Feel Life’s Potential’ is the motto chosen to encapsulate the beliefs & ideals of Kamalaya.
You see it written everywhere - on the complimentary canvas tote bags, on the pens, the business cards, the letterheads, the menus, your itinerary, the Activity Schedule, in your room, it’s EVERYWHERE & somehow, either intentionally or unintentionally it becomes inscribed into your mind during your stay at Kamalaya.
However, its real meaning & essence is not really FULLY understood until you’ve experienced firsthand the profound impact of what Kamalaya has to offer & invariably imbue. The award winning food, the life enhancing treatments, the tropical serene space, the pace & stunning place, the extremely attentive, ever smiling staff, the time to just be. Kamalaya is a wellness sanctuary, a retreat, an oasis, a haven, an escape from life itself, and THAT in my experience was the most beneficial week I’ve ever experienced in my 46 yrs on earth.
Like most people, I live a pretty itinerant life, running a business, running a household, keeping fit, keeping healthy, being social & all the while ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS connected to my device. Always contactable , always up-to-date with current affairs, always in the know wth the latest & greatest fashion, restaurants, bars, places to go, people to meet & always abreast of what’s happening in the lives of the many family & friends around me.
Over the past 6 days that all came to a screeching halt. No phone. Kamalaya discourages mobile phone usage & instead encourages guests to disconnect to reconnect, so to the best of my ability I did just that! After all, as written on the first page of the Journal that Kamalaya gifts to each guest, “The quieter you become, the more you can hear” quoted by Ram Das… not a truer word was ever spoken ( pardon the pun)
‘Feel life’s Potential’ became clearer by the day, the sun, the sky, the sounds of nature, the stunning oasis I found myself in, I recognised life isn’t all about doing, so much as “being” & the importance of letting go to grow, which for me was letting go of the attachment I had to the outside world, & the need for constant stimulation, & the ever-present need to be productive.
When we begin to tune out (to tune in), we let go of opinions, expectations & stimulus from the external world , we begin to just be, we begin to hear ourselves clearly. It's impossible to properly address our thoughts, any issues & our minds when we are preoccupied. The gentle reminders placed strategically on every table & side table you see yourself seated at, reiterates the importance of avoiding Mobile phone use, & if that isn’t enough, a warm smile & a gentle “please remember its digital detox” from one of the friendly staff is enough to set you back on the right path.
Kamalaya is life changing, it bestows upon you a sense of peace & calm, seldom felt in this life. As a former Yoga teacher for 15 years I am somewhat familiar with how to drop into silence, how to breathe properly, how to practice pranayama, savasana & various meditation styles. But this experience was different. It was more. It was deeper, more impactful, because it required a conscious change of pace not just for an hour at a time, but for days. Since finishing up my teaching career 7 years ago I’ve been guilty of dropping my practice & letting it fall by the wayside, Kamalaya was the perfect reintroduction to the breath, meditation, the practice of silence & Swadhyaya (self study)
Kamalaya is the perfect antidote to the ails of the modern world. The undeniable beauty that surrounds you starts to permeate your soul, the chlorophyll fills your eyes & music of nature soothes your mind. All of this combined creates the idyllic situation for you to safely drop your guard, relax, unwind & step deep into the most peaceful experience of your life, allowing you to delve further into the inner workings of yourself.
Time for introspection, Time to acknowledge yourself, acknowledge your life, review your health, review your values, your goals, your relationships, things about you or your life that are needing attention or alteration. As quoted by Marilyn Ferguson “Each of us guards a gate of change that can only be unlocked from the inside” and Kamalaya provides the safety & sanctity to unlock that gate & support you throughout your entire journey.
It’s glaring obvious why Kamalaya has been awarded over 70 industry awards, & recently took out the following awards this year -Best Luxury Wellness Sanctuary, Most Tranquil Wellness Destination, Best Global Holistic Haven, Detox Retreat of the year, the National Geographic's Best of the World Top 20 , amongst a myriad of many other awards.
