We’re halfway through the year and many of us are steadily pursuing our health goals. Congratulations to those who have been consistent thus far and for those who may have slowed down, it’s not too late to get back up! What better way to continue or start this journey than at BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia? This luxury wellness which goes by the motto “Give us your body for a week and we we’ll give you back your mind” provides guests with a charming tropical atmosphere to disconnect from their busy lifestyles and reconnect to matters. This summer, on June 21st, 2023 to be exact guests are invited to be part of the resort’s Global Wellness Day celebrations.
What is Global Wellness Day?
Celebrated on the second Saturday of June every year, this day has become one of the most highly anticipated events for the health-conscious.
This non-profit worldwide event is dedicated to inspiring individuals to think about “living well” and to spread awareness by asking the question, even if it is only for one day, “How can I live a healthier and better life?”
The main aims of the day are:
- To understand the importance of life
- To reflect, even if for just one day of the year
- To escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life
- To make peace with ourselves
- To raise awareness about living well and increase motivation, not just for that day, but their entire life
Falling in line with Luxury Wellness Resort; BodyHoliday, let’s discuss the unique offerings for this prestigious day.
Morning T’ai Chi for All at 8:00 a.m.
T’ai Chi is a form of art that unifies the mind, body, and spirit. T’ai Chi, which has its roots in ancient China, is one of the best exercises for both physical and mental well-being. Even though it requires a great deal of skill and knowledge, martial arts can be learned quickly and have positive effects on your health. Many people continue on it throughout their entire lives. With so many benefits, the resort’s expert master expects to see a following improvement in all guests.
- More Flexibility. T’ai Chi can boost upper- and lower-body flexibility as well as strength.
- Better Balance. T’ai Chi improves balance and, according to some studies, reduces falls.
- Aerobic Conditioning. Depending on the speed and size of the movements, T’ai Chi can provide some aerobic benefits.
Bicycle Tour to Pigeon Island
Nearly a stone’s through away. Guests are invited to join in a unique bike ride to Pigeon Island National Park on the northwestern tip of St. Lucia. From the resort’s beautiful Cariblue Cove, guests can ride along the quiet streets of Cap Estate, hike to historic forts, and relax on the beach.
Breakfast at Wellness Café 8:30 a.m.
Along the boardwalk, set on a seaside terrace with tables shaded under almond trees, the open-air Wellness Café is the perfect destination for fueling up with breakfast and healthy snacks. You’ll find everything from a morning espresso or a menu of smoothies to speciality salads, gourmet sandwiches, fresh fruit and veggies, and decadent treats. Just a barefoot step from the beach and central to the resort, it’s a perfect solution for a casual meal throughout your active day.
Body Stretch at 9:15 am
Regular stretching has many benefits. Stretching not only improves flexibility, which is an important component of fitness but also improves posture, and reduces stress and body aches. With a number of energising activities scheduled for this day, the guests can expect to see the following before starting their day:
1. Increases in their flexibility
Regular stretching helps increase flexibility, which is essential for your overall health. Improved flexibility not only makes everyday life easier but also slows the age-related decline in mobility.
2. Increases in range of motion
Being able to move a joint through its full range of motion allows for more freedom of movement.
3. Improves your performance in physical activities
Performing dynamic stretches prior to physical activities has been shown to help prepare our muscles for optimum performance in an athletic event or upcoming exercise.
4. Increases blood flow to our muscles
Regular stretching can increase our circulation.
Increased blood flow to your muscles can hasten recovery times and lessen muscle soreness (also referred to as delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS).
On the Ball (Stability Ball Workout) at 10:15 am
Stability ball workouts help teach the body to move as a unit. Stability ball exercises are highly recommended for people who spend much time sitting each day, as they help increase postural stability and reduce the risk of back pain. Studies have shown that people with chronic back pain can reduce their symptoms by performing lumbar stabilisation exercises using a stability ball. At the Fitness Studio in BodyHoliday Saint Lucia, guests are always encouraged to attempt this unique workout because of its unique benefits such as:
Enhanced Body Awareness and Coordination
The name of the stability ball is a bit misleading because it’s actually quite unstable, surprise! This is what makes it an excellent tool for athletes. Using it as a training surface requires coordination of the entire body to maintain balance.
