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Your Life
A spa sojourn
Done something nice for yourself lately? Invest in your wellbeing and take a break at a spa. How about spending some time and money on yourself to renew your energy levels, get fit and get focused, writes Perrie Croshaw
Spending time at a spa might seem self indulgent, but any of us who have become spa devotees know that rather than being a frivolous expenditure, it is really an investment in our future wellbeing, an investment that is essential to maintain stamina and staying power, both physically and mentally.
There is nothing like clearing the cobwebs and refreshing those parts that aren’t normally refreshed during the average working day, whether you work in an office or at home.
Too many of us overload ourselves with routine and responsibility and never take time out to relax.
Sometimes we are so focused on the big picture, that we forget to consider ourselves, our wants, needs and direction and purpose in life. It is important to occasionally stop and reconsider where we are going and what we want, so that we can meet new challenges head on and enthusiastically.
 Where To Go
Spas are as diverse as the people who use them. You can go to a day-spa for a quick fix, or spend a week or more at a spa resort for the full Monty – the duration of your stay is only determined by your bank balance!
Spas range from five-star, pure luxury, spoil-yourself indulgences, to the more modestly priced retreats that cater as much for the mind and spirit as well as the body and are often affordable enough for you to do a seasonal top up.
Solar Springs in Bundanoon, on the NSW Southern Highlands, is one such retreat. You can take part in as little or as much activity as you wish during your stay. You can choose to take a special weight loss package that includes accommodation, all meals plus sessions with a personal adviser who records your vital statistics, then devises a training and weight loss program especially for you.
Between advice sessions, aerobics in the pool, lounging in the sauna or Turkish steam bath, archery lessons, tennis or long bush walks, you can relax in the terry toweling robe provided for you in the communal living room (in front of an open fire in winter) and chat with friends or read newspapers as you wait to be called into your next massage or beauty treatment.
A bonus at Solar Springs is the weekly meditation practice run by a Buddhist monk from the local Sunnataram Forest Monestry, a Thai order which also conducts yoga classes and daily and weekly meditation retreats.
Cost: standard weekend packages for two nights, all meals, use of all facilities and with own bathroom $462. Weight loss program is $385 in addition to your choice of Sunday to Friday accommodation packages. Contact: www.solarsprings.com.au (02) 4883 6027.
A Country Health Retreat at Gidgegannup in WA, began in 1982 as a women’s “vigor” camp and conducted health programs specifically for women up until 1990. The 50 acres of virgin bushland surrounds 10 acres of garden, a pool, tennis courts, sauna, plunge pool, lake and island for meditation.
The retreat is for people who really want to get on track and get their head right, says owner Mark who runs the place with his wife Clare. The retreat offers weekend getaways, one-day pamper or a five-day rejuvenation program which can really make a difference. The program begins on Sunday with a 65 hour cleanse, taking in only fruits and fruit or vegetable juices or water to release toxins from the body. All foods are organic.
Activities include pilates (Clare is a qualified instructor), yoga, aerobics, water aerobics, swimming, bushwalking, nutrition talks, massage, reflexology and naturopathy.
Cost: the five-day rejuvenation program costs $935 for accommodation and meals (prices are expected to increase in 2003). Contact: www.healthretreat.com.au (08) 9574 7161.
OTHER RETREATS
NSW
Crystal Lodge, Katoomba. www.crystallodge.com.au (02) 4782 5122
Hopewood, Wallacia. www.hopewood.com.au (02) 4773 8401
Cedar vale Retreat, Kangaroo Valley. www.cedarvaleretreat.com.au
SA
Kangaroo island Health Retreat, Emu Bay. www.kihealthretreat.com (08) 8553 5374.
WA
Shalem Health Retreat, Manjimup. shalem.com.au (08) 9773 1323.
VIC
Aurora Spa Retreat, St Kilda. www.aurorasparetreat.com (03) 95361130.
Misty Mountain Wilderness Health Retreat, Narbethong. www.mistymountainhealth.com.au. (03) 5963 7233
QLD
Camp Eden, Currumbin Valley. www.campeden.com.au (07) 5533 0333
Clear Mountain Health and Conference Centre, Clear Mountain near Brisbane. www.clearmt.com.au (07) 3298 5100
TAS
Anubha Spa Retreat, Kingston. anubha.com.au (03) 6239 1573.
The Treatments
Micronised Marine Algae Wrap: You can get one at Authenticity, a seven-bedroom manor home with two separate cottages situated next to the sea just 80km south of Adelaide in Port Elliot. The treatment is a full body “envelopment” incorporating a body buffing exfoliation, then the micronised marine algae is applied, followed by a hydration massage which puts moisture back into the skin. This envelopment is by far the most popular of the nine different full body treatments, says Laura who runs the retreat. It takes around one hour and 45 minutes and can be done as a deluxe treatment with two spa therapists working on you in tandem! The retreat, which offers one-day or weekend packages (the gourmet lunches sound fabulous) as well as five or seven-day programs, serves organic and biodynamic food, and can help with detox regimes. “It’s all about nurturing yourself”, says Laura. “We have personal trainers, yoga and tai chi instructors to assist with your health and rejuvenation.”
Cost: Marine Algae Wrap starts from $96. www.authenticity.com.au (08) 8554 2088.
Walnut Body Polish: The Golden Door Retreat at the Cypress Lakes Golf and Country Club in the NSW Hunter Valley offers a 50 minute walnut body polish, which sounds divine. Soft walnut granules, customised with aromatic flower and plant essences, are smoothed and massaged over the body to exfoliate and condition the skin, remove impurities, dull surface cells and rough textured skin. The results are ultra conditioned, soft, polished skin. Mmmm…polished skin.
Cost: Walnut body polish $95. Contact: www.goldendoor.com.au (02) 4993 1400.
Stressed About Stress?
Does thinking about being stressed stress you out even more? Stress is a natural response to a crisis. Usually we respond and then move on. But sometimes, stress is ongoing either because the crisis is not resolved, or your body loses the ability to recover after a stressful event and you continue to pump out adrenaline, or you can’t let go of past or present anger or resentment.
You know you are stressed when you suffer from: Lack of concentration, memory loss, insomnia, neck and shoulder or general aches and pains, headaches, inability to make decisions, feeling emotional, being afraid or nervous, irritability.
No point looking for a quick fix in cigarettes, drink or drugs. Rather, you need to go for the longer term solutions: massage, exercise, drinking lots of water and eating fresh, healthy foods. |
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