3 weeks after my stay at SHA Wellness Clinic, I feel better than ever. Discover what the SHA experience is like. Have a good read!
— Christophe, Serenity Ways
First, why did I go on a retreat?
As a 44-year-old currently leading a healthy lifestyle, I follow a plant-based, gluten-free diet, live in a home surrounded by nature, and enjoy a loving family. My daily routine includes fitness, stretching, and energetic practices. However, my life wasn’t always so balanced. After more than 20 years of excessive travel and intense consulting work, I accumulated significant stress and toxins. Despite these challenges, I’ve always maintained a relatively fit condition, high energy levels, and a strong tolerance for stress.
So I was very interested in discovering what SHA's Rebalance & Energise program could do to me.
But there was also a few other reasons. The 18 months before visiting the SHA had been the most challenging of my career, and I went through a burn out. On top of it, the time with myself during this period reminded me of long-ignored traumas I finally wanted to face, and heal.
Therefore, plenty of problems to take care of, and a profound eagerness to feel the magic in action during those days at the SHA.
Fasten your seatbelt
SHA Wellness Clinic invited Serenity Ways to experience the Rebalance & Energise program, enriched with a few additional treatments. My journey began with an early morning walk to the nearby lighthouse, a wonderful way to connect with the energy and vibes of the place while witnessing a mesmerizing sunrise.
Overlooking the picturesque village of Abrir and its beautiful bay on the Mediterranean, SHA Wellness Clinic is infused with a positive energy that gently encourages the body and mind to activate healing mechanisms.
Culinary awesomeness
SHA Wellness Clinic offers 3 menus, each with different levels of calories:
the regular menu (no calorie restriction)
the bio-light menu (light restriction on calories, not on pleasure)
the kushi menu (stricter restriction on calories)
I tried the 3 of them. Yes, in case you wonder, sometimes the 3 of them during the same meal. Oh, I love eating, especially when the food is as awesome as at the SHA! Having dined at some of the world’s best gastronomic tables, I’m not easily impressed. But SHA cuisine is spectacular. The presentation, the taste, and how your body feels after
each meal - an absolute bliss.
A special mention goes to the pastry chef and his team. They create extraordinary desserts that are plant-based, mostly gluten-free, and free of refined sugar.
With such a high level of cuisine, every meal at SHA feels like a celebration. I can easily imagine that some guests come not just for healing but to enjoy a healthy holiday in a heavenly location.
Feeding the body, the mind and the soul
My first breakfast at SHA began with an unexpected - but delightful - miso soup. This practice is part of SHA's emphasis on starting the day with gut-friendly nourishment. Even if you’re not a fan of miso soup, you’ll be surprised at how good your gut feels with this regimen.
The entire breakfast experience at SHA is nurturing, delicious, and easy to digest. For instance, it might include hummus, chia pudding, and a muffin, with the offerings changing daily to provide a variety of simple yet delicious treats.
Guests often find themselves asking for recipes, eager to replicate the meals at home.
At SHA, food is a primary lever for a healthier life, and breakfast is the meal where guests can easily control what they eat. SHA demonstrates that a perfectly healthy diet can be both delicious and simple, using mostly local and seasonal ingredients across breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
There are also unique routines, such as drinking a small glass of vinegar at the beginning of lunch and dinner to alkalize the body or finishing dinner with apple kuzu tea. These practices serve as a mind-opener, showing how certain foods can activate the body’s healing mechanisms in just a few days.
My favourite treatments
An advanced wellness program at SHA typically consists of three pillars, tailored to each guest’s needs after an in-depth diagnostic and health analysis:
Detox food
Health and wellness treatments
Various types of fitness exercises
I experienced a wide range of treatments during my stay, but the ones that stood out most were the breathing coaching session, the ice bath followed by a hydro-energetic detox cure, and the Relax & Energy Infrared Far Heat treatment.
The breathing coaching session taught practical techniques to balance the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems, letting go of stress while increasing focus. The excellence of the coaching allowed me to achieve unprecedented levels of mindfulness in just a few minutes.
The ice bath, though intense, was a powerful training in managing extreme stress. While I had experienced cold showers before, this was my first proper ice bath—a challenging but rewarding experience I recommend to those whose condition allows it.
After the ice bath, the hydro-energetic detox cure felt incredibly soothing, providing pure physical bliss.
The Relax & Energy Infrared Far Heat treatment, which uses heat, magnetic, and electric technologies to relax and energize the body, was another highlight. It helped heal the pain and stiffness in my lower back, a revelation that showed me I could regain full flexibility and strength.
A deep cleanse, a rebirth
Initially, I wasn’t sure what I would take away from my stay at SHA Wellness Clinic. However, three weeks later, I realize that my body was ready for a deep cleansing, which began during my stay and continued for two weeks afterward.
The SHA diet and powerful treatments raised my energy levels, allowing my body to initiate a profound detoxification process. This cleanse, which focused on my lower back and lungs, left me feeling rejuvenated and energized, both physically and mentally.
And more importantly, my time at the SHA answered long-standing questions about my emotional well-being and unresolved childhood traumas.
Most guests at SHA seek a gentle, progressive approach to well-being and rejuvenation, tailored to their needs to ensure a delightful experience. A not-so-radical life-changing experience ... However my personal journey demonstrates that when someone is ready for a more profound cleanse / reboot, the SHA method also delivers 100%, and leads to a complete rebirth in just 3 weeks. Quite incredible. I feel very humbled and thankful for this journey.
I hope you liked this insider review. If you have questions about SHA Wellness Clinic, feel free to ask me.
All the best,
Christophe
You can also contact me to get my advise about the ideal program for you. Maybe the best retreat for you is SHA Wellness Clinic, or maybe it is another great health hotel. During the consultation, we will discuss your objectives and find out.
Also, booking your program with Serenity Ways gives you exclusive amenities, without paying more.
