“I just wanted to say that the week I spent with you all has really changed my life. Which sounds like a cliche and something I never thought would come out of my mouth but it’s true. I feel different, happier and calmer. I feel a bit more like myself...”
“What can I really say other than thank you so much for an incredible three weeks. I have been so incredibly well taken care of, nurtured in fact, and I feel blessed to have met you both and at the perfect time too.”
eastern philosophy is in the culture
Health is everything. No matter who you are or where you come from, our purpose is your total health - physical, mental and spiritual - and the process of discovering and experiencing it fully, whatever that means to you, and that’s precisely what you’ll understand. We use Ayurveda, herbalism, Orthomolecular Medicine, meditation, prayer, dialogue, good research and a lot of natural and metaphysical science.
“... but the most awesome thing about Olive is you two and the fact you’re intelligent and compassionate beings that live and breathe everything you believe in and teach.”
Thailand is the perfect climate for a thorough and enjoyable health retreat/detox break, and we have designed our venue in order to ensure we are as close to nature as possible. We live 100% outdoors year round, with no solid walls (except the toilets) next to the the royal nature reserve. We sleep outdoors, in Prana-Pods, which are covered by mosquito screens. If you opt for the Thai Hut accommodation you will still have all your meals and classes outdoors in our Shala. We have two floors, and during the hot day we use the lower floor which allows the breeze from the sea to cool us. Mornings and evenings we enjoy on the upper floor, under the sky. Our groups are small, meaning we dedicate our full attention to your body’s healing and your mind’s well being.
It’s real. It’s exciting. It’s easy.
Pick your choice of a Prana-Pod for the 100% outdoor experience, or if you are not quite ready for the full-on natural experience sleep in a Thai Hut for a 75% outdoor experience.
The more we can be outdoors the better the detox. That includes eating, sleeping, exercise, and just plain living. We are as organic and chemical free as possible. We have done our research with respect to what is healthy and sustainable, as opposed to what is in fashion as healthy, and offer a natural, incredibly well designed and efficient place and stay that will provide a sense of health for the long term, no matter where you return to. It’s the real thing, not packaging. It’s the best detoxing and most healthy environment to cater to the body, the mind, and the soul enjoys it notably as well. Back home we support you with what ever you need form us.
Our place is located in the lovely and safe beach-side village of Khao Tao, adjacent to the Queen’s nature preserve, and about 12 ks south of Hua Hin. Here is where we re-orient our thoughts and feelings to combine the best of all worlds - nature, village life, beaches, mountains and forests to enhance the body-mind detox, have loads of fun and learn a ton.
“Spectacular nature and the BEACHES! OMG...How can this place be so unknown?”
“Feeling so alive and full of love, thanks my friends.”
“Thank you so much for everything that you have done. Your love, knowledge and wisdom is in abundance.”
From Pavarotti, our free roaming peacock
get inspired
In Khao Tao we find an opportunity to change and heal that doesn't involve pretending, pushing ourselves, or faking it until we hope we make it. The village with its authentic old Thai and Buddhist culture is “re-orienting”, freeing us from the old dramas we are used to. Its well kept beaches, temples and Nature Preserve offer a worldview unaffected by a view of life we once saw as perfect, or the way things are, or what’s normal or ultimately “should be” in life - a perfect start for a mind detox.
Our garden is a herbal pharmacy with Neem trees and medicinal herbs. Our goal is that every tropical drop of air, nutrition and herb will be as clean as we possibly can provide it. This matters in a world where humans have created over 120.000 toxic substances, and your body detox will speak for its self. You (and others) will notice it in your eyes, your skin your movements and your mood back home.
“Thank you for the most amazing time this week. It has been wonderful, revelatory and just the most perfect end to 205 days of travelling. It has also been the best camping experience ever! Stars, comfy sleeps and cold showers next to the jungle!! All amazing. ”
In the process of creating the ultimate detox for you, we have reduced the distance between us and nature, while becoming less dependent on stuff, asking ourselves in the process - what do we really need? Really? If you’ve read this far you will sooner or later ask that question too, and the more you get rid of the more you’ll respect your nature (body). If you are not quite ready for a 100% outdoor experience, don’t worry, we have Thai huts too.
“Khao Tao is incredible! I love this place.”
“Thanks for an endless adventure and your unconditional kindness, love and support. Hanging in the shala, testing healthy spice-coffee recipes and coming up with monkey strategies will be sorely missed. Lots of love! Enjoy the stars for me ✨✨✨”
“So close to Bangkok and yet so clean and un touched...”
meditation is in the culture!
