I celebrated my most recent birthday with a cleanse in Koh Samui.
Setting the intention of clarity and lightness for the year ahead.
This was perhaps not the most successful of all detoxes. My energy was diverted to recovery rather than elimination/purification. I was down with a string of infections – bacterial, mould, viral…My cough was keeping me up at night. I was pretty tired. I was pretty stressed. It was not pretty.
So the detox was just the thing for me.
Kamalaya was chosen, with raving reviews from my husband. As my birthday present, he booked me the 7-day comprehensive. When he said my days would be full, he was NOT kidding. I hardly had any real stretches of downtime, where I did absolutely nothing except lie on the beach or by the pool. I was always going to appointments, finding my way around the resort (hiking that steep hill), or figuring out when to eat. And yes I missed a few supplements and didn’t figure out until Day 4 the protein shake was twice a day, not once.
I think my spastic cough took a lot of energy (and brain power). I was befuddled. I was lost walking around most of the time, concentrating on conquering the hill from the villa to breakfast and the wellness centre. Wondering whether my lungs would strengthen over the week…or if this is how they get people to lose weight. Or burst a lung.
I did relax. Here and there. I napped. I slept early for the morning yoga. Simon Loh was on-site and his classes are not to be missed.
Between the fasting requirements (eg no eating an hour before a Chi Nei Tsang session and two before a colonic) and the early-ish closing of the restaurant, I had to forgo many of the yoga classes. I opted for the yummy breakfasts, which included the not-so-yummy spirulina shots, a beautiful spread of fruits and juices, veggies, and on alternating days, a delish lentil-based veggie broth. It’s like dahl, which I love. When it’s not spicy. Everything that was detox-friendly was clearly labelled so people would not unknowingly scoop the “wrong” seeds and nuts into their bowl.
Truth be told, I was not tempted at all by the other foods. I never felt deprived. What I could eat was so delicious and filling I craved for nothing. Absolutely nothing! Not even when people at the communal table raved about the lobster dish, cheese soufflé or chocolate mousse.
It probably also helped that I was a hermit for the first half of my stay and I got into the groove of my diet before any temptations could take hold. When I arrived, I could barely spit out a complete sentence between my coughs. It was just as well. I needed an inward journey, and in that stillness I discovered the exact thing that was causing and prolonging my cough.
Detox broth, spinach and stewed pumpkin with veggies-Yum!
Emotional Purging
Whenever the throat is affected, it’s a good idea to look if and where in your life you are not speaking your truth. I thought I was. I had been very forthright and honest with how I felt. In reality, I was only dancing around the actual issue. The fine print, as it were. Once I got it – the fact that someone had hurt me, my cough went down by 90% overnight. Psychosomatic? Maybe. It was after the fact that I saw what needed to be said, and was said. It was rather stunning.
Some people go on a detox for weight loss. What many don’t realize is that a lot more is happening than purely the purging of physical toxins. Emotional toxins are released and it can be quite a roller coaster. Don’t be alarmed if all you do is cry or get angry or whatever it is that needs to be let go. Crying is fantastic! All that tension comes off with the tears. Why hang on, right? Hanging onto past hurts, not forgiving the other and yourself, and believing being right prevails put our whole being into disarray. We cut off parts of ourselves and disallow flow. Healing is realizing and remembering we are whole.
Why did I choose Kamalaya?
My husband. It was such a profound trip that it was emotional for him to leave. Yes. That’s what he said. Of course time revealed other details he had hidden. So.
His story : The staff pampered him and were amazed by him. His energy output went from high to hero. He was a superstar. And yes, they liked him that much – he got a complimentary scan at the end of his stay as well.
He worked hard – he hiked, he lifted weights, and he really cut down his food intake. His weight just melted and stress, be gone! He really does have a will of steel. Got to give that to him. He’s got a Type-A personality and he’s very driven.
His goal was to lose weight. He came back, renewed and energized. Ready again for his crazy job!
In fact, I’m not the first or the only one he recommended Kamalaya to.
Is Kamalaya for me?
I guess a lot can change in a year, especially in the hotel/resort/wellness industry where turnover is high and can be crippling. Service is everything. And I think, judging from my husband’s stories, the standards had dropped. Everyone was friendly, no doubt. The restaurant staff always remembered your name and your program. Not everyone was on a cleanse. (Tip: if you are having difficulty with the detox meal plan, don’t sit at the communal table! It could be torture for you to see their no holds barred meals! The food really is delicious.)
So the cons?
