AsiaSpa - July-August 2017

70 AsiaSpa July/August 2017

InnerRetreat

A

trip to Gwinganna Lifestyle

Retreat is about self-discovery,

a journey that begins as soon as

you set foot on its mystical earth, nestled

deep within the lush foliage of Queensland’s

Gold Coast hinterland. Even filling out the

arrival questionnaire was a revelation, and I

surprise myself with the results. The ‘Triple S’

programme is designed to facilitate a better

understanding of the relationship between

sleep, sugar and stress, and how just one

thrown off kilter can hinder our response

to situations effectively.

With almost double the amount of boxes

ticked in the ‘stress’ column it becomes

clear which element of the well-being

equation needs attention. My aim for the

days ahead will be restoring balance in my

routine, including a digital detox to just ‘be’

instead of ‘do’ which has become such an

all-consuming part of the modern lifestyle.

If you are looking for five-star luxury, this

is not it. Rustic, homey and charming are

better ways to describe the accommodation.

What is five stars is the knowledge, wisdom

and enthusiasm of the staff. The group

setting makes it feel a bit like camp for

grown-ups, and at the end of the four days,

it’s almost impossible not to leave with new

friends.

DAY 1

As one of the only international guests on

the programme, I arrive earlier than most

Aussie guests, and am whisked to the

spa immediately for Mala Mayi, the ideal

antidote to hours spent sardine-like on a

plane. Australian LI’TYA products are used

for body rituals. Designed to rejuvenate, it

begins with an exfoliation using Australian

desert salt and aromatic oils, presented

on a tray so you can select the one that

appeals most.

A mineral-rich body mud wrap follows,

and while the idea of being enveloped in

thick towels and layer upon layer of product

may seem a little claustrophobic, the zing of

the menthol counterbalances the snugness

of the cocoon, while a scalp treatment

comprising indigenous ingredients soothes.

After showering the delicious concoction

of native plants, flowers and fruits off, I

am slathered with nourishing moisturiser,

diminishing any plane-induced dryness

from the journey.

I sit next to the delightful Sharon Kolkka,

general manager and wellness director, at

dinner, spellbound by her story of being an

impatient and results-driven, and her steps

she has made towards becoming a peaceful,

accepting one, now capable of quietening

a chatty mind. The person she used to be

reminds me a lot of myself.

It’s made more evident as I find myself

hiding at the one spot on property with Wi-

Fi, while everyone else retires to their rooms

for the night as I relish a last (for tonight

anyway) dip into virtual reality. Liquid-only

diet? Fine. Three hours of exercise? No

problem. But take away my only connection

to the outside world and I apparently fall

apart at the seams...

Despite the verdancy, blue skies and

crisp air, I have a feeling this is going to be a

challenge. Every element of the programme

has been designed to encourage living in

the moment – no schedule for tomorrow, no

alarm clock, no Internet – a planner’s worst

nightmare, leaving everything to chance.

Returning to a room with no television to

offer comforting white noise, and absence

of YouTube as a back-up option, makes the

silence deafening.

DAY 2

It’s still dark when I hear the knock at my

door. It’s about the personal touch here, no

wake-up calls, and volunteers are tasked

Afternoons are a time

for guests to bring the

focus inwards in

what Gwinganna likes

to call ‘Dreamtime’,

an opportunity to slow

down