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
What is the difference between The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal TherapyAnd Chi Nei Tsang? Since I have been in Asia, I am often asked this question.
Just to clarify, I am a Certified Practitioner of The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®, not a Chi Nei Tsang practitioner, yet, although I hope to be soon. I have experienced a Chi Nei Tsang treatment and read a lot about it. I will touch on the basic definitions and differences, please feel free to add your two cents.
What’s in a name?
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® are based on the teachings of Rosita Arvigo, who apprenticed for ten years with Don Elijio Panti, one of the last Mayan shamans of Belize. Rosita saw the power and benefits of his treatments and incorporated her own training as a Naprapath (an off-shoot of chiropractic that focuses on the ligaments) to create the method that bears her name.
Chi Nei Tsang literally means qi – usually translated as vital energy and nei tsang – means internal organs. This is a a specific type of internal organ massage based on Taoist teachings from China. This method is taught by Mantak Chia who developed the Universal Tao system and is based at Tao Garden in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Premise
Arvigo Therapy is based on the Maya belief that “a woman’s uterus is the spiritual center of her being: if it’s out of balance, than her entire life is out of balance,” says Dr. Rosita Arvigo. Proper re-positioning of the uterus is done by working on the ligaments and muscles that help bring her into proper position. This work is also beneficial for men too. While woman tend to have more issues of displacement in the pelvis; men have more issues of congestion.
Meanwhile, the massage of the abdomen, lower back and focused work on the sacrum, also work to:
soften musculature
enhance circulation of the blood, lymph, nerves & qi
improve digestion, assimilation & elimination
Chi Nei Tsang’s focus is on the internal organs. Much of the diagnosis is based on the positioning of the navel and its shape. They also massage the abdomen and work to:
directly stimulate the internal organs
facilitate their drainage of toxic wastes
draw circulation of blood and energy into the organs and glands to repair & replenish them.
Both therapies place great importance on the emotions, since negative emotions do so much damage to our health – physically, mentally and spiritually. All massage therapists and body-workers know that “muscles store memory” and that long held emotions can be released through skilled bodywork; many times being much more effective than being more affective then western style psychotherapy.
Digestion of emotions also takes place in the abdomen, each organ corresponding to a different emotion. We don’t often consider that we digest emotions, believing that digestion only has to do with food. When we hold in our emotions the diaphragm muscle constricts which impedes circulation throughout the abdomen by restricting its rhythmic movement with each respiration. Other muscles in the abdomen and back also tighten creating stagnation of energy, hence impeding the function of the internal organs.
Adjunct Therapies
Arvigo Therapy tends to incorporate more instruction in self-care massage as an integral part of their treatment and other adjunct therapies.
Arvigo Therapy depending on the circumstances will teach clients about the “faja” (adominal wrap), “bajos” (vaginal steam), castor oil packs and when appropriate dietary advice.
Chi Nei Tsang practitioners teach clients to meditate on the inner smile, microcosmic orbit and healing sounds and also give Chinese dietary guidelines.
Having experienced both techniques they take different approaches. I recommend experiencing both if you have the opportunity. Since I am only touching on the very basics, for further information here are some websites and books if you would like to learn more.
Sastun- My Apprentice with a Mayan Healer, Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein
Rainforest Remedies, The Maya Way to Heal your Body and Replenish your Soul – Rosita Arvigo and Nadine Epstein
Chi Nei Tsang– Chi Massage for the Vital Organs, Mantak Chia
The Tao of Detox, Daniel Reid
Wind in the Blood; Mayan Healing and Chinese Medicine, Hernan Garcia, Antonio Sierra, Gilberto Balam
Santosa Detox & Wellness Center would like to thank Lisa Levine for her guest blog post this week. From July 27 – 30, Lisa will facilitate The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy Self-Care Workshop here at Santosa. Interested in more info? Give us a call at 076 330 600.
For the first time in Phuket, Santosa Detox & Wellness Center is proud to host the Family and Spiritual Constellations Workshop over the weekend of the 27th and 28th of May. Facilitated by Marco Economides, this workshop will focus on healing the roots of relationships within families by delving deeper into the unconscious levels of the situation that may be causing stress.
A Family and Spiritual Constellations Workshop is a three-dimensional group process that has the power to shift generations of suffering and unhappiness. The founder of this work, Bert Hellinger, studied various families for more than 50 years and observed that many of us unconsciously take on destructive familial patterns such as anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, aloneness, alcoholism and even illness as a way of belonging our family units. Due to the bonds of deep love, a child will often sacrifice his or her own best interests in a vain attempt to ease the suffering of a parent or other beloved family member.
During this workshop, participants can expect to “go deep” into certain unconscious entanglements from their own families that seem to be conditioning present day relationships whether those relationships be romantic, within the family, at work or even with yourself. These entanglements may involve the original family of the participant, the present family or the ancestral past. The hidden dynamics of the issues will be looked at in more detail in order to discover what is taking place in the emotional, psychological and systematic realms and how it is impacting the present in terms of relationships, self-esteem and the ability to unlock or fulfill your potential. A Family and Spiritual Constellations Workshop consists of a group of people who agree to meet in a confidential and safe sacred circle in order to trigger a dynamic process of healing moving forward.
Santosa Detox & Wellness Center is proud to host this workshop on the 27th and 28th of May. The two day workshop will take place at our center located near Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand. The workshop will be held from 9:30am until 6:00pm on both days. The total cost for the workshop is 6000THB per person, and includes a delicious lunch on both days at the Santosa Vegan Restaurant.
