This month, Fluidform founder, Kirsten King spent four days in the tropical luxury of Six Senses, on Malolo Island Fiji. Kirsten hosted 18 guests for Fluidform’s first international Pilates & Wellness Retreat–combining Pilates with Ayurvedic practises, relaxation, rejuvenating treatments and nourishing foods, sourced fresh from the island.
Kirsten shares a day in her 4-day retreat diary which follows a journey of daily beachside Pilates, hot and cold therapy, sound bowl healing, mediation, a bespoke menu of probiotic-rich, detoxifying ingredients and Ayurvedic wellness screenings.
DAY ONE
On the first day we arrived to a traditional Fijian welcome ceremony. We were blessed with the Fijian welcome song, a fresh payapa and lime juice and ginger tea.
Guests were treated to a Welcome Pack, curated with considered essentials for their 4-day wellness experience. The Welcome Pack included a limited edition Fluidform weekender bag and cap, skincare and sun protection from MECCA COSMETICA, silk sarong from Matteau, a SIR. beach towel, frank green personalised water bottle, Lui Body razor set and shaving cream, a dentil kit by Sage Space, and a wide-tooth comb from Komb.
We started with our first group Pilates workout at the main Fluidform House which focused on the Fluidform fundamentals – finding mobility and stability to wake up the muscles and joints, and relax the mind to move.
A DAY ON RETREAT
5:30am
Our morning started in the dark. We met at the bottom of Mount Uluisilo on Malolo Island before a 45 minute hike to the top to watch the sunrise.
7:30am
Post-hike workout and deep stretch, beachside. Followed by a dip in the ocean.
8:30am
A shot of “Rocket Fuel” and probiotic turmeric tonic to wake up the digestive system. Filled with gut-loving, detofying ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, lemon, garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper and honey.
9am
We refueled with a traditional breakfast of papaya with kefir soaked bircher. Everything we ate on retreat was inspired by Ayurvedic medicine – rich in pre and probiotics and filled with ingredients farmed and sourced fresh from the island.
10:30am
Hot and cold therapy which roughly included:
- 2-3 minutes in the ice bath.
- 15 minutes in a traditional coal sauna, with eucalyptus oil to open our airways.
2-3 minutes in the ice bath. - 15 minutes in the steam room, using a traditional sugar scrub to remove dead skin.
12:30pm
Sound Journey – gentle waves of sound, lulling your mind and body into a state of deep calmness. We listened to harmonising vibrations of specially selected sound instruments as they release tension and quiet the racing mind.
2:30pm
Body Balancing – a class that incorporates elements such as crystal placement, aura cleansing, singing bowl vibrations, breath work and gentle stretching.
4:30pm
Sunset Pilates – focusing on activating all the small twitch fibres around the glutes and obliques. This class focused on body alignment with the challenge of mixed equipment.
5:30pm
Meditation – the final moments of relaxation and silence for the day, guided by Six Senses on-site Ayurvedic doctor, Dr Aju.
7:30pm
A group dinner on the beach – inspiring thoughtful conversations, evoking tears, laughter and honest connections.
Thank you for coming along!
