0:00:02 > 0:00:03The wellbeing industry is booming.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05More people seek alternative ways
0:00:05 > 0:00:09to cope with rising obesity, stress and depression.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11The stress levels have been getting heavier.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14I don't understand why I'm so stressed and I can't switch off.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18Heading for a retreat on an island in the South China Sea,
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Nick Knowles joins a group who are all seeking the antidote
0:00:21 > 0:00:23for the strains of modern life.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25There's this place down in Thailand
0:00:25 > 0:00:27says it can actually change your head around,
0:00:27 > 0:00:28change your inner space around.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32How will the gang cope with a completely new way of living?
0:00:32 > 0:00:34I think that some of the participants,
0:00:34 > 0:00:36they didn't really know what they were getting into.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37It's almost cultish.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39I think it's going to be a challenge.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Will 28 days of detox and alternative therapies
0:00:42 > 0:00:44be enough to change their lives?
0:00:44 > 0:00:47I don't think anyone would be surprised to find out
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I'm the least likely person to be taking on this challenge.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52This is one kick-ass detox!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Welcome to Thailand.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Milton and Kathy have taken their usual morning walk
0:01:09 > 0:01:11to be the first of the gang at the hospital.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15They will all be tested to provide their final set of results
0:01:15 > 0:01:18and prove whether their stay at the retreat
0:01:18 > 0:01:21has had a positive effect on their health.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26Some of the effects are more immediately obvious, however,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29and Billy's back to full power at last.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37With their increased energy, Ron takes them all to burn some off,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40at a gym with a difference -
0:01:40 > 0:01:42a Muay Thai gym.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Thai kickboxing.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01No, no, no, no! A kick for beginning.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Here for basics, for fighting.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08INDISTINCT
0:02:08 > 0:02:14Hands up. Hands up. When you do that, jab.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17When you come, come for chin.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21One-two, jab-jab.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23One, two, jab-jab.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27INDISTINCT
0:02:27 > 0:02:29When you kick,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31grab here, OK?
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- Yeah. Here?- Right.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36No, no, no...
0:02:36 > 0:02:38I can't...
0:02:45 > 0:02:46OK.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Come on. Right kick, right kick.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06I'm dead, I'm not tired.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09That was energising. I haven't lifted my leg that high for ages,
0:03:09 > 0:03:10you know what I mean?
0:03:10 > 0:03:14It's just remembering the movements, like left, right.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- He's got the bags under the knee. - And the language barrier.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18And the language barrier, yeah.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Yeah, but you kind of get the grasp of what he's saying.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23But it was good, I really, really enjoyed it, really good.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25In the line-up, they started with us
0:03:25 > 0:03:28and we were like, "What? What are we doing?"
0:03:28 > 0:03:29Never been here before.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32I think the yoga breathing technique really helps,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35you know, as I'm trying to get round the ring knackered!
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Breathing in through my nose, you know, getting it into my core...
0:03:38 > 0:03:40- Feel...- This one?- Yeah, yeah.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42I tried that one but he looked at me as if he was going to knock me out.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45How strong were they, though?
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- They're powerful, they're powerful. - So solid.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52After a quick pit stop to collect the others,
0:03:52 > 0:03:56the gang are being taken out for some well-earned relaxation
0:03:56 > 0:03:58and reflection to a secret spa.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26On one of the highest points in the island,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29the gang are treated to a view of Koh Phangan
0:04:29 > 0:04:31from a spectacular angle.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33The jungle!
0:04:33 > 0:04:34- That's amazing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38That's one of the islands, out there?
0:04:38 > 0:04:39Could be.
0:04:45 > 0:04:46There was a programme on recently
0:04:46 > 0:04:48where people gave up sugar for two weeks.
0:04:48 > 0:04:54We've given up sugar, caffeine, alcohol, meat, dairy, wheat...
0:04:54 > 0:04:58- Yeah!- Everything, for a month!- Yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I thought it was going to be about getting myself
0:05:01 > 0:05:03physically back in shape. I wanted to lose weight
0:05:03 > 0:05:06and I wanted to get healthy with the food and things.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10But in actual fact, it became secondary
0:05:10 > 0:05:13and less important than actually slowing my mind down
0:05:13 > 0:05:16and actually re-finding myself.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18It sounds like such a hippy thing to say,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21but it's like, the simplest way of saying it is,
0:05:21 > 0:05:22it's like I've got my mojo back.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25I'm suddenly really excited about going back to work,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27going out and sort of going back into the world
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and going back and being at full tilt.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31It's like a little reboot.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33I wish I'd done it ten years ago.
