Healthy in Samui : www.samuiholiday.com

Healthy || Spa

Samui is becoming a place of for serious health regimes and seriously decadent spa treatment. Whether you are into power yoga or passive pampering, there are more and more options to choose from. Sure, Samui is a great place to party all night, but if you need a break from that, you could find that time on the island can help get you back in shape with fasts, healthy feasts, steams, massages and skin treatments. Here are just a few suggestions.

MASSAGE

Thai masseurs and masseuses work u and down most of the bigger beaches so you can have a rub on a blanket on the sand. If you want to go more upscale, a number of dedicated spas and spa facilities at 5-star hotels offer extensive menus of massages and facial treatments. You can also find foot reflexology in several places around the island.

EATING AND FASTING

You can work on getting your digestion in shape by putting good things in your body and letting bad things out. Several spas and centres on Samui offer supervised cleansing and fasting programs. Nutritional consultations, health drinks, tonic, herbs and meditation often complement a fast, which could last from one day to several weeks, depending on your needs. It is not recommended to take an unsupervised fast, especially if you are unfamiliar with the tropical climate.

HOSPITALS AND CLINICS

Several clinics and hospitals around the island offer inexpensive healthcare if you get sick or have an accident. Bandon International and Samui International standards, as their names imply. Samui International even has a dental clinic and plastic surgery facilities if you are serious about your bodywork.

FITNESS CENTRES AND GYMS

With all the good food around, it is easy to put on weight during a holiday. But you don't have to leave your regular workout schedule behind. Several gyms on Samui can help you stay in tip-top shape. World

Gym in Chaweng and Lamai Gym are the places for those who would like to show a little muscle on the beach. Bodybuilding equipment and fitness experts are usually available to get you started. Alternatively, you could go upscale at the Chaweng Regent Fitness Centre in Chaweng or at other 4- or 5- star hotels.

YOGA

Yoga is an excellent way to improve flexibility in both your body and mind. If you are experienced, try your practice on the beach. You can do your sun salutations early in the morning when the air is cooler and there are few people around. There are also good yoga classes for beginners and veteran yoga stretchers alike at The spa in Lamai, and classes for children and families at the Health Oasis Resort.

SWIMMING

Dozens of hotels on the island have swimming pools that are great for swimming laps or doing water aerobics. Of course, the ocean also affords ample opportunity to swim in warm salt water. It can be one of the best cardiovascular workouts or just a leisurely way to tone and strengthen muscles without placing undue stress on joints. Check with locals or hotel staff to see about ocean conditions on different beaches. Sometimes the seas can be choppy and the undertow can be strong, so it is best to swim in pairs. If

you have cuts or open wounds it is best to keep out of the water to avoid infection. And don't forget your sunscreen!

RUNNING

Forget your running shoes and take a barefoot jaunt in the sand. Running with the sunrise is glorious on the east-coast beaches, or if you miss that you can always catch the sunset on the other side of the island. Jogging on sand is less stressful for the joints than running on a hard surface. You'll also find that beach running takes a little more effort than usual and that your legs get a better workout. If you want to run with company, check out the Hash Hous

e Harries who organize outings every month.