I was quite disappointed that, instead of the detox birthday cake they offered, I got a chocolate/avocado cream cake. It was a beautiful gesture and I was grateful. However, I was on a detox program and they had completely forgotten! Luckily it didn’t go to waste. I had made a new friend and she ate it. Thankfully I held back so it did not derail the whole program.
Privacy was an issue. I think a colonic is my business and having two strangers (nurse & nurse assistant) in the room is already daunting enough…So I think it’s not unreasonable to want the window blinds to be pulled down for privacy. The window opened up to a walkway and yes, the maintenance staff did walk by. A colonic isn’t the easiest for most people and I think making it as safe and comfortable would be a priority.
And draping? My CNT therapist Got was an expert. She made it an art and that was fantastic.
The resort’s policy is for the therapists to leave the room to allow guests to unrobe. So I was surprised by the Ayurveda therapist who just stood there, waiting for me to undress. Having had Got and knowing the policy, I was taken aback and bewildered.
I would have loved a mid-stay check to see if any adjustments would be necessary. I did try to contact my naturopath consultant several times. The nurses kept telling me that vegetable juices (because of their ease of absorption) were okay to consume, even with gassiness. Just no salads and cold foods, they said. Apparently not, said the naturopath at my exit consultation when I finally got the chance to see him. It was so painful that I chose to forgo my last colonic. Because I couldn’t speak with my consultant, no adjustments could be made to my program.
Just so you know, I’m not silently (ish) ranting about Kamalaya. I diligently gave these points to the naturopath, including the suggestion of assigning the same nurse (barring any issues) to a guest the entire stay for the colonic. Comfort with the people administrating the process and with consistency of the process eases the discomfort of colonics. Trust is important. So is monitoring the progress.
I had a GREAT time otherwise…. I met a lot of fantastic people, from all walks of life, from all over the world – a Tibetan Buddhist monk, foreign office professionals, ashram dwellers, Dubai bankers. A very interesting crowd. For a week I ate only healthy good food. My favourite? The Green Bull. (Don’t look at the ingredients – just try it!) The spa treatments were relaxing – I fell asleep every time!
The estate was beautiful and the people friendly. I was cocooned in nature, so quiet and so peaceful. The schedule was filled with interesting talks and interesting people. The classes were great. There was a lot on offer.
As a resort, Kamalaya is fantastic. The idea and concept behind it? I love.
Kamalaya a second time? Probably not for now. At least not for a detox. I’d go back for the food.
If you want to go, here are a few suggestions.
Room vs Villa
First I can’t believe I’m recommending a normal room over a villa. My villa was beautiful and it overlooked the sea. Mine was the one right above the pool’s changing rooms. For those prone to mosquito bites, the villa may not be your best bet. The bathroom is outside. And let’s be honest, when you are on a detox, you go to the bathroom a lot from all the liquids you are consuming. Including throughout the night.
The staff leaves a mosquito coil burning when they turn down the bed. The coils only burn for maybe 3 hours. I asked for extra. Even then, on my first bathroom trip, I got 3 nice mosquito bites on my behind. No joke.
And for those a little embarrassed about their bodily sounds, you may also pass on the villa. The outdoor bathroom is exactly that – outside. No roof. Of course where each villa faces is different, depending on where you are on the estate. Mine was along the hill to the beach and a rather well-frequented path – golf carts, gardeners, maintenance, etc. There is only a brickwall separating the bathroom from the walkway and I could hear conversations.
Pick a room if you have lots of treatments. The hillside rooms are a short skip from the wellness centre. No hills involved. The pool and the beach are, however, at the bottom of the hill.
Eating Solo vs The Communal Table
If you are not used to eating alone, the communal table may be your thing. It is an easy way to meet people. Don’t forget there isn’t a communal detox table. You may be eating with people not on any meal plans. Lots of people just go for a spa getaway or some quiet retreat. The detox menu is full of delicious food…imagine what the full menu would be!
Eating alone is quite the norm at Kamalaya. The restaurant staff will not offer you a book to read, feeling sorry for your lack of company. Being alone especially on a detox has many emotional and mental benefits.
The Sacred Cave…
If you do go, don’t forget to visit the sacred cave. It’s a beautiful space. Light the candles. Light the incense. Sit on the mat. Close your eyes. And spend some time there in silence. Move inward, and outward. I don’t know how long I spent there. Being in the cave, surrounded by rock, away from the rest of the estate carries you to another world.
(Don’t forget the mosquito repellant!)