0:05:33 > 0:05:34Five years ago, certainly.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38- Yeah, yeah.- It shows that the mental aspect, which you weren't expecting,
0:05:38 > 0:05:43and finding yourself, but it's also showed us, I think,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45that everything is...
0:05:45 > 0:05:46Kind of works together.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- So the food helps with that aspect, as well.- That's true.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53And the yoga, and that, and the self-control, that helps.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- A combination.- All these things that help to better you.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- It's brilliant. - See what you've done?!
0:05:59 > 0:06:01THEY LAUGH
0:06:01 > 0:06:05I think yoga and meditation have some negative connotations.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07I never wanted to do meditation
0:06:07 > 0:06:09because I thought it sounded ridiculous.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I think it's about taking the first step.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Some of those people, you don't think would come.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Once they get here and have a little taste of it...
0:06:15 > 0:06:18They'll enjoy it, because it's almost...
0:06:18 > 0:06:20So, what are you going to say, then,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22when you're back working on the cars,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24and you're in the line of cars,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26waiting for people to come out
0:06:26 > 0:06:28and they go, "Milton, I saw you go on that Retreat,"
0:06:28 > 0:06:31"doing all that yoga and all that reiki and stuff.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33"Load of old codswallop, isn't it?"
0:06:33 > 0:06:38No, but I tell them what it done for me, how it chilled me out,
0:06:38 > 0:06:41got me a bit more lively and that's what it's done for me.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43It makes you... It does make you stronger.
0:06:43 > 0:06:44You feel stronger inside.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48Your posture's better, you're not slouching, you're kind of...
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Look at him. I've never seen him slouch any day I've been here.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56To be fair, you could iron a shirt on him, he's that upright.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02The other day, when we met the monk
0:07:02 > 0:07:04and I wasn't particularly impressed by the whole thing,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07did that offend you, as a Buddhist?
0:07:07 > 0:07:09You were talking about him at a very personal level
0:07:09 > 0:07:13and it felt like you'd missed the point of what he was trying to say.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18His life might not be 100% without problems or difficulties,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21but he was carrying a message and I thought you shot the messenger.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24So, yeah, I did feel a bit offended by that.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I think there's a possibility that I did, to a certain extent,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29that I actually did do that.
0:07:29 > 0:07:30It kind of irritated me,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33the suggestion that somehow he's got all the answers
0:07:33 > 0:07:34and we in the West have got it all wrong.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Well, I don't think he's got the answers,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38but what he's saying is there is a teaching
0:07:38 > 0:07:40that's 2,500 years old that could be really helpful.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Yeah, but every religion says that.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I don't consider it an organised religion,
0:07:44 > 0:07:45and most Buddhists wouldn't,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47but it is considered an organised religion by most people.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49But what bothered me about it was the suggestion
0:07:49 > 0:07:50that somehow in the West,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53because, you know, we don't care for each other,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56we don't care for ourselves and we've kind of lost our way.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58No, I don't think he was saying that, Nick.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00I think you heard that, but I don't...
0:08:00 > 0:08:01That's not what I heard.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03You came here burnt out.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Yes.- And you help a lot of people.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08So he was speaking to you and about you.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11He wasn't... I didn't hear him saying anything
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- that wasn't true for you or for me. - Yeah, I suppose.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Again, very easy for somebody who...
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Again, it's the person rather than the message, you're quite right.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I was more bothered by the person than the message.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Organised religion is one thing
0:08:25 > 0:08:28and I absolutely agree with you about that,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31but spirituality is something else.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33But it's not going to work for everyone, is it?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- What isn't?- Any of the process that we've been doing.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Some people aren't going to be able to get through the fasting,
0:08:38 > 0:08:41some people aren't going to be able to get through...
0:08:41 > 0:08:42are not going to enjoy the reiki.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Other people are going to enjoy it in the way
0:08:44 > 0:08:46that it's been surprising that people have on this.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47There's a saying...
