Our Insider Interview sequence sees us communicate to one of many group at one of many many wellness retreats we ship our purchasers to. Ben Karoonkornsakul is the Founding father of Absolute Sanctuary in Thailand, specialising in integrative wellness and holistic transformations. With a number of years of spa and wellness expertise, Ben is captivated with selling a wholesome, balanced and match way of life. She has a powerful background, having labored in finance and pivoting her profession to swimsuit her true passions in wellness. Obsessed with health and therapeutic, Ben actively contributes to remodeling the minds and our bodies of friends at this luxurious wellness retreat in Koh Samui.
Are you able to inform us a bit about your self and what impressed you to create Absolute Sanctuary?
I’m Benjaporn Karoonkornsakul, however most individuals name me Ben. I’m the founding father of the Absolute Group – comprising Absolute Boutique Health Studios, Absolute Pilates, Absolute Cycle, Absolute Match Meals, Absolute Sanctuary and Absolute Wellness Administration Advisory. My journey started on the planet of finance, I labored for a number of years as an funding banker throughout Asia-Pacific. However my true ardour has all the time been wellness, and that ultimately led me to pivot my profession completely.
In 2002, I opened Absolute Yoga; the primary sizzling yoga studio in Thailand, as a result of I noticed how deeply this follow may remodel each the physique and the thoughts, particularly for ladies. Through the years, I pioneered just a few motion modalities in Asia, like group Pilates Reformer and rhythm biking, all the time with the aim of making areas that uplift, strengthen, and empower individuals.
In 2008, I opened Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui as a result of I needed to transcend health. I envisioned a real sanctuary the place individuals couldn’t solely work on their our bodies but additionally heal, detox, reset, and reconnect with themselves in a deeper manner. On the time, there was no actual integrative wellness retreat in Thailand that mixed health, therapeutic wellness applications, therapeutic delicacies, and spa therapies underneath one roof. So, I made a decision to create it.
Absolute Sanctuary was born out of that need to supply extra; to supply a protected, stunning, and professionally guided area for individuals to remodel holistically. Through the years, it’s developed right into a world-class vacation spot, however at its coronary heart, it’s all the time stayed true to its mission: to assist individuals grow to be stronger, more healthy, and extra balanced variations of themselves.
What does a typical day appear like for you at Absolute Sanctuary?
A typical day begins with a Dawn Meditation class within the solar shala adopted by a Pilates reformer class then a lightweight wholesome breakfast at The Love Kitchen. After freshening up, I might head off to my first therapy of the day earlier than lunch. The afternoon can be spent lounging on the pool, having extra therapies, stress-free by the salt sanctuary or natural steam room adopted by a night restorative yoga. The day ends after dinner with a soul nourishing candlelight meditation, yoga Nidra or sound bathtub.
How do you personally keep match and wholesome?
I consider in all the things there must be a steadiness. I train every day, becoming a member of both a Pilates reformer or rhythm biking class, eat healthily wherever I can and ensure I take day out for myself to recharge, however I additionally do bask in a glass of wine or two and a hearty meal often.
Vitamin performs an enormous function in well-being. What’s your strategy to wholesome consuming?
As above I consider there must be steadiness and moderation in all the things. I don’t consider in diets and have by no means launched into one. I get pleasure from my meals and ensure they’re of a top quality, with good vitamins and retaining the portions small.
What’s one well being or wellness tip you all the time share along with your friends?
Be snug in your individual pores and skin. Whenever you personal who you’re and your price, you’ll be your strongest mentally and bodily.
Absolute Sanctuary is understood for its transformative wellness applications. Which of them are hottest?
Through the years, we’ve constructed a robust status for providing some of the efficient and complete detox retreat applications within the area — it stays a perennial favorite amongst our friends. Our longer-stay way of life change applications, starting from 30 to 60 days, are additionally extremely wanted by these seeking to reset their well being and undertake sustainable habits. As well as, our Anti-Stress & Burnout and Weight Administration applications proceed to draw friends searching for tailor-made, results-driven assist. Extra not too long ago, our Pilates Reformer Bootcamp program has seen a surge in reputation, as we’re one of many few wellness retreats within the area to supply a structured, intensive Reformer retreat program inside a retreat setting.
Have you ever seen any inspiring visitor transformations at Absolute Sanctuary?
We witness inspiring transformations on a regular basis. Each visitor arrives with a private aim — whether or not it’s to enhance their well being, discover emotional steadiness, or just reconnect with themselves. What’s highly effective is their dedication to alter and their intention to go away higher than after they arrived. Whether or not it’s weight reduction, emotional launch, or a renewed sense of readability, every transformation is significant in its personal manner — nobody expertise is bigger than one other.
What wellness tendencies are you most enthusiastic about proper now?
One wellness development I’m really enthusiastic about proper now could be the combination of social wellness—areas and experiences that mix group, health, and holistic well being. Persons are now not simply in search of exercise or a detox—they’re craving connection, assist, and way of life transformation in a single place. That’s why ideas like social wellness golf equipment or way of life hubs are gaining momentum, and I consider it’s the pure evolution of the wellness business. It aligns so properly with our Absolute philosophy: creating wellness experiences that empower individuals bodily, emotionally, and socially—all in steadiness.
If somebody is new to wellness retreats, what recommendation would you give them?
Include an open thoughts and be open to making an attempt totally different therapies/therapies. Be ready to confront your hidden feelings as they may come up at one level of time or one other. Most significantly, get pleasure from and rejoice being with your self in the course of the retreat.
Lastly, what’s your private mantra or philosophy relating to well being and well-being?
“Actual transformation occurs after we discover power in softness and success in steadiness”.
Discuss to certainly one of our Wellness Journey Specialists on 0203 397 8891 or contact us right here to debate reserving a wellness vacation at Absolute Sanctuary.