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MagyarFasting Retreat in Szentbekkalla, Hungary
The Natural way to Heal and Rejuvenate
The gentle and integrated approach to experience the benefits of Fasting.
Dr Ilona Sovenyhazi’s, Gary Pap`s and Eva Hollo`s devotion to our well-being have been for them a lifetime study bringing together modern medical and naturopathic techniques in a holistic way to serve us. This they have done to their full capacity and tirelessly continue to run their very well-received fasting clinic in the heart of Hungary. Their conclusion from the results of their work and their radiant faces shows us that we can all acquire fuller overall health through a regular simple and guided fasting regimen.
This is an effective means of restoring youthfulness and longevity. This means getting all our beautiful body parts working together nearer the 100% level. They aim to show us that fasting is okay to do and that it is even beneficial to miss out on a meal or several meals and that nothing terrible happens if you do not eat when hungry. Quite the contrary you will discover that it is the natural way to heal and rejuvenate.
A Quote from Romolo Montovani a French holistic practitioner states that:
“There is only one existing disease, the toxin deposit.”
In our modern society, we are constantly under toxic overload, and it is not getting any better. The system outside is at full capacity and so is the system inside our bodies. We must resolve this now without a question. The biggest aid in this process is regular fasting!
What is the definition of fasting?
It is one of the oldest and best recipes for good overall health. A chance to voluntarily refrain from the normal foods we eat to help the body cleanse, purify and revitalize. It is not starving the body, nor a diet plan but it is a lifestyle for optimal health that we are all looking for.
What is the purpose of fasting?
To get rid of harmful deposits and toxin buildup. This gives the body a chance to cleanse the system and get back on track — an opportunity to get in touch with the physical and mental self-healing processes.
What happens when you fast?
As you fast, the body taps into its fat reserves. Fat supplies most body tissues with energy, although the central nervous system, including the brain, requires sugar (glucose) for fuel. It takes a few days until the nervous system switches to burning fat. When fat deposits are broken down and turned into ketone bodies, glycerol molecules are released, which can then be transformed into glycose, supplying the brain with energy.
Initially, your sympathetic system is on alert, sending hunger signals, as your blood sugar levels drop, and adrenaline is released. Then, as you switch to the parasympathetic system, you emerge into the calmer waters of the fasting metabolism. Epsom Salt and enemas speed this process up. Your metabolism works more efficiently during a fast, as the majority of the digestive processes are no longer required, which signifies considerable conservation of vitamins and minerals.
The benefits of fasting in a group with medical supervision:
This is the most easily achievable and everyone should do cleansing regularly to remove toxins and give the body a fresh jump start. It allows our organs to recuperate and our blood to purify. It clears the skin and increases our energy levels improving our overall well-being.
Course leaders & self-introduction:
Dr Ilona Sovenyhazi – Doctor (General Practitioner):
Founder of the “Kali” Retreat, Ilona Specialises in Paediatrics, Homeopathy, Detoxification Therapy and running cleansing courses.
Her fasting spans over two decades and within this time she has become one of the leading fasting experts in Hungary and successfully managed fasting groups for the last 23 years in Szentbekkalla. All the courses take place with her personal participation and supervision.
Gary Pap- Holistic Practitioner, Theatre Nurse:
Gary has been working alongside his mother Dr. Ilona Sovenyhazi in the Fasting Clinic and during his partnership he has gained valuable insight into health and well-being. He has promoted fasting by not only integrating it into his own lifestyle but also running fasting groups for the last few years. He gained a postgraduate diploma in adult nursing at Kings College in London and worked as a theatre practitioner for several years both in NHS and private. He is also a massage practitioner, a reflexologist and a qualified fitness instructor. After living in the UK for 20 years he moved back to Hungary in 2022 and started to work full-time within the family business. He is organizing Fasting retreats to Szentbekkalla for UK and European nationals with or without previous fasting experiences.
Eva Hollo- Holistic practitioner:
Gary`s wife, Eva is a graduate business travel consultant turned Holistic practitioner. She is now a massage specialist, a reflexologist, a beauty practitioner, a trained nutritionist, and a life coach. From all these experiences she decided to devote the rest of her life to helping people achieve their maximum health potential both physically and mentally and to come to live life like a breath of fresh air!
Our fasting method is the Airola – fasting
Dr Paavo O. Airola, N.D., PhD (1918, Finland-1983) was a nutritionist, naturopathic physician, educator and author. He worked out the method of fasting we use. In our experience, this is the most easily achievable form of fasting.
What we offer as an all-inclusive package:
General medical check
Tailored Airola fasting with freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices, herbal teas, filtered water
Daily filtered vegetable soup
Vitamin and mineral supplements
Appropriate relaxation–exercise ratio, short exercises in the morning
Epson salt on day 1 only
Gentle enema from day 3 enabling water to enter the large intestine
Daily yoga
Daily light walking tours (approximately 2 to 4 hours)
Full body massages, lymph massages, vacuum massage
Beauty treatments
Sauna every second day
Various guest therapists, for example, sound healing, NIA dance, etc.
