Nexus Resort, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia --- Right in the heart of Sabah, with clear blue skies and the crashing waves of the sea as backdrop, top leaders & selected IRs took a break from the rigors of networking to focus on health and wellness and seeking the balance between survival and personal growth, by actively participating in the first ever ATMA Training organised and facilitated by GITA International Ltd.

ATMA training was held from 2-6 August 2006 at the picturesque Nexus Resort Karambunai in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

With Joseph Bismark as Chief Facilitator and Donna Imson as GITA Managing Director at the helm of the 4-day ATMA training session, with the help of Training and Development Executive Bruce Hancock and Amezcua Wellness Centre's resident doctor Dr. Edwin Bien, the training covered topics on health and wellness and their significance in the quest for success.

To ensure that training schedules are kept and the participants are on their toes all the time, a high-spirited In-Service team headed by top leader Zensen Fan, assisted the facilitators.

As part of the four-day training program, the participants were made to undergo therapeutic physical activities such as yoga and tai'chi before sunrise. The participants were also divided into five groups and were made to compete in an obstacle relay course that brought out and intensified the spirit of camaraderie among them. In keeping with the demands of a total health campaign, the participants were served a strict vegetarian menu and were made to retire to bed early to allow the body ample time to recover and recharge in preparation for rigorous activities the following day.

With the assistance of Dr. Bien, all participants were given Live Blood Analysis (LBA), a medical procedure that looks into the components and condition of the human blood. What followed is a series of lively discussion on food and the essential nutritional value that can be derived from it, the importance of exercise and keeping fit, and suggested ways through which the participants can maximize their health potential. LBA is regularly offered at the Amezcua Wellness Centre located along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines.

The first ATMA training was a huge success, judging from the positive response collectively given by the participants.

Willie Martinez:
"This training has inspired me to focus on my health. Coming here I have resolved to stop smoking and today is the fourth day that I haven't smoked and I feel good. For the longest time I have never experienced sunrise as I would normally sleep through it, but since we started yoga at the beach to start the day, I realised how beautiful mornings are."

Rosli Ismail:
"Fifteen years ago, I used to be physically active. I used to run for two hours and play soccer regularly. I felt so much better then. And now, I'm experiencing the same lightness/wellness. My whole body aches after being reintroduced to exercise in the past three days but I feel good and I think I will try my best to sustain."

Dev Johl:
"ATMA is actually food for the soul. The training has reinforced my desire to start getting fit again. I know all about nutrition and food but lately have been disregarding this and that's why I gained so much weight. And this training has made me all the more serious about getting in shape and staying fit."

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