Tag Archives: Chiva-Som

Surprising Benefits of Chocolate

Have a sweet tooth? Love chocolate too much? Below is a short article by Dr Tal Friedman, Head of Naturopathic and Research & Development Specialist at Chiva-Som Health and Wellness Resort. You may find the facts surprising!

Chocolate is arguably one of the most craved foods in the world, and for good reason. It delivers not only a variety of wonderful aromas, flavors, and textures, but it also delivers some astounding health benefits such as improved mood and focus and more.

Cocoa comes from roasted cacao seeds and is high in plant compounds which have been shown in studies a wide variety of health benefits.

Chocolate, through its polyphenol content, may be able to help enhance blood flow by enhancing nitric oxide signaling. The polyphenols act on an enzyme that works by increasing nitric oxide output within blood vessels. This helps to relax blood vessels thus allowing for better blood flow. This enhanced blood flow has even been shown to potentially enhance cognitive function by increasing blood flow and oxygenation within the brain.

In addition to cocoa’s beneficial effects on blood flow, Chocamine’s polyphenol content may also help promote healthy levels of cholesterol. By promoting healthy cholesterol levels, Chocamine may be able to further help promote overall cardiovascular function.

Cocoa also contains some minor compounds which have been found to act on neurological systems in our brains. Cacao stimulates the release of phenylethylamine (PEA) which boosts focus and awareness. It can also stimulate the release of anandamide which helps you feel good. Cacao is a source of tryptophan which is the precursor to serotonin.

If we look back to some of the first uses of cocoa, it was often combined and consumed with chili peppers and vanilla beans. Surely some of this is to make it even more delicious, but it is now also believed that they can boost the mood-enhancing effects of cocoa. Research has shown that the active compound in chili peppers and the active compound in vanilla both act on receptors in the brain increasing the effects of anandamide. Combining this with cocoa makes for an interesting and spicy cocoa beverage that may help you feel great.

But keep in mind that all these benefits are not true for all chocolate out there. Most chocolate is made by adding sugar, milk, and other ingredients to cocoa powder. Those ingredients can counteract a good amount cocoa’s health benefit. The reality is that good quality cocoa can be a supremely healthy delicious treat. But the high sugar, high calorie chocolate bars that contain it are just candy most of the time.

International health resort, Chiva-Som, launches online ‘Intensive Wellness Series’

Offering guests an in-depth, interactive journey into the resort’s featured services

Pioneering health and wellness resort, Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, has recently introduced its Online Intensive Wellness Series. The new service offers interactive sessions, designed to gradually enhance participants’ knowledge, strengthen abilities, and most importantly, promote maximum benefit for health and wellbeing. Each series includes a virtual health consultation with Chiva-Som’s expert wellness advisors, to ensure each course is suitably matched to individual wellness goals and needs. Chiva-Som kicks off the Online Intensive Wellness Series with a six-week Pilates program to restore physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing.

For the last 25 years, Chiva-Som has been a pioneer and leading voice in facilitating wellness lifestyle transformation through innovative health retreats and expert advice on evidence-based natural wellness practices. Whilst travel restrictions remain in place, the new Online Intensive Wellness Series will connect individuals with the resort’s wellness team to provide bespoke professional support from the comfort of home.

Stress is a detrimental contributing factor to society worldwide and can increase the risk of   long-term health issues such as heart attacks and diabetes, a weakened immune system and insomnia, to name a few. Designed by Chiva-Som’s expert team of wellness advisors and practitioners, the resort’s tailored six week Pilates Intensive Series enables participants to not only improve joint strength and posture, but also receive a full-body workout whilst alleviating stress and tension, contributing to a healthier mental and emotional state of mind.

