Seeking Serenity
Mind these tips for the best ways to unwind in some of O‘ahu’s most lovely retreats.
Born and raised in South Africa, Kamala Skipper moved to O‘ahu for a bodyboarding sponsorship when she was 16 years old. As a professional athlete, her performance relied heavily upon her health. This meant keeping physically fit, but also involved trying to solve her chronic migraines and fluctuating weight. “Yo-yo diets” and medicine to help with her migraines didn’t work, especially after she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and placed on thyroid medication. Her symptoms worsened after she moved home and became a lawyer for a human rights organization.
But when she returned to O‘ahu in her late 20s to marry her long-time boyfriend, she chose not to study for the Hawai‘i bar exam. Instead, she focused on her health issues with a functional medicine doctor. Meditation, yoga, and a gluten-free diet became her medicine. Within a three-month period, her decade-long health problems disappeared. This revelation in mindful living inspired her to become a certified yoga instructor and integrative medicine coach. Now, she is SpaHalekulani’s Living-Well Program lifestyle coach. Because of her own experience, Skipper believes each person can pave their way toward a healthier and better self. Here are five “living well” essentials that she recommends:
Be Mindful
“Before you start your day, sit still for a moment, listen to your breath, and think of one or two words that you’d like to feel for the day. One of my favorite meditations is one that sets the intention of love and kindness. I’ve found that if you set out your day with an intention, it’s a lot easier to create space for that intention to grow and possibly carry on to the next day.”
Get Grounded
“I’m a huge fan of being surrounded by nature. Just feeling the earth below our feet can be so powerful. While here in Hawai‘i, I recommend going to the beach and feeling the sand between your toes. … Wherever you are, I suggest going to where there’s nature, and you’ll instantly feel better.”
Unplug
“Whether you’re on vacation or not, I highly recommend a digital detox. If you’re living online, then you’re not truly living in the present moment. Too much screen time just means less time experiencing the world around you.”
Five More Minutes
“If you want to change any habits, whether it’s your diet or exercise, I found that giving yourself a little bit of time throughout the day to do those things can make a huge difference. If you give yourself an extra five minutes of sleep, five minutes to make a salad, or five more minutes of walking, it can really add up.”
The Right to Pamper
“If I could, I would spend an entire day at SpaHalekulani. It’s absolutely amazing. There’s everything from massages and facials to hair and nail care. And all the products that they use are environmentally friendly, locally sourced, and non-toxic. It’s extremely rare to find a spa that has all of those components. Plus, I think everyone deserves a day of indulgence, especially on vacation.”
Since January 2015, SpaHalekulani’s Living-Well Program has presented an ongoing series of wellness initiatives that provide guests with health-conscious opportunities that expand beyond hotel stays. For more information, visit halekulani.com/living-well-lecture-series.
Seeking Serenity
Mind these tips for the best ways to unwind in some of O‘ahu’s most lovely retreats.
Born and raised in South Africa, Kamala Skipper moved to O‘ahu for a bodyboarding sponsorship when she was 16 years old. As a professional athlete, her performance relied heavily upon her health. This meant keeping physically fit, but also involved trying to solve her chronic migraines and fluctuating weight. “Yo-yo diets” and medicine to help with her migraines didn’t work, especially after she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome and placed on thyroid medication. Her symptoms worsened after she moved home and became a lawyer for a human rights organization.
But when she returned to O‘ahu in her late 20s to marry her long-time boyfriend, she chose not to study for the Hawai‘i bar exam. Instead, she focused on her health issues with a functional medicine doctor. Meditation, yoga, and a gluten-free diet became her medicine. Within a three-month period, her decade-long health problems disappeared. This revelation in mindful living inspired her to become a certified yoga instructor and integrative medicine coach. Now, she is SpaHalekulani’s Living-Well Program lifestyle coach. Because of her own experience, Skipper believes each person can pave their way toward a healthier and better self. Here are five “living well” essentials that she recommends:
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