Balance May 2018 - 50

C A R I B B E A N C R AV I N G

BodyHoliday combines
disciplines to offer
yoga for the mind,
soul, body and diet

THE BODYHOLIDAY

A

fter a challenging few
months involving breakups, unforeseen illnesses
and frenzied work deadlines, my best
friend of 20 years, Florence, and I were
hankering to swap the driven streets of
London for a piece of island life. We set
off on a 10-day wellness adventure to,
fittingly, the only country in the world
named after a woman - St Lucia.
With a population of just 185,000, it
remains a verdant, unspoilt paradise,
with 77% of the coastal land made
up of rainforest, protected by the
National Trust. It's also home to
volcanic beaches, waterfalls, sulphur
springs, reef diving, ziplines, chocolate
plantations, and the majestic pitons
(two renowned precipitous volcanic
spires which sit across the Jalousie Bay
in the south). Incredibly, it has escaped
the devastating impact of hurricanes,
instead focusing efforts on supporting
islands which haven't been so fortunate.

Centre. The Deluxe Coconut & Spice back
and shoulder massage, delivered under
a canopy on a chair specially designed to
alleviate lower back problems, was pure
bliss. Although Ayurvedic treatments at the
stunning Temple cost extra, they're well
worth it. I experienced the art of Shirodhara
- where oil continuously flows on to the
'third eye', regulating hormone imbalances
and relieving anxiety. I am hooked.
One of the newest additions to
BodyHoliday was the 'I-Tal farm to plate
experience'. Hosted by Damian, a charming
Rastafarian, and his beautiful wife Ratoya,
our morning was spent picking produce
from the hotel's sustainable garden and
enjoying a cookery lesson at the hillside
restaurant, before sitting down to an
exquisite six-course vegan lunch. It was also
an opportunity to learn more about farming
marginal land, climate-smart agriculture
and the fascinating origins of Rastafarian
culture. This conscious eating experience
demonstrates BodyHoliday's progressive
approach and desire to become an Ecofriendly tourist destination.
For an authentic experience, we headed
to Gros Islet for its weekly street party,
where locals and tourists meet, dance
and eat local dishes, including green figs
and saltfish. Even torrential rain couldn't
stop everyone from busting moves,
accompanied by mixers of dark rum and
coconut water, revealing the Caribbean
I love - inclusive,
unaffected and
anything
but segregated. �

'Give us your body for a week and we'll give
you back your mind' is the bold promise
made by BodyHoliday, an all-inclusive
wellness spa resort in the north of the island.
Amy Winehouse once famously visited here
on vacation and stayed for eight months, but
it's the Bodyguards - the resort's trainers
- who are the real celebrities. Talented
athletes from around the world compete to
get on BodyHoliday's prestigious in-house
training programme and become staff and,
as I discovered, their classes rival the best
studios in London or New York.
With a schedule tailored to suit your body
and mind's needs, this getaway is for those
who want a tropical paradise, but cannot
abide sitting still. My typical day starts with
a 7am spinning class in the Treehouse (a
glass box suspended on stilts with a view of
the Caribbean Sea) and ends with outdoor
Full Moon Yoga. California-based yogi Kaya,
only 24 years old, deserves a special mention
for her soulful, wise instruction and unique
guided meditations.
This is a place where anything goes.
So, while there are plentiful classes and
Win a seven-night, allactivities, if you prefer lounging by the
inclusive Caribtours
infinity pool or at the resort's private
September Solos stay
beach, that's fine, too. I broadened
at The BodyHoliday,
my horizons with a beginner sailing
worth £2,095. To enter,
and for full T&Cs,
lesson, ziplining and a one-mile WellFit
head to balance.
Trail, which involved wandering across
media/stlucia
beaches, hiking and working out at exercise
stations dotted around the resort.
What separates BodyHoliday from other
wellness resorts is it doesn't take itself too
seriously; there are no pretensions with fun
and, if you fancy it, unlimited booze on the
menu. The hotel also runs monthly themes,
from Solo Travellers to SwimFit, for those
wanting a more focused stay.

Win

LIVING LIKE A LOCAL
Complimentary daily spa treatments take
place at the palatial 33-room Wellness

May 2018 BA LA N CE

The calming
Wellness Centre
offers treatments,
Journeys and Rituals

51



Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance May 2018

Balance May 2018 - 1
Balance May 2018 - 2
Balance May 2018 - 3
Balance May 2018 - 4
Balance May 2018 - 5
Balance May 2018 - 6
Balance May 2018 - 7
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceFebruary19
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceDecember2018
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceOctober2018
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/balancedecember2017
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceDecember2016
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceMay2016
http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceLaunchEditionApril2016
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http://europe.nxtbook.com/emp/Balance/BalanceNov
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