By Alexandre Arditti
Estelle Lefébure is radiant. The one who was one of the most famous top models on the planet displays the face of a fulfilled woman, juggling happily between her different roles as a model, actress and mother of three children. And if time doesn’t seem to have a hold on her despite a hectic life straddling Europe and the United States, it’s thanks to a healthy life balance around sport, yoga and diet. A method called ORAHE, of which she reveals the little secrets in a book full of advice to stay in harmony with your body and your mind. It is in Saint-Barth, far from the stress and in the magnificent setting of the Guanahani hotel, that the beautiful Estelle has chosen to take a break to talk to us about this gentle art of living, but also about her island of heart and his most beautiful journeys. Charming interview in sun, well-being and Caribbean mode!
What is the ORAHE method?
Estelle Lefébure: This is a method inspired by stand up paddle (water sport born in Hawaii that is practiced standing on a board with the help of a paddle, Editor’s note). It is a mix of fitness, pilates and yoga combined with a healthy diet. In Maori, “ora” means health and “ohe” means oars, hence the idea of combining the two terms.
How did you come up with the idea of making a book?
E.L. With my job, I have always had to pay attention to my lifestyle, my diet and my body, and I have also always played sports. I also conducted a lot of personal research on nutrition, met medical biologists and nutritionists, attended conferences… I wanted to deepen my knowledge and at the same time share this experience which reflects my style. of life.
What are the main principles of this method?
E.L. It is articulated in three stages: “eating”, with everything that revolves around nutrition such as organic and gluten-free food; “move” with a range of sports activities around swimming, paddle or brisk walking; and “being” for everything related to relaxation, meditation, stress management and letting go… The idea is above all to take care of yourself while having fun. The “being” part is very important: we often forget it, but meditation and relaxation are excellent ways to take a step back, to change your philosophy of life in order to take better care of yourself and above all to better live life. ‘present time. Many people are focused on the past with its share of negative feelings such as regrets, or on the future, which generates anxiety. As a result, they no longer really know how to take advantage of the present moment. The idea is to relearn a bit to feel good about all this.
Is this method accessible to everyone?
E.L. Of course, anyone can try it, even those who don’t do yoga or sports. The method is suitable for both women and men, although women are a little more present in relaxation or yoga workshops, while men go more towards physical activities such as fitness. However, believe me, some men could use a little meditation! (laughs). One thing is certain: many people would like to take better care of themselves but do not know where to start. I used to say: start by getting started and you will quickly get used to doing yourself good. And doing good is within everyone’s reach! You are currently staying in Saint-Barth, in the superb Guanahani hotel.
Are you going to organize courses yourself here?
E.L. Yes, the Guanahni Hotel got involved with me in this project and it is fantastic to be able to organize internships in such a setting. Here, everything comes together whether it’s for the practice of paddle, yoga, sports activities, and even at the nutrition level since I worked directly with the Chef to develop recipes specially adapted to ORAHE, from products organic and gluten-free. The aim is to offer courses over three or five days for people on vacation but also for residents of the island on a more ad hoc basis.
A typical day with you?
E.L. We start gently in the morning with an organic breakfast designed according to the orientation of the course: light detox or fitness. Then, we continue with a workshop of about 1h30, starting with a muscle awakening, then we continue with various exercises on land or at sea adapted to each level. After the lunch specially studied by the Chef, we resume with a new physical exercise a little more intense, to finally end with a session of relaxation and meditation, or with a massage in the superb spa of the hotel! But you can also design your program à la carte, take private or group lessons on a more ad hoc basis, focus on paddle fitness, relaxation…
Tell us about Saint Barth…
E.L. It really is my favorite island. I come here very regularly, both for family and professional reasons, and it is always with great happiness. I have always been drawn to this island. It’s a little paradise where you can come back many times, and where you immediately feel good, at home and in perfect safety, which is not necessarily always the case with other Caribbean islands. . There is a very peaceful side, very natural, because the island is very beautiful and very preserved. You can live in peace, a bit “in the wild”, but on the other hand if you want to see a few people or party for an evening, that’s possible too. It’s quite rare to have both at the same time!
