I moved to Cambodia in 2011 and left after six months because I struggled to find my niche. I’m sure if I’d been scrappier (and in better mental health myself) I might have found a few wellness nerds bopping around, but for the most part I did my yoga practice at home and missed my best friend from across the ocean.
Fast forward three years, I visited Cambodia and found a completely different place. Organic grocery stores on seemingly every corner and yoga studios opening up around the country. So I stayed.* After exhausting Phnom Penh for two years — who am I kidding, it exhausted me — I traded in the city smog for island life and worked for six months as a yoga instructor on the coast. Now I’ve settled into the quiet town of Siem Reap and am teaching yoga and enjoying riding my bike on the peaceful dirt roads just outside of town. I write all of this because at first glance, this country might not seem like it offers much in terms of self-care. But for those who visit and those who stay, self-care is actually all around, just underutilized. Many people who genuinely want to be in Cambodia get burnt out and leave, but I hope that we can change this narrative. This is your permission and assignment to give yourself the rest you need to continue being a positive influence here and internationally. Whether you’re a natural healer, reputable NGO worker, or just a curious soul wandering through, I’ve collected a few of my favorites from around the country to give a taste of the wellness this magical place has to offer. KAMPOT Banteay Srey – women’s empowerment This social enterprise started as a place of refuge for Cambodian women who survived trauma, but it has grown into a nurturing spa and sanctuary for both employees and visitors alike. While the business offers yoga, spa therapies and healthy cafe items, the women behind all of this get an education in entrepreneurial and practical life skills. To learn more about this oasis by the river, visit their website at Banteay Srey Women’s Spa. PHNOM PENH The Goddess Circle Asia - community With both Goddess Circles and Socials, all are welcome to join in this growing community. Started by two incredibly wise women, this Phnom Penh based group provides a much needed spiritual reprieve from the bustling city. To find out more and to join the uplifting dialogue, check out their Facebook page Goddess Circle Asia. Nataraj Yoga Studio – yoga and outreach Taking a yoga class at the Phnom Penh studio not only brings you into the yoga community in the city, but also connects you with the Krama Yoga program around the country. This NGO brings yoga and yoga training to Cambodians across the country and works directly in dealing with PTSD and trauma. The studio provides a natural seclusion from the busyness of PP, but extends much further than that. For a class schedule or to learn about the outreach programs visit their website at Krama Yoga. SIEM REAP Blue Indigo Yoga Cottage & Navutu Dreams Resort and Wellness Retreat – healing retreats In terms of experiencing the beauty of Cambodia, these retreats have blown me away. Navutu is a higher-end resort, while Blue Indigo is more country chic, but both offer a space to fully disconnect from work and reconnect with yourself and your health. There are a variety of healing therapies available at both locations — meditation, yoga, reiki, sound healing, etc. — and although they aren’t affiliated with one another, they’ve definitely tapped in to the same restorative well. Go to Blue Indigo Yoga Cottage or Navutu Dreams Resort and Wellness Retreat to plan your next weekend retreat. Happy + Co – organic farming I’m giving a shout out to this ambitious farm for joining the organic movement and providing fresh, local produce to the Siem Reap area. I stopped in to their quaint storefront a few weeks ago and learned about the renovations happening at the farm along with the difficulties they have of attracting employees. Cambodian farmers can earn much better wages going to Vietnam or Thailand, but many understand the importance of pesticide-free produce and are making it a priority. There are a multitude of organic farms throughout Cambodia, which I hope continue to educate and feed the surrounding communities. Best of luck Happy + Co! Multiple Locations Wellness Festivals – education The list keeps growing of festivals geared toward connecting the healing community and bringing locals and foreigners together in this pursuit. The previous years’ Wellness Weekend in Phnom Penh and Kindness Festival in Siem Reap and this year’s Arts Therapy & Wellbeing Conference at The Himawari in Phnom Penh all signal a move toward self-care and nurturing each other as healers. To reserve your spot at the conference and learn more about the speakers involved, go to Arts Therapy & Wellbeing Conference. As much as I love to stay present while living here and see the renaissance taking place before my eyes, the reality is there was a gruesome past that inserts itself in the nooks and crannies of everyday life. Balancing these two can understandably be draining. Comparing ourselves (as foreigners) and our capacity to deal with hardships with what the locals have endured is great for perspective, but does nothing to protect ourselves as healers. Your emotions are real, your fatigue is real, and your burnout is real. This does not mean that anyone else’s suffering is less than or more important than yours. Remember that you alone are not running a marathon of salvation, but working within a (hopefully) supportive community to enrich the lives of everyone involved. Be kind to yourself. Just as you would to others. Please leave a comment below with your favorite wellness spots and health hacks so that we can better care for each other. *There are a multitude of reasons why I live in Cambodia — my Khmer and foreign friends, the culture, cuisine, language, etc. — but this article only focuses on the wellness aspect of my life.
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