In the tranquil setting of Chiva-Som Hua Hin, Thailand’s renowned wellness sanctuary, Ms. Chanyapak Suwankantha spearheads a transformative approach to health and wellbeing. As Wellness Director, she combines Eastern philosophies with Western practices to offer guests personalised journeys towards physical, mental, and emotional balance. Join us as we delve into Chiva-Som’s holistic philosophy and Ms. Suwankantha’s insights on sustainable wellness and personal transformation.
Could you provide an overview of Chiva-Som and its philosophy towards wellness?
Chiva-Som translates as ‘Haven of Life’ in Thai which encapsulates our core philosophy very well.
A transformative journey towards optimal wellness lies at the heart of each Chiva-Som experience. Chiva-Som has at its core the desire to provide guests with the support, guidance, comfort and confidence to achieve optimal physical, mental and emotional wellbeing—to be the best they can be.
What sets Chiva-Som apart from other wellness retreats?
Chiva-Som’s unique blend of wellness approach, personalisation and hospitality sets us apart from other retreats. We believe in sustainable wellness, tailoring holistic programmes for each guest’s entire stay.
At Chiva-Som, we integrate Western practices and Eastern philosophies across our 16 comprehensive retreats. This holistic approach to health promotes a lifestyle transformation which focuses not only the mind but also the spirit and allows guests to re-establish balance—both physically and mentally—in their everyday life.
Our wellness professionals are the cornerstone of our success. They interact with guests on every aspect of their journey, from personalised treatments to creating a delightful dining experience. We value not only their expertise but also their genuine passion for wellness. This passion, combined with their knowledge and the essence of Thai hospitality, allows our staff to inspire and motivate guests on their path to wellbeing.
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Can you elaborate on the range of programmes and activities offered at Chiva-Som to promote holistic wellbeing?
We have 16 retreats such as the Art of Detox, Weight Management, Yoga for Life, Optimal Performance, Immune Resilience, Gut Health and Total Golf Enhancement to match your goal.
Each is founded upon six wellness modalities: spa, fitness, physiotherapy, holistic health, nutrition and aesthetic beauty, empowering every guest to fulfil their wellness goals. Our comprehensive retreats include accommodation, daily wellness cuisine, a wellness consultation upon arrival, a personalised treatment programme based on individual health goals, health condition and preference, unlimited access to daily group activities and common wellness facilities and many more to enjoy during stays.
We have wellness consultants, experts, trainers, therapists and practitioners to support and guide our guests; and over 200 treatments for you to choose from.
The Health and Wellness Centre is the heart of our offerings. It’s a multi-storey haven of serenity with dedicated treatment rooms, and a relaxation area with daybeds and wet facilities. The Hydrotherapy treatments feature flotation tubs, jet blitzes and a Watsu pool. The Bathing Pavilion has a large Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, plunge pool and Kneipp reflexology walk, as well as an indoor pool for aqua-aerobics. Guests can also enjoy the outdoor pool by the ocean.
The gymnasium is equipped with all the latest machines, with dedicated spaces for stretching, personal training, dance, reformer Pilates and yoga. Physiotherapy facilities include refunctional, Neurac® and Isokinetic studios.
Every day, there are up to nine group classes on offer, from low-impact yoga and corrective posture exercises to high-energy boot camp, HIIT and TRX. Many of these classes are held in our open-air salas dotted about the tranquil grounds.
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How does Chiva-Som tailor its programmes to accommodate different wellness goals and preferences of guests?
Chiva-Som’s personalised wellness journeys are built upon six modalities of wellness: Spa, Holistic Health, Fitness, Physiotherapy, Aesthetic Beauty and Nutrition. Each programme is tailored to individual needs and goals.
Upon arrival, each guest will meet our dedicated health and wellness consultant to discuss their goals, lifestyle, and health. This collaboration helps design a programme for your journey, recommending the most suitable treatments and activities from the hundreds of treatments and activities available.
