Aprivé Wellness Blog
What a Tibetan Monk taught me about Wellness
I’m no expert on Buddhism, but something about the inherent philosophies of the Eastern religion resonates with my holistic view on health and wellness. I’ve been to a handful of Dharma chats by Buddhist monks in Asia, and am always captivated by their jovial spirits and useful lessons.
Recently I attended a talk by The Fifth Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche, a visiting Buddhist monk from Tibet, passionate to help make people live happier lives. While I believe wellness has its roots in a range of philosophies and schools including medicine, naturopathy, meditation, neurology and sports science, I’m confident this clever man’s lessons can apply to everyone in their business and personal lives.
1. Spend most of your time on goals that are important to you
The visiting monk told us a story from Buddhist text about a man who was trying to rub down a steel pipe to make a needle. He was so obsessed with it, he wouldn’t stop and realise how frivolous it was - he would never get it down to the size of a needle in his lifetime. This man's main life goal was to improve his meditation, but he spent almost all his time trying to make this needle. I was told this applies to everyone: If you have a goal - something you want to improve - spend all your time on that. Don’t let trivial, meaningless things get in the way of your goal because it’s so easy to get distracted. And I'll bet the man in the story didn't have the distraction of social media like we do now!
This applies to wellness: If you want to lose weight and be fitter, devote your time to working out, even if it's just a walk around the block. Instead of checking your social media and spending two hours a day watching reality TV, you can devote this time to your goal so you achieve it faster. It's hard but worth it!
2. Don’t just focus on results, engage in the journey
It's like the old "it's about the journey not the destination" saying. Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche told us too many people focus on the results of something, instead of the practice itself. He said if they immediately transfer their energy from the outcome to the practice, the practice immediately gets better. In the end then too, the outcome is better! While he was talking about getting better at meditation, this philosophy works for any skill and any business.
This applies to wellness: If you want to eat better, instead of spending ten minutes lamenting your weight on the scales and berating yourself over the brownie you ate at lunch - redirect that energy to sourcing local produce and healthy recipes. Take time and pride in creating healthy, nutritious-filled dishes and you’ll find you’ll eat better overall. Plus! It’s much better to spend your energy on something positive rather than negative - your self esteem will thank you for it.
3. Wake up with happy thoughts
Everyday, Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche wakes up and says to himself he hopes every sentient being lives happily and healthily and without suffering. He told us he knows this doesn’t mean every living thing in the world will have the best day ever! But he said waking up with a positive mindset and wishing others and yourself well is a really useful way to start the day - and it lingers throughout the day.
This applies to wellness: If you’ve ever been to yoga, you know some instructors will finish the lesson with a similar statement, before the requisite “Namaste.”Rather than waiting until yoga, try and think a positive thought first thing every morning. It can help you start the day in a positive mindset, and better prepares you to combat stress throughout that day.
4. Don't disregard people because they live differently to you
During the session, this charming monk told us about a monk who was famous in Tibet in the 1950's. He was dismissed by Tibetan society and officials for being a disloyal monk because he drank and smoked occasionally, and even had girlfriends. Unfortunately though, he was also incredibly clever, and was one of the few prominent men in the country who spoke English. At a time when a seat at the UN could have determined Tibet's future, the one man who spoke English and would have been the ideal choice was shunned by his country. The monk told us the seat at the UN remained empty, and we all know what happened next.
This applies to wellness: Different therapies, techniques and philosophies appeal to different people, and just because you may not agree that Bikram yoga is worthwhile, someone else will think it's great! And plenty do. Wellness is about promoting mind and body wellbeing, so rather than dismiss other schools of thought, see what you can learn from them.
As a Physio I have a medical background and used to be cynical about some alternative therapies, but I can't tell you how many patients have seen incredible results from them that no other therapy or pill could provide. One woman was cured of chronic anxiety after a number of sessions of Bowen therapy. You never know what you could learn, so keep your heart open to hearing about different people's wellness goals.
I’m no expert, but I know wellness is multi-faceted. If we can all integrate mindfulness to make clearer, better decisions about how we spend our time, who we spend it with, and what our goals are - we’re one step closer to living well!
What have you learned from someone that has helped you come closer to your wellness goals?
Exciting news!
Spa Wellness has invited me to join their exclusive list of holistic experts
The brilliant team at Spa Wellness have included me, Caitlin Reid, in their portfolio of holistic experts and I'm thrilled!
What does being a holistic expert mean?
