Shirodhara oil treatment originates from India, rooted in the ancient principles of Ayurvedic medicine practised for more than 5,000 years. The term Shirodhara derives from two Sanskrit words: shiro, meaning head, and dhara, meaning flow. The treatment involves a warm, continuous stream of aromatic oils poured gently onto the forehead — specifically onto the “third eye”, the chakra point situated just above and between the eyebrows, traditionally regarded as the seat of human consciousness. The oils then flow across the scalp and through the hair, deeply nourishing both while creating a profoundly blissful sensation.
Lying comfortably on your back, your head is positioned beneath a copper vessel fitted with a slow-flowing spout, from which the warmed oils stream steadily onto your forehead. This soothing, fragrant flow continues for approximately 30 minutes, gently guiding your mind away from everyday stressors — tension, anxiety, irritability and mental fatigue — and into a deep state of calm. Many guests describe feeling transported to a place of extraordinary stillness, with some reporting a sense of expanded awareness and clarity.
As the oil flows over the third eye, it is believed to have a balancing effect on the deeper regions of the brain, whilst gently stimulating the pituitary and pineal glands of the endocrine system. The treatment is also said to help synchronise alpha brain waves, support healthy circulation to the brain, encourage mental clarity, and assist the body in releasing deeply held toxins.
Once the oil flow is complete, you will receive a gentle head massage before resting quietly for a few minutes, allowing your body and mind to fully absorb the experience.
A Shirodhara oil treatment offers a deeply restorative way to support calm, mental clarity and overall rejuvenation — making it one of Ayurveda’s most cherished and effective therapies.
Aerial Yoga is an innovative style of yoga developed by Christopher Harrison — a former gymnast, aerial performer and Broadway choreographer. Blending traditional Hatha yoga poses with Pilates and dance-inspired movements, the practice uses a soft fabric hammock suspended just a few feet above the ground. The hammock acts as both a swing and a soft trapeze, providing full support to the hips during back bends and forward bends.
Often described as yoga with a twist, Aerial Yoga uses the principles of anti-gravity to help participants explore poses that may feel challenging at ground level but become far more accessible when suspended in mid-air. Beyond being an enjoyable and fresh approach to fitness, Aerial Yoga is widely recognised as an effective way to reduce stress and support overall wellbeing. The practice offers a range of meaningful health benefits, including:
Total Body Workout
Aerial Yoga engages virtually every part of the body, encouraging movement and deep stretching throughout each session. The varied movements help to tone and redefine muscles whilst strengthening the joints. Notably, the series of inversions incorporated into each class may support spinal decompression, offering relief for those who carry tension in the back.
Improves Flexibility
With the supportive structure of the hammock, Aerial Yoga allows participants to move more freely and with less strain. Being partially suspended helps to release tension in the bones and muscles, which can gradually increase overall flexibility. The practice also targets the body’s core muscles, and the inversions performed during class may help to improve flexibility in both the spine and shoulders.
Increases Strength
Regular Aerial Yoga practice encourages the body to become both more flexible and measurably stronger. Many participants find that this increased strength translates naturally into everyday activities. Because the practice places significant demand on the core, it can help build stamina in a way that some enthusiasts compare to cross-training.
Aids Digestion
Aerial Yoga incorporates a diverse range of stretches and movements that may help support healthy digestive function. Regular practitioners often report improvements in their digestive comfort, including a reduction in feelings of constipation and indigestion.
Reactivates the Body
Expect to work up a sweat during an Aerial Yoga class. Perspiration plays an important role in the body’s internal functioning, and the active nature of Aerial Yoga gets the blood flowing effectively. Improved circulation can help to reactivate the circulatory, respiratory and digestive systems, whilst sweating itself may benefit skin health and support brain function related to memory and focus.
Be Creative at Aerial Yoga
Beyond the physical benefits, Aerial Yoga is also considered spiritually uplifting and psychologically supportive. Like many forms of exercise, it can help to relieve stress and bring greater clarity to the mind. What makes Aerial Yoga particularly special is that its benefits often extend well beyond the class itself. Participants frequently report feeling less stressed in their daily lives, which can lead to improved productivity and a greater sense of creativity. In turn, this positive outlook tends to support emotional resilience and overall happiness. Aerial Yoga genuinely nurtures emotional, spiritual and psychological wellbeing — it truly is as good for the soul as it is for the body.
Before joining your first Aerial Yoga class, it helps to arrive with an open mind. Try not to bring preconceptions about what you can or cannot do — and don’t be intimidated by the hammock. Trust it, listen carefully to your instructor, and allow yourself to be fully present in the experience.
Is Aerial Yoga for Beginners?