Meditation boosts our immune system, raises our energy levels, alleviates or eliminates anxiety and depression, raises our sense of self esteem, helps us make decisions, lowers inflammation, brings awareness, peace and tranquility, rejuvenates, boosts creativity – and more! At a our jungle paradise we review various historic forms of meditations and awareness practices and then quickly jump to more a modern, creative practice to get the most of our connection with the universe.
“The concept of Karmentum did it for me. So cool and such Einsteinish perspective on the whole universe in us. How can I thank you enough?”
We don’t force anything, especially our minds. We allow them to roam into the history of our existence and naturally settle into a peace and acceptance the universe has uniquely given each of us, and which is incredibly enjoyable to discover. Join us and learn about how creative meditation can help improve your life in so many ways. Free gifts from a regular practice include more energy, enhanced creativity, better analytical skills, more gratitude, heightened awareness, serenity and liberation.
“I get it now, it wasn’t wrong with me. I just did it wrongly. I’ll definitely continue now, it feels so good.”
“The meditation journeys blew me away”
food & herbs to heal body, mind and soul
The health assessment helps us know how to cook for you and which herbs and spices to use. Food is actually components to building organs and our body. It’s important but also the way we cook and eat it. We serve a delicious, easy, Thai-inspired, nutrient-packed, all vegan diet as nature produced it (non refined) without sugar, gluten, yeast for the best detox effect. We source locally and as much from framers directly as possible. But why only plants? Because all the data proves that it's the best and healthiest way to eat and detox and when you do it with Feel f’ Real you also understand the mind and soul part. The body is never separate from them. You won't be hungry, tired or sluggish. On the contrary, we teach you to read your own nature, your body, to restore and maximize your health so you will always feel satisfied. You will be delighted by our colorful and tasty food. We promise, read what the media said.
“I’ve been diagnosed with IBS, SIBO, GERD and a few more letters and tried a trillion dietes and restrictions so of course I was a bit skeptical at first... best I have ever felt... my girlfriend can’t believe the quick change in only a week. ”
Once upon a time we hosted a food critic for The Independent who specializes in French food and wine. She said that her week with us was “the best food week of my life.” In another case, the most successful restaurateur in Ireland said, and still says, our food is “the best I’ve ever had, like.”
“So beautiful and unusual. So easy to forget what I thought would never leave me.”
“Now suddenly it all makes so much more sense. For the first time in a long time I feel I can do things I always dreamed of.”
sleep perfection and bikes to get around
Sleep is detoxing, more so when the air is fresh, and the lullaby of the jungle cicadas, ocean waves and village life is uninterrupted. Sleeping outdoors is taking us back to our origin and Thailand is the prefect climate for it.
We have created totally unique Prana Pods for the ultimate sleeping experience at the Oshram. You won't miss a breath, a sound, a subtlety, even a storm if that’s what you are up for. Nothing stands between you and nature but a few millimeters of sturdy mosquito screen. The inner sleeping unit slides out for amazing moon and star gazing on the many strikingly clear nights, and on those occasions when it rains, slides back in. The functionality of the unit also allows greater floor space for naps, yoga, meditating, reading, hanging out, or just surfing the web.
If you still want walls and more privacy we recommend a Thai Hut at the next door venue, see the gallery below. You’ll have a salt pool to enjoy and you get a bike to move around, we pick you up, or you walk the 15 minutes around the mountain to the Shala.
“Cristina and Ray is an amazing combo. I don’t think there is anything they haven’t thought of. ”
“I can’t believe I slept the whole night. I haven’t done that in 2 years. ”
yoga & pranayamas every morning
Yoga (see it as stretching if you'd like) enhances the detox process in a natural, healthy way. A flexible body is more likely to be a happy body. We aslo teach the Ashtangas, the 8 limbs of Yoga, which reveals just how much more yoga is than a physical exercise. This is when students finally 'get it', ultimately using the body itself to meditate, with no competition, no struggle, just experience. That's Healing!
Every morning we start the day with a sunrise yoga at the beach, or in the canopy of trees on our own O·shala. We adapt to your needs, flexibility and strength. All levels of experience are welcome - from beginners to intermediate and even the most advanced. All sessions are followed by breathing exercises, or Pranayamas, and meditation or relaxation. Extra afternoon sessions are offered for those who wish.