It means I'm featured alongside some incredible healers and holistic therapists. I'm so honoured to be included with these wonderful experts.
I'm thrilled to be included in this list of experts, and would love to hear from you about how I can help you create movement therapy programs for you luxury retreat or hotel.
I can work with you to create a movement therapy program to suit your clientele, from an exclusive in-room workout for luxury hotels to a water therapy fitness program at a beach retreat.
I also help train fitness professionals and massage therapists on the newest innovations in the industry.
Aprivé Wellness Writes for Hip & Healthy UK
Hip & Healthy UK is a beautiful online wellness magazine - and they asked Aprivé Wellness to write some expert articles.
The 10 Minute Workout To Ease Lower Back Pain
If you’re desk-bound most of the day, chances are you’ve experienced lower back pain. Check out these simple exercises to help ease discomfort in this area and enhance your workday. You can even do some of them right at your desk!
*Please remember, this article doesn’t address all low back pain conditions, and always see a good Physiotherapist in conjunction with this advice.
Sitting and Our Spines
Our spines aren’t designed for a sedentary lifestyle, so sitting at a desk all day plays havoc on our lower backs, particularly when we have bad posture (which we can all be guilty of at 3pm!) Long periods of sitting puts pressure on the lumbar spine when unsupported and tightens the hip muscles, pulling the pelvis into a forward position, increasing the arch of the lower back and causing it to sway. A sway back is a vulnerable position for our spines, and causes pain that can become unbearable after a long day at a desk.
Instead of reaching for the painkillers, try this simple workout to ease your low back pain:
Aprivé Wellness Goes to Nugget Point Spa
Mountain-top luxury wellness in Queenstown
Perched high above the Shotover River in stunning Queenstown, New Zealand, is Nugget Point Spa. This boutique hotel's luxury wellness includes a Greecian-inspired spa facility for the ultimate day of relaxation.
Luxury Wellness for Real Relaxation
Choose a massage, manicure or pedicure and spend the rest of your afternoon relaxing in this beautifully-styled spa. Slowly sauntering between each water feature, it was the ultimate Sunday afternoon! Try one or all of their features:
Hot Tub
Cool pool
Steam Room
Sauna
Rain showers
A Luxury Spa for Aprés Ski
Nugget Point is a 2 minute drive from the base of Coronet Peak, one of New Zealand's favourite family ski resorts. Needing no more than your swim suit and a good book or magazine, Nugget Point Spa is the perfect post-skiing pit stop before you head into Queenstown for a meal.
This view makes your wellness experience that much more special as you realise how truly remote you are. So far from your office and commitments, lie down in the sauna and take a deep breath. The sauna was my favourite feature, closely followed by a cooling swim in the mosaic pool.
Treats & Boutique Accommodation for a Real Escape
Nugget Point also boasts stunning boutique accommodation and a beautiful restaurant for those looking to stay as close to this beautiful spa as possible. They even offer discounts for Queenstown locals, including a local's brunch.
I had such a truly rejuvenating and relaxing afternoon at the beautiful spa, I can't recommend it enough.
My dress is by Bali-based label Mr Zimi
Stay tuned for my next luxury spa review....
Wellness Consulting - Creating health and fitness content from industry experience
Why Runners Get Achilles Tendon Injuries
Running content and commerce hub Running Divas asked Aprivé Wellness for some expert health and fitness content about Achilles Tendon injuries:
Not many medical terms for muscles and tendons are well known, but the Achilles is one of the famous few. Achilles tendon injuries in runners are fairly common but the reasons why they occur are still poorly understood. To understand achilles injury, let’s start from the beginning.
What is the Achilles?
The Achilles is a tendon the spans from the middle of the two Gastrocnemius heads (bulky calf muscle) and attaches onto the heel bone.
What makes you likely to injure your Achilles?
The jury is still out on this one. When it comes to running, it comes down to technique and the biomechanics of your feet and ankle joints. As Achilles tendon injuries are multi-factorial, there are countless biomechanics factors that come into play including ground reaction forces, muscle activity and joint motion.
Only one biomechanics variable has been shown to definitely increase Achilles injury risk:
-High braking force placed on the achilles tendon
Other factors that may contribute:
- Low arches
- Running on soft surfaces
- Poor ankle range of motion
How do you know if you’ve injured your Achilles?
If you’ve ruptured your Achilles, you’ll know! Often patients hear a loud crack, and the tendon can be seen under the skin, recoiled halfway up the calf like a retracted rubber band.