Aerial Yoga is suitable for all fitness levels. Whether you are a seasoned yogi or have never attended a yoga class before, you may be pleasantly surprised by what your body is capable of. Bodies and fitness levels vary enormously, so if you feel a little nervous ahead of your first session, that is entirely normal — and you are not alone.
Whilst Aerial Yoga is suitable for most people, it is not recommended for those who are pregnant, anyone who experiences vertigo, or individuals who have recently undergone eye surgery. If any of these apply to you, please consult your doctor before attending a class.
To get the most from your Aerial Yoga experience, please keep the following guidelines in mind:
5 Rules for Aerial Yoga
Wear comfortable, form-fitting clothing that allows freedom of movement, such as yoga pants and a fitted top
Arrive well-hydrated and have a light snack beforehand — avoid heavy meals before class
Maintain good personal hygiene out of respect for your fellow participants
Be mindful and considerate of those around you throughout the session
Remove all jewellery before class and arrive barefoot
Aerial Yoga in Phuket
Aerial Yoga is a truly enjoyable and forward-thinking approach to fitness and wellbeing. Santosa Phuket is proud to have been the first wellness centre on the island to introduce Aerial Yoga classes, and our weekly sessions remain as popular as ever. We warmly invite you to join us in our open-air pavilion and begin your own Aerial Yoga journey. Classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 18:00 to 19:00. For further information, please call 076 330 600 or complete the form below.
Osho Meditation is an ideal starting point for those who are new to meditation or who find it difficult to simply sit still and quieten the mind. If restlessness has held you back from a regular practice, Osho Kundalini Meditation — as offered here at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center in Phuket — could be exactly what you have been looking for.
Surrender to the joyful energy that rises from within, and discover a profound sense of oneness with the universe, with nature, and with yourself.
The practice unfolds across four distinct stages, each guided by a vibrant and energising soundtrack.
Stage one — ‘the shaking’ — is deeply grounding and energising. Picture yourself rooting your feet firmly into the Earth, drawing up its natural energy whilst releasing stagnant emotions, accumulated stress, and deeply held tension stored in both the body and the subconscious mind. This phase awakens the body from the inside out, flooding it with warmth, oxygen, and renewed vitality.
Stage two — ‘the dancing’ — invites you to rediscover the sheer delight of inhabiting your own body. Free, expressive movement helps the muscles to release, allows energy to circulate freely, and triggers a natural release of endorphins — the body’s own mood-lifting, stress-relieving compounds that leave you feeling relaxed and fully alive.
By the close of the second stage, physical, mental, and emotional tension has been gently dissolved and your energy naturally elevated, preparing you beautifully for what follows.
Stage three — ‘the sit-down’ — is where stillness becomes the practice. For fifteen minutes, you are invited to sit quietly and simply observe the thoughts and feelings that arise, without clinging to any of them. This mindful witnessing cultivates presence, clarity, and groundedness — qualities that extend far beyond the meditation mat and into everyday life.
The fourth and final stage is one of complete surrender and rest. For the last fifteen minutes of the session, you lie down in Savasana, allowing your body, mind, and spirit to fully let go. Held by the floor beneath you, you are guided to sink deeper inward, expanding into a sense of infinite inner space and a quiet, effortless harmony with the world around you. Many people describe this closing stage as profoundly restorative.
This balanced, blissful state of being is closer than you might think.
Join us to shake, dance, sit, and rest at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center, Phuket, Thailand — and let Osho Meditation guide you towards a greater sense of freedom and inner peace.
Our Osho Meditation class takes place every Tuesday afternoon, 16:00–17:00. All levels are welcome.
At Santosa Detox & Wellness Center we offer a range of detox and wellness programmes. For enquiries, please complete the form below.
Meditation is hard. Don’t let those serene looking stock photos deceive you like they deceived me!
So there I am sitting on my special little cushion (because that’s supposed to help!?) closed eyes, and breathing. I try to breath and everything is tight and hurts. Why am I doing this! So I stop. Frustrated.
ut the next day I sit down on my little cushion again. Why? Not because it made me feel amazingly serene and relaxed but out of the fact that surely it can’t be so hard to sit and breathe without thinking!
So more out of defiance than out of self love did my meditation practice evolve. And it taught me exactly that, self love and patience.
Meditation is not easy, at least for some individuals. But it is so worth it once you overcome the really hard parts, the start and the point where you think “I’ve mastered this I can stop now” point.
Tips to Follow
Here are a few tips on how to get past these hurdles to a point where meditation isn’t something we strive for or achieve but rather a moment in space where we can experience our being with no judgment.
Make mediation a dedicated practice like any regime you have. Set aside a certain time for this and make sure not to be disturbed. Even get yourself a special cushion if you like…
Give yourself a little warm up stretch before doing your meditation. Prep your body just as much as your mind.
