6 Things I Love About Kamalaya

Need to de-stress? Yearning to reconnect to your true self (whoever she is)? You need to visit Kamalaya. If you haven’t heard about it yet, this multi-award-winning wellness sanctuary and holistic spa retreat is located on Koh Samui in Thailand, offers personalised wellness programs – and is as close to heaven as I’ve ever managed to get! 

 I recently spent a beautiful 2.5 weeks at Kamalaya to reconnect to the power of my soul and become truly present as I finished writing my first book. If you follow me on the Powerful Steps Instagram, you may have spotted a shot or two of me frolicking among the tropical palms during my trip. In fact, this was my 7th visit to Kamalaya! This is a very special sanctuary – so much so, that they just can’t seem to keep me away. 

 Kamalaya has truly been a place of miracles for me – and so, in the spirit of sharing, I wanted to let you in on the magic of this special place. Read on for the 6 things I love about Kamalaya.

1)    It’s about personalised wellness

When I first visited Kamalaya, I was suffering from adrenal chronic fatigue and burnout. I needed to learn the art of being present and slowing down. At the same time, I didn’t necessarily want to have to follow a set schedule and lots of ‘rules’ like I was at some sort of wellness bootcamp! I love when you arrive at Kamalaya, you choose exactly what to participate in, and your treatment plan is curated by the in-house expert team according to your individual needs and goals. 

There are so many different programs on offer (around 17) but personally, I do the Asian Bliss program, which blends traditional Thai massage, Ayurvedic treatments and Traditional Chinese Medicine, to restore your inner balance and cultivate physical and mental harmony. Sounds amazing, right?

2)    It’s NOT about deprivation

At Kamalaya, if you want to have a coffee with your breakfast, you can. When I visit, I have a pumpkin seed piccolo in the morning (it’s an incredible concoction they make with ground pumpkin seed and coffee – you must try it if you go!). 

I love that while there’s healthful food aplenty, there’s absolutely no guilt-tripping here. You won’t find any processed foods, additives or preservatives on the menu, and all meals are comprised of fresh, seasonal and organic produce to heal your body from the inside out. At the same time, you can enjoy all of the delicious healing tonics on offer, and feed your body all of the nutritional goodness that the in-house chefs create, while not denying yourself what you want. For example, on the last day of each of my visits, I always treat myself to their incredible chocolate mousse – and I enjoy every moment of it. 

This really aligns with my own personal philosophy (which I share within the Business Attraction Program) of celebrating your wins and treating yourself when you deserve – and it means that when you touch down back home again, you’re not stuffing down three donuts to make up for all the deprivation you’ve endured over the past couple of weeks! It’s sustainable wellness, which I believe is the best kind. 

3)    The focus is on inner wellness

Confession: when I got to Kamalaya, I skip the daily yoga sessions. While there are wonderful options for exercise if you want to – and I often reconnect with my love of Pilates when I visit here – the REAL work here is done in your mind and heart. 

Each time I visit, I continue my work with the amazing in-house life coach, Sujay, and together we dig deeper into the big questions, such as how to meet yourself as a person, and to you step into power and your destiny. We work on clearing any energy blocks I might have, and what I need to address at that point in time to become a better person and leader. 

I also love spending time with Bernie, the acupuncturist. In fact, during one of my sessions with Bernie, he handed me a piece of paper that said, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’ and I still have that piece of paper on my noticeboard at home, to remember that experience. It helps me focus every day on being that change. 

Through taking the time out at Kamalaya from my day-to-day work at Powerful Steps, and the inner work I have done here, I have undergone so many powerful mindset switches that help to get me working at an optimal point, so I can go on and serve others.

4)    You’re invited to stretch beyond your comfort zone

One time early on in my transformation, I was so afraid of judgement, like many of us are. Yet while on retreat here, I came to realise that I had to push outside of my comfort zone to find my power zone. And lucky for me, there were many opportunities at Kamalaya to do just that. 

On that trip, one of the activities on offer was a laughing mediation – and while I was a little dubious, I made myself go along. I arrived, and this monk gets up and does these giant belly laughs in front of us all. It was amazing to watch, he was literally lighting up from the inside out. At first, I tried to join in and all that came out was this quiet nervous laughter. I wasn’t in my power. 

But by end, the most miraculous shift took place – I was having these deep belly laughs, and I felt completely free of judgement and free of fear, and just like I was shining from the inside out. I knew from then on that it was a feeling I wanted to bring back to my everyday life in Australia, and hold onto, always. 

5)    The high-vibrational people you meet

Unlike other health retreats, at Kamalaya there’s no pressure to socialise. If I want to eat in my room, I can, and if I want to eat with others, I can do that, too. You are allowed to show up exactly as you are. 

Having said this, one of the absolute gems I have gained from my seven trips to Kamalaya are the high vibrational people I have met there. I believe that if you want to level up in life, it’s important to listen to others’ experiences, and take learnings from what they’ve been through and experienced. 

There are so many opportunities to have great conversations at Kamalaya, that really open up your mind to what’s possible. I have made so many incredible connections here from around the world. A huge part of the magic of this special place is the people who go there – they’re all bringing this beautiful high-vibe outlook that just makes you feel like you’re meeting your match, and together you’re lifting each other even higher. 

6)    It’s where I reclaimed my power

Kamalaya truly has been a place of miracles for me. This is a place where you can reclaim your power by understanding more about who you are and how you can be of service to others. 

When I visit, I wholly lean into the great energy of becoming present and in the moment, rather than being in the go-go-go energy most of us exist in as mamas, wives and partners, business owners, etc. I call it the Kamalaya Effect (and it’s why, pre-COVID, I was visiting twice a year!). Spending time here allows you to tap into your mind, body and spirit to live a more empowered, purposeful and fulfilled life.

Psst. You heard it here first: we’re launching the Powerful Steps retreat @ Kamalaya in 2023! Sign up to the Powerful Steps newsletter today to be the first to know when applications are open.