A 5-star thermal water spa visit
Complementary activities:
Exercises
Exercises are an integral part of the course. The body, when relieved from unnecessary ballast, feels light and free and experiences an increase in stamina and well-being. Patients usually experience the spontaneous desire to be active, to go out into the countryside, to walk or take part in some sporting activity. Even gymnastics, for most a tedious but inevitable obligation, now becomes an indispensable pleasure. Fasting actually makes you want to be active while developing new awareness and enjoyment of your body. One of the most suitable exercises related to fasting is yoga, 5 Tibet Rite, breath control, as well as light walking tours enjoying the amazing natural countryside.
Epsom salt
Epsom salt or bitter salt has long been an insider tip for well-being and beauty. The tried-and-tested home remedy deserves regular stock in every bathroom. Applications with bitter salt belong to the traditional and natural beauty and healing methods. The salt is said to have numerous effects – best known as a laxative.
It consists of three components: magnesium, oxygen and sulphur. The powder or crystalline granulate probably owes its name to its bitter, characteristic taste. From a chemical point of view, it is pure magnesium sulphate.
Epsom salt is well tolerated, has a neutral odour and is soluble in water. However, it has a very bitter and salty taste. The crystalline powder is very reminiscent of salt. It is also known under the names Mineral Epsomit, English salt or bitter salt. These names are derived from the London suburb of Epsom – a well-known health resort where valuable magnesium sulphate was first discovered and extracted in salt mines as early as the 17th century. Epsom salt is taken at the beginning of a fasting course for emptying the bowels before enemas commence.
Enema
Gentle gravity enema from day 3 enables water to enter the large intestine. This is extremely supportive to reconstitute the waste matter within this section of the digestive system, thus the peristaltic activity that is natural to the movements of the large intestine kicks in, enabling the waste to harmoniously leave the bowels. Enemas are essential. A completely cleansed system doesn’t experience hunger pangs. It also helps to reduce or eliminate the possible side effects of the detoxification process (headache, nausea, etc.).
Liver wrap
There’s also a liver wrap every afternoon. You will be wrapped up in a lovely blanket, with a hot water bottle just where your liver is, while you nap for a couple of hours. It is completely lovely and for many becomes a highlight of the day.
Massages
Full or specific problem-focused body massage, and joint treatments.
- Swedish massage
- Reflexology
- Lymph massage
- Vacuum massage
- Onsite chair massage
Sauna
The sauna takes place every second day (heated to a max of 85 Celsius). En suite shower, relaxation beds and swimming pool in the garden.
Spa visit
Hungary is the land of thermal spas. They are curative as well as luxuriously calming. Some are sulfurous-smelling, some are salty, and some have other special properties; they are each specifically recommended for healing certain health conditions. Wellness and spa culture have been a part of the Hungarian lifestyle for hundreds of years. Soaking in the warm mineral waters may feel decadent, but these spas aren’t seen as indulgences. In Hungary, they are just part of a balanced life.
The 5-star resort we visit during your stay is one of the most luxurious in the whole country, with crystal clear waters, beautiful pools/resting areas and several different types of saunas and steam rooms.
https://www.spirithotel.hu/en/gallery/
Physiotherapies / Beauty Treatments are available for constant use for free
- Body Liposlimcare & Facial Lifting therapy
- Lymphatic massage therapy
- Body wrapping
For who is fasting recommended?
Generally speaking, fasting is recommended for everyone in order to prevent diseases. More specifically for:
1) Those with colds and acute contagious diseases (usually there is a natural loss of appetite during these symptoms).
2) When there are circulation problems fasting will help reduce blood pressure and normalise heart beat rate. The blood vessels and coronary arteries will be cleaned. Both arterial and venial circulation problems will be addressed.
3) Those with digestive problems such as over-acidity and intestinal catarrh (mucus), reflux, chronic constipation, IBS, liver and gallbladder and bile problems, type two diabetes, weight loss and pancreas regeneration, Crohn’s disease, colitis ulcerative (non-active phase), chronic protein disposing of.
4) Those with immunological problems. It helps with protein metabolism normalization. The cleansing of connective tissue related to arthritic problems. Asthmatic suffering and sinus conditions are both helped by fasting.
5) Those with musculoskeletal problems benefit from the cleansing of the joints helping conditions such as atherosclerosis, chronic back problems, and gout.
6) Those with skin problems, eczema and psoriasis will benefit from the blood cleansing effect of fasting getting rid of deposits in the connective tissue for example cellulite removal.
Fasting helps prevent disease and regenerates the body.
When is fasting not recommended?
1) After major surgical operations
2) When there is liver and kidney failure
3) Common heart failure, heart muscle inflammation
5) Stomach ulcers, inflammation of intestines
7) Gilbert’s syndromes
8) Conditions of the liver with enzymes
9) Type I diabetes
10) Overactive pancreas
11) Tuberculosis
12) Malignant tumours
13) Very intensive stress
14) Recovering from surgery
15) Mental problems
16) Depression
17) Pregnancy