Find a meditation style that suits you and don’t be too dogmatic about it. Walking, sitting and lying down are meditation options as well as eyes open or closed. See what works for you.
Start with breath; it gives you something to focus on as well as slowing your heart rate and relaxing your muscles.
When the frustration sneaks in, let it happen, don’t judge it just bring your attention back to your breath and let any negative feelings go. I found this to be very hard and what worked for me was just to say I’ll deal with those feelings later, by the end of the mediation you will have forgotten them altogether!
Dare to try? Make sure not to miss our beginners meditation class which takes place every Wednesday at Santosa Detox Center Phuket.
Full fast is a full cleanse program specially designed to enable maximum results. You will have no food / no juice but only drink water with cleanses drinks and nutrition supplements. Participants of this program will be subjected to the most powerful, yet natural, body detoxification processes. This program is suitable for those who have detoxification experience and are determined to go deeper for cleanse. A thorough pre-cleanse is also important for the full fast.
Juice fast is a cleanse program to nourish and detoxify the body by drinking fresh fruits and vegetable juice. The key is to hydrate and nourish your cells with the correct vitamins, enzymes, minerals and antioxidants. Guests participating in the Juice Fast Program have higher energy levels allowing them to take advantage of the various activities available at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center.
Raw food fast brings together nutritional science and holistic therapies. This program is recommended for guests looking for a long lasting and sustainable post program experience. With a balanced and nutritionally delicious set raw food menu in addition to the regular fasting supplements and a complete program of daily therapies, including regular cleansing sessions, this program is designed to optimize the detoxification process in every way. A raw food diet has shown to increase energy levels, which is great for taking part in many of Santosa’s activities.
Are you interested in a well-rounded health & wellness holiday that focuses on a vegan diet while incorporating detox programs, fitness activities, SPA treatments and yoga classes? If the answer to those questions is yes, then Santosa Detox & Wellness Center located on the beautiful tropical island of Phuket in southern Thailand is for you.
What exactly is a vegan holiday? A vegan holiday is a holistic experience that includes a wide variety of health & wellness programs that highlight a vegan diet or vegetarian diet and why eating more plant-based dishes is good for you.
Vegan and Vegetarian Travel Trends
International travel as a vegan or vegetarian can sometimes be a challenge, especially in remote areas of the world. If a traveler does not speak the local language, it can be difficult to sample popular local dishes without the meat. However, recent travel trends suggest that dedicated vegan and vegetarian holidays are on the rise which is great news for anyone who travels as well as those seeking a wellness or detox holiday abroad.
In recent years, more and more people across the globe have started to become more conscious about what they consume. People worldwide are developing a taste for more healthy vegan and vegetarian dining options as well as showing interest in raw cuisine, vegan cooking classes, vegan and vegetarian eateries and vegan fitness.
Today so many people are beginning to recognize the health benefits of a plant-based diet and how it is not only better for the body, but shows more compassion towards the planet and animals, too. While certainly all travelers are not vegan or vegetarian, they are seeking out establishments that serve vegan and vegetarian options highlighting local flavors made with community sourced produce and organic products when and where available.
The Vegan Holiday Experience at Santosa
Do you feel the need to make changes in your life? Are you struggling with your emotions? Would you like to get fit, but perhaps you don’t have the motivation or will to start? Have you always been interested in yoga, but scared to try? Wanting to go vegan, but feel unsupported and truly do not know where to begin?
Become a better version of you at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center.
Located in tropical Phuket, Thailand, the island’s natural beauty serves as the perfect inspirational backdrop to reevaluate your life and make the necessary decisions to move forward both happier and healthier. The wide variety of programs on offer at our five star detox & wellness facility are all taught by professional therapists whose main goal is to watch you succeed.
If you are interested in learning more about veganism or becoming a vegan, Santosa is home to the outstanding Santosa Vegan Restaurant. An open-air, terrace-style restaurant that offers up an entirely vegan and raw food menu. Innovative and creative, our vegan kitchen features talented chefs with a passion for vegan cuisine.
Travelers are also able to take a Vegan Cooking Class at Santosa every Thursday from 16:00-17:00pm. Learn awesome tips and tricks for creating outstanding raw food menu items and vegan dishes in the comfort of your own kitchen. How cool is that?
For more information about Vegan Holidays in Phuket at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center, simply fill in the inquiry form below. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Can’t wait to welcome you here!
Why not take some time off this year and dedicate it solemnly to yourself; to your health, your body, mind and soul?
Dive into your journey of yoga today, immersing yourself into the silence of the surrounding jungle, whilst being luxuriously pampered with daily spa treatments at Santosa.
