Transformative wellness destination Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, has pioneered self-care as part of its unique wellness philosophy for over 27 years. This month, it expands its offering with a series of complimentary workshops and visiting practitioners.
Whether meditating, performing acupressure on the self, or adopting natural products and foods into daily life, Chiva-Som encourages guests to adopt simple self-care habits that nurture the body, mind and spirit.
Chiva-Som’s complimentary group activities are an integral part of the wellness experience at the resort, offering a variety of wellness disciplines to explore, from the ever-popular aqua aerobics and yoga to functional movement and postural improvement. New additions to the timetable this month include Bone Density with the resort’s physiotherapy team, guiding participants through simple exercises to stimulate bone strengthening; and a talk by Dr. Suthida Arayametee on how to protect the skin at Chiva-Som’s Niranlada Medi-Spa.
To further support journeys of self-care, Chiva-Som also welcomes three world-renowned practitioners this month, as part of its residency programme, who will lead complimentary workshops:
Facial Reflexology – Mariko Hiyama
Sorensensistem™ therapist and instructor Mariko Hiyama introduces the ancient art of facial reflexology, a needleless technique that can be practised on the self to relieve stress in the body and the mind.
From a young age, Mariko was drawn to the art of healing after encounters with chi masters in her native Japan. Today, she is one of the world’s foremost experts on Sorensensistem reflexology. The technique combines Oriental medicine and neuroanatomy to map the reflex zones and meridians on the face. Targeting these can benefit the body’s entire nervous and hormonal systems, stimulating the flow of positive energy while releasing negative energy which can lead to pain, anxiety and insomnia.
Kundalini Awakening & Healing Meditation – Evelyn Param Dhyan
Evelyn Param Dhyan leads guests on a spiritual journey towards self-realisation and enlightenment through gentle movement, focused breathing and concentration of the mind.
German born, but based in Thailand, Evelyn takes a holistic approach to healing. She is trained in the arts of yoga, pranayama, meditation, naturopathy, reiki and counselling, and combines movement and awareness to help guests release tension in the body and the mind.
Stress Release – Paul Emery
Health & Wellness Coach Paul Emery has practised mind-body healing for over four decades. He educates guests about methods to deal with overwhelming thoughts and feelings, which if left unchecked, can contribute to health problems.
With a background in neuro-linguistic programming, energy medicine, emotional freedom technique, Thought Field Therapy and Havening, Paul has helped the world’s leading actors, musicians, royals and politicians find inner healing, combining tapping with visualisation for rapid relief of stress and anxiety.
Hormone Yoga – Prema Jo Yee Yung Fung
Hormone Yoga with Prema Jo Yee Yung Fung will help guests on learning how to restore the natural balance of hormones through gentle and restorative movements. It’s designed to improve metabolism, harmonize the nervous systems, improve spinal cord flexibility, tones the pelvic floor muscles, stimulates the brain and the reproductive organs.
Trainings of traditional Yoga and Vedanta teachings in India, Prema’s yoga journey started with chronic back pain from a sport injury in mid-thirties; and that pain was further agitated by peri-menopause symptoms and work stresses in forties. Today, in early 50s, Prema has gained physical strength and mobility, increased energy, and improved digestive health.
“Self-love is a choice that requires conscious intention and the willingness to take personal responsibility for one’s own wellbeing”, says Patience Sangwa, Chiva-Som’s newest naturopath in residence. “At Chiva-Som, we believe that self-care is an intrinsic part of wellness, and encourage individuals to become aware of and appreciate their own needs. What they learn during their time with us they can then adopt in their daily lives for improved overall wellbeing”.
Guests staying at Chiva-Som for Valentine’s Day can also enjoy a romantic wellness dinner overlooking the ocean. Courses include pan-seared lobster with zucchini roulade, and rose panna cotta with mango and passionfruit sorbet. Solo guests looking to connect with others during the dinner are invited to take a seat at the Talker’s Table.
For more information on specific dates of the class or to book the retreat, please visit www.chivasom.com or email the reservations team at reservations@chivasom.com
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