From left: Kamalaya’s
Buddhist roots are
celebrated in its
architecture and
outdoor spaces,
including the
resort’s three
beautiful swimming
pools; the candlelit
monks’ cave where
it all beganlovely treatments and, after a few
days, they become more health
focused, with the introduction of
acupuncture and a Thai Therapeutic
massage. The 90-minute session
is one I will never forget, mainly
because it makes me want to scream
and vomit, but also because it fixes
a shoulder injury I’d been struggling
with for the best part of six months.
Sasi, a young and tiny Thai doctor,
kneels over me as I lie on a mat, while
her bionic thumbs, knuckles and
elbows knead knotted muscles to free
my shoulder. The pain is intense and
I have to breathe, talk and laugh my
way through it, otherwise things
could get very messy. An hour-and-a-
half later, I leave the treatment room
feeling slightly stunned, amazed at
my pain-free shoulder – and with a big
girl crush on Sasi.
The staff at Kamalaya are without
doubt its secret weapon. Recruited
for their caring qualities as much as
their professional skills, they are
kind, gentle and intuitively know
what you need before you do. On the
beach, Kris and Wit magically appear
with ice-cold ginger tea, fresh
coconut water, or a little dish of
frozen grapes. At the breakfast buffet,
Viktor has the patience of a saint,
talking me through the seven
different types of vegan milk (from
soy to sunflower seed) not once, but
twice. When therapist Anya gently
presses my eyes to signal the end of
a head massage, I find it surprisingly
moving. ‘Compassion’ is the word
that springs to mind, and I’m
reminded that it’s not something I see- or practice – a lot in my everyday life.
Perhaps the biggest moment
of self-awareness, though, occurs
during my one-to-one meditation
sessions with my Life Enhancement
Mentor, Rajesh, in which he asks me
what I do to look after my mental
health. Er, absolutely nothing? I’ve
always been a bit of a gym bunny (in
more recent years converting to yoga
and Pilates) and ensure exercise is
always part of my weekly routine.
But looking after my mind... well, it
doesn’t even cross my mind.
That’s to be remedied, as Rajesh
teaches me the art of Pranayama
breathing – a controlled exercise
used to oxygenate the whole body
and strengthen the nervous system.
During my second session the next
day, we repeat the breathing
exercises and follow it with
meditation, in which my mind
becomes completely still and I tune
in solely to my breathing. Have
I really sat completely still for the
best part of an hour? Yes, I have.
Rajesh sends me on my way with
a breathing practice to incorporate
into my daily life, which is definitely
one of my key takeaways.
As the week draws to an end, all
four of us feel like we’ve been on
incredible personal journeys, as well
as a special group one (this is
probably the first occasion we’ve
spent time together that didn’t
involve booze). I vow to commit time
every week to my mental well-being.
I also want to be more tolerant of
other people and less irritable when
I’m on the Tube during my daily
commute, and I’m going to stop
fretting about what’s happening
tomorrow when there is so much to
experience today. I leave with more
words of wisdom from Stewart: ‘You
can’t change your nature, but you can
change your habits’. nThe Kamalaya seven-day Asian Bliss
programme, including treatments,
meals, airport transfers and
accommodation in a Hillside garden-
view room, starts at about £3,600 per
person. Visit kamalaya.com or email
[email protected] to book.161
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