To ensure each programme is highly personalised, we conduct comprehensive assessments of your health. These include physical analyses by our physiotherapists, fitness assessments and body composition measurements by our fitness team and blood tests. We also offer genetic tests and consultations with our Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Doctor. This thorough evaluation allows us to create a customised wellness plan that addresses your specific needs and preferences, ensuring an effective and enriching experience at Chiva-Som.
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Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the wellness industry. How does Chiva-Som integrate sustainable practices into its operations and offerings?
At Chiva-Som, we have always believed that the health of the individual is inextricably linked to the health of the planet. No one can be truly healthy in a toxic environment. That’s why we’re committed to conducting our daily operations responsibly, reducing waste and carbon footprint, and adhering to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. We are proud and honoured by these sustainable projects, which include mangrove conservation and regeneration, as well as community outreach activities to educate and support the less fortunate in our society.
Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do and applies to our wellness philosophy, which aims to inspire a sustainable lifestyle that has a lasting impact not only on your own long-term health but on nature as well. So, for us, wellness means contributing to lifestyle changes in families and communities, active recovery and better living, not just living longer.
Many guests seek transformative experiences during their stay at wellness retreats. How does Chiva-Som facilitate personal growth and transformation?
Our guests begin their transformative journey at Chiva-Som with a personal consultation with a Health & Wellness Advisor. This advisor guides each guest throughout their stay and beyond, customising a wellness retreat that aligns with their individual health needs, preferences, lifestyles, and goals.
Throughout their stay, guests are supported by our knowledgeable and caring staff, who embody Chiva-Som’s renowned hospitality. Our team is dedicated to ensuring that every aspect of the guest’s experience contributes to their personal growth and wellbeing.
To facilitate this transformation, we offer a range of holistic treatments, activities, and therapies designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional health. Guests can participate in various classes, from yoga and meditation to high-intensity training and aquatic exercises.
To help guests continue their wellness journey at home, we offer home programmes and cooking classes. These resources empower guests to integrate the healthy habits and practices they’ve learned at Chiva-Som into their daily lives, ensuring that their transformation continues long after their stay. Our cooking classes, in particular, teach guests how to prepare nutritious and delicious meals, supporting their ongoing commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
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Nutrition plays a crucial role in wellness. Could you talk about Chiva-Som’s approach to healthy eating and its culinary offerings?
Chiva-Som cuisine is an integral part of our offering. Using the fresh, seasonal produce we grow in our organic gardens, each meal is well-portioned, nutritious, and importantly, delicious to serve as both a foundation of health and a source of pleasure. Dietary plans are wide-ranging and personalised in consultation with the nutritionist and the dietary requirements should not be viewed as restrictive, but rather an opportunity to experiment, explore and innovate with food. Chiva-Som also practices ‘Functional Nutrition’, which takes into account every aspect of one’s health, diet, and overall lifestyle when giving nutrition recommendations.
Every morning, noon and evening, our accomplished chefs offer guests a blend of Thai and Western delicacies, tailored to all diets and allergy requirements. To ensure optimal health benefits, ingredients are used in their most natural form: organic, GMO-free, whole foods that offer superior nutritional quality. Herbs, fruits and vegetables are whenever possible sourced from our IFOAM-accredited organic gardens.
Mental wellbeing is as important as physical health. How does Chiva-Som address mental wellness through its programmes and services?
At Chiva-Som, we recognise that mental wellbeing is as crucial as physical health. In all our retreats, we incorporate mental and emotional treatments such as energy healing, sound healing, and acupuncture, ensuring a holistic approach to wellness. Our programmes are thoughtfully designed to support this vital aspect of human health through various activities and therapies.
We offer a range of classes and therapies that promote mental and emotional balance, including mindfulness meditation, yoga, and stress management talk classes. These activities are crafted to help guests achieve a state of inner peace and mental clarity.
To further enhance our services, we invite visiting consultants who are experts in the fields of mental and emotional wellness. These specialists provide additional depth to our offerings and offer guests more choices for their personal growth. Through personalised consultations and specialised treatments, our visiting consultants help guests navigate their mental and emotional wellbeing, adding a new dimension to their wellness journey at Chiva-Som.
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