By Guest Writer, Gaye Gerard
Thailand has become a popular destination for health and wellness holidays and retreats, with everything on offer from three-star eco-experiences to award winning luxury resorts. Nestled on a beach in Koh Samui, Samahita Retreat is one of the latter, as well as being the first retreats to offer a yoga core cycle and functional fitness program; for those who don't know, that combines yoga, fitness, strength and cardio. Founded by Paul Dallaghan in 2003, it has become one of the best known and authentic yoga programs available.
Upon my arrival at Samahita, I was warmly welcomed into the Thai styled open aired reception area and offered a cooling cup of antioxidant rich butterfly pea tea, setting the stage for my upcoming juice detox program. Then was then met by Katie Parsons, the resident nutritionist, to discuss my health goals and the juice detox program. There are a number of options available, in a combination of three, seven or 14-day retreats, providing a harmonious balance between exercising, relaxing and revitalising in the spa so you can boost your energy or simply give your body a rest.
You can also spend your days enjoying a variety of restorative yoga and fitness classes and meditation dedicated to help you de-stress, gain greater flexibility and build core strength to support your daily life. One thing quickly grew to love about the yoga at Samahita was that the teachers adapt each posture for beginners or advanced students. This means you can feel completely comfortable whatever level you’re at, and still evolve your practice.
Upon rising each morning, I started with Ayurveda supplements then made my way to the yoga shala overlooking the beach for a gentle meditation and yoga class, taking in the beauty as the sun illuminated the colourful Thai wooden boats. Working up a sweat during the session and feeling good, I looked forward to my first juice and gotu kola elixir. Based on a candida free approach, excluding all sugar, my detox plan included three green juices and two coconut waters daily, which gave me plenty of energy to participate in the activities. As each day passed I felt lighter and more refreshed.
After my juice I stepped into the spa, where I was treated to an infrared sauna before my therapist greeted me with a warm smile and a tray of aroma oils including lavender and lemongrass aiming to restore my tired limbs. She lead me through the garden to the treatment room; the sound of tumbling water echoed gently in the background as her skilled hands swept my back, focusing on an area of pain in my shoulders, and releasing the muscle tension as I drift into a state of deep relaxation.
Offering a range of traditional Thai and Ayurveda treatments, the therapists are all highly skilled, intuitive and use only the best organic natural ingredients. A herbal steam room is located alongside the salt water pool, where outdoor lounges offer a picturesque view of the beach next to the dining area. Several spots offer cozy bean bags to enjoy a good book when the pace winds down in the afternoon.
In conversation with Samahita’s Managing Director, Amy Arman, she told me: “Everything here at Samahita is based on practices and tools for personal transformation, to help inspire and support people in their daily lives to create a sustainable practice that feeds you and allows you to be what you need to be in this world and it’s about holding space for whatever they need to arise.” Amy has been teaching yoga there since 2010, under the guidance of two of the world’s most gifted teachers, Paul Dallaghan and Sri O.P Tiwariji from Kaivalyadhama.
Amy also shared Samahita's food philosophy with me, which comprises three essential pillars. “It must have variety, it must be fresh, and it must be made with love,” she says, which is also part of the retreat’s overall mindfulness practice. The staff want to make sure everyone on any diet can come here, feel comfortable and confident knowing they will be taken good care of and nourished.
The food is designed to be mostly vegetarian with locally sourced fresh whole food ingredients. It’s delicious and is easy to digest as well as hit the sweet spot, fusing international and Thai flavours which work for everyone. On the buffet you will find everything from fruity pancakes, spicy curries and cleverly crafted vegetable dishes which are packed with goodness and flavour, as well as a juice bar where the staff can create any smoothie sure to delight your tastebuds and re-energise the body. The dining and lounge area is a warm space with open style seating, the large tables creating an inviting sense of community.
I loved my time at Samahita, especially the staff who quickly became friends sharing their stories, knowledge and inspirational practices for living a healthy fulfilling life. Time spent here will leave you inspired to embrace your body, and to find the space to centre yourself, which will offer you deeply personal and satisfying rewards as well as a chance to become more than you ever thought possible. I will definitely return to this beautiful place in the near future, where the warm spirited energy flows effortlessly in a sense of community, uplifting all who come here.
You can read Gaye Gerard’s full review of Samahita Retreat here.
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