Champney's

By Emma Shaw


Joanna Hall

It is a well-known fact that walking is the best exercise for us. But have you ever thought of combining that together with a spa experience?

Joanna Hall - the UK's leading diet and movement specialist - has done just that, and has as a result created a great new concept titled Walking Spa Breaks.

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I visited one of the Walking Spa Breaks, where I was let into a wondrous walking world.

I was excited at upon learning about the location of the Walking Spa Break - Champneys Forest Mere - as I had heard from many friends about this health resort and had intended to visit for some time. Described by the Daily Telegraph as "the most sumptuous of all health farms", I had high hopes. This exclusive retreat lived up to its expectations, from the lake framing the Mansion House which offers utter seclusion, to the beautiful grounds and the latest, most up-to-date spa facilities. I felt serene just walking onto the premises.

Although it is something we take for granted, walking has so many benefits: as well as improving posture, it can be anti-ageing, take years off the way you look and feel and is key to managing weight. The best thing about walking is that it can be done easily and regularly and can therefore be maintained for life, unlike joining gyms and following rigorous regimes where we are susceptible to burning out and therefore skipping sessions.

Walking can be done anytime, anywhere and at any age and you can make the walk gentle or more challenging. At the Walking Spa Break, we were taught to walk 'the Joanna way', which really made me think and feel so much differently about my body and how it functions. I love walking and although I do not do it enough - and would certainly not consider myself an expert walker - I immediately felt comfortable amongst the other participants, who all varied in their walking and fitness levels. A diet and movement specialist, Joanna personally heads each spa break, so we all knew and felt we were in great hands.

Of course, being a spa break, - and given that we all fancied winding down - we had plenty of time between sessions to lounge around, swim or go for relaxing spa treatments - the latter being my personal favourite.

Furthermore, the rest reenergised me and I was raring to go by the proceeding sessions, which I found truly beneficial. Subsequently, this helped me achieve better results. I loved being taught the techniques of improving my walking, and my favoured session was the 'walk off your tummy' practical session, comprising valuable information and advice I have taken with me to use in my walks.

I found the Walking Spa Break exceedingly good value for money, too: as well as including two nights' accommodation, two group talks from Joanna, three practical hands-on streamlining walking sessions, walking support material and breakfast, lunch and dinner, the package also included two complementary spa treatments, 10% off any other pre-booked spa treatments, a Joanna Hall goody bag, a spa goody bag and finally, full use of all spa services and facilities.

As well as being healthy, I found the Walking Spa Break very sociable, which made my time there fly past. If, like me, you like the idea of improving your walking technique, you can also join thousands of people who are part of Joanna's Walkactive Club, where the participants socialise, walk and learn together about their health and wellbeing. Whatever you chose to do after the Walking Spa Break, one thing is for certain: you will have a whole new outlook.

For more information on Joanna Hall's Walking Spa Breaks at Champneys please go online and visit www.champneys.com and to visit Joanna's website please go online www.joannahall.com