What about Hotel Guanahani?
E.L. This is a wonderful hotel, one of the most beautiful in St Barths. It has an incredible double beach, the waters are crystal clear and calm, which is perfect for children. In the sublime bay of Marigot, you can even see turtles! At Guanahani, you immediately feel immersed in the Caribbean, with these beautiful Creole-inspired huts that are both colorful and very comfortable with the added bonus of a very pleasant terrace. When I’m here, I disconnect completely. The service is also exceptional and the hotel also has its own pontoon, from which you can practice all water sports, starting with stand up paddle!
Your favorites during this dream holiday?
E.L. I love the gardens: they are extraordinary, both flamboyant with a host of multicolored plants and flowers, and also very elegant: it’s the tropical postcard par excellence! My other favorite is the spa by Clarins: I could spend my days there! Here, the decor and the atmosphere transport you to Asia, more precisely on the side of Bali. I like this mix with this very zen Asian atmosphere at the spa and outside, the Caribbean landscapes. The place is very relaxing with a pretty pond planted with water lilies, you feel perfectly serene. The treatment cabins have outdoor stone showers, and in front of the swimming pool are placed daybeds to relax after a massage while sipping a fresh fruit juice. In this little cocoon, we take care of you from head to toe, inside and out, it’s the ideal place to take care of yourself, be calm, let go… Everything I ‘love ! You have traveled a lot thanks to your job.
But are you a traveler at heart?
E.L. I am from Normandy but I have always been used to taking planes since I was very young. When I was a child, we had family ties in Guadeloupe so that I spent many holidays there when my parents were working. I surely developed my taste for the islands there… Moreover, from that time on, I wanted to become an air hostess, perhaps already perhaps a desire on my part to want to escape! Later, my job took me to the four corners of the world.
You have lived and often return to the United States. Is it easy to live astride two continents?
E.L. Indeed, for years I sailed between Europe and the United States where I lived. I think that once you start living between two continents, it’s hard to stop, you almost become addicted! We always need to be on the move, to set off again, and above all we try to take the best of each culture. I started living in New York when I was working as a model, then I moved to California and I have to say that I have a fondness for the West Coast. I’m crazy about Los Angeles, it’s my adopted city! Maybe I would go back to live there one day, besides my children live there today part of the year.
A country that made you fall in love?
E.L. I fell in love with Bali, it’s my Buddhist side, I liked discovering this philosophy of life. Over there, there are also magnificent hotels, among the most beautiful in the world, in which the Balinese know how to transmit to you this serenity which characterizes them. As soon as you land in Bali, you are immediately disoriented. You immediately feel this soothing atmosphere: everything is soft, everything is done for your well-being, the people are so nice and the food is divinely good: I must say that I love Asian cuisine… More generally, I I have a weakness for the Indian Ocean and I had the chance to visit the Seychelles, Mauritius, Thailand: these are countries that inspire me!
And closer to us?
E.L. I discovered Capri some time ago that I did not know. I loved it, it’s so beautiful, really beautiful. No need to go to the other side of the planet to find such gems. Even in France, without going very far, there are extraordinary places like the Luberon region that I really like and where I sometimes stay. We are lucky to have wonderful regions.
A destination that you still have to discover?
E.L. The Maldives.
A place where you like to take refuge to recharge your batteries?
E.L. Without hesitation I return to Normandy, my native region where I own a family home. These are my roots. Every time I go back, I take a bath of youth and I leave fully rebounded! The rest of the time, I am based in Monaco, we are so good in the south!
Your next destination?
E.L. Well… St. Barts! I’m going back there soon as part of the Orahe internships and I’m still so excited to go back!
Thanks to Hotel Guanahani, St Barths
