Ash Jurberg swaps his daily hustle for a wellness retreat in Phuket, Thailand , by ignoring his inner cynic and embracing a world of sunrise hikes and aerial yoga As I was suspended in an aerial yoga pose, my world turned upside down; I couldn’t help but marvel at the unexpected turn my life had taken. Just days ago, I was an overworked, stressed-out professional needing a break from the daily hustle. Now, I was at a wellness retreat in Phuket, Thailand , embracing experiences I never thought I’d have the courage to try.
According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the global wellness tourism market is valued at more than US$640 billion ($1041b). Intrigued by this trend and desperate for a mental reset, I stepped out of my comfort zone and into a world of sunrise hikes and meditation sessions. Little did I know that this leap of faith would profoundly transform my life.
READ MORE: Thailand travel: How to choose between Phuket and Koh Samui My journey began when I arrived at the resort at midnight, and I was greeted by a smiling staff member holding a candle—a stark contrast to the neon lights of typical Thai tourist spots. As I flipped through the induction workbook, I saw activities that generally make me scoff: journaling, gratitude exercises, and “sound meditation”, a practice that involves sitting in a circle and listening to the soothing sounds of Tibetan singing bowls. But I reminded myself I was here for a reason- to reset.
It was time to embrace the unk.