This Wellness programme in an Italian Spa sounds divine!

Darryl Gibney
Jun 14, 2016
3 min read

I've just heard about the newly launched Equilibrium Wellness programme at the award-winning Fonteverde sounds unbelievable - combining science with holistic spa therapies in one all-encompassing programme.

Equilibrium is a cutting-edge wellness programme designed to reduce internal inflammation and rebalance the body and immune system through the PNEI principles (psycho-neuro-endocrino-immunology), which focus on the relationship between the mind, nervous system, endocrine system and immune system.

The three and seven-day courses offer a fully integrated programme of nutritional coaching, cookery classes, fitness classes, relaxation techniques, thermal treatments and physical therapy to help guests rediscover the meaning of healthy living.

The course is overseen by a team of medical and health professionals led by the award-winning Dr Nicola Angelo Fortunati. A full medical check-up by a PNEI trained doctor uses Pneisystem® software to provide guests with a PNEI evaluation, score and trackable health results that can be monitored over time; guests will feel more motivated to stick to the programme as they track and improve their scores.

Equilibrium provides both immediate and long-term health benefits to guests. Guests return home with a personalised and detailed health plan so that they can continue their healthier lifestyle habits after their stay.

Fonteverde’s three- and seven-day Equilibrium programmes are based on four philosophies that work together to make guests feel healthier and less stressed. The four concepts are:

Thermal Waters - complete with eight soaking pools fed by the nearby San Casciano dei Bagni hot spring waters, Fonteverde, a 17th century Medicean villa, has been known for centuries for its mineral-rich spring water’s restorative health benefits. Fonteverde’s thermal pools have a naturally high concentration of fluoride, magnesium and sulphur which relaxes the nervous system, increases cell function, acts as a pain relief and stimulates the liver and bile ducts. Inhaling the steam from the waters also aids the respiratory system. It is a ‘SPA’ in the true meaning of the word, offering ‘Salus Per Aquam’ - ‘health through water’.

Nutrition – a new approach to food is introduced during the programme. Guests will enjoy a Mediterranean ‘microbiotic diet’. This is combined with low-calorie cooking lessons led by a chef and nutritional biologist. The Equilibrium programme recommends a balanced diet, low in simple sugars and rich in fibre. During the programme, foods that positively promote microbiotic diversity will be recommended. This will include foods rich in nutraceuticals (roots and berries), foods rich in fibre (pulses and wholegrain cereals) and foods rich in lactobacilli and bifidobacteria (yoghurt and miso).

Physical Exercise – fitness carried out in a fun and gentle manner is a large component of the Equilibrium philosophy as a way to eliminate stress and promote a healthy attitude.

Relaxation – Fonteverde’s expert therapists teach the rebalancing of the autonomous nervous system through respiratory exercises performed in a healing salt-water bath. This is a stress management technique stemming from energy psychology.

The Equilibrium Package

Accommodation:

• 7 nights

• Personalised full-board microbiotic dietary programme: Mediterranean, anti-inflammatory, rebalancing of microbiota

Thermal Spa

• Thermal pools at 38° C with natural hydromassage waterfall

• Thermal Bioaquam Circuit at 38°C with Bath of Light

• Etruscan circuit with sauna, hot plate and steam bath

• Kneipp Circuit

Consultation, Exams and Treatments

• Full medical check-up by a PNEI Coach Doctor with PNEI score evaluation using Pneisystem® software

• Blood Chemistry Tests and blood oxygen saturation measurements (blood oxygen content)

• Midweek Medical and Dietary Checks

• Urine Analysis or pH evaluation

• Dietology Consultation with Anthropometric Analysis

• Microbiotic Diet Programme - Mediterranean, Anti-inflammatory, rebalancing of microbiome

• Dietary Cooking Classes with Personal Chef and Nutritional Biologist

• Daily group walk with a Personal Trainer

• 3 Thermal Water Fitness Classes

• 3 PNEI Fitness Lessons

• 5 Spa Treatments (mud or underwater massage in spa water)

• 5 relaxation techniques performed in the Thalaquam (salt water bath) or in another appropriate environment

• 3 Personalised Treatments of 70 minutes each

• 2 Personalised Treatments of 50 minutes each

The seven-night programme starts from €2,705 / £2,142* per person in a Queen Room on a full board basis and will soon be introduced across Italian Hospitality Collection’s three Tuscan spa hotels. To book visit www.fonteverdespa.com