What I learnt about wellness, its complexities and fundamental simplicity, from a 5-day Rebalance Programme at RAKxa Integrative Wellness.
Throughout my career in functional movement, my approach to optimising and achieving “wellness” has always been a holistic one. Having rebalanced, realigned and rebuilt thousands of bodies through movement, it’s evident to me that every component of our health and lifestyle is just one piece of the wellness puzzle. However, after embarking on a 5-day Rebalance Programme at Thailand’s renowned integrative wellness and medical retreat, I can confidently say I did not know the depth of holistic wellness, until now.
RAKxa is located about a 40-minute drive from Bangkok’s airport, nestled within 80 acres on the island of Bang Krachao, the city’s “green lung”. This wellness village comprises luxury villas, a world-class gym, day spa and scientific medical centre, in partnership with Bangkok’s Bumrungrad hospital. The method is integrative. Which means it approaches your health from the perspective of modern medicine paired with traditional Thai and Chinese medicine, and Ayurvedic principles. And this level of integration was delivered with excellence. Everything I did, ate, the way I moved, replenished, retreated and indulged was personalised, and based on the various health markers at the intersection of these unique healing systems.
I followed the signature RAKxa Rebalance Programme which aims to “rebalance your physical and mental stability, brain and body coordination, chakra alignment, the flow of vital energy, gut-brain axis and overall health.” This 5-day programme commenced from the moment I arrived, and followed a daily schedule of movement, treatments and therapies, customised to the diagnosis I received after my initial series of tests and consultations with doctors, healers and practitioners. While this made for a seamless organisational experience, no programme is rigid and can be further customised as much or as little as you please. I embraced the programme in its entirety, knowing it was rooted in nourishing, rejuvenating, boosting, improving and rebalancing my deficiencies, plus more. The daily schedule of optional activities introduced me to unique movement forms, moments to slow down, reconnect and feel present. Across the five days, I experienced a combination of mindful movement, mind-enhancing activities, relaxing treatments and functional therapies including suspension exercise using neuromuscular activation techniques, Ayurvedic massages, a traditional Thai lymphatic drainage massage, acupuncture, oxygen therapy, the intravenous infusion of antioxidant-rich formulas, hypobaric chambers, hydrotherapies, LED treatments and functional fitness workouts. Not only were my therapies hand-selected for me, but every meal had been designed to support my programme and wellness goals. Which leads me to the food.
The food was exceptional. Their method is simple – anti-inflammatory, locally produced and minimal intervention. Each meal is served with a probiotic mocktail to kickstart your digestive system and half a slice of fresh sourdough and homemade gluten free bread, a different flavour each day. I came to RAKxa guilty of eating two large meals a day, often rushed and overlooked. After the first day, I experienced comfortable fullness and energy after my three, small yet balanced, and highly nutritious meals. Fresh seafood, blanched vegetables, herbs, spices, and probiotics, foods to nourish and heal.
On my third day I asked my wellness adviser what the main reason was for people to come to RAKxa. Beyond a multitude of health reasons, physical, emotional, and spiritual, she said for a lot of people, these issues stem from poor health, and struggles with body image and weight management. This surprised me, for a place so holistic, that the concept of seeking “wellness” comes back to the way we look, rather than the way we feel. After 3 days, despite feeling highly active and experiencing new forms of movement, I had thought the level of prescribed exercise was gentle. So to this I responded, “If people come to lose weight, would you prescribe them more exercise?” and her answer truly resonated,
“At RAKxa, our approach to weight loss goes deeper than the physical. It’s not all about how many calories you’re burning or consuming. We don’t prescribe you to run on the treadmill or eat soup for five days. We focus on the rituals which calm your nervous system. This is the root of your hormonal balance, gut health, digestive system, energy levels and metabolic rate. We prescribe singing bowl healing, Ayurvedic energy treatments, traditional Chinese therapies and mindful, prescriptive movement to lower your stress, improve your sleep, rebalance your hormones and reignite your metabolism. No amount of high intensity workouts and low-caloric diets can build a sustainable relationship with your wellbeing. We bring it back to the basics.”
These principles further reinforced the Fluidform philosophy, the power of returning to the basics, that when addressed holistically, have the power to heal our bodies and bring us back to “equilibrium”. Daily movement (to challenge you, but not cause strain), a wholefoods diet (consumed mindfully, and not more than you need), sleep, and daily rituals which calm our nervous system, are the fundamental building blocks to achieving wellness.
RAKxa not only redefines wellness but redefines luxury, and what it means to be truly luxurious. For me, that was not having to make a single decision, for five days! Even if that decision was what to order for lunch (yes, this being the toughest decision of my day was a luxury) or choosing between a singing bowl class or a strength workout. My schedule, diet, exercise routine, treatments, everything was taken care of, and entirely personalised down to my hormone levels, blood tests, mineral deficiencies, date of birth, my dominant bodily elements and Ayurvedic dosha. From the moment you arrive, RAKxa invites you to surrender. Keep an open mind and they will take care of the rest.
For others, luxury is comfort, feeling safe and secure. And for a popular wellness destination for solo travellers or those looking for a sense of relief, guidance or escapism, this is pivotal. By definition, luxury is elegance and a sense of pleasure – a feeling RAKxa delivers at every touchpoint. The attention to detail exceeded every expectation.
Friends of Fluidform receive a special rate to experience the RAKxa Integrative Wellness method. Please get in touch to receive your discount code when booking.
