Wellness Consultant at Absolute Sanctuary, Stephanie originally became a therapist to fulfill a passion in empowering others to improve their health and happiness and inspire them to lead healthy lifestyles. With over 10 years of experience, she is able to work with her clients in a flexible, fun and caring way, creating a safe and supportive environment while exploring what really works for them. Stephanie not only conducts wellness consultations but also private sessions in clinical hypnotherapy, intuitive life coaching and smoking cessation programmes.
Tell us about your journey, how did you become a wellness consultant for one of Thailand’s top spa retreats?
I became a wellness consultant to fulfil a passion in empowering others to improve their health and guide them to lead healthy lifestyles and inspired lives. With a background in hospitality management, followed by a career in Events and Public Relations in Hong Kong, I developed a special interest in supporting people dealing with the stress and anxiety that comes with working and living in fast-paced cities. It greatly influences the way I coach people back to health. I transitioned to Absolute Sanctuary, Samui from Hong Kong, in May 2018.
You specialise in Integral Yoga, Tsui Shiki and Ryoho Reiki, can you give a brief explanation of what these are and how they help?
Hypnotherapy sessions are ideal if you need support in reaching a specific goal in your personal / professional life, or if you feel handicapped by a persisting complaint. The hypnotic state allows a person to be more open to discussion and suggestion. It can improve the success of other treatments for many conditions, including:
Phobias, fears, and anxiety Sleep disorders Depression Stress Post-trauma anxiety Grief and loss Addiction
Reiki is a complementary health approach in which the practitioner places her hands lightly on or just above the client’s body, with the goal of facilitating the person’s own healing response. Reiki healing treats the whole person (body, mind and spirit) resulting in relaxation, feelings of peace, security and well-being, effective in helping with illness/ malady and always creates a beneficial effect.
Integral Yoga® is a system of yoga that synthesizes six branches of classical yoga philosophy and practice: Hatha, Raja, Bhakti, Karma, Jnana, and Japa Yoga. Its aim is to integrate body, mind, and spirit by combining physical practices and philosophical approaches to life in order to develop the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual aspects of individuals.
One of the reasons I so enjoy working at Absolute Sanctuary is that I am able to use all the tools I have learned, to support people on their journey here. I use a combination of breathing (Pranayama) and meditation techniques as well as yogic texts’ philosophy. From Integral Yoga for stress management, Reiki Healing energy and EFT for anxiety and Clinical Hypnotherapy tools and coaching methods to shift negative patterns and obstacles, it is possible to adjust treatment according to everyone’s needs.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Early in the morning I usually join the meditation practice at the resort, which helps me stay grounded in my work and gives me a chance to connect with guests as they start their day. I then start seeing people for their initial and exit sessions (for guests who have just arrived or are leaving) giving them guidelines about their programs. We also discuss the Stress Management, Lifestyle and Nutrition Coaching sessions included in the different programs offered at the resort. I also teach workshops and give personal therapy sessions. Currently, I offer a “Detox Q&A” and an “Overcoming Difficult Times” interactive workshop. You will find me walking around the resort in between sessions to check up on and catch up with guests to ensure everyone’s journey is smooth.
Talk us through your approach to wellness?
I believe being well is about bringing balance in our lives, therefore only a holistic approach (body, mind, soul) to wellness will successfully bring health and happiness to an individual. A lot of us have lost the connection to either our bodies and/or our souls, and we wonder why we get sick, tired and depressed. So, checking all areas of our lives and getting present to which might be too intense and which, in the contrary need a boost, would be the first step to getting well.
What do you think are the key ingredients to a healthy, happy life?
I tell my clients: “if you want to be healthy, you need to keep 3 variables in check; have a healthy balanced diet, get enough physical activity and manage your stress levels”. As for a happy life, being healthy will contribute to your happiness and vice-versa, though I would add that we all need to deal with our “emotional baggage”. Avoiding and/or repressing emotions has a serious impact on our health and happiness. Most of the time we don’t feel it straight away, but it will come back and often in the form of physical/ mental ailments. There are now a lot of therapies that are efficient in the healing of past emotional wounds. I encourage you to research, experiment and find the one that best works for you.
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness is being well all around, having all areas that are important to you in balance.
What is your advice to people who find it difficult to apply wellness concepts to their day-to-day lives?
I would ask them one question - what is it that drives you away and makes you forget about the most important things in your life (like your health)? Most of us follow a kind of programming that drives us into a direction (work, for example) and makes us completely oblivious to the other areas of our lives. It is always interesting to become aware of the programming and investigate it. This can be a great step towards restoring balance.
Can you tell us your top tip to healthy nutrition?
As we are all unique, I believe in a personalized approach to nutrition as different types of foods will work amazingly for some people and be terrible for some others. I recommend that each person keeps a food diary when they start getting on a healthier diet, noting which foods they digest easily and the ones that don’t work so well. The food we eat should make us feel great, if it doesn’t, simply don’t have it! Something I like to bring in as well is the concept that a balanced diet doesn’t have to be “healthy” at all times. To bring balance and to be able to sustain a healthy diet, it is important to allow for “treats”. Give yourself a day per week to have your favourite “less healthy” foods. A trick: get the highest quality of this “less healthy” food - your body will thank you for it!
For wellness on the move, what are your top tips?
At restaurants:
Look for the healthiest option on the menu (Protein + veg).
When travelling:
Carry healthy snacks with you (nuts, fruits...).
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid food served on planes as much as possible.
Pack your own “non-toxic” toiletries.
Move when you get to your destination (yoga, stretches, walk…
Make sure to get good quality sleep (stay away from screens at least 30 min before sleep).
At work:
If there are no healthy food options around your work place, bring your own or order from a “healthy meal delivery” company. Also bring healthy snacks if needed.
Don’t drink too much coffee and make sure to drink enough water.
Try to go for a walk around or have few stretches at least every two hours. If you have a stationary job, make sure to balance with enough physical activity outside of work.
What are the things you would never leave home without?
A small bottle of Organic Coconut oil which I use as an all-around moisturizer, some Matcha green tea that I like to have after lunch (energy booster and powerful antioxidant), and a set of working out clothes, in case I get an opportunity to jump into a Yoga, Pilates Reformer or Fitness class at the resort.
Talk to our Travel Specialists today to tailor-make your ideal wellness holiday at Absolute Sanctuary - call 0203 397 8891 or contact us here
Stephanie Rault
