Yoga

I have been writing for Health and Fitness Travel for almost a year now, it seemed like a fitting time to share a bit more about myself and how I ended up where I am today. 

Nahid de Belgeonne

Nahid de Belgeonne is a qualified expert in yoga and Power Plates, and the founder of the Good Vibes brand of boutique fitness studios, offering a unique class combination of Spincycle for cardio, Power Plates for strengthening and toning and Glow Yoga for your soul. Nahid was inspired by many movement disciplines including Pilates, martial arts and the Feldenkrais Method, and practices an accessible style that leaves her clients feeling good within themselves. Empowerment, kindness and a sense of humour are key mantras in her method of teaching, coupled with a strong belief that everyone deserves to achieve the best health possible.

Located in the rolling green mountains of Sri Lanka, Santani Wellness Resort is an award-winning spa retreat, exuding a calming, peaceful atmosphere that is ideal for a spiritual and holistic holiday. From 13-20th January 2018, Santani will be hosting a special 7-night yoga and Ayurveda retreat, led by renowned Guru, Sushant Pandey.

What is Amatara and who’s it for?

Amatara is a place for anyone seeking to restore their inner balance. As a destination spa in Phuket, it offers luxe accommodation, and what the General Manager Eric refers to as a ‘middle way’ approach to wellness. For guests who love to indulge in 5 star resort facilities and enjoy fine dining, although would like to also immerse in a wellness program, Amatara is the place! The programs offer weight management, detox, relaxation, fitness, yoga or anti-ageing. Or you can simply enjoy the luxury resort setting, sit by the pool and chill out. There is no-one there to enforce guilt for not sticking to a program, digital detox or to refrain from drinking alcohol – the choice is yours to make. This approach works well, and I found the guests merged nicely particularly as there are areas focused on wellness if one would prefer to eat or relax there only. 

Located on an exclusive private island in the Turks and Caicos COMO Parrot Cay is a unique resort that emanates quiet luxury.  Having just returned for a seven-day retreat at the resort I can say that its pristine waters, gorgeous beach, elegant environment and world-class spa are a breath of fresh air for the body, mind and soul.

We all know that Ibiza has a reputation for being a party island but it’s also a beautiful place to relax and boost your health and fitness. A four-day wellness break with38 Degrees North was just what I needed to get fit, detox and recharge. I stayed in Santa Eulalia, a beautiful coastal town with lots of fabulous restaurants and home to a luxury spa holiday and fitness center at Aguas de Ibiza, a 5 star eco hotel.

Arriving in Koh Samui, I was greeted by a friendly Absolute Sanctuary driver and taken to this healthy hideaway, located in a quiet part of the Island. Absolute Sanctuary is Thailand's premier detox and yoga resort and just five minutes from the airport, a stunning Moroccan-inspired boutique resort for those seeking a holiday to rejuvenate, unwind and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Having spent seven days in Thailand including a two night stopover in Bangkok, I was ready to begin my healthy holiday at Kamalaya in Koh Samui. Voted as Destination Spa of the Year in Asia and Favourite Spa in Thailand, I was looking forward to spending one week re-energising myself at this stunning Wellness Sanctuary and Holistic Spa. 

My wellness break at Penha Longa; a secluded retreat in the countryside outside Lisbon made me feel like royalty. A sophisticated and large golf and spa resort with 194 rooms, set among the spectacular Sintra Mountains and in the beautiful grounds of a 14th-century monastery and, later a 19th century palace. Penha Longa resembles nature, history and luxury with world-class service, spreading over 220 hectares of pine forest in fairy-tale hills, just 15 minutes north of Cascais town and beach.

In today's fast-paced, frenzied society, increasing numbers of stressed out individuals are shunning their slick, mirror-tiled high-tech gyms to pursue yoga as a form of exercise. Not only does yoga produce a cardiovascular workout, but it can help to reduce blood pressure, heart disease, depression and stress as well as improving focus and concentration. And did we mention fun? Yes, yoga is a lot of fun. Holidays with yoga classes are proving more and more popular, especially as they help to enhance a holiday's wellness element.

