Wellbeing: Expert Sara Quiriconi tests out Bawah's new wellbeing journeys!

Bawah Reserve is one of Indonesia’s most exclusive, off-grid resorts and only accessible via private seaplane from Singapore. In January 2020, we launched two restorative wellbeing programmes for guests – the Journey to Calm and Journey to Vitality.

We invited US wellbeing expert Sara Quiriconi to come along and test them out. Sara took part in the Journey to Calm - Here's what she had to say about her experience in a recent interview with us.

Firstly tell us about you: 

My name is Sara Quiriconi, better known as @livefreewarrior in the social media world.

I’m based in Miami, USA and have always had a love affair with travel. During my short 36 years of life, I’ve endured (and overcome) cancer, addictions, eating disorders, divorce, job loss, mental health struggles, and more. However, rather than focusing on the losses, I’d rather shift to emphasizing the gains. Along my wellness journey towards greater health, I’ve learned to deal with my anxiety through movement, yoga and mindfulness. I’ve created healthier food habits learning about the body and how food rejuvenates it.

I’ve discovered to not hide behind who I am as a person, and instead, fell in love with being in front of the camera as a talent, influencer and actress, sharing the journeys and well-being tips that employ me to be the healthier, empowered, and authentic human I am today. I create empowering, educational and entertaining content to share with the online audience and wellness-focused partners I selectively work with.

When traveling, I am grateful to experience, learn from, provide insight to, and connect with wellness-focused destinations (such as Bawah) to share with the masses watching and listening.

What does wellbeing mean to you?

Wellness is a word that gets thrown around very easily these days. Mention wellness, and you probably immediately think it’s related to a green juice and some yoga. While that’s not exactly true, well-being, I believe, to be a bit more encompassing. Wellbeing refers to your mental, physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental health as a whole. It takes a step back and considers you, the person, rather than just the activity.

What appealed to you most about Bawah Reserve wellbeing journeys?

What appealed to me with this journey is that it wasn’t just focused on movement and food. It incorporated a variety of self-exploratory exercises and activities that helped me, as a person, become more self aware and (in some ways) illuminated.I knew traveling to Bawah Reserve in Indonesia would an adventure. What ignited while I was there on my visit late January 2020 was a reminder of who I am, what I love, and that drives me in life to be healthier and fulfilled.

What were your favourite moments during the journey?

The wellbeing team outlined my Calm to Wellbeing Journey experience in advance, after discussing with them my current lifestyle, personal health goals, and determining my needs.
Yoga and pilates were a part of the program — which, of course, I enjoyed, a trained yoga professional myself.

What really stood out, however, was the care, attention to detail, and creativity in some of the wellbeing journey elements that I hadn’t experienced elsewhere.

Zen-tangle, the art of doodling, was a creative way to get “unstuck” in my own SELF. Setting personal boundaries and limits for what we think IS. instead, drawing in and outside of the lines helped me to push those limitations and boundaries to think outside of what was in front of me.

Waking up to morning meditations and sunrises on the shores is something I always love to experience when I travel. The reflection qualities of the cove and long-distance rising sun in the background make it even more meditative.

The Spa Explorer experience, receiving a massage outside, with the ocean present, in your own secluded corner of the island left me with a feeling of being free, open, and connected to nature.

Would you recommend Bawah Reserve for wellbeing journeys?

You can get a wellness experience in just about any destination that you personally venture to. That’s all in the planning, and in the mindset. What you can’t get anywhere? The friendliness of the Indonesian family and culture working there. The attention to detail of the nightly eco gifts left on your pillow, reminding you to be a bit kinder to the planet. The inspired vision of the architect, laying out strategically a balanced room, structures and overall resort plan. The coral reefs below your paddle board as you cruise over and above the bright blue, clear waters. The
memories that you went to this one, very special place in the world that is unlike any other for you to visit, experience, play and explore to inspire your inner child and evoke a connection (once again) to nature.

The question isn’t IF I’d return to Bawah Reserve, but rather, WHEN. Thank you to Bawah Reserve family and friends to the incredible memories!

Download our brochure to learn more about Wellbeing Journeys at Bawah Reserve