Kamalaya is built on the principles of longevity, & with my personal mission to live to 120 yr of age, this was a MUST-DO experience, There is not a stone left unturned at Kamalaya, with the focus on ancient healing traditions combining Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine & Traditional Thai Medicine, focusing holistically on mind, body & soul. Its all here for the taking.
If you are seeking a hardcore Health retreat experience, it’s on offer, Hyperbaric chamber, Pre cancer test screening, O2 Therapy, IV Therapy, Detox menu & all. And if you want to take a more gentle approach there is spa treatments, infrared sauna, facials, & massage options aplenty , from hand massage, abdominal massage, head massage, feet massage to the Royal Ayurvedic massage which was my personal favourite, long strokes from ankle to armpit using Ayurvedic herbal oil!
I took part in the Asian Bliss 5 night package, which was recommended, as it was a nice “bit of everything” When I first arrived I had 3 appointments lined up, the first was with my allocated Naturopath & the much anticipated Bio-impedence Test. I had one done about 20 years ago & loved the experience then, so being naturally competitive in nature I was eager to see these results & keen to see if all of the years of my solid commitment & focus on healthy living, self care, a clean diet, daily exercise & regular detoxing was going to yield the outcome I was so hoping for… and it did. Thank goodness I scored well… 130 points, resulting in a Platinum level of health, which is “reserved for a small group..” Based on the results of your Bio-impedence, the menu most suitable for you is recommended by your practitioner, so for me being in the healthy weight range I could select from either the Detox Menu, which is clean & lean or the A la carte Menu, which is still clean & lean but includes more fats, carbohydrates & proteins. If you are on the heavier side the detox menu would be recommended for you to select your meal options from (which might I add was what I selected from most days & every dish was absolutely exquisite)
The food is hands down the most creative & delicious health food I have ever experienced, and I have spent my life seeking out great raw food, whole-food, vegan, vegetarian, healthy eateries & restaurants globally. The use of real green leaf stevia, monk fruit, coconut, seeds, superfoods such as Moringa, Sacha inch, Turmeric, Beetroot, Cacao was awe-inspiring to see on the menu & to try.
It was impressive to see so many solo travellers enjoying time out, however, Kamalaya is also the perfect destination for couples to enjoy, there is something for everyone. Apart from the numerous treatments I had booked in as part of my program, there are numerous additional activities guests can partake in, such as yoga, meditation, pilates, Muay Thai, cooking classes, Qi gong, Tai chi, spinal mobility, sound healing, tea sharing, & much more, Plus there are numerous pools around the resort to enjoy, in silence, apart from the sounds of the Tibetan prayer flags flapping in the breeze, a fully equipped gym, steam cave, hot & cold plunge pools, & the Arjun extraordinary meditation cave, where you can sit, meditate, light a candle & set an intention or resolution. Kamalaya is positioned along its own private beach, with Stand up paddle boarding, sun lounges & beach side service with a smile available.
Kamalaya is in the process of further developments, in the near future the facilities will be expanding even more to include additional Biohacking treatments, aimed at speeding up or enhancing ones healing & providing extra modalities for the health nuts amongst us. The Longevity Centre was a recent addition, however a cognitive centre is also on the horizon, & a spine wellness focus is also set to keep Kamalaya ahead of the curve.
After completing my 5 night stay, I realised Feel Life’s Potential meaning will vary from person to person, it may be about finding meaning in relationships, your personal growth, helping others, pursuing passions, or contributing to society. Reflecting on what brings you joy, fulfilment, & a sense of purpose can help you discover the meaning in your life & help you realise your potential. For me it was clearly about my values that I hold so dearly, my goals & what truly matters to me most, which certainly isn’t found in a device or a screen. I arrived with an open mind & open heart, with no expectations at all, & I left feeling overwhelmed with love, peace & joy. Thank you Kamalaya for the gift you gave me, the gift of time, reflection, introspection & reverie, all from which inner peace has ensued.
For more information on Kamalaya & the Programs available please visit www.kamalaya.com
