My Time as a Wellness Consultant & Visiting Practitioner On Board the Viking Sun Cruise Ship

I was so grateful to be invited back on board the Norwegian cruise ship, The Viking Sun, again in 2019 as a visiting practitioner. I offered everything from seminars to teaching Pilates classes on the pool deck and one-on-one treatments and goal setting sessions with the lovely guests on board. Much like last year, I was thrilled so many guests sought out my treatments, and I was fully booked on most of our days at sea!

If you’re wondering what I do as a Holistic Physiotherapist, check out the video below!

Discover what a Holistic Physiotherapist does (video part 1)

Discover what a holistic physiotherapist can do for you and your guests, and hear me say 'niggles' on Live TV! By the host's confusion, 'niggles' must be an Australia term.

Group and private Pilates classes

I’ve been teaching Pilates for over 10 years, and on board the Viking Sun I taught Clinical Pilates, a special blend of Physiotherapy and traditional Pilates moves. Clinical Pilates offers guests the chance to learn exactly why they’re doing an exercise, and what benefit it can give.

Private Treatments of Holistic Physiotherapy

Many of the guests on board were dealing with injuries, irritating pains or arthritis, and I was glad to help in my private treatments. The most common complaints I saw were neck and back pain, nerve pain or irritation, Achilles issues and shoulder pain. Unlike other Physiotherapists though, I’ve invented a special way to treat patients.

I believe these results aren’t simply musculoskeletal, but tied closely to the psychology of being treated in a spa space, even for a very clinical issue.

Jeremy McCarthy, Group Director of Spa & Wellness for Mandarin Oriental Hotels said it well:

“My theory is that the greatest impact of the spa experience…comes from the more psychological aspects of the experience, such as being separated from technology, having time for your mind to settle in silence, and experiencing the nurturing touch of another human being. These are the true luxuries of the modern age.”

It’s these benefits that optimise the unique content of my treatments, and create results for guests.

I was so grateful to have such a beautiful space to work with while on board. The Liv Nordic Spa is just phenomenal! Check it out:

Learn why Goal setting is an integral part of effective treatment (video part 2)

As part of my private sessions, I always help a patient set a goal, or verbalise a goal they already have. For guests, it can be anything from running 10km to walking up a flight of stairs. Here’s more:

Why goal setting is an important aspect of holistic Physiotherapy regardless of age or ability!

Wellness seminars

While onboard, I also conducted bi-weekly seminars to share my knowledge from clinical practice and experience with the guests. This was my second time on the beautiful Viking Sun, and during both experiences I kept hearing the same questions, so I prepared compelling, endearing seminars to help address these questions and concerns.

Healthy living and Wellness on board the Viking Sun Cruise Ship

I was so thrilled to see the Viking Sun offering exceptional healthy options for its guests again this year.

From the daily Green Juice option at the Atrium Bar to the 5-star gym and healthy meal choices, it’s great to see Viking helping guests by offering healthy options. There are, of course, plenty of treats like dark chocolate mousse and the sumptuous gluten-free waffles at Mamsen’s cafe for when you feel like spoiling yourself too.

Huge thank you to Six Senses Hotels, Liv Nordic Spas and Viking for having me as a visiting consultant again. I can’t wait until next year!

Viking Sun - What it's like as a visiting practitioner on the world's best cruise ship

Earlier in 2018 I was invited to be a visiting practitioner on the Viking Sun Cruise ship for part of its maiden voyage around the world from the USA  to Sweden.

Floating Oasis with a Liv Nordic Spa

As soon as I stepped onboard the brand new ship, I was blown away by the huge open lobby, breathtaking staircase and clean Scandinavian design of the ship.

The Explorer's lounge on Viking Sun

Gleaming white floors led the way to the light blue carpet of reception where I checked in, and was promptly walked to the spa reception to meet the incredible spa manager and international team. 

Spacious luxury and Scandinavian design

From the flawless Liv Nordic spa reception I wandered passed the huge gym with vast windows facing out to sea and up the wide, open staircase to my floor. Having never set foot on a cruise ship before, I was surprised to see how long the hallways were, they seemed never ending!

Eventually I found my ‘stateroom,’ the name for a hotel room on a cruise ship. I had expected a small, boxy room akin to hotel rooms in Japan, but it was far more spacious. In keeping with the ship's Norwegian roots, everything was beautifully furnished in blonde wood or soft blue, and a stunning Norweigian blanket was folded over the end of the bed. 

Health and wellness was easy to find on Viking sun

Healthy food was easy to find on the Viking Sun, which was the perfect addition to the wellness spa, fitness and therapy options offered at the Liv Nordic Spa (including my sessions of course!) 

The restaurant on the seventh floor offered a huge range of food; my favourites were the fresh berries and yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mushrooms and gluten free toast. The lunch salad bar upstairs on the seventh floor, and gluten free bolognese from Manfredi’s, the Italian restaurant were my favourites. I was thrilled to see how easy the Viking Sun made access to good, nourishing food for each and every guest. For others with coelic disease like myself, Viking SUn even offers gluten free waffles in Mamsen's cafe.

