Lyndall Mitchell is an accredited coach, speaker, author and consultant with over 20 years’ experience and expertise in the business and healthcare sectors. She is the Founder of the award-winning Aurora Spa Group and is a sought after commentator on business and wellness, recently featuring in the Australian Financial Review, the Today Show and the Sydney Morning Herald. Her Masterclass of Wellness, developed in 2015 with fellow coach Shannah Kennedy has toured Australia and given the opportunity for hundreds of executives to learn about wellness, mindfulness and stress reduction. Through her spas, coaching and speaking, Lyndall helps clients achieve their biggest, best and happiest lives.
Unplug from the daily grind and find the perfect escape for your much-needed R & R with these 5 wellness retreats around the world. Experience the benefits of a healing holiday whilst you surround yourself with beautiful mountains, stunning green landscapes or sandy beaches, and indulge in a variety of spa treatments and holistic activities. From a COMO Shambhala Estate in Bali to an eco-luxe hotel hidden in the lush green woodlands of southern France, these wellness retreats are guaranteed to rejuvenate and revivify your mind and body.
Aptly situated 20 minutes away from the sacred Campuhan river in Ubud, Bali, COMO Shambhala Estate is a holistic sanctuary for well-being and transformation. This award-winning luxury is surrounded by lush tropical jungle, fantastic scenery, and River Ayung. It boasts luxury accommodation alongside a variety of wellness offerings such as holistic healing, spa, detox, and yoga. They also offer transformational programmes designed to address specific issues in your life be it rejuvenation, detox, or fitness. Leave with a new sense of self, armed with the skills and knowledge to continue your wellness journey long after your stay.
When it comes to all-inclusive wellness holidays, there’s nothing quite like Absolute Sanctuary. Located on the North-Eastern side of Koh Samui, also known as the island of healing, this wellness escape is the personification of health and restoration. Choose from a wide array of programs that offer different solutions including detox, weight and stress management, fitness, lifestyle change and more. For keen yogis or Pilates fans, this is the place for you. It caters to beginner and experts alike, boasting three fully-equipped yoga studios and a dedicated Pilates reformer studio. Absolute is a blend of luxury, relaxation, and health-giving activities perfect for the discerning wellness traveller.
Located on the foot of Mount Malarayat, secluded in the jungle, The Farm at San Benito is a slice of tropical heaven on earth. Indulge in a boutique spa holiday with daily yoga sessions and a whole gamut of treatments at the award-winning spa. Treat your taste buds and refuel with a nourishing vegan menu to complement your pursuit of overall health and wellness. The atmosphere is also eco-friendly where a lifestyle of sustainability is well observed and adapted in every aspect, sourcing products locally, minimising waste, and even enforcing strict diving etiquette to protect the nearby marine ecosystem.
Bathe in the crisp woodland air of southern France at Lily of the Valley where your well-being is at the front and center. The retreat espouses an approach of overall wellness, achieved through a combination of holistic spa treatments, clean eating, and the ambiance of an exceptionally beautiful natural environment. Take your oms outdoors as you practice yoga and meditation facing the Mediterranean coastline. Eat healthy bespoke meals, go on mountain hiking, and sleep well in your room with the backdrop of Gigaro hills. This secluded wellness haven will let you feel closer to nature whilst still enjoying the comforts of a luxurious wellness break.
Taking wellness to another level, SHA is a five-star medical spa destination that encompasses the best of Eastern and Western philosophies to promote optimal health. Set near the beach in L'Alfas del Pi, SHA is inherently blessed with a stunning vista conducive for any wellness pursuits you may have. A range of physical activities, lectures, cooking classes and spa therapies are on offer depending on your chosen program. SHA is also the world's first macrobiotic wellness resort, featuring a healthy cuisine designed to bring balance to your life. Outside the retreat, explore the nearby town of El Albir, which has a wide variety of shops, restaurants and cafes to explore.
SHA Wellness Clinic is an award-winning luxurious destination, ideal for anyone looking to cleanse their body & mind in gorgeous surroundings and in the hands of the best detox specialists in Europe. Their approach is based on a macrobiotic inspired cuisine, western philosophies and high-end eastern technology. During my four days at SHA, I’ve witnessed the life-changing power of these three elements combined, and how they can contribute to improve health. During my stay I met a variety of guests, some were simply looking to kick-start a balanced lifestyle while detoxifying the body, others were suffering from serious illnesses in search of healing therapies, and some with high weight-loss goals. With different lengths of stay, we all felt our intentions had been achieved and returned home feeling healthier.
