Alright, I’m back from another long blogging hiatus! Didn’t mean to leave you guys hanging but here’s the second part of my Active Holiday at Thanyapura Sports and Leisure Club. If you haven’t caught up, you can find my last post about it here.
Or better yet, check out this short video that pretty much summarizes everything amazing about this place.
All set to read more? Here we go.
Near the gym and fitness studios is the Health Center of Thanyapura. I was impressed when I was told that they had in-house doctors and nurses that are equipped with knowledge and experience when it comes to the needs of athletes and active people.
I met Aom, one of their in-house nurses and she took care of me that afternoon. I took the Mineral and Heavy Metals test first. These were ways to determine the levels of minerals as well as the presence of heavy metals in the body.
All it took was a click, using this very portable device. Aom laid it on my palm for a few seconds and we were done.
Being vegetarian for 5 years and vegan for 1 and a half, I knew there were probably a few minerals that were running low. The thing about a plant-based diet is you eliminate all the bad that goes with animal products, however, without proper knowledge, you tend to miss a few minerals in your diet too. The results surprised me, though.
My mineral levels were almost all within the normal range. Aom was impressed with the my Mineral Test Report, but we found that I was low in Magnesium and Zinc (which are easy for me to add to my diet) and Silicon and Chromium. Now the last two, I had no idea how!
I, later on, did a bit of research and found that the best vegan source of Chromium is Broccoli, followed by oats and tomatoes. It made sense because I haven’t had so much of these in a while! Silica, on the other hand, is an inorganic mineral like Iron, Calcium and Magnesium. Inorganic minerals are not easily absorbed by the body and would have to be chelated or pre-digested by plants for them to be fully absorbable by the human body.
Silica is important in keeping hair, skin nails and bones healthy. It also plays a major role in keeping stretch marks at bay. So important for expecting mommas or anyone who is going through weight loss.
I wanted to cry over my Heavy Metal Test Report, though. Most of them were at a high level and according to Aom, my body isn’t aggressive in battling the absorption of these heavy metals as others. I compared my results with Nic and hers were much lower because her body blocks off the heavy metals, to put it simply.
After the tests, I got to relax (or not!). I got a vitamin and mineral IV infusion which worked wonders and helped make me feel so much better. I mentioned in the previous article that I had stomach troubles during the trip. And apart from the good food (high raw vegan and nutrient-dense), the IV infusion was what really helped me recover.
And my favorite has got to be the relaxing authentic, Thai Hot Compress massage, which I have yet to find here in the Philippines. I tried to peek at what my therapist was using on me but couldn’t take a good look. From what I felt, it was a bag of small heated balls. Pressure was applied using the heated bag for a while, removed and then applied again onto another area. This keeps you from getting burns on the skin but still allows the heat to penetrate deep into tired, sore muscles. I loved every minute of it! My therapist was so sweet to braid my hair too, after my head massage. Kept my hair that way the rest of the day. <3
Now, back to the Wellness Center on the other side of Thanyapura. I went through mind training, which is basically a meditation practice.
The view from the studio was beautiful. The place looked out to lush greens and a bright beautiful sky with lots of natural light flooding in through the large windows. It was the first mind training/meditation session in a while. I’m not counting the ones I do with my asana practice, though. But being guided through it again was such a treat.
Mind training benefits not just yogis. It helps athletes, most especially those who compete, in their own field as well. Often, the mind is what draws out the last ounce of power left in the body. What the mind thinks, the body manifests. Will and determination all come from the mind.
Finishing is a decision your mind makes and not a question you ask yourself when you’re nearing the finish line.
I can’t wait to be back for another active holiday at Thanyapura. Hopefully, next time, I’m well enough to take you through their Bootcamp sessions and other group classes. Oh, and if you’re training for Muay Thai, you’ll learn a lot from their coaches here! That’s up next on my list! 😉
Thanyapura Sports Hotel and Leisure Club is located at 120/1 Moo 7, Thepkasattri Rd., Thepkasattri, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand. Visit their website here or follow them on Instagram @thanyapuraphuket to learn more about what this paradise has to offer.