Following an online consultation with Chiva-Som’s expert Health and Wellness advisors, participants are introduced to their personal fitness trainer to discuss physical abilities before receiving a bespoke programme. Each week, sessions will focus on a new topic, from Core Management and Axial Elongation; Healthy Spine; Head, Neck and Shoulder Organisation; Alignment and Weight Bearing Exercise; and Movement Integration. Following the session, participants are expected to continue their own practice throughout the week before moving on to the next session.

Expanding on the popular Chiva-Som Online Wellness Services, individuals can now access a wider collection of resort treatments to enhance and support their wellness goals, including Nutritional Consultation, Pilates on Mat, Corrective Posture Exercise and Pranayama. Starting from THB 2,500 (AU $110), participants will be able to speak directly to the experienced wellness team live from home via video link communication and receive personalised feedback regarding lifestyle and nutrition.

Within the Online Intensive Wellness Series, the Pilates series is priced at THB 9,500 (AU $420). 

For more information or to a book a programme, please contact Chiva-Som’s Health & Wellness Reception team Email: h-wreception@chivasom.com Phone: +66 (0) 3253 6791 Web: www.chivasom.com

Please visit Chiva-Som’s blogFacebookInstagram ,and YouTube channel for daily wellness and health inspiration. 

Chiva-Som offers three complimentary online wellness services this September

International health and wellness resort, Chiva-Som, based in Hua Hin, Thailand is offering three complimentary online wellness services for guests around the world this September. These sessions are sure to provide valuable insights and tips to get the best benefits from these wellness therapies.

Guests simply need to register and fill in their details for sessions they are interested in. Chiva-Som’s health and wellness team will then send across the link to the session for the date.

PERFORMANCE: FLOW YOGA

4th September – 3pm Indochina Time (6pm SYD, MELB, CANBERRA)

The movement of the flow yoga practice is for all levels to help strengthen and mobilise muscles, joints and release toxins.

CLICK TO REGISTER

WELLNESS TALK: WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR GUT HEALTH AND MOOD

16th September – 3pm Indochina Time (6pm SYD, MELB, CANBERRA)

This online webinar will give you knowledge in understanding potential underlying factors for mood and the vital synergistic relationship that gut health and mental health share. Here you’ll identify what contributes to poor gut health, how it affects your mood and how it can be improved with natural health interventions such as diet, herbal supplements and lifestyle interventions

CLICK TO REGISTER

PERFORMANCE: NEURODYNAMIC NERVE STRETCHING EXERCISE  

30th September – 3pm Indochina Time (6pm SYD, MELB, CANBERRA)

Neurodynamic stretching with the unique style and fluid movements of traditional Thai dancing, to create Neurodynamic Nerve Exercise. This session provides the benefits of Neurodynamic stretching, a series of postures and movements that enhance mobility and flexibility, with the benefits of Thai dancing, which has been shown through studies to improve nerve function, muscle power, and enhance blood circulation.  

This is a great class for those individuals who are interested in a simple, enjoyable, and innovative way of engaging in the ancient art of Thai dancing while gaining the benefits of enhanced flexibility, decreased pain, and improved muscle tension.  

CLICK TO REGISTER

Chiva-Som now delivering wellness cuisine

Reinforcing its philosophy of inspiring daily physical and mental wellness lifestyle, a pioneer in transformative wellness, Chiva-Som is introducing the brand new ‘Wellness Delivery by Chiva-Som’. This service is available for Hua Hin residents, in which they can have healthy food and wellness products delivered straight to their homes.

Encouraging staying at home and also promoting your health and immune system, Chiva-Som’s latest delivery service is underpinned in the belief that a nutritious diet is the foundation of long-term health.

Chef Dan Bark (sixth left), Chef Sinchai Srivipa (fifth right) and Chiva-Som chef team in 2019

This is a unique culinary collaboration between Chiva-Som’s chef team and Michelin Star Chef Dan Bark, from Upstairs Mikkeller, Bangkok. Together, they have combined the Chiva-Som’s philosophy of nutritionally-rich wellness cuisine to support gut healing and immune system enhancement with Chef Dan’s signature cooking techniques and distinctive presentation, without compromising on delicious flavor.

