What happens when you get a spa director and a marketing wiz together? One possibility is a workout regimen that's palatable. At least that's how it's presented – like a delicious meal your body cannot wait to have.

Sanali Senanayake, spa director of Samadhi Spa at Newstead, is beginning two weeks of what she describes as a series of 'boot camps'.

She said the concept was created by marketing professional Suzie Pewter.

"I was talking to one of my faithful clients and dear friend, Suzie, about wanting to do workshops at the spa that involved a combination of weight loss regime along with yoga, Pilates and detoxifying spa treatments," said Ms Senanayake.

The programmes are being targetted at those who might normally head overseas for an intense weight loss programme.

American Gillian Rosenthal has been contracted to lead the two-week programme in Bermuda. She is no stranger to the Island, having taught yoga and Pilates here a few years ago.

Additional skills include her qualifications as a gourmet nutritional chef, a massage therapist and a doula (maternity aide). According to Ms Senanayake, that package combined with Ms Rosenthal's 27 years of experience, made her the ideal person to run the camp she had in mind for Samadhi.

"She has the knowledge to educate not only about using yoga and Pilates in daily life, but also on how to maintain being healthy by choosing the right food and simple ways of preparing healthy meals," said Ms Senanayake.

The camp runs from 8.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. five days a week, with an option twice a week to attend in the evening instead of the morning. The mornings begin with cardio training under the guidance of Rupert Henagulph and Monika Patel. Ms Rosenthal then takes over with Pilates mat exercises and yoga meditation.

Body & Soul asked the director if she was concerned that the boot camps would spoil the image of the spa as a place for relaxation.

"I am not concerned at all, because this is not your typical boot camp where you are in a gruelling physical regime everyday. This programme has been created with the word 'holistic' in mind," she said.

"Everything is done in moderation where one doesn't feel that they are exhausted trying to lose the excess weight," she said.

"It's a combination of physical activity with strength training, cardio and Pilates, relaxation and increasing your flexibility with yoga, relaxation and detoxification with massage and spa treatments. There is also education on nutrition with demonstrations of how to prepare healthy meals.

"What I would like to see is Samadhi being considered a 'holistic retreat', not just a spa," she said. She said she expects the boot camps to run very well as she tested the project back in March.

"It was well received then," she said. "We had a number of women as well as some men take part."

The first programme starts next Monday. For more information on the Boot Camp Comes to You Programme, call Samadhi spa on 249-7119 or e-mail monika@smadhispas.bm.