In today's fast-paced, frenzied society, increasing numbers of stressed out individuals are shunning their slick, mirror-tiled high-tech gyms to pursue yoga as a form of exercise. Not only does yoga produce a cardiovascular workout, but it can help to reduce blood pressure, heart disease, depression and stress as well as improving focus and concentration. And did we mention fun? Yes, yoga is a lot of fun. Holidays with yoga classes are proving more and more popular, especially as they help to enhance a holiday's wellness element.

Pranayama is the 'Science of Breath', the control of the vital force (prana) in the air we breathe. It is a meditation technique that consists of slow, regulated deep breathing, which helps to calm the mind, balance the emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. It can be practised anywhere but it is advised that you meditate in a clean, peaceful place. It is most beneficial to do pranayama in the early morning or evening hours and playing appropriate soft music will also enhance your experience.

Pranayama is the 'Science of Breath', the control of the vital force (prana) in the air we breathe. It is a meditation technique that consists of slow, regulated deep breathing, which helps to calm the mind, balance the emotions and reduce stress and anxiety. It can be practised anywhere but it is advised that you meditate in a clean, peaceful place. It is most beneficial to do pranayama in the early morning or evening hours and playing appropriate soft music will also enhance your experience.

The single travel bug is catching, with a new world of healthy holidaymakers realising the freedom this blissfully selfish form of travel affords. No longer the sole reserve of singletons, Health and Fitness Travel, have seen a rise in the diversity of travellers choosing to go it alone on a singles holiday, for the opportunity to focus on their individual wellness goals. Whether on a yoga retreat in Asia or fitness bootcamp in Europe, with solo travel having almost doubled amongst affluent and first-time travellers in 2015, more health retreats are banishing hefty single supplements to welcome this new wave of solo wellness warriors.

There is a special magic at Kamalaya, an award-winning sanctuary and holistic spa carved into the hillside of the lush Thailand jungle and overlooking the aqua blue sea. It is the perfect setting, a delight for the senses and also the winner of the title of Thailand's best spa. My journey begins at Koh Samui airport where I am greeted with a cool towel and a warm smile, I am glad to arrive after an overnight flight from Melbourne via Bangkok and enjoy being driven from the airport in an air-conditioned 4WD, on approach my driver calls ahead to ensure there is a cool welcome drink and my check in is both efficient and calming, this is to set the scene for the rest of my stay.

Travel Specialist Samantha recently spent three nights at eco-luxe Soneva Kiri in Koh Kood, Thailand and this is her snapshot review…

Soneva Kiri is a luxe barefoot tropical island destination, catering best to families and groups of friends traveling together. A short 90-minute private 8-seater plane ride from Bangkok. The journey is smooth with an exciting landing on a short 850m strip on an adjacent island from which you will take a 5 minute speed boat ride to the jetty.

Como Point Yamu is undeniably luxurious and sits in one of Phuket's more serene areas, just 25 minutes from the International airport. With the emphasis on wellness that the COMO brand is famous for, the vibe is electric and tranquil at the same time, expect top quality service with just 79 rooms, including 50 suites.

Here you can enjoy complimentary daily classes, as well as the luxurious Shambhala spa and cuisine if you choose or opt to dine on divine Italian fare or heavenly Thai cuisine. The perfect destination for a short break, a luxury healthy honeymoon or if you like to begin the day with yoga and watch the sunset over cocktails!

Located in the untouched south of Mauritius, set in a tranquil bay on a curving lagoon of white sand Shanti Maurice is the ideal holiday destination to rejuvenate mind, body and soul. With a choice of many other luxury resorts in Mauritius, I considered myself lucky to have found this gem of a place.

Our Top 5 Solo Friendly Healthy Holidays

There is often a stigma attached to travelling solo. People are afraid of appearing lonely and feeling unsafe and the issue of the single supplement can be off putting. But an estimated 15 million singles now live in Britain and many more people are choosing to bite the bullet and travel by themselves. Solo holidays are fast becoming a popular option because they allow for the exact type of experience desired. In 2009, as many as 5 million Brits took to the skies alone so they could enjoy holidays catering to their personal tastes and needs.