An overuse injury or tendinopathy isn’t as obvious, but patients report pain on walking, particularly on the push-off phase, pain with calf raises, steps and often pain when touching the tendon. Your physio will often feel a difference in the consistency of the injured tendon: Often it will feel lumpy and thicker than the uninjured side.
*To read the full article - Click Here
Image: Mark J Sebastian
Aerobic Fitness Programs - Vital for Holistic Wellness
The modern wellness guest wants tranquility and the mental & physical benefits from cardio workouts- so why are curated aerobic fitness programs still missing from many wellness retreats and luxury hotels?
YOUR GUESTS JUST WANT TO RELAX AND ESCAPE THE STRESS IN THEIR LIVES - SO WHY NOT OFFER A MODERN FITNESS PROGRAM TO LEAVE THEM MOTIVATED, INSPIRED AND REJUVENATED?
Aerobic Exercise - Ultimate Wellness for Mind & Body
Exercise that gets your heart pumping has benefits for both the mind and body. Thanks to countless studies, aerobic exercise has been proven to be a reliable aspect of the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression. Clearly, it's an instant mood elevator, but it has far more physical benefits than exercise that doesn't get your heart racing. While yoga and stand up paddle boarding might leave you feeling great, the long-term physical effects aren't as extensive. Don't get me wrong, yoga and Pilates have their very vital place in a wellness retreat, but their inclusion shouldn't mean the exclusion of aerobic exercise.
Strangely though, few wellness retreats offer carefully curated aerobic programs.
Current retreat & hotel fitness offerings: Too generic
Many luxury wellness retreats and hotels offer you the options of hiking, stand up paddle boarding and yoga, but a personalised touch is the newest trademark of luxury travel. As a Physical Therapist and Wellness Consultant, I know no two people are alike even though they may have the same gender, background, and age.
These days many people feel pressure to be able to do a Bow Pose in yoga, hike to the mountain peak or do a plank in Pilates. When they can't live up to this pressure, they're left feeling isolated and incompetent - the opposite goal of a luxury retreat or hotel.
Whether they can't participate because of anxiety, injury, pain or fitness, wellness retreats need to offer personalised programs to motivate and challenge people in an inclusive way.
A Modern Approach to Health Wellness Fitness
Your guests just want to relax and escape the stress in their lives - so why not offer a modern fitness program to leave them motivated, inspired and rejuvenated?
Rather than a 'one size fits all approach' created by a general wellness curator, luxury guests demand professional yet evidence-based programs to challenge them, and teach them strategies they can take home.
Why not offer an 3 in-room workout videos to cater to different levels of fitness, or a simple 5-pose Pilates program?
As a Physical Therapist, Personal Trainer and Pilates instructor, I can incorporate my medical background with holistic wellness strategies to create tailor-made programs for different luxury clients. These modern yet simple programs can really help motivate and inspire people during their stay and long after. Programs that can be created for your wellness resort:
Beach-side Retreats
- Better cardio fitness in 10 days: an intensive program
- Beach workout: abs, legs and glutes
- Water fitness: Intensive workouts for pool and beach
- Joint-friendly workout: Water & low impact fitness
- Say goodbye to back pain
Remote Retreats
- Balance and concentration workout for 50+
- In-room workouts for low back pain
- High intensity walking programs
- Yoga for sore knees
- Fitness program for anxiety, depression and stress
Mountain top/Winter Retreats
- Après Ski Cool Down
- Ski Fitness program
- Optimal hiking fitness (Different programs for different age groups)
*All of these programs utilise elements of aerobic exercise to optimise mind and body wellness. They're not personalised per client, but they're unique enough to cater to your particular clientele.
Your guests deserve to achieve their wellness goals, and rather than offering stock standard programs that may leave your guests injured or anxious, by consulting with professionals with backgrounds in sports science and biomechanics like Aprivé Wellness, you create an inclusive, safe and personalised wellness service.
Fitness is an inconspicuous luxury
Style.com recently published an article that said "wellness has become an important part of the luxury lifestyle," and the article's focus was fitness clubs like Soul Cycle and Barry's Bootcamp. The article goes on to say that not only does fitness help you look and feel good, it's also a way for high earners to make more inconspicuous luxury purchases.
"If five years ago it was a Céline bag, today’s ultimate status symbol might just be a SoulCycle hoodie and a green juice."