No wonder the mantra here is “Give us your body for a week and we’ll give you back your mind.” Working on our bodies whilst being kind to ourselves is an amazing way to relax the mind and bring clarity into our lives. It allows us to access our full potential and discard anything that keeps us from living life in full. This is precisely what BodyHoliday has in mind for its guests; the attention to detail, the thoughtfulness of the service and the in-house expertise make BodyHoliday not only a very special place in paradise, but also a great option for anyone looking for an all-inclusive wellness holiday to re-connect with nature, have fun and get the mind and body back on track. It’s one of the most popular wellness destinations in the world for solo travellers, but it’s equally exceptional for couples, friends and adult families. I can speak from personal experience when I say it’s exceptional for honeymooners, like my newlywed husband and I!
It is a common misconception that yoga is not fast-paced enough to rid you of those extra pounds. However, you don’t have to look very far to find numerous testimonies of passionate yogis who swear by yoga, declaring it an extremely effective weight-loss technique. So, although to an outsider, yoga may appear to be just a series of light stretches and deep breaths, rendering it too low intensity to be an effective way to lose weight; for those of you who have already practiced yoga, you know that this is a severe misconception.
Revitalise your mind and body with our blissful detox retreats in Asia. It is often overlooked just how many toxins our bodies are exposed to in the modern world. Not only are nasty impurities hiding in the food we eat, but they can also be found in the air we breathe and the products we use daily. From boosting your energy and curbing food cravings, to managing stress and promoting skin heath, there are a whole host of benefits for you to discover on our luxurious detox holidays. Enjoy everything from Ayurvedic massages in India to organic, detoxifying facials in Malaysia which will have you going home feeling refreshed and re-energised.
Tell us about the resort – what makes Kamalaya so special?
Having heard so many glowing reviews about Kamalaya, I was very excited to experience it myself and understand what makes it such a special place with such a high rate of repeat guests. From the beautiful location to the nurturing spa treatments and nourishing food, it’s impossible to visit Kamalaya and not feel instantly better in yourself.
With new wellness products, yoga studios and health retreats launching on the daily, the wellness world is booming like never before. A simple scroll on Instagram will have you bombarded with turmeric lattes, fitness junkies and intricate yoga poses fuelling the wellness revolution and encouraging you to jump on the bandwagon. The notion of wellness includes a wide array of different aspects with everything from eating healthily and practicing yoga to meditation and exercising.
At Health and Fitness Travel, we embrace the wonderful world of wellness and strongly believe that our healthy holidays reflect this ethos. We advocate that the holistic approach to life is not a diet, but rather, a lifestyle and are so pleased to see that it has caught the attention of so many celebrities. From actresses such as Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston, to rappers like Drake and Iggy Azalea, the wellness trend is flourishing and here to stay. So, keep on scrolling to discover the 8 most influential celebrities who are steering the wellness revolution.
Drake
Not only is Drake committed to the gym and big on mental health but the ‘Hotline Bling’ singer has also just invested in MatchaBar. Matcha is green tea that has been finely grounded and powdered. This magical powder gives a natural energy boost which is comparable to that of caffeine. Drake’s MatchaBar takes this nutritional powder and turns it into an energy drink to give you an all-natural energy boost that might just convince you swap to out the morning coffee. Further to his superfood endeavours, Drake also revealed back in March that he’s ditched meat and even suggested he’s vegan, captioning an Instagram post with; ‘if two vegans are angry at each other…is it beef?’. We’re proud of Drake for joining in the wellness revolution and using his platform to truly “Take Care” of himself and others.
Jennifer Aniston
People often view celebrity diets as overly restrictive and far too extreme for anyone in the real world to even consider taking on board. But this is not the case with Jennifer Aniston who ever since her role as Rachel Green on Friends has been hailed for her amazing figure. So, what’s her secret? Well, Aniston’s diet is surprising accessible and involves the kind of habits that anyone could adopt. Following a wholesome diet, she keeps her sugar low and cuts out processed food to keep her insides sparkling. More importantly, she is a long-term yogi devotee and claims her yoga sessions with celebrity trainer and friend Mandy Ingber are the reason for her healthy mind, body and soul!
