Island Healing

The island of Koh Samui lies in the Gulf of Thailand. On its northeastern tip overlooking Samrong Bay, Sila Evason Hideaway emerges from the rocky, hilled shoreline like a great ship, the lines of its roofs and decks creating an illusion that it rests upon the surface of the sea. At dinner, general manager Eric Hallin tells me that the sloped and angled architecture was designed to create exactly that impression.

The feeling intensifies as my butler, Ae, escorts me to my villa overlooking the Gulf, one of sixty-six villas spread along the winding path that borders the ocean. Wood floors stretch beyond the canopied bed and living room toward floor-to-ceiling windows, offering me a panoramic view of the sea. Down a few steps beside more windows, a sunken tub invites me to succumb to a long soak, and beyond a side door, an outdoor shower beneath a thatched roof promises yet another exquisite bathing experience. Just when I think all my water needs have been addressed, Ae lead me onto the deck from my bedroom. There, spread below me, is a private infinity pool, spilling over into a garden. Bliss.

Acquiescing to their extensive experience in the wellness industry, I’ve left the selection of treatments at the Hideaway Spa up to Hallin and spa manager Sarinya Sripongpunkul. They’ve arranged for a Jin Shin Do treatment, which they describe as body-mind acupressure. My therapist, Tamara, begins the therapy with a card reading, using a special deck that focuses on the elements.

Jin Shin Do (Way of the Compassionate Spirit) can best be described as a synthesis of acupressure, Taoist philosophy, Qi Gong techniques, Reichian segmental therapy, and sound healing. Tamara says she likes to call it a sound bath  as she positions me on a comfortable table, covering my eyes with a thick, fragrant pillow. For the next ninety minutes, she uses a variety of musical instruments and her voice “varying the depth and tone of her chanting as she moves around me “as well as light finger pressure to target acupressure points and chakra centers. The goal is to unblock and balance my energy, and during the process, something remarkable occurs. As she reaches each chakra center, my mind is flooded with vivid, swirling colors. I am left a little disoriented after the treatment, but Tamara explains that this is normal, and instructs me to take it easy for the afternoon. No problem there “adrift in this harbor of tranquility, I’m ready to explore a little stillness.

Beneath the open sky and the light of the full moon, I join Hallin and a few other guests at Dining on the Rocks, the resort’s gourmet restaurant. Tonight’s menu is a sampling of some of the best of executive chef Thomas Jakobi’s signature dishes, including a prawn and shitake salad, a cappuccino of coconut and truffle, and an entrƒ©e of Kafir Lime-Crusted Baked Tasmanian Salmon in Miso. As we dine, Eric tells me the word Thai means freedom,  and that the word Sila “often used to refer to rock “was part of the inspiration for the resort’s name.

In the morning, I wander along the pathway to breakfast. After tea and a plate of freshly sliced papaya, pineapple, and mango, it’s off to the spa. Today’s adventure involves a pomegranate body scrub, followed by a Thai Boran massage. The scrub leaves me soft and sweetly scented, and the Thai massage that follows ranks as one of the most outstanding body therapies I’ve ever had. It includes deep work on my hands and feet, along with a head massage that focuses, in part, on the acupressure points located on my ears. While parts of it are difficult, especially the work around my knees, the results are heavenly. In the end, my mind is as relaxed as my body.

As it turns out, this is a good state of mind for the palmistry session that was next on my agenda. Bharat Rochlin, the author of Palmistry: A Comprehensive and Reflective Guide to the Study and Practice of Palmistry (Watkins Publishing, 2003), surprises me with his thoroughness. He measures my fingers, the width and length of my palms, tests my fingers for flexibility, and compares their angles to one another. Learning the meaning of the different lines in my hands and listening to Rochlin’s insights is entertaining, but my moment of personal enlightenment occurs when he shows me the swirls of my right thumb beneath a magnifying glass, explaining that I possess a very rare thumbprint. There, in plain view, is a perfect yin-yang symbol.

In the afternoon, I’m faced with the hardest decision I’ve had to deal with during my three days here: beach or infinity pool? The pool wins, simply because I feel too warm and lazy to walk any further than my villa. This is where I remain until the sun has dropped toward the horizon, and the sky turns shades of plum and peach. After dinner, I pile the pillows on my bed against the headboard and fall asleep staring at the starlight reflected in the sea.

Before my departure the next day, there’s one last treat: a four-handed hot stone massage. Calm and rested as I settle into my seat for the long flight home, I contemplate my right thumb, tracing the lines of the yin-yang mark. Me, in perfect harmony? Imagine that.

Lemongrass‚ 

Thailand is a land of strange fruits and flavors, from the oddly shaped mangosteens, to exotic dragonfruits and rambutans. And while each provides a whole range of sensory experiences, it’s the sweet, ever-present flavor and scent of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates) that best seems to embody Thailand’s healing energy. Common to this part of Asia, the slender stalks and narrow leaves of this botanical are cultivated for its essential oils, which have digestive relief properties and a relaxing, soothing scent. Crushed or finely chopped, it’s a popular flavoring for a wide variety of dishes, especially seafood. It grows in clumps, and mature plants can reach a height of five feet. Served hot, lemongrass tea is relaxing; chilled, it makes a refreshing beverage. The following recipe was provided courtesy of Chiva Som International Heath Resort. Fresh and dried lemongrass stalks can be found at food stores specializing in Asian ingredients. Fresh is best for seasoning food; dried is preferred for tea.

Lemongrass Tea

Trim roots and lower part of 2 to 3 stalks of dried lemongrass. Chop or dice. Bring a medium-sized pot of water to a boil. Add lemongrass and boil for 5 minutes, or until the water becomes amber in color. Remove pot from heat and allow to steep for another 5 minutes, or to desired strength. Served hot or cold as desired.

Address Book

Chiva Som International Health Resort
(Member, Small Luxury Hotels of the World)
www.chivasom.com

Sila Evason Hideaway & Spa at Samui
www.sixsenses.com/hideaway-samui

Thai Airways
www.thaiair.com

Bangkok Airways‚ 
www.bangkokair.com

September/October 2006

Latest posts by Healing Lifestyles & Spas Team (see all)