Maintaining a stable position on the ball creates body awareness. Persons will see how much your body relies on your upper body to keep you stable. Stability ball workouts show how important it is to mentally find and contract the small muscles.
Increased Balance
Many people do not recognise the need for balance until their lift is “off.” Once you’ve hit a plateau, the need for balance may become much more apparent. If you have muscle imbalances across your body, these can prevent your strength from growing with a domino effect that can collapse your form and technique.
Aqua Fit at 11:15 a.m.
Water aerobics, also known as aqua aerobics, has many benefits. A great fun way to stay fit. Suitable for all ages, from children to seniors, and for all fitness levels, from beginners to professional athletes. This water sport is a great way to reach and maintain your health and fitness goals.
Again, let’s look at some benefits of joining in the resort’s AquaFit session.
1. Helps Build Strength
When you train in the water, you’re working against the resistance of the water, so just by kicking or scooping the water, you are already building muscle.
2. Helps With The Recovery Of Injuries
Your body weight is considerably lighter when submerged in water. This buoyancy means you do not experience the same impact on your joints or muscles as exercising on land. So it’s an ideal way to exercise and strengthen an injury to the knee, hip or foot.
3. Lowers High Blood Pressure
Aqua cardio is ideal for those who suffer from high blood pressure. Exercising
in water lowers your heart rate significantly compared to on-land exercises.
Intro to Windsurfing Lessons 11:00 a.m.
Windsurfing looks exactly like regular surfing as people simply use winds and their balancing skills to help guide their board through the waters. Apart from it be great fun, there many health benefits such as:
Decrease Stress Levels
Windsurfing is a great option as it allows you to spend time outdoors and with nature while exercising. The more windsurfing you do, the more your stress level drops significantly.
More Mindfulness
Spending time in bodies of water makes you more aware of your surroundings and where you are. In a way, this sport allows you to forget about stress and just focus on the task at hand. Windsurfing can be thought of as a form of meditation spending time alone in nature.
Increase Core Strength
A significant part of windsurfing is the ability to balance on the board. To maintain an upright posture, you must rely on your core muscles. In general, windsurfing uses the whole body to manoeuvre in the water, which strengthens the core, improves posture, and reduces back pain.
Boost Heart Health
The combination of paddling and standing can provide you with cardiovascular exercise. The more active you are in the sport, the better you can enhance your heart health. Because you’re using multiple muscle groups while you’re out on the water, you’ll really get your heart pumping to deliver oxygen and blood to these muscles.
Better Cardiovascular Endurance
To train your muscles properly, your blood needs to be well-oxygenated. Windsurfing always uses muscles to surf over water, so there is no stagnation. This type of training effectively increases your heart rate, improves cardiovascular endurance, and allows you to sustain your sport for longer.
Refuel and Refocus at Pavilion Grill and Cariblue Buffet
12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.
Located on the boardwalk just steps from the beach and adjacent to the clubhouse bar, The Pavilion Grill serves simple, wholesome fare such as grilled steaks, kebabs and fresh seafood. The Pavilion Grill also offers a buffet-style salad bar and other hot dishes, curries, pasta and casseroles. As a guest, you are encouraged to make your own pizza and enjoy delicious desserts.
There is also the option of Cariblue Restaurant which offers both healthy and indulgent globally-inspired dishes in a beautiful open-air dining room on the beach. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, with daily-changing lunch themes featuring Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican, and West Indian cuisine. Also offering seated dinners, guests get to enjoy a diverse a-la-carte selection of refined dishes and ample heart-healthy, vegetarian, and vegan options. Not to be missed, Wednesday evenings are reserved for our West Indian Buffet with steel band musical entertainment.
With such a unique outline for the day and much more to offer, BodyHoliday Saint Lucia is definitely the destination of choice for those who choose to celebrate Global Wellness Day every day.