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"There's much more to Chiva-Som than people know," said my consultant Nicole
Davies at
Chiva-Som International Health Resort. "Four or five life-changing things
happen here each week. See what happens for you."
How intriguing! I hoped something special would occur and looked forward to a
variety of holistic treatments. Listening to the many choices, I felt like a kid
in a magic kingdom. Several treatments were for improving overall well-being and
anti-aging, as the resort is dedicated to revitalizing and healing body, mind
and spirit.
Since I came from a tradition of Western medicine, many of these - reiki,
meridian tapping and iridology - sounded mysterious. Yet I knew I was in good
hands because Chiva-Som has received top awards for its superb reputation.
Chiva-Som (which means "Haven of Life") is revered in this land of pampering
spas, rich cultural heritage, beauty and tranquil Buddhism - a land respected
for its long tradition of healing based on herbal and holistic treatments.
The resort is located on the Gulf of Thailand in the coastal town of Hua Hin
(home to the King and Queen of Thailand). It was not damaged by the tsunami of
last December, as the landmasses of Malaysia and Indonesia protected it.
 Chiva-Som
Luxury Health Resort Hua Hin
The Chiva-Som is located on the beachfront of the royal resort of Hua Hin,
the resort is a beautiful secluded world of its own hidden within 7 acres of
lush tropical gardens. With a real sense of privacy, luxury and exclusivity
Chiva-Som takes a holistic approach to ones well-being. All the stylish
rooms are set in Thai-style pavilions, which provide traditional charm. Most
of the rooms boast spectacular views of the Gulf of Thailand. The interiors
are decorated in a simple yet elegant style that offers an ideal environment
to comfort and soother ones body and mind. |
So here I was, expectant and open to ancient herbal and holistic techniques
based on Eastern philosophies and definitely in need of healing. I felt toxic
from food intolerances, and was only too happy to lose a few pounds. Nicole
reviewed my health concerns before suggesting an individual wellness program.
Within a day, I picked up the sweet rhythm of this blessed place. Mornings
provided choices of exercises: tai chi chuan, stretch class, yoga, meridian
tapping, and my energy even kicked in for aqua aerobics in the indoor pavilion
pool. I alternated these with flow yoga, pilates, dance and meditation classes.
Afternoons were dedicated to massages and treatments. (Daily massages,
Jacuzzis and saunas were included in the room rate. Packages include
treatments.) A detox-oil massage felt miraculously beneficial and daily sweet
almond oil was most relaxing.
One afternoon, I emerged from a body-shaping session feeling sleekly
elongated. Was I or wasn't I? Only my masseuse knew for sure. There wasn't
enough time to sample the six body hydrotherapies, which blitzed, floated,
polished and more.
In all, professionally trained personnel offer 100 different treatments and
diagnostic sessions, from ancient to cutting edge. The newest diagnostic
addition, bio-terrain analysis, assesses the body's acidity, antioxidant status,
electrolyte and toxicity balances, and hydration - all necessities for optimum
health and aging gracefully.
Holistic health treatments include aquatic therapy, reiki, shiatsu, chi nei
tsang (stomach massage), acupuncture, naturopathy consultations, nutrition
counseling, flower remedies (healing with essences) and ayurvedic therapies.
I chose reiki, an ancient Japanese technique to re-balance the body's
energies, and meridian tapping to stimulate acupuncture points.
The EQ4 nutritional-allergy stress analysis revealed my food intolerances, so
naturopath Jeff Nieuwenhuizen recommended diet changes. An iridology test (an
ancient European diagnosis through studying the eyes and irises) of my general
health surprised me, because, to tell the truth, I was a little skeptical. To my
astonishment, it clearly indicated my short-term memory loss. The treatment?
Breathing exercises and specific vitamins.
The other guests were equally committed to improving their well-being.
Couples and singles came from England, Scotland, Australia, France, Portugal,
Spain, Switzerland, South America, India and China. Some 80 percent are repeat
guests who consider Chiva-Som an extension of their lives.
There's no doubt about it, this exclusive, elegant resort has fine-tuned
everything. Open lounges enhanced with wood, marble and glazed ceramics admit
the sea breezes from the Gulf of Thailand. The seven-acre property contains 57
rooms with ocean views. Traditional Thai pavilion suites nestled among exotic
foliage around a lake are adorned with classical details, including tiled,
sloping roofs and flame-shaped carvings on the gables.
Chiva-Som's restaurants (one interior with exterior terrace, another seaside)
serve Thai and international gourmet meals based on an imaginative spa cuisine
of salads and a la carte choices, emphasizing health and weight loss. Executive
Chef Paisarn Cheewinsiriwat prepares delicious dishes free of fat, sugar and
salt. Instead, herbs, spices and natural fruit juices give delicious accents.
(All meals are included in the room price.)
In the cooking class, sous chef Prapaporn Nakwaranon taught us facts about
healthy food preparation, such as never to fry with oil, but to use vegetable
broth - preferably fresh - instead. The resort grows its own organic herbs,
fruit and vegetables. Thai cuisine possessed such a sway over me with its
accents of lemongrass (a natural diuretic), cilantro and ginger (heals a number
of ailments) that I ate heartily. Breakfast buffets of exotic fruit, mango,
papaya and dragon fruit included pineapple (anti-inflammatory), so I dug right
in to all three meals a day and still lost 10 pounds in two weeks.
A number of healing changes occurred for me, one during reiki and another in
a "life enhancement" session when my "blocked energy shooting straight out the
top of my head" was redistributed throughout my body. No kidding!
And the life-changing event that Nicole hinted about? Most unexpected of all,
my short-term memory loss could be reversed. What a difference to my quality of
life! In all, it felt like I'd been given a new lease on life.
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