Imagine waking up to the distant tropical bird’s singing. You take a deep breath in, the freshness of the nearby ocean hits your nostrils and instantly wakes you up. You start your day simply, on the mat. You breathe in the space, the you feel the “energy” and you feel immediately relaxed. See the Big Buddha smiling encouragingly at you from atop his mountain as you start your morning practice.
Imagine moving with your breath as your body, mind and soul become one. Feel the breeze caressing your skin, feel yourself becoming like the wind, ready for it to sweep you away for a never-ending dance … conclude your morning in complete serenity, filled with peace and joy, and carry that feeling with you for the rest of your day.
Imagine enjoying a healthy breakfast gazing at the blue, bright sky that meets the deep blue on the horizon as well as sharing your morning with a like-minded group of people discussing the transition into a healthy lifestyle or deepening your knowledge thereof.
Envision moving through your day stress-free, with a permanent smile glued to your face, the sun warming you up. It is possible to experience this feeling of bliss today and take a well-balanced lifestyle back home with you.
Here at Santosa, we endeavor to give our guests what they are looking for whether it be detoxification, wellness or fitness, or perhaps all three of these combined. The Yoga & SPA Retreat is personally designed for you with care and consideration. Your well-being and health matter to all of us at Santosa.
Why is this program unique?
Because it is all about YOU, your yoga journey and taking care of yourself.
Discover the various yoga styles taught at Santosa and find your own style with the private classes being offered every other day. These private classes are put together after a personal consultation to select an approach that will best suit you and your needs profoundly.
The Yoga & SPA Retreat program is suitable for all levels and ages. It is also viable for all body types as yoga does not discriminate.
Beginners will gain a better understanding of yoga with a focus on laying a concrete foundation to their practice and given the tools to incorporate yoga in their lives in an easy and stress-free way. Intermediate students will learn how to deepen their knowledge and practice and will be give the option to try more subtle yoga styles, such as Kundalini Yoga. Whilst advanced students will enjoy the varied classes and find the appropriate support to experience new challenges and develop their own unique practice even further.
Every day you will be given the opportunity to pamper yourself with a spa treatment that will calm your senses, nerves and body. Go crazy and pick a different treatment for yourself every day, our menu is full of lush options that will increase your level of well-being or play it safe and stick to one that you love most. Our talented and professional Spa team are eager to please your senses.
We know that the way to your heart is through the stomach and during your stay, you will be able to discover the fine dining we offer at our outstanding vegan restaurant. At Santosa, we truly believe that “you are what you eat” so whilst staying with us you will have the opportunity to taste distinguished dishes which not only taste amazing, but are also 100% healthy. These delicious, healthy meals will leave you feeling fully energized as they are fresh, tasty and a wonderful compliment to all of the work you have been doing on your healthy journey at the center.
The Yoga & SPA Retreat program is not only focused on the physical part of the practice, but it also gives one a chance to discover the theory of yoga and yogic philosophy. We will share knowledge on various topics, which you will have chosen yourself prior to your arrival. We’ll actively meditate together and get our breaths going during pranayama practice and learn how to access the place within ourselves where we are just happy and with a clear mind and balanced.
This state of perpetual harmony between the body, mind and soul is within reach. Make the right choice for your health today and come to experience Santosa Detox & Wellness Center.
Full fast is a full cleanse program specially designed to enable maximum results. You will have no food / no juice but only drink water with cleanses drinks and nutrition supplements. Participants of this program will be subjected to the most powerful, yet natural, body detoxification processes. This program is suitable for those who have detoxification experience and are determined to go deeper for cleanse. A thorough pre-cleanse is also important for the full fast.
Juice fast is a cleanse program to nourish and detoxify the body by drinking fresh fruits and vegetable juice. The key is to hydrate and nourish your cells with the correct vitamins, enzymes, minerals and antioxidants. Guests participating in the Juice Fast Program have higher energy levels allowing them to take advantage of the various activities available at Santosa Detox & Wellness Center.
Raw food fast brings together nutritional science and holistic therapies. This program is recommended for guests looking for a long lasting and sustainable post program experience. With a balanced and nutritionally delicious set raw food menu in addition to the regular fasting supplements and a complete program of daily therapies, including regular cleansing sessions, this program is designed to optimize the detoxification process in every way. A raw food diet has shown to increase energy levels, which is great for taking part in many of Santosa’s activities.
At Santosa, guests can use their free time to relax and disconnect from the stresses of the outside world by joining our free classes, taking a swim or a relaxing ice bath after a sauna.
Santosa Spa is truly an extension of our ethics; to take you on a sensual and luxurious journey. Our treatments nurture and support the connection between body, mind and spirit.
Shirodara & Ayurvedic - Thai Herbal Compress - Hot Stone - Cupping Therapy - Infrared Dome Sauna - Ion Cleanse Foot Bath - Epsom Salt Foot SPA and Foot Scrub