My Holistic Physiotherapy lectures drew a crowd

Over the next three weeks I lectured about my favourite topics to crowds of at least 30 guests. As most of the guests were at least 60 years young, the topics were focused around the wellness of ageing including:

• Protecting joints as you age
• 5 easy ways to say strong in daily life
• How to eat for health
• 5 stretches you can do to move better
• The one thing you need to know about back pain

I’m so passionate about the topics above, and after seeing the crowds my lectures drew, it turned out the guests of Viking Sun were too!

I taught morning Pilates classes on the pool deck every few days and I was blown away by how motivated the attendees were. Most were women, in their 60’s and 70’s who had never tried Pilates before, but they attended every class during three weeks. They went from complete beginners to strong side plankers in just three weeks!

I was so inspired by the dedication of the guests. They were so interested to learn how they could continue living well as they aged. 

From private Pilates classes to holistic Physiotherapy sessions, I worked with so many wonderful people on the Viking Sun. I had an exceptional experience on The Viking Sun with Liv Nordic, it was a visiting practitioner posting with a nautical edge. I'm so grateful to the Liv Nordic team for inviting me to join the Viking Sun as a visiting practitioner.

To learn more about the Holistic Physiotherapy services I can offer your guests, click below.

My journey as a Holistic Physiotherapist in Bali, Thailand & India 2016/2017

I've been so lucky to be invited to host retreats and practice holistic Physiotherapy around Asia in the past 6 months. Check out my experiences!

It was so special to be invited to these stunning places, but to enjoy the amazing healthy-yet-delicious food, take part in the meditation sessions and learn from other visiting practitioners was just unimaginably eye-opening for me. The plush rooms and perfect surroundings made it extra enjoyable too. Check out these world-class retreats in India, Thailand and Bali.

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

1. Visiting practitioner at Chiva Som, Thailand

My first invitation was to do a short residency at Chiva Som, Thailand. A favourite of royalty around the world (there was a Princess staying there while I was there...I won't say who!) Chiva Som is a complete wellness escape with everything from a hair salon, to Watsu pool, yoga pavillion, world-class international wellness cuisine and very popular water aerobics classes!

Chiva Som already have a Physiotherapy department, but they don't have any Western practitioners, and they saw an opportunity to expand their offerings. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to treat the senior executives of the resort, and of course experience the beautiful food they're famous for.

I offered treatments for injuries, poor posture, general stiffness and soreness, and gave solutions for healthy ageing; all the the stunning surrounds of the Chiva Som spa. 

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

2. Visiting Master at Ananda Spa, India

After Thailand I flew to Northern India to one of the world's original spiritual places, the foot of the Himalayas, where Oprah, Uma Thurman and countless other celebs have retreated from their lives - to Ananda Spa, Rishikesh. 

I was so honoured to be invited to practice at this infamous retreat (which is also the Maharaja's summer palace) and learned so much about Easter medicine, meditation, Ayurveda, philosophy and other therapies from the other masters. 

My treatment rooms were in the luscious Ananda Spa, using the signature Ananda oils and brilliant grounds for pilates coaching. I worked on everything from shoulder impingement injuries to thoracic stiffness, chronic low back pain, knee pain and everything in between. 

Discover more about my holistic Physiotherapy treatments at Ananda here.

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

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3. Visiting practitioner at Svarga Loka, Bali

In February 2017, I was asked to be a holistic practitioner at a beautiful wellness hotel in the jungle of Ubud, Bali. This hotel may not cater to celebrities, but it's the perfect place to escape the grind and completely retreat to nature amongst Tomb Raider-esque ruins and luscious trees.

I treated some guests repeatedly over my time there, with everything from yoga-induced injuries for those on active retreats, to sore back, acute disc injuries, wry neck, muscle strain, and headache.

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

@aprivewellness

I'm so lucky I've had these experiences and for everything I've learned in these world-class wellness escapes. Now I've combined everything I've learned into my existing events, including the Melbourne One Day Wellness Retreat on June 17th. Book your spot below!

What is Holistic Physiotherapy?

Holistic Physiotherapy blends evidence-based physiotherapy with research-based mindfulness, meditation, breathing and movement. It mixes the proven aspects of Eastern wellness with the existing science of Physiotherapy. 

How is it different to normal physiotherapy?

• Treatment times are 60 mins or 90 mins (not 30 minutes)

• Breathing is a central part of the patient's experience

• Hands-on treatments are in a luxurious setting including quality essential oils, and five-star spa centres at luxury wellness resorts.

• Movement-based Pilates and rehabilitation sessions are set in picturesque outdoor settings within the wellness resorts

• Each session includes time for the patient to ask questions about their injury or concern, and receive exercises to maintain their health and movement long into the future

• Mindset, the patient's view of their body and injury, and their understanding is central to the treatment

I created my holistic Physiotherapy techniques thanks to my experience breaking my back in an accident, and luckily making a full recovery. Through my own injury experience, I realised traditional medical care didn't give me enough support to recovery fully, so I looked elsewhere and now practice what I learned. Read more about my experience here.

To see how I can help you retreat add evidence-based wellness to your existing offerings, get in touch.