Spa, Health in Chiang Mai

Massage, Yoga, Cooking

Overview

The mountains and fresh air of the north have been inspiring artists and those in search of something less temporal for many years. Recently more visitors have been heading up north, in search of another adventure, to learn something about themselves or simply to do something different in a unique environment. Here's quick guide to Chiang Mai's Spa Resorts and alternative activities...

Spa Resorts

The Dheva Spa at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi
Modelled on a Burmese royal palace the Dheva spa at super deluxe Mandarin Oriental is definitely impressive. The lofty seven-tier roof symbolizing the seven steps to heaven, presides over 3,100 square metres dedicated to relaxation and well being.

The resort has gone to great lengths to create an an unforgettable experience. Fabulous surroundings and huge treatment rooms/suites each with a private Jacuzzi, steam shower, heated marble scrub marble and private treatment and relaxation area. All created with total indulgence in mind - either alone, or with your loved one.

Many treatments are unique to Thailand but the Spa is also developing an Ayurveda centre run by Dr Rajeev Marwah, a much respected Ayurvedic doctor in Thailand and India. Wow!

The Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai.
Absolutely gorgeous setting - Spacious Lanna-style pavilions overlook terraced rice fields and the mountains in the beautiful Mae Rim Valley, around 30 minutes from Thailand's northern artistic and cultural capital.The acclaimed spa is a palatial three-storey villa designed in the ancient "Lanna" style of northern Thai temples.

The Spa offers treatment suites for couples or individuals, private changing and shower facilities; private herbal aromatherapy steam rooms, individual deep-soaking tubs set into semi-enclosed "sala" terraces and double tropical rainshower massage beds.

Full marks to Four Seasons for a huge range of treatments for all customers centred on Elemis Spa Therapies. Elemis spa treatments begin with "The Welcome Touch", a warm aromatic compress on your feet (a cleansing ritual to remove the urban environment, focus your senses and centre your thoughts) Followed by The "Ten Cultural Touches of Elemis" - a new sequence of massage movements influenced and inspired by an exotic blend of cultures and techniques, including: . Hawaiian Lomi Lomi Massage, Thai traditional massage, Chinese Tui Na, Balinese Massage Indian Ayurvedic, Middle Eastern, Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Japanese Shiatsu and Reiki healing all contribute to an estatic experience. Four Seasons Chiang Mai

Pivate Yoga classes are also available in the Yoga Barn. Modelled on a Lanna Thai Rice Barn it offers a perfect environment for yoga.

Alternative activities

Personal Growth Courses
Guided Meditation Workshops and weekend retreats are available for those who have an interest in alternative spiritual practices or who want to make a change in their life. The Mount & Sky Resort in Mae Rim, 30km north of Chiang Mai Built on the principles of Feng Shui, vegetarian meals, accommodation and a natural setting with landscaped gardens, fitness centre, steam room, dry sauna and mineral water Jacuzzi provide the backdrop for well-being. (See also meditation retreats.)

Hatha Yoga
Regular Courses are available at the Hatha Yoga Centre in Chiang Mai at Chiang Mai Villa. Classes from 08.00am to 10.00am and 05.00 pm to 07.00pm. The centre can design a program to suit individuals. Price: Single session 500 Baht, For 5 sessions 1500 Baht, For 10 sessions 3000 Baht. Contact The Hatha Yoga Centre. 129/29 ,Chiang Mai villa 1, Pa Daed Intersection, Chiangmai. Tel/Fax:(053) 271-555. Email:- enquiry@hathayogachiangmai.com

Yoga Barn - Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai
Modelled after the ancient rice barns that dot the Northern Thailand landscape, the Yoga Barn at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, provides the perfect inspirational setting for yoga. A soothing sense of solitude, the serene ambiance and natural surroundings are just perfect. Contact the Spa for your private class.