The wellness cuisine menu features over 30 items that range from salads and soups to main courses, desserts, and drinks. Each item on this menu contains a number of health benefits with amazing flavor while remaining low in calories.

Items on the menu include:

Wellness Delivery by Chiva-Som drinks

·         Salad, Soup and Main Course – Natural Collagen Beef or Chicken Bone Broth, Symbiotic Yam Bean with Green Mango Salad, Massaman Osso Buco Curry, Moroccan Spiced Chicken and Oven-Baked Ratatouille with Prawn

·         Vegetarian Menu – Tofu Lasagne, Ginger Lentil Dahl and Fried Quinoa and Gaba Rice with Egg Whites

·         Desserts – Riceberry Pudding, Flourless Chocolate Parfait and Creamy Cashew Nut served with Calamarised Apple topped with Crumble

·         Healthy Shots – Immune Aid enhancing immunity and blood cleansing, Minty Green promoting digestive aid and lymphatic cleansing and Vit C Booster supporting antioxidant and the digestive system

The Wellness Delivery by Chiva-Som is currently available in the Hua Hin area, ordering from 10.00 to 18.00 each day.

To place an order or to make an enquiry, please contact the official line @chivasomdelivery or call us on 032 536 536.

Chiva-Som launches complimentary onlline wellness services

A pioneer in transformative wellness practices, Chiva-Som in Hua Hin, Thailand, has announced the launch of Chiva-Som Online Wellness Services, to provide support and encourage individuals to maintain wellness goals during this unprecedented time. The Chiva-Som Online Wellness Services will be provided by wellness advisors, practitioners, and experts. The services include some of Chiva-Som’s most popular services including consultations, activities and physical training, all of which will be conducted one-on-one.

Chiva-Som has delivered its proven holistic wellness therapies to guests worldwide for over 25 years. In these challenging times, maintaining physical and mental wellbeing is much needed. The new tele-therapy service at Chiva-Som will connect individuals with the resort’s team to provide bespoke professional support during this time of heightened anxiety and social isolation. Participants will be able to speak directly to the experienced wellness team live from home via video communication and receive personalised feedback regarding lifestyle and nutrition.

Chiva-Som is also sharing a collection of on-demand, inspirational wellness content and hands-on tools across the resort’s digital channels to help everyone adapting to a new way of life within the limits of home. From healthy cuisine recipes and holistic wellbeing advice, to virtual exercise programmes and self-training tutorials, all curated by the resort’s world-class team of trainers and education facilitators, to keep the body and mind active and healthy whilst the resort is closed. Example features include tips on boosting the immune system and how to promote restful sleep; Pilates, yoga and meditation sessions; pranayama classes; and tutorials to teach to self-massage at home.  These are available on Chiva-Som’s blog www.chivasom.com/about-blog, Facebook chivasomresort, Instagram @chivasomresort and YouTube Chiva-Som International Health Resort channels.

“Now is a time for support, collaboration and encouragement. We are committed to our guests and community, in which we are striving to distribute our wellness resources to support people’s wellbeing without boundaries. We shall pass this together.” said Krip Rojanastien, Chairman and CEO of Chiva-Som.

The Complimentary Online Wellness Services are available daily from now to 31st May 2020. Please note that a reservation is required and should be booked at least 24 hours in advance. Individuals will receive a live health and wellness consultation, and a separate one-on-one consultation with a Naturopath, or a physiotherapy or exercise session with a practitioner. The selection of consultation, treatment and exercise session will be based on the advisor’s expert guidance.

For more information or to reserve a session, please email h-wreception@chivasom.com or visit our website www.chivasom.com/online-wellness-services or call telephone at +66 32 536 536.

Please visit Chiva-Som’s blogFacebookInstagram and YouTube channel for daily inspiration.