fasting retreat is recommended to support the natural healing of the body by eliminating waste, repairing damage and growing healthy tissue. Therapeutic water-fasting – which involves only drinking water for a period of time – can treat lifestyle diseases, sub-acute psychiatric disorders, and certain auto-immune and digestive orders. It cleanses ‘debris’ from the body’s cells and encourages the breakdown of abnornal tissue through a process called autophagy. “Besides the physical healing we see when people are attending fasting retreats, we experience a shift in their relationship with food and their bodies – especially during their first fast. There is a greater appreciation for nutrient-rich foods and more admiration for, and trust in, their own bodies,” says CEO Anette Kruger.

Hoogland Hydro’s water is pure mineral water. During the fast, you are advised to only drink water when thirsty, as this maintains the body’s homeostasis and does not negatively impact electrolyte levels. To improve results, low endurance exercise is also encouraged during the hydroptherapy cycle (exercise, massage, heat, cold and rest), which is ultimately the most essential part of your visit to the Hydro. hoogland.co.za

THE SILENT RETREAT TEMENOS RETREAT, MCGREGOR, CAPE TOWN

People visit Temenos Retreat for many different reasons – to sit quietly and contemplate, to reflect and heal or to simply rest. Although silent retreats are not for everyone, should you choose to embark on such a journey, Temenos gives you the option to either ‘go solo’ and partake in optional yoga, guided meditations and sessions with the resident retreat directors on your own, or to join a more structured group where you’ll have the quiet support of fellow travellers. The latter includes three simple vegetarian meals and two meditation sessions a day, and scheduled time with the retreat director.

As you enter Temenos Retreat, you’ll see a simple bench with a stone on it. Guests who come to embrace stillness leave notes under the stone if they need anything from the staff. In this way, they honour their intention to remain completely silent.

The aim of a silent retreat is to provide the stillness and solitude which allows you to reflect inwardly in a calm and constructive manner. “Distraction and verbal communication are removed to quieten outer and inner noise,” says Temenos owner Billy Kennedy. “Although this is usually the greatest challenge on this type of retreat, complete silence inevitably brings awareness of what one might be pushing away or not facing in one’s life – those blocks that hinder our inner growth and wellbeing.”

“For this reason, it is helpful to engage with a retreat director or experienced soul companion while on retreat. It is not only psychological or spiritual insights that one may gain from these experiences, but also the deepening awareness of opening oneself to the present moment and to the appreciation of one’s thoughts, feelings and body sensations as they arise,” he adds.

For guest Karen Ellithorne, attending a silent retreat was a life-changing experience. “I thought it would be more difficult to retreat into complete silence, but I really enjoyed the quietening down and centering of self that I was able to achieve. Being detached from the outside world allowed me to focus on myself and created the clarity I needed to decide what I really wanted from life.” temenosretreat.co.za