“Can you believe I do yoga, and I love it. I found a perfect group next to my home. None of that bullshit look good yoga, just regular yoga”
“I loved nature from before, I knew that, but at Olive I learned to love myself.”
dialogue with O·8 (mind detox dialogue)
You have questions, and we have more questions. It’s the nature of the meditative life to reflect upon one’s experience in the world, and to learn as much as possible in the process about ourselves. Each day we choose a beautiful setting and engage in stimulating dialogues on topics as varied as the science of nutrition to what thoughts hold us back from experiencing contentment and peace, energy and creativity of all forms. The answers to why we don't do what we know is good for us, will be revealed, as well as who knows what else. It’s called karmentum. We want you to walk out of here if not in love with yourself at least with the feeling of having met an old friend again.
One thing we can promise - you'll figure it out. The first question is always what does healthy mean to you?
exercise - well, of course
Well of course! We all know that our nature is to "exercise", but do you know why? It's not only for developing a strong heart muscle and a healthy respiratory system, it's also about the hormones, the micro-biome, your liver detox and to give yourself a chance to be happy and at peace.
The difference is that we integrate it in all we do so that you won't even notice that you have done it. We bike to the village to get mangoes, we hike up the mountain for a sunset meditation, we explore the temple on the hill, or you might like shopping at the evening market, run at the beach, or swim after the morning yoga. Whatever you like is what you are going to do. We help you find out what you like, and give you the freedom to do it.
O·live has helped people in the following areas:
heal cancer, CVD, MS · De-stress · relax · free from addiction · heal disease · weight loss · detox · happiness · Performance · Creativity · Self-care · kindness · Career · life choices · Nutrition · cooking · homeostasis · peace of mind · Fitness · exercise · Meditation · Yoga & stretching · Anxiety · depression · loneliness · sadness · loss · faith · digestion · Food allergies & sensitivities · Inflammation · Relationships; getting in and getting out · Breathing correctly daring · explanation · hope · mental disorders
Living and seeking the 'truth'
Olive Retreat Thailand is part of Khao Tao Group. We co-create with NGO's and local business, such as a dog rescue, temples an orphanage, picking plastic on the beach, local handicraft teachers, the royal OTOP, etc., to help and support each other in any way we can, and to enhance your re-orienting experience. If you are interested in participating while staying or after, let us know and we’ll check what’s up during your dates.
daily schedule
Activities are optional, you don't have to do anything. If you come to relax and sleep that's what you need. The first day we will go through the health questionnaire and do the assessment.
06:30-.30 Yoga/healthy stretching to get your detox going, after we do Pranayamas & Meditation.
07:30 Breakfast; a protein boost for the hungry, a pleasure for the body and the mind.
10:00-11.00 Body & Mind Health Dialogue/Class; to make friends with your body.
13:00 Lunch; from nature to nurture with all the spectra of light from the source.
14:00 – 17:00 Free time and choice/massages/one-to-ones/walks & hikes/helping & special activities/etc.
17:00 Mind & Body Health Dialogue/Class to figure things out.
18:00 Exercise; to fill you with the mountains, the animals, the forests, and astonishing views.
19:00 Dinner; to calm our senses and prepare for the beauty(full) sleep.
20.00 Evening meditation/activity; We just hang out, see a movie or go for a creative meditation into the subconscious.
Timing is loose and weather dependent.
5 minutes from us you find Hat Sai Noi, the small beach in Khao Tao - deep and perfect for swimming. Climb the rocks and go through the temple and you get to the larger beach in Khao Tao. Both are amazingly empty and perfect for contemplation.
all is Included, you just book your flights
It's just easier that way, for both you and us, so please consider this when comparing prices to find your retreat.
7 nights accommodation 150 meters to beaches (let us know to send a quote if you stay longer/shorter)
Round-trip transfers from and to the airport (bus) and to an additional cost we arrange a private car
In-depth health assessment (Health Questionnaire is sent once you are booked) with Ayurvedic Dosha
Daily Body health classes + Mind health classes
One-one sessions, as many as you want
Cooking, detoxing drinks and smoothie classes
Health booklets, Cookbook, Yoga book and more
Daily Yoga/streching classes + Meditation + Pranayamas
All detoxing meals: clean, real, vegan, no gluten, no sugar, no refined food (don't worry, you won't be hungry!)
Daily availability of detoxing snacks and drinks
Staff 24/7 and small groups of maximum 5
All-liquid intermittent fasting day(s) and digestive flush, if suitable for you
Daily aerobic + anaerobic exercise in a beautiful nature
Daily meditations + techniques (guided and non-guided)
Daily pranayamas and meditation techniques
Time and space to relax and enjoy and laugh
Personal recommendations upon departure (how to continue your quest for better health based on your Ayurvedic Dosha and needs)
2 months back-home support
Discounts on future retreats and events
“Another day in paradise.”