CHI the Spa
Wherever you are in the world, you can benefit from these trending health, beauty and wellness solutions, inspired by Shangri-La spas in the Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka
Rejuvenate the mind, body and soul with the help of three Shangri-La Spa managers who have pooled some expert tips while working in some of the Indian Ocean’s most exotic spots. From using natural ingredients to harnessing ancient universal life forces, here are their top tips for all round wellness in 2017.
Ayurveda at CHI, the Spa
1. Vimal Rajan Carmel is the Spa Manager at CHI, The Spa in Shangri-La’s Villingili Resort & Spa, Maldives, a secluded sanctuary located in its own spa village within the resort. She advises using these ingredients, which you can easily find in your kitchen, to amp up your beauty routine.
CHI, The Spa outdoor Hammam
Honey as a moisturiser: Full of antioxidants, honey works as a natural moisturiser. When applied to the face or body, honey can soften skin, unclog pores and control breakouts. One the spa’s star treatments is The Coconut Milk & Honey Wrap, which combines the two natural beauty ingredients to improve the skin’s tone and aid hydration.
Olive oil and sea salt for glowing skin: A quick way to get radiant skin is to add a little olive oil to a sea salt scrub. The two ingredients, used in the spa’s Sea Salt Body Scrub treatment, give life to tired looking skin.
Kandu Boli Ritual
2. As the Spa Manager at CHI, The Spa in Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Christelle Gamelle advises using Aloe Vera to soften skin and detox drinks to blast surplus fat. Her recommendations are tried and tested as the spa focuses on using organic, indigenous ingredients and offers a blend of Decléor cosmetics and produce grown in its dedicated garden.
Couple cycling the island
Detox drinks to help eliminate fat: By drinking some detoxifying concoctions every day, you can help rid your body of excess fat and clean the system. Gamelle vouches for mixing a reasonable quantity of ginger, mint, lemon, parsley and cucumber in two litres of water and sipping it throughout the day.
The magic of Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera, which grows plentifully in Mauritius, has many health benefits. It can make your skin softer as it supplies oxygen to cells, subsequently strengthening tissue. Aloe Vera is also a great natural after-sun lotion due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Shangri-La's Hambantota Resort & Spa, Sri Lanka
3. Ayurveda is a speciality in Sri Lanka, so it isn’t a surprise that Dessy Handayani, the Spa Manager in Sri Lanka’s Shangri-La Hambantota Resort & Spa, commends it. She also mentions the importance of free-flowing ch’i, a universal life force.
Spa Pavillion and Ayurvedic spa treatment
Ayurveda and a positive message for wellbeing: A 5,000-year-old system of healing, Ayurveda is about following the rhythm of nature, for example sleeping when the sun goes down and rising early. Shirodhara, the gentle and rhythmic pouring of oil on to the forehead, is one Ayurvedic treatment that induces deep relaxation and sleep. Additionally, The Udwarthanam Massage is one of CHI, The Spa’s treatments that uses specialist herbs and natural products. It’s a therapeutic, deep tissue massage designed to improve digestion and ease lethargy. However, Handayani says an alternative way to find health and balance is by using positive and beautiful language to spread happiness. For some harmony in your life, try to avoid gossip and complaining.
Treatment outdoor at CHI, the Spa
Let the ch’i pour in for good health: Traditional Chinese philosophy bases ch’i as the universal life force that governs wellbeing and personal vitality. Yet, ch’i must flow freely for good health to be maintained. Handayani says you can unblock the mind and body by starting each day with a few simple stretches. If you add on 10 minutes of meditation, you can guarantee having a firm body, unwavering mind and compassionate spirit.
