Healthy days at Hoogland
Article By: Gillian McLaren
Thu,
01 Dec 2011 7:16
Hoogland
Health Hydro has a blissfully beautiful setting - in a valley surrounded by
koppies laden with aloes - in indigenous bush. I felt energised just looking at
the place before I even began enjoy what it has to offer. The prospect of
walking in that terrain to explore the bush lifted my tired city spirits.
I
was not disappointed, and each morning and evening a staff member led willing
participants on a nature ramble. What a pleasure to get a little exercise by
enjoying the environment, not just by slogging away in a gym.
We
passed a huge Kiepersol, which is estimated to be over 200 years old; an
amphitheatre of rock decorated with towering mountain aloes, some six meters
high and dolomite rocks etched by time.
A
sensible cycle is also suggested - which can be repeated a few times daily -
exercise, massage then hydrotherapy, followed by relaxation. Besides the daily
walk, I also did stretch classes, aqua-aerobics, some stationary cycling in
their gym, and swam lengths in the lightly-heated indoor pool.
Each
day I had a different massage which were all so delectable that I would be
hard-pressed to choose a favourite: the aromatherapy massage, where they let me
choose my favourite scents, was softer and more relaxing; the lymph drainage
massage was hard and more stimulating than relaxing; while the vigorous Swedish
massage untensed my muscles. Every therapist who treated me was professional,
kind and skilled at her particular technique.
Besides
the hot pool for the hydrotherapy, there is a Turkish steam bath, sauna and
steam box. I chose the steam box over the others at each turn, as I prefer my
head out of the steam and the lever that allows you to control the heat makes
me feel less nervous of overheating! It feels so invigorating to get
extremely hot and sweat it out, then stroll to the cold pool outside and dive
in - enjoying not only feeling slightly high after the exercise and hot/cold
experience, but reveling in the glorious view.
Get
healthy doing nothing
Relaxation
is secretly many people’s favourite part of a stay at the hydro, I suspect.
Dotted around the property are deck chairs where I lay down and allowed my body
to manufacture vitamin D in the sunshine. Sometimes I rested in my room or on a
deck chair, which had a superb view of the grassy area in front of the hydro
and of the south-facing koppies.
My
bed was extremely comfortable and I liked the soft, white cotton linen. What a
heavenly feeling to simply relax and do nothing, except swig great volumes of
delicious spring water, which is available in small glass bottles in many
fridges in the building. Surely there is no better drink!
I
was pleasantly surprised to find that there is food available twenty-four hours
a day and tasty fare at that. Breakfasts comprise oats or maltabella porridge,
stewed fruits, yogurt and freshly baked bread. Chopped fresh fruit and salad
are available in a fridge all day long.
Lunches
included various fresh salads, many of them grown on the property, as well as a
chicken or fish dish and creative vegetable dishes. I particularly enjoyed the
banana bread and muffins. Supper included a soup like carrot or chunky
vegetable, with another delightful array of vegetarian concoctions. The food is
so good, they have been asked by guests to bring out a book.
One
of the highlights for me was meeting the Kruger family who own and run the
hydro. They are passionate about educating and helping their guests to achieve
what they want from their stay. Dr. Andre Kruger is an intense, caring man who
sees to the medical side of things and gives lectures in the evening.
While
I was there I met a man who has had a stroke and he had booked in for a month
of rehab. People come for a wide range of reasons; including to lose weight, to
deal with specific physical and mental health issues, and to relax and
luxuriate in the pools.
Should
guests wish to fast, Dr. Kruger oversees, supports and advises them on the
process. He is convinced that fasting adds years to one’s life, as bodies deal
with cancerous cells formidably when their systems do not have to focus on
digestion and elimination of toxins from all we imbibe.
I
departed reluctantly after my stay at Hoogland Health Hydro, sad to bid
farewell to the lovely ladies who had assisted me in the steam room or had
pedi- and manicured me, and to the members of the Kruger family who had all
been kind and informative.
Fasting
will become a way of life for me and I am implementing aspects of the cycle at
home. I feel well and de-stressed because of it, and am planning my next visit
to Hoogland, a mere hour from Joburg.
Visit www.hoogland.co.za or
call 084 555 7802 for more information.
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