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I hope people are more open to it, as a result of watching this.
0:08:50 > 0:08:51There's three things that I've been told
0:08:51 > 0:08:53that really help any kind of recovery,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55and that's honesty, open-mindedness and willingness.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57And I think if people come and they're honest
0:08:57 > 0:08:59and they're open-minded and they're willing,
0:08:59 > 0:09:01I think they'll get a hell of a lot out of it,
0:09:01 > 0:09:02at whatever level they are
0:09:02 > 0:09:04and however much they want to open
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- to other levels of consciousness or not.- Yeah, I think you're right.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10There we go, we did find somewhere where we agreed in the end!
0:09:10 > 0:09:13HE CHUCKLES
0:09:13 > 0:09:15With Nick continuing to wrestle
0:09:15 > 0:09:17with the more spiritual aspects of the retreat,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20he goes to look for Claire
0:09:20 > 0:09:23to talk about her stresses as a police officer.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26You came here thinking that you were suffering from depression.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28- Mm.- Do you still believe that?
0:09:28 > 0:09:33Erm, I've had a lot of different labels put on
0:09:33 > 0:09:36what I was going through.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Given what you go through, it would be surprising if you didn't.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41It's not surprising, yeah. It isn't surprising.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And I don't think anyone...
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I think people are shocked because at work, I appear OK.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50So you try and hide the effects it has on you.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53But I think, over time, you can't get away from it.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56How many of your colleagues, do you think, are suffering in silence
0:09:56 > 0:09:58and not letting on that they're...
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Probably quite a few.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Definitely with stress. Definitely with stress.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06But I definitely enjoy my job and I love what I do
0:10:06 > 0:10:08and I do it to the best of my ability
0:10:08 > 0:10:09and sometimes it doesn't work out
0:10:09 > 0:10:11for the people that you want to help
0:10:11 > 0:10:12and that is quite hard.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14What I think, rather than you being upset with yourself,
0:10:14 > 0:10:17I think maybe we, as a society, have let you down
0:10:17 > 0:10:20by not actually giving you the support
0:10:20 > 0:10:22and making you understand how valued you are.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25I think we, as a society, need to find a way
0:10:25 > 0:10:27to make you feel valued for what you do for us.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31And not just you, but everybody else that does the job.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33As I say, you can't keep facing the bad people
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and have people scream abuse in your face all day
0:10:35 > 0:10:37without it causing effect.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- Yeah.- Very rarely does anybody write in out of the blue and go,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41"By the way, thanks very much
0:10:41 > 0:10:43"for making sure there are no burglars in my street."
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Yeah, exactly.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48I mean, don't get me wrong, people do say thank you and it's nice.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51But a lot of the time... It's quite rare.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Cos we need people with your kind of heart in the force, don't we?
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Yeah.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00You can't just have all, like, really hard cases.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02You've got to have people with your heart.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11I think I just need to work out a way
0:11:11 > 0:11:18of not getting drawn in too much to other people's bad times.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35What I want to do today is I want to show you things that you have been
0:11:35 > 0:11:39eating or drinking while you've been here now for three weeks,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43almost a month. Things that you can make at home to be healthier,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45basically. You want to alkalize your body
0:11:45 > 0:11:47so you create a good environment,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50so that the bacterias, viruses don't thrive
0:11:50 > 0:11:51and don't party inside of you.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54OK. We're going to make cashew cheese spread.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Salt. So, of course, it's not cheese.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- It's cashew cheese.- Better.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04This mixture, I use it as a mayonnaise.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- No, thanks.- That's pretty good.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Like a cheese straw kind of thing going on.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Dried fruit is really good.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17In preparation for returning to their real lives,
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Dominique and Derek teach the gang
0:12:19 > 0:12:23how to prepare tasty and nutritious vegan food.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25And this is raspberry and chia.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I just soak my chia in a blended raspberry puree
0:12:29 > 0:12:33and that's it. This one is pecan and cinnamon ice cream
0:12:33 > 0:12:34and this one is chocolate ice cream
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and they are both made from coconut milk.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38- Yes.- Mmm!
0:12:39 > 0:12:40- Very nice.- Really nice, that.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44That's the first time in this entire trip that...