Zayn Malik
The ex-one direction singer has openly expressed the importance of men to open up about their mental health. He is a long-term sufferer of anxiety which got the better of him in 2016 when he had to pull out of Capital’s Summertime Ball due to nerves. His brave move has provided a beacon of light for many anxiety sufferers who can identify with Zayn and his struggles. The recent #ITSOKAYTOTALK campaign has prompted awareness of the sad reality that we have a male mental health crisis on our hands with the single biggest killer of men under 45 being suicide. Many celebrities including Ricky Gervais, Matthew Lewis and Harley Bonner are taking part in the campaign to give men the confidence to talk about their mental wellness.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson is incredibly passionate when it comes to inspiring others to lead happy and healthy lifestyles. In 2013 she started her own line of athletic wear called Fabletics and it has well and truly taken off! With her stunning workout sets and amazing Instagrams of her cardio and Pilates routines, it’s no surprise that Kate has inspired both men and women to take their fitness more seriously. She’s also been known to emphasise the importance of a skin workout too, stating that she loves a facial massage and toner to keep her skin looking fresh and rejuvenated.
Russell Brand
With Russell Brands’ loud personality and flamboyant wardrobe, it’s hard to imagine him in a moment of serious quietness. After years of struggling with drug addictions he realised in a rehab facility that in order to recover, he needed to dig deeper within and confront the side of himself that he’d been trying so hard to cover up. With the help of meditation and finding a deeper connection with his spirituality, he was able to make peace with his past. The stand-up comedian, actor and now author of ‘Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions’, is keen to help others through their addiction struggles by sharing his story and promoting the David Lynch Foundation which provides transcendental meditation classes to people in at-risk communities.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz is a strong advocate for the natural process of aging, stating that beauty is not just about your face, or your lack of grey hairs, but rather, it is about how you take care of your whole body. Her thoughts are particularly clearly expressed in her two books, ‘The Body Book’ and ‘The Longevity Book’ which when combined, offer a wellness bible for not only how to look well but also how to feel well. Diaz aims to encourage us to see our bodies and beauty in a more holistic light stating that sleep for example, should be seen less as a by-product of being awake, and more as a necessary body-healing process. Her wholesome and all-loving approach to aging is truly refreshing, especially in today’s society where women are constantly pressured to keep themselves looking young. So, keep doing what you’re doing, Cameron!
Maria Sharapova
International tennis champion, Maria Sharapova’s job has had her spending hours in the sunshine since she moved to Florida at the age of 7 to pursue her tennis career. During this time, her mother would always stress the importance of wearing sun cream, encouraging her to apply it daily to keep her protected from the sun. Naturally, Sharapova has grown up with a great awareness about the effects of the sun on our skin, and rightly so. Skin cancer is one of the most preventable cancers out there and in 2016, Cancer Research revealed that there are around 2400 melanoma skin cancer deaths in the UK every year. This equates to more than 6 every day! It is statistics like this which inspired Sharapova to become the co-owner of the sun-cream brand Supergoop to encourage others to take her mother’s advice and let everyone know that no matter how old or young you are, the time to start wearing sun cream is now!
Beyoncé
Back in January it was confirmed that Beyoncé would be headlining the much-anticipated Coachella festival this year. In preparation for the big event the ‘Single Ladies’ star went vegan, announcing the news on Instagram. The diet she followed was formulated by the 22 Days Nutrition meal planner, a programme which she co-founded with her husband, Jay Z and celebrity trainer Marco Borges. She revealed that the aim of the programme is to challenge both themselves and the general public to move towards a more plant-based lifestyle to benefit not only our own health, but also the health of the planet. With environmental awareness growing and the love for animals spreading, veganism has been hailed the single biggest way to reduce our environmental impact on the planet. Beyoncé’s new-found love for compassionate eating therefore could not have come at a better time and we wish her every success in her healthy endeavours.
Talk to one of our Travel Specialists on or contact us here to discuss tailor-making your perfect healthy holiday.
The world is your oyster with our top 5 life-changing bucket list travel experiences. These exceptional holidays take a classic experience abroad and turn it into something bigger and better. With a range of fun-filled activities and rejuvenating spa treatments these fantastic adventurous destinations have something for everyone. Step out of your comfort-zone and explore nature, challenging yourself physically and mentally, and engage with exciting and unique environments. From a ‘spa-fari’ in African to treepod dining in Thailand get ready to extend that ever-growing bucket list as we give you the run-down on the most life-changing travel experiences.
Tell us about the resort – what makes Aphrodite Hills so special?
Aphrodite Hills Golf and Spa Resort is a luxury 5-star resort nestled in the hills above Paphos and overlooking the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Aphrodite Hills also proudly boasts the best golf course in Cyprus, making it the perfect destination for a golf break.
What seems to be ages ago, I decided to venture out into the world of wellprenuership—a trend in business I know I’d be well suited for. And yes, indeed I am. Combining my knowledge about health and wellness to my passion for travel is nothing short of ideal. People often think it must be nice, being your own boss, talking about dreamy holiday destinations and getting to experience these destinations first hand. I cannot lie, it is nice, but it isn’t easy either.
