5 S p e c i a l W a y s t o R e l a x a t i o n
When you live and/or work in the midst of a big city, it can be hard to set aside the time to indulge in some quality relaxation, which is why your time in Chiang Mai is the right place to enjoy and try new relaxation techniques, at a fair price. From floating to music healing therapies, relax and revitalise with Chang Puak Magazine’s pick of the ultimate and original relaxation techniques and destinations in Chiang Mai. These five carefuly selected relaxation places will help you get the relief you are looking for.
FLOATING @ Float Chiang Mai:
Floating therapy is a simple, effective way to invest in your own health and happiness. Flotation may be less widely acknowledged than yoga and meditation but it’s proven to be similarly effective in the art of stress reduction. The unique element here, however, is that the nature of the treatment not only offers mental clarity but immediate physical relief.
A floating tank is filled with about twenty five centimetres of water, into which a hundred kilos of Epson salts (magnesium sulphate) have been dissolved, which makes it a similar density to the Dead Sea. This solution, nearly saturated, is so buoyant that one can easily float with little effort. The water is exactly at body temperature, obscuring the normal sensation of having limbs; The salt also makes the water sterile and the absence of chlorine means there is no unpleasant smell.
The purported benefits of floating include: lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, increased relaxation, faster recovery from jet lag, intense workout, more optimism, deeper sleep, enhanced creativity and lower anxiety. Floating at Float Chiang Mai is also
suggested for people with chronic pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and insomnia (an hour of floating is said to be the equivalent of four to eight hours of sleep). However, if you suffer from claustrophobia, you might want to keep the lid open.
Float Chiang Mai offers one-off sessions of sixty minutes for 1,800 THB with 20% off on Tuesdays and 30% off on Thursdays. You can also ask them about first time floater specials and membership programs.
Float Chiang Mai is located at Trio Condo, 1st Floor.
Huay Kaew Road. Chiang Mai. Tel. 053-218 224
www.floatchiangmai.com
DARK RETREAT ROOM @ Tao Garden.
The Dark Retreat is an unparalleled experience in extreme seclusion, in which the practitioner is deprived of all light and sensory distractions, and thus, plunges into a deep witnessing awareness of the mind. Eventually the practitioner experiences the perception of the inner light of pure consciousness.
Retreating in complete darkness is a practice common to many of the ancient and contemporary spiritual traditions across the world. From the monks and lamas in Tibet, to the Kogi Mamos in Colombia, Dark Retreats have provided revelation and illumination to countless practitioners who have sought the inner light.
Tao Garden is a internationally renowned healing center founded by Taoist Meditation Master Mantak Chia in the beautiful countryside of Chiang Mai. Once a year, the center holds a dark retreat for about ten days. They have built a “five star” 24 room hotel positioned around a large square central floor plan especially for this event. All corners of the walkways are wraped in thick padding to prevent injury if you bump into them. Balloons are hung at head level at every corner, so you will know when to make a turn. Reconnect with yourself and the true meaning of life at Tao Garden, the next Dark Room Retreat will be from February 24th, 2019 to March 2nd,
2019.
Tao Garden Health Spa & Resort:
274/1 M.7 Luang Nua. Doi Saket. Chiang Mai.
Tel. 053-921 200
www.tao-garden.com
TIBETAN HEALING SOUND THERAPY @ Rarinjinda Spa.
This fascinating practice uses “Tibetan Singing Bowls” to indulge in relaxation and free-up the flow of energy or “chi” through the body. The tradition is said to have been brought from India to Tibet, along with the teachings of the Buddha, in the 8th century AD.
At Rarinjinda Spa, the Tibetan sound therapy is used during the “Element of Life” package, a relaxing therapy to balance the four elements of life. This package includes a cold rose body freshener, East meets West body massage, guava foot polisher, and an herbal foot period. This is all followed by Tibetan sound therapy and warm sand bed therapy. During this treatment, therapists play the Tibetan sound around key areas of guest’s body. The resonance of the bowls’ harmonic vibrations within the human body aid balance and relaxation.
