hotel , resort , ...
hatha-yoga , meditation , ...
Preah Sihanouk, Cambodia
Kactus is an eco-resort that is located on a remote island in Cambodia. It has 14 bungalows and two sets of dorms, which welcome a variety of guests. All that we have in common is the desire to experience something out of the ordinary, a place where one can feel safe and accepted, no matter where we come from. We focus on promoting wellness for all by offering two yoga classes daily, depending on the teacher and their passions, the classes vary from ashtanga, hatha yoga, and meditation sessions. We also have fitness classes, a meditation path, and almost 1km of uninhabited beach. This allows our guests to reconnect and immerse themselves in nature. We organize beach clean-ups regularly to preserve this beautiful landscape. We focus on healthy eating by sourcing delicious fresh ingredients from the mainland and a variety of nutritious juices and signature smoothies. Although we do not facilitate retreats yet, we have numerous groups who wish to rent a part of Kactus to host their retreats, as it is the perfect place to restore and regenerate both mind & body. The new addition of our Sauna and Ice bath has been a great success, and everyone loves experiencing the hot & cold extremes for sunset sessions.
Join us for a free morning Pranayama & Hatha Yoga class, right on the beach! We'll bring mats and mantras to start the day right and in a paradisiac and ideal setting. Feel the sunshine warming your body, and as your mind lightens with this ancient practice. Our furry friends usually tag along and lay peacefully by our side as we practice. Enjoy the ocean breeze and sound of the waves!
Come and unwind on our Meditation Path, a 45-minute walk to a water source surrounded by diverse landscapes. Hand-painted signs pave the way, inciting you to breathe, observe, and think about how you feel in this present moment. Ideally, the walk will be barefoot to better connect with Mother Nature and be in touch with every sensation in our bodies. Feel gratitude coursing through you as we arrive back at Kactus. This silent walk enables us to dive deeper into ourselves and realise that it is in the moments of stillness that we can feel the most at peace.
The following day, ALL staff and guests will collaborate by taking different bags to pick up and sort the various types of trash that have washed up on our 1km of beach. The amounts vary according to tides & storms. We will do our best to sort the plastic into categories: those that can be recycled, upcycled, and those that must be disposed of differently. If we all work together along the stretch, it can be done quickly and efficiently.
We can also have a team on kayaks and paddleboards to bring the full bags back to Kactus as they get heavy along the way (depending on the waves that day). Our furry friends are likely to follow and enjoy a swim around sunset, and everyone can enjoy it also as a reward for helping our beautiful earth to stay as clean as possible.
At Sunset, we will gather in our Yoga shala by the beach to engage in free movement through dance. Come as you are! There are no right or wrong moves in this practice - only what you feel is right in the moment. Experience sounds from around the world, and see what it ignites inside of you. Close your eyes and dance like no one is watching. This is the motive behind Ecstatic Dancing.
Feel the freedom of engaging or disengaging your mind and body by just feeling the rhythm. It has been proven to be very therapeutic and a form of release from the social norms of what is right and wrong.
Once you have sweated and let go of what has been held back, head to the Sauna and Ice bath, where mantras will be played and essential oils are evaporated on hot rocks. This invokes the senses even further and allows us to open up. The contrast of the ice bath has huge healing benefits to our body, such as improving our blood circulation, boosting our mood and metabolism, as well as reducing inflammation and soreness of the body.
You'll never sleep as well as after these practices!
Want to push your body a little bit? Want to feel the burn and see results?
Join us for a Sunday Morning Session of Pilates & a Workout with weights. Our facilitator will guide you through the techniques and show you how to flow through the steps without injuring yourself. As you push your mind and body to places you may not have thought possible, you will feel the serotonin coursing through your body. This promises to be enriching for all, and no prior knowledge of pilates is required to join!
Based on the game show Survivor, our staff will be faced with different mental and physical challenges. This will test their problem-solving skills as well as their ability to work as a group. At Kactus, and in worldwide hospitality, we must be able to trust and work well with each other, this reinforces our ability to help and serve others in a better way! This directly impacts guest satisfaction and the bottom line. If you aren't working somewhere you are happy and having fun - then quit!
