Rasayana Retreat
Rasayana is the Sanskrit word for rejuvenation, a and that’s exactly what this Bangkok business offers. A tiny center located on a hidden lane off of busy Sukhumvit road, Rasayana has a range of services to help you cleanse and renew your body and mind.
I stumbled across the place by accident in January and stayed for a meal at their raw foods café. I didn’t expect much from a menu of uncooked vegetables, but found myself enjoying one of the best and most creative meals I had had in months. Inspired and curious, I found out more.
Rasayana’s focus is on detoxification through diet and colon hydrotherapy. The program is supported by services such as massages, facials, body scrubs, Pilates classes, yoga, and their raw foods café. Their program is based on the principle that our modern bodies are exposed to so many toxins via over-processed foods and environmental pollutants that the digestive system becomes over-acidic, sluggish and abnormally clogged. By cleansing the bowels and changing the diet to one rich in alkaline-forming foods, our bodies can rebalance in order to absorb nutrients and eliminate waste far more effectively.
Here in Bangkok there are many spas, hospitals and services that claim to assist people in improving their health, their looks or their lives. Alas sometimes the gap between what is promised and the results is rather large. But there was something about the place, the people and the principles of Rasayana that made sense to me, so I decided to follow one of their week-long rejuvenation packages. Although not as luxurious or romantic as a day at the spa, I believed I would find more lasting results than with other treatments I have tried.
The package consisted of a sparse, cleansing diet and three colonics, neither of which sounded particularly appealing. I am no fan of fasting, for one thing, and even the word colonic is a bit intimidating. But with their diet did not render me miserable and the hydrotherapy wasn’t nearly as bad as I feared.
Each day began with a ‘shake’ mixed of Bentonite clay, psyillium husks and fresh juice. At hour and a half intervals came either herbs, a raw food meal or more shakes. While I definitely had moments of hunger and a lower energy level during that week, it was nothing like a total fast and I was able to conduct my normal daily activities, well, normally.
Three times during the week I visited the retreat for my colon hydrotherapy treatments. I had never had a colonic before but the prospect sounded ominous and I went to my first session with an expected degree of trepidation. Sparing the details, I have to say that the results were worth the effort and the experience, while initially awkward, was not painful.
Following my rejuvenation and to this day I can honestly say that my digestion has improved dramatically. In addition, I have lost a noticeable amount of cellulite on my lower body and my energy has most definitely improved.
The results were obvious to some of my friends as well, several of whom gave Rasayana a try. Most have reported similar results. Despite the abstinence of ‘fun’ food and the strange sensation of a colonic, I am planning another rejuvenating week soon.
Rasayana Retreat can be found down a small lane near the Prommitre Hospital (between Sukhumvit Sois 39 and 49.) Their restaurant is open daily and does not require reservations. For further information on their rejuvenation packages contact them at:
Rasayana Retreat 57 Sukhumvit 39 Bangkok 10110. Or call: 026 624 803. You can check out their website as well at: www.rasayanaretreat.com.
Good story...
Sounds interesting, but I don't know about the colonics.