Yoga and Massage Courses
Beginner and advance courses are also available at The Yoga Center located at 65/1 Arak Road, T.Prasing, Chiang Mai. Programmes are designed for people who want to study classical Yoga in a relaxed atmosphere. Emphasis is on Hatha Yoga to improve breathing, strengthen the muscles, realign faulty postures and energize the body. Relaxation techniques to calm down the body and mind and to absorb energy created by Yoga postures are also included. Workshops are taught in small groups with a maximum of ten people. Price 5,000 Baht. Advance 5 day courses are also available. Price 2,500 Baht. Telephone 053 277850 for details or Email yogacntr@loxinfo.co.th

Sunshine House, 24 Kaew Nawarat Soi 4, Chiang Mai 50000, Tel. (053) 262574 (answering machine) offers Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi Chuan and Massage Courses, a spiritual library, vegetarian food and accommodation. Courses and retreats in the jungle, mountain villages or caves, and pilgrimages also available.

Thai Massage - Nuad Bo-Rarn
A unique form of body therapy dating back to ancient times, Nuad Bo-Rarn combines yoga stretching, meditation, acupressure, exercise movement and reflexology, and is worked on a floor with the client dressed in comfortable loose clothing. International Training Massage (ITM) offers classes from beginner to teacher training with most starting every week. Prices range from $60 for a 30 hour course, to $175 for teacher training. Located in the old part of Chiang Mai, in the northwest corner of the moat, only 15-minutes drive from Chiang Mai Airport, and 20-minutes from downtown. There are 3 large rooms for classes, all clean and air-conditioned. Free Open house and demonstration every Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

The Foundation of Moh Shivago Komarpaj, Old Chiang Mai Traditional Hospital, 78/1 Chiang Mai-Hod Rd (across from the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center) has 10 day courses in Thai Massage twice a month. Certificate, membership card, and place for practice available.
Tel. (053) 275085, www.massageTMSS@thaipun.com.

Meditation Retreats
The new Tao Garden Resort, created by Master Mantak Chia, offers several one-week intensive Tao retreats, throughout the year in a beautiful and pastoral setting, 20 km from Chiang Mai. A detailed programme is available. Located Tao Garden, 274 Moo 7, Luang Nua, Doi Saket, Chiang Mai 50220, tel. (053) 495596-9, Fax 495.852.

Meditation retreats are also available at the Buddhist monasteries. The Northern Insight Meditation Center offers 7, 10, 15, 26-day Vipassana meditation retreats. Courses supported by donations. Located at Wat Ram Poeng, T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Tel./Fax (053) 278620

Tai Chi Chuan

Courses are available at several centres. Naisuan House has a 10-Day (60 hours) Intensive Residential Introductory Programme in the essential postures of Tai Chi Chuan. This programme involves the repetition of the physical movements as well as developing a relationship with the root nature underlying each posture. Training includes sitting and walking meditation, Chi Kung and relaxation technique. Each student is videotaped and individual feedback is given so the student sees errors and corrections. There are also discussions on Tai Chi Philosophy and theory, the I-Ching and the Tao Te Ching. Classes start 1st and 16th of each month. Course fee is 8,500 Baht.

Contact Naisuan House, Room 201, 3/7 Doi Saket Kao (Rattanakosin), Soi 1
T. Watgate, A.Muang. Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand. Phone Thailand 01-706740 International callers 66-01-7067406.

Thai Cooking
Becoming more and more popular. Several places in Chiang Mai, from hotels to established cookery schools offer courses usually lasting 1- 2 days. The Chiang Mai Thai Cookery School founded in 1993 is a family business run by Sompon and Elizabeth Nabnian which offers daily courses. Taught by Sompon who is an experienced Thai chef and speaks excellent English, the courses include an introduction to Thai ingredients, curry paste making, a tour of the market and fruit carving, and, you get to eat the food that you cooked for lunch. Prices start at around 900 Baht.

At the "Baan Thai Cookery School" classes are held in the owner's home and the idea is that you "learn to cook with us like a friend." Courses on how to make soups, curries, desserts and other foods in a traditional Thai style also include a market visit and some info about exotic fruits and vegetables. Vegetarians are welcome and will receive their own recipe book of mouth-watering non meat delights. Course Price (Open daily) 9:45am - 4:00pm. Market tour + 6 dishes 700 baht, 5:00pm -8:00pm. Market tour + 4 dishes 600 baht. See http://www.cookinthai.com.

Classes are also run in many of the major hotels. Outside guests are welcome. Check with your hotel.