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Like going to a Michelin-star restaurant
0:12:46 > 0:12:48to have a chocolate cheesecake.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50I'd rather have that than the chocolate cheesecake.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52And that, with the fruit in it,
0:12:52 > 0:12:54I would rather have than a pudding in a Michelin-star restaurant,
0:12:54 > 0:12:58as well. That's the first time I've been properly blown away.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Some of you guys have eaten the Caesar salad, I heard.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Yes, very good.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04You like the dressing.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07So I made this sauce with again cashews.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10OK? So, it's always better to soak your nuts.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- I explained to...- Sorry! - You can't say that.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Oh, my God!
0:13:14 > 0:13:16You can't say that!
0:13:16 > 0:13:17You should say "the cashews".
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Whoever thought veganism could be so much fun?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22LAUGHTER
0:13:28 > 0:13:31The goal of the retreat is to change the individual
0:13:31 > 0:13:35through nutritional, physical and mental training
0:13:35 > 0:13:40to become calm and in control of the mind, body and spirit.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44And, finally, it seems to be working.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Even for Nick.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Physically, I'm a lot healthier.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53Mentally, I'm calmer.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54And in terms of priorities,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56I think I've learned where my priorities are,
0:13:56 > 0:14:00rather than thinking that work is everything.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09CHANTING
0:14:09 > 0:14:13The gang have arrived for their walking meditation.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20One of the ancient world's oldest meditation techniques,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23the walking practice is an observation-based,
0:14:23 > 0:14:27self-exploratory journey, trying to achieve a balanced mind.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39I developed a lot of different types of walk...
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- SHE LAUGHS - ..throughout my three-hour journey.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I found it quite hard, actually.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48It's hard, especially walking on this concrete.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Yeah.- And we've been out already this morning, as well.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52So it's kind of taking its toll.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56I found it really difficult to keep bringing my...
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Because a noise and your mind would start going.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02You looked like you were in the zone all the time.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04And then I was conscious I could see people's feet.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07It's so weird cos this is slow.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Slow, that's the hardest thing.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10Yeah, kind of controlled.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- Yeah.- And you don't think that's going to be tiring.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- Yeah.- But it really is.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Yeah. I could walk for miles now.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I could walk for five hours at my own pace, but to walk this slow,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22in this confined space...
0:16:22 > 0:16:24This control, it does things to your mind, do you know what I mean?
0:16:24 > 0:16:27I got into, like, a walking zone
0:16:27 > 0:16:30where I thought I was walking quite quickly,
0:16:30 > 0:16:35but I was obviously walking slower because people were overtaking me.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Even you were overtaking me.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41- I couldn't believe it.- He actually came up to me and said, "Slow down,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44"go slowly, just think of your steps."
0:16:44 > 0:16:47And when I did do that, it felt like I was floating.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Know what I mean?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51And time just kind of went.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55And then, bang, three hours.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56Done.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04The gang arrive back to find Nick packing.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07I've had a phone call from home
0:17:07 > 0:17:09with an illness in the family,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11which is obviously a bit of a worry.
0:17:13 > 0:17:19The net result is that the person in the family is OK.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22And...
0:17:24 > 0:17:26But I feel I ought to be there. It's interesting
0:17:26 > 0:17:29cos the point of me coming here was to try and work out...
0:17:29 > 0:17:30Well, to get well, obviously.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32But also, in my head, to slow my head down,
0:17:32 > 0:17:33to be able to slow my head down
0:17:33 > 0:17:35at the end and the beginning of the day.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37But the other thing, as well, to try and get
0:17:37 > 0:17:39that work-life balance right.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41I kind of know I need to be there.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43And perhaps before I came on this trip,
0:17:43 > 0:17:45I would've said, "No, I'm at work.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48"I need to stay at work. This is my job and this is what I do."
0:17:48 > 0:17:51But the truth of the matter is I know I kind of need to be home
0:17:51 > 0:17:54with that family member, adding support.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58So I think I've learned the lessons I need to learn here.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01I think my life has changed, so I don't need to be here any longer
0:18:01 > 0:18:06and it's all right for me to be there, I think. So...
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Before Nick heads for the airport,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11there's just one last piece of business left.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12You did your test this morning.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- This is great.- Went to the hospital.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Went to the hospital. I see here that you lost 10kg.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Yeah.- Good for you.
