Pre Arrival, Arrival and Check In
The whole SHA experience began with downloading the SHA app and receiving my log in details from SHA. I could see my how my programme was planned and see the different areas of the hotel where I would have to be, hiking routes of the surrounding areas and a lot of pre-arrival information. I also began receiving notifications informing me of how to prepare and what to expect.
Upon arrival my bags disappeared off to the room and I was swept away by a coordinator who checked me in and gave me a brief introduction. A quick tour of the installations was followed by lunch while my room was being prepared (I arrived early as I wanted to maximize my time!). The restaurant staff were very welcoming and the views of the bay and surrounding mountains was really something special. I was presented with two menus, the SHA menu and the Biolight (a lighter option as the name suggests) I struggled to decide between them but opted for the SHA - winter minestrone followed by squid in its own ink with millefeuille, then a macadamia and miso cheesecake. A good start I have to say!
The Room
Once I had finished my lunch I was taken to the room, I was staying in a Deluxe Sea View Room. My bags were already there and I had the same beautiful view of the bay that benefitted the restaurant. The balcony was very large with deck chairs, a table and chairs with more than enough space to do yoga. I had already selected my pillow, bath robe size and slipper size but there was also a yoga mat, flip flops and a SHA bag to carry everything in, as well as a host of toiletries.
The Nutritional Consultation
Your programme begins with a nutritional consultation that decides which menu you are on for the stay. There are 3 menus in total, the Kushi (macrobiotic), Biolight (light) and SHA (quite light!), you are either prescribed one or given a choice between two. You are also prescribed your supplements and teas for each meal at this point. I was given a choice between Biolight and SHA as I wasn’t on a weight loss programme, and I eat fairly healthily day to day I was given a choice between the latter two. Also, I was given recommendations of apple cider vinegar before my meals, and sauerkraut, pickled daikon and seaweed with each dinner. This information is passed on seamlessly to the restaurant and they provide the service of these additions at meal times. I actually decided to stick to the biolight desserts as I have quite the sweet tooth…! On a few occasions I asked the waiter to give me the full dessert but, they politely reminded me of my initial request much to my dismay… This seems like a good time to talk about the food in more detail…
The Healthy Ageing Consultation
This was an addition to my programme, I had read about Dr. Mera and seen his Wellbeing at Home Video on our site so I wanted to see what the fuss was about. I also heard some other guests describe booking him in as “getting tickets to the show”! Well, he is definitely a character…
We discussed my lifestyle and things I could change, he gave me some great advice and showed me a lot of data. I would avoid talking to him about the opera (unless you want to, of course) as I think he could talk for days on this subject.. Encouragingly, it turns out that one does not have to make huge lifestyle changes in order to better your chances of living longer!
The Food
All in all, the food was excellent, you eat with your eyes as the say, and the presentation was beautiful. One of the pillars at SHA is nutrition and that is clearly displayed in the food that they produce. The waiting staff had my nutritional consultation on hand and brought my apple cider vinegar concoction as well as my side dishes and prescribed tea for after I was finished with my food. It was mushroom heavy but very healthy indeed. There is no water while you eat lunch as it can inhibit digestion but the food was anything but dry so this didn’t bother me at all. I enjoyed every meal, the presentation and service was impeccable and even though the diet is low in salt and sugar, it was all tasty and I finished everything…!
The Programme
I was on the 4 day Rebalance package which is a “brief” introduction to the SHA concept. The SHA app made it so easy to find my treatment rooms and the therapists were punctual. Each of the therapists were clearly very experienced and well-trained and all had a good level of English. I booked myself a few extra treatments outside the package like Watsu and a Hydrocolon but I was also able to substitute a few and move my schedule with the help of my agenda planner. It wasn’t particularly busy so I had quite a bit of flexibility so I am sure it is less easy during peak times but an effort will always be made.
The Treatments
You can tell that all the therapists at SHA are very well trained and at the top of their game. My favourite treatment was definitely the Shiatsu by Alexander, he tailored the session according to my Traditional Chinese Medicine consultation and gave excellent pressure to all the right points. The TCM consultation prior to my Shiatsu treatment was also thorough, and Beatriz was deft with a needle for my acupuncture!
I also tried Watsu (Shiatsu in water) for the first time. I love the water (I was a dive instructor for many years) and combining Shiatsu and water seemed like my kind of heaven, I wasn’t wrong. My guide during this trip/experience was Libertad, someone who certainly shares my passion for water. The room was fairly dark, the ceiling was lined with stars and the water was the perfect temperature. Libertad then explained that I should imagine that I am seaweed swaying in the swell and to just let go and relax. Apparently this session was only 50 minutes, but time was not a concrete constraint during my time in the water. I was cradled and moved around for what seemed like an eternity, just floating and swaying like seaweed. This treatment is a strong recommend, if you haven’t already noticed…
My personal trainer, Julia, diagnosed me almost on first sight, she knew I had problems with my knee and that I was protecting it with my every movement. She stretched me, pushed me and gave great advice on after care. We had a laugh and her energy, enthusiasm and instruction meant that I revisited the gym a few times to put her advice into practice.
Another notable experience was my Pranayama session with Joanna, we sat, we breathed, and we laughed. Then I made it 20 yards from the door and had tears of joy streaming down my face, I’m not sure why… Maybe it was the Pranayama maybe because it was my last day at SHA, either way it opened something up inside me that I can still feel now, and I hope never closes up.
Across the board, this was an amazing experience and I would not hesitate to go back. The whole operation was very slick and seamless but above all else, the individual therapists were the highlight!
Why Wellbeing Escapes?
