LIVING FOOD
The Healing Village Spa at Four Seasons Resorts Bali at Jimbaran
explores the Balinese philosophy of Sekala (the seen or physical world) and Niskala (the unseen or energetic world). In Balinese belief, there are inseparable connections between those outer and inner worlds, body and soul. The thatched-roofed, oceanview spa focuses on healing the physical body in order to facilitate the exploration of the inner self.
I Gusti Ngurah Nyoman Sudarsana or Ajik Ngurah, renowned as the resort priest, leads one of its signature treatment, Blessings of Bali. A certified meditation teacher, his gift as a traditional healer also makes him adept at chakra rebalancing and energy clearing. The 150-minute treatment begins with a soothing yoga and breathing session, followed by a long-stroked Balinese massage and Ajik Ngurah’s energy balancing. It ends with a water purification ceremony to signify a renewed spirit.
He offers some tips to calm one’s mind during this turbulent time. “When you feel overwhelmed, sit down and take a deep breath. Allow the thoughts to run through your mind until it eventually dies down. Oftentimes, anxiety or panic is your mind’s way of saying that you have too much on your mind at the moment. All this panic and stress is coming from too many questions,” shares the priest.
Meditation is the best way to calm one’s mind. “Most people think that they can’t meditate because they keep on thinking about something else. This is the biggest mistake. When your mind has released everything it needs to, you will be able to sit in peace and quiet, because your mind had finished the rant. Don’t try to silence your mind. Just focus on your breathing and let your mind wander,” advises Ajik Ngurah. glow is tucked inside the lush resort of COMO Shambhala Estate in Payangan. Although COMO Shambhala Cuisine is available throughout COMO Hotels and Resorts worldwide, glow offers one of the most extensive menus, showcasing the virtue of nutritionallycalibrated dishes in an idyllic setting. “Our cuisine has been developed in the belief that healthy cuisine can and should be both delicious and nutritious. The cuisine focuses on a perfect mix of raw and cooked ingredients with very specific nutritional purposes and flavours. This results in dishes that help to boost concentration and energy, balance blood-sugar levels and satisfy cravings,” says Amanda Gale, culinary director of COMO Hotels and Resorts.
The estate is well-known for its holistic retreat experience. Bespoke wellness programmes are offered to those who wish to make a lasting change in their lives with the help of resident experts, from dietician to pilates teacher. The healing verdure of the resort creates an idyllic environment to recalibrate and balance oneself. As the early adopter of the living food movement, COMO Shambhala Cuisine has expanded and adapted, following ever changing food trends and health and wellness beliefs.
“We have been fortunate to have the benefit of working with various highly regarded health and wellness consultants to guide us down the right path and to make correct decisions about what is truly beneficial to health and well-being. We don’t offer as much ‘raw cuisine’ as we used to and we do a lot more in-house natural fermentation as opposed to pickling. Fewer dairy products are used than before. Now, the menus are more balanced, cleaner, with a balanced proportion of vegetable, grain, pulse, and protein ratios,” adds Gale.
Her tips to eat well? “Start by shopping well. Try to buy as much chemical-free produce as possible. Consume a mainly plant-based diet and choose good-quality proteins when you do consume them. Eat more legumes as opposed to grains, limit dairy and refined sugar intake and avoid processed foods,” advises Gale.