Tibetan sound therapy is not commonly used in Thailand, but it is undoubtedly relaxing. Singing bowls produce sound which invoke a deep state of relaxation, it naturally assists guest in entering into deep meditation, the ultimate goal to aid in enlightenment.
In addition to it’s usage for deep relaxation, this therapy is also used for stress reduction, holistic healing and meditation. Many people find that the rich blend of harmonicovertones which the bells produce have a direct affect upon their chakras. The tone set up a frequency following response” that creates a balancing left/right brain synchronisation.
Nestled along Ping river, in Chiang Mai, Rarinjindra Spa is a luxurious and intimate space designed to enhance tranquillity. The spa is complete with a calming relaxation area in which pictures by local artist take
centre-stage.
Rarinjinda Wellness Spa-Chiang Mai is located at
14 Charoenraj Rd. Wat Kate. Chiang Mai. Tel. 053-303030
www.rarinjinda.com
THAI MEDICAL WISDOM WITH MASSAGE AND TRADITIONAL THAI LANNA CULTURE @ Fah Lanna Spa.
A new spa package created by Fah Lanna Spa focuses on Lanna Thai massage techniques with influences of Thai Medical traditions, Thai herbal therapies and ancient Lanna wisdom.
“Fah Lanna Wisdom” is truly a one-of-a-kind package. It includes elements of traditional Lanna culture such as a short “Wai Kru” ceremony to pay respect to the master of Thai Massage together with the spa therapist. Guests then receive a body balance with a “Taleo” - a Lanna symbol for protection, before a skin and spiritual detox using betel leaves. This traditional Thai herb treatment will detox the skin and eliminate any negative energies in one’s life. The package requires with some gentle body movements which enables the therapist to check a guest’s body alignment and ability to move. The movements are influenced by traditional Thai dance, which makes this treatment especially unique, offering a true insight into the traditions and culture of Northern Thailand.
Package includes: Herbal Steam Bath (30 minutes), “Wai Kru Ceremony” to pay respect to the master, Body Balance checking with “Taleo” Lanna symbol, Betel Leaf Skin Detox (15 minutes), Thai Lanna Wisdom Massage (1 hour), Herbal Ball Body & Herbal Ball Facial Massage (45 minutes), Dachanee Nang Massage – Bamboo Finger Tube for finger massage and stretching of fingers, wrists, hands, arms and shoulders (15 minutes), Gentle body movement with influences of Traditional Thai Dance, body balance checking and holy ribbon ceremony (15 minutes). Total 3 hours, Price THB 4,500.
Fah Lanna Spa : 57/1 Wiang Kaew Road. Chiang Mai.
Tel. 053-416 191 and 088-804 9984
www.fahlanna.com
SALT CAVES @ Relaxing Emotions.
Taking wellness to another level, guest have the unique option in Thailand of combining sea salt therapy alone or with relaxing Thai massages, increasing the benefits of both therapies.
Dry salt therapy originated in underground salt mines in Poland, where workers exhibited fewer respiratory illnesses than other people. The salt caves at Relaxing Emotions have sea salt covered walls and ceiling, 100% natural products. The floor is also covered with salt, so it is almost like you are walking on white sand. Relaxing effect is provide by the room architecture and therapeutic effect by the dray micronized aerosol, not by the walls. The company offers Foot, Thai ,Oil and Aroma massages in the salt caves.
What happen in a Salt Cave? A dry micronized marine salt, small like dangerous smog, is injected inside the caves and can deep enter and “ clean “ the respiratory system that it is not able to filter the smaller particles. Environment is so pleasant and relaxing that breath become slower and deep, massages increase blood and lymphatic system circulation, salt can “work” well inside your lungs reducing frequency of asmatic attacks, inhibiting bacterial growth, accelerating mucus clearance and improving lungs functions.
July and August’s promotions for salt caves, massages and sensory deprivation at Relaxing Emotions Spa are coming up! Become a free member by joining their Facebook group and check out their promotions in English language.
Relaxing Emotions Spa at Thapae Road (in private road
lateral to Soi 6, next to Mac Donald’s-Tha Phae ). Chiang Mai.
Tel. 053-271 162 Facebook: Relaxing Emotions Spa.