Rebuilding robust health at RAKxa in Thailand
Daisy Pasternak reviews a wellness retreat near Bangkok, where she finds meticulous care, ultra soothing treatments and the joys of a suspension session
Arriving at RAKxa, a sleek, spiritual and stunning retreat just outside Bangkok, I felt instantly soothed – in mind, body and spirit. I was suffering from a chest infection, yet my welcome team – a wellness director, a western doctor, and an ayurvedic and traditional Chinese medicine doctor – along with the seven singing bowls (representing the seven chakras) reassured me that my personal journey would blend the holistic with the scientific.
“The ideology at RAKxa that ‘health is wealth’ supports the backbone of everything they do here to empower and heal the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental self”
I started with the hydro-therapy pools which overlook a man-made lake. Watching the changing weather float over the city skyline of Bangkok, I relaxed on a thermo lounger and skipped between the vitality pools, infrared sauna, herbal steam room and their rain shower.
Next up was acupuncture focusing on acupoints for chest congestion. Lying with the expertly placed needles, an infrared lamp was placed over me to avoid any discomfort – just one example of the level of detail and meticulous care the staff take of you, not only to have a relaxing and enjoyable time, but to really make a difference to your health.
The signature herbal compress treatment was immediately effective. Herbs were placed on my back and stomach and then set on fire! The heat promotes blood circulation and stimulates the lymphatic system which allows for detoxication. After the treatment, the TCM doctor gave me a drink to clear the congestion in my chest – a steam solution that had ginger, lemongrass and other Thai ingredients sustainably sourced from the garden.
These traditional Thai treatments were performed by intuitive doctors who understood my body and its needs. Treatments also ended with a consultation where doctors gave helpful tips so I could maintain digestive flow and prevent abdominal pain back home, all of which genuinely fostered health awareness.
Feeling stronger, I got to work on the mobilisation programme. The gym was full of the latest equipment using air pressure-based machines instead of weights. This meant I could measure my potential against my performance which made my session more productive and more effective.
The programme began with a functional fitness test where I had to perform six different activities that measured my strength, balance and flexibility. This was then combined with a biomechanical test where I was recorded as I walked on a treadmill with five coloured sensors stuck to my points of mobility.
Afterwards, a physiotherapist analysed the way I walked in detail, going right down to the specific angle of the bend in my ankle. This was incredibly helpful as I have never consciously thought about the way that I was walking, nor the damage I could be creating for my future self through poor technique.
Once the team and I knew what I was physically capable of and what I needed to improve upon, I was given a plan that included a private reformer Pilates class, a correctional exercise class and a private suspension lesson.
From the biomechanic test we saw that I put more weight in my right leg than my left, which means my hips are lopsided, resulting in my common lower back pain. This was pointed out in my correctional class – a roller, placed on my back while I did a plank, kept rolling off due to my wonky hips. After managing to get the roller to stay in place, I was pushed to move alternate arm and leg. I was impressed by how much the trainer challenged me and pushed me to succeed.
Thanks to the scientific tests, the trainers knew my limits, which meant I achieved a lot in the classes, without overdoing it. After this I had a private suspension session with the head physio. Unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, this was a combination of physiotherapy, aerial yoga and Pilates. I was suspended in the air whilst the physio helped me stretch out and loosened the parts of my body that holds tension.
To relax after these sessions, I went to their western medicinal building, which I was sceptical of, thinking that the treatments would be clinical and not intuitive. However, I was wrong. My promo-facial, designed to elevate natural beauty, tighten the skin and boost immune function, was such a caring treatment that included a suction machine for a thorough clean, followed by different blue light lasers, which are used to treat skin issues like blemishes, and to clear the bacteria that causes spots (so especially helpful for a teenage girl prone to spots!). Not only relaxing, it was also an unforgettable treatment that cleared up my skin.
That said, the location of RAKxa alone - an area nicknamed ‘The Green Lung’ due to how many trees there are - had positive and revitalising effects on my skin, physique and mind. Cycling through the beautifully manicured estate, and enjoying the fresh air and lush vegetation, made me so grateful my body and mind were back in balance.
For me, food is an important part of a retreat. At RAKxa I found a trendy fusion of traditional Thai flavours and modern Mediterranean presentation, with locally sourced organic produce and sustainable meats and fish. Breakfast set the tone for the day – you’re encouraged to choose multiple plates to give you energy for morning activities.
Lunch and supper were set menus, but the portion sizes were personalised in keeping with my resting metabolic weight. This means you can lose weight without being deprived of delicious meals. They started with a home-made kombucha served in martini glasses to kickstart the gut. This felt like a real indulgence, even though they were healthy.
Meals ended with a homemade brew personalised for me and what my body needed - ginger and lemongrass to soothe my chest. The ideology at RAKxa that ‘health is wealth’ supports the backbone of everything they do here to empower and heal the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental self.