0:18:18 > 0:18:19I know! It's amazing, isn't it?
0:18:19 > 0:18:23It was all in your face and your double chin.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25What do you mean I had a double chin?
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Yeah, that's true.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Blood pressure went down. You didn't have very high blood pressure.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31Blood pressure's always been good,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34but it has come down to that of a 25-year-old athlete.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38All the canoeing paid off.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40You went to the nude beach, tell me.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Yeah, that was the motivation every morning -
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- to get as far as the nude beach and come back again, yeah.- OK.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48The good news is cholesterol went down.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52Total cholesterol - you were at 227.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54And I should really be at around?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Conventional medicines say under 200,
0:18:57 > 0:19:02but cardiologists say under 150 to be at bullet-proof risk, you know.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04And I'm at?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07You are now at 156.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10So, basically, you're pretty good.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Basically, I'm now healthy and I have the physique
0:19:13 > 0:19:15and metabolic rate of a 25-year-old athlete.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- It's kind of almost like a magic bullet.- Yep.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19And I have to say I was sceptical
0:19:19 > 0:19:22about how much effect it would have when I came here.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24And you've won me over with it.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27I think this isn't just for people
0:19:27 > 0:19:30who want to wear baggy pants and braid their hair.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Like me!- Well, you know, it should be for everybody.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- For sure.- And I hope that people
0:19:35 > 0:19:38will look past the setting and accoutrements.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Yeah, you can do it at home.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43- Well, yeah, that's the thing. - It's true that when you arrive,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46you were sceptical. You were scaring me a little!
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Why?- Well, you were scaring me a little
0:19:49 > 0:19:51because you were so sceptical, you know,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55but I saw the change, so I was positive,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58I was confident that, at the end, you would see the results.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02Sadly, April is not seeing the benefits she had hoped for
0:20:02 > 0:20:04with her ongoing eye condition.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Last night was very, very challenging for me.
0:20:11 > 0:20:18I've had so many rips in my eyes, in my corneas, during this time here.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20In these last couple of days,
0:20:20 > 0:20:22I don't know if you'll see much of me.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27And if you don't, I hope you'll understand.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33And I love you guys. Bye.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36With April holed up in her room, Luke visits with a machine
0:20:36 > 0:20:38that measures how her heart-rate variability
0:20:38 > 0:20:40affects her nervous system.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43If you have a high heart-rate variability,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46that means your heart constantly adapts
0:20:46 > 0:20:49and it's a sign of good health, good homoeostasis.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52The HRV monitor is commonly used by athletes
0:20:52 > 0:20:54to measure their autonomic nervous systems.
0:20:54 > 0:21:00With you, your heart rate variability is 60% low
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and that just is showing for me
0:21:02 > 0:21:05that we need to work with your nervous system a little bit more.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11My concern is that you are looking to reiki, to Oran,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15to all these healing modalities outside of yourself
0:21:15 > 0:21:19and, for me, I would like you to try and do things
0:21:19 > 0:21:23that empower you more, if that makes sense.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25So when you have a good night's sleep,
0:21:25 > 0:21:27I know it's very easy to be, like,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29"Yes," and then have such a high,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32and then the next night if you don't, it's then such a low.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I know it must be very difficult,
0:21:35 > 0:21:39but when I hear that you are still smoking sometimes
0:21:39 > 0:21:43or drinking coffee, then I do ask the question -
0:21:43 > 0:21:46what is it that's blocking you from self-healing?
0:21:46 > 0:21:51And I do just want to empower you to take this on.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Thank you, Luke.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Feeling better, April joins the girls and Billy
0:21:59 > 0:22:04to learn a yoga technique that takes their practice to new heights.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Oh, it's beautiful to feel that trust and that surrender
0:22:07 > 0:22:09and that's really the essence of this practice,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11to cultivate these key aspects
0:22:11 > 0:22:13in the art of relating.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Sebastian practises what is known as acroyoga,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and is designed to enhance and combine
0:22:20 > 0:22:24the modalities of physiotherapy, breathing, mindfulness
0:22:24 > 0:22:27and trust between the two participants.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- You're doing it, Billy.- No!
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- Yes, you are. - No, I believe in what I see.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38Oh, wow!
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Ever up for the whole experience,
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Billy steps up to the plate to have a go...
0:22:54 > 0:22:56..even after he said he wouldn't.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Right, straighten your legs.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10There you go.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13And look up. Lift your chest. Lift your chest.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Smile! Spread your wings.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18LAUGHTER
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Relaxed and happy, they enjoy a meal together,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37waiting to see what tomorrow's test results will bring.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41I have your results.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46We looked at the results from when you arrived, which were alarming.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50We knew that you lost ten kilos, which is amazing,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52which will drop your cholesterol.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57- I lost me wallet!- So you came with a total cholesterol of 268.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Yes.- And we learned that it should be under 150.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02Laura, Laura, Laura...
0:24:02 > 0:24:05You are down at 191.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- That's so much.- Oh, you did drop.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- You did well.- Thank you.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- Maggie!- Yes.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Cholesterol, total...
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- You were at 202.- Yes.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19You are down 176.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20- Good for you.- Brilliant!
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- Yay!- Well done, darling.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25And you are now 181.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26Well, that's good.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Yes, 150 would be bullet-proof.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31As Dominique takes the gang through their medical results,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34the quantifiable effects are not the only positive changes
0:24:34 > 0:24:37that they will take home from the retreat.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Good job, Billy.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41I feel like I'm back.
0:24:41 > 0:24:47And I'm, like, a lot more engaged and happy to talk to people, and...
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- And row with me!- And row with you and have a go at everyone.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- Milton.- Hey!
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Results, more results.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59- Yup, more results.- We want more.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03- Let's go straight to the diabetes, the blood sugar.- Mm-hmm.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06You came here at 170, diabetic.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10You went down to 101, very good.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12- Yep.- And now...
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- 90 again!- Ta-da!
0:25:14 > 0:25:15It's perfect.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21As beautiful as they may be,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23the presence of fishing boats anchored in this bay
0:25:23 > 0:25:25can only mean one thing.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28Look what's happened.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Paradise has become a typhoon of rain,
0:25:35 > 0:25:41wind and massive, massive waves from the sea.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56As the storm shows no signs of relenting by the evening,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58the gang have had to move from the beach
0:25:58 > 0:26:02to higher ground for the farewell party.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05But it still hasn't dampened their spirits.
0:26:07 > 0:26:12And Oran gets the party going with a Persian santur.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16It's been a good ride, you know.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I've enjoyed most of it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Some parts, you know, have been a little bit tricky.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24But it's been a great ride.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I came out here because I needed some time for me.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29I think I found...
0:26:30 > 0:26:34..re-found, if you like, my inner confidence that I think I'd lost.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36You know, me and Kathy are great friends.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39You don't know who you're going to pick or bond with,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41but we just kind of clicked from day one, you know.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I say to Kathy, "Fancy coming for a run in the morning?"
0:26:44 > 0:26:45"Yeah, what time, five?"
0:26:45 > 0:26:49I didn't know she wanted to come for the whole process of doing it.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Just before I came, I was quite ill,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I was taking antidepressants,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58antibiotics, steroids.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01For me, it's all just a growth thing that I really wanted to come here
0:27:01 > 0:27:05and experience, the self-confidence, the anxiety,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07you know, just getting the tools to manage that.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11I think Luke and Shakti and the others have given me that.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16There's been a lot happening, and it's been quite difficult to digest.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18'Learning to work with my breath,'
0:27:18 > 0:27:23learning to work with some different forms of meditation.
0:27:23 > 0:27:28I know that whatever I decide that I'm going to do, going on from here,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30I will succeed.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35I think I'm going back a different person to how I arrived.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Gradually, over the course of the programme,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42I'm not taking anything now.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44My head feels brilliant.
0:27:44 > 0:27:45My heart feels open.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49I think there's a lot more processing to happen post-retreat
0:27:49 > 0:27:51and I'm quite looking forward to that.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Because I've seen it happen now, I've come here,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56got into the process and done it all
0:27:56 > 0:27:57and seen the results of it all,
0:27:57 > 0:27:59I'm not going back there.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Before attempting any of the detox techniques or practices
0:28:29 > 0:28:31demonstrated in The Retreat,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34you are advised to seek out your doctor's advice.