Facilitated by Marco Economides, the Family and Spiritual Constellations Workshop is an exceptional event that is sure to bring about a positive change in those who attend. Well-known in the health and wellness community, Marco Economides has been working in the field of holistic therapies and subtle energies for more than 7 years. His first experience with Family Constellations happened 10 years ago, and since then he has studied Family and Systematic constellations under different teachers in Italy and abroad. Marco is a certified facilitator for Family and Spiritual Constellations Workshops in Phuket and around the world.
If you are interested in attending this workshop, simply fill out the enquiry form below and a dedicated member of staff will be in touch. Alternatively, you can make a reservation by calling +66 (0) 76 330 600 or by emailing andrea@santosaphuket.com. There is more information about this workshop on our Facebook page, and any additional questions can be answered via WhatsApp on this number +393287610874.
Chen-style Tai Chi is widely recognized as the oldest form of Tai Chi as well as being the ancestor of all of the other Tai Chi styles. Chen-style Tai Chi is a unique form of the martial art. Characterized by low powerful stances, body coiling movements, stomping and forceful releases of power, Chen-style Tai Chi is explosive with its moves that include jumping kicks, cannon fists and thundering stomps.
For those based in Phuket and eager to learn more about Chen-style Tai Chi, Santosa proudly presents a two day workshop with Tai Chi Master Chen Juan on the 18th and 19th of March. We are honoured to have Master Chen Juan with us, and this workshop is sure to be interesting as well as informative.
Even if you are a beginner to the practice of Tai Chi, Chen-style Tai Chi is for you. Due to its powerful moves, Chen-style Tai Chi is a favourite of those who are athletically inclined, however, Chen-style Tai Chi can be practiced with slower, more graceful light movements. Whichever way you practice Chen-style Tai Chi, the health benefits and martial art aspects are still preserved.
A trademark of Chen-style Tai Chi is Silk Reeling. Imagine unraveling a silk worm’s cocoon in a single thread, and this can give you a vision of what Silk Reeling is. Drawing on the silk reeling energy, the Silk Reeling movements made famous by Chen-style Tai Chi feature light touches with smooth circular motions as well as even, continuous pressure. This type of silk reeling energy comes from the coiling movements practiced in Chen-style Tai Chi.
When learning Chen-style Tai Chi moves, it is best to remember that each move in not a simple movement. Instead, each movement is a combination of specific actions, including weight shifts and blows. Learning the choreography of Chen-style Tai Chi can be difficult at first, but don’t give up because as with all martial arts, the perfection of Chen-style Tai Chi takes a lot of practice. It is important to take note that finding an instructor for Chen-style Tai Chi may take a bit of research as only about 1% of the Tai Chi world are Chen-style practitioners.
Chen-style Tai Chi is the oldest known style of Tai Chi, stemming from the Chen village in 17th century China. The style itself has a unique history, and was highly protected and kept secret for over a century as the villagers refused to teach their style of Tai Chi to outsiders. It is an amazing martial art to witness, learn and practice.
Santosa Detox and Wellness Center will host Tai Chi Master Chen Juan on the 18th and 19th of March for a two day workshop on Chen-style Tai Chi. This is an amazing opportunity to participate in a workshop led by a Tai Chi Master and a wonderful way to experience Chen-style Tai Chi up close and personal.
If you would like to join, simply fill out the enquiry form below. We look forward to seeing you on the 18th and 19th of March for our Chen-style Tai Chi Workshop facilitated by Tai Chi Master Chen Juan.
On March 18th and 19th, Santosa is proud to host Master Chen Juan at our detox and wellness center for an exclusive Chen-style Tai Chi Workshop. The serene setting of our detox and wellness center makes the perfect setting for this workshop. Located in the Kata Hill, Santosa Detox and Wellness Center is pleasantly surrounded by lush, tropical nature and commands sensational views of the Andaman Sea.
March 18 14:00 – 17:00
What is real Tai Chi – Kongfu show
Chen’s Tai Chi heritage & oriental wisdom
Basic Technique Teaching
Sharing and Q&A
March 19 14:00 – 17:00
Master Show
Theory of Yin Yang Circle and QI
Teaching
Sharing and Q&A
The Chen-style Tai Chi workshop is exclusive to Santosa Detox and Wellness Center. The master of this Tai Chi workshop is the daughter of Tai Chi Grand Master Chen Zhenglei, 19th generation of the Chen family and world-renowned teacher of Tai Chi.
Spaces are limited, so if you are interested do fill out the enquiry form below. A dedicated member of staff will get back to you as soon as possible with answers to any questions that you may have.
Shi Fu (师傅):Master Chen Juan
Master Chen Juan is the 12th generation inheritor of Chen Style Taichi. She is the eldest daughter and disciple of Chen Zhenglei, one of China’s contemporary ten martial art masters.
Born in Chenjiagou village in Wen County, Henan Province — the cradle of Taichi, Chen Juan learned Chen Style Taichi from her father Chen Zhenglei in a systematic way since her childhood and graduated from Martial Art School of Beijing Sports University.
Having inherited the true essence of Taichi and possessed unadulterated and excellent Taichi skills, she has won the champion of national Taichi competition for three consecutive times.
We look forward to welcoming you to our exclusive Chen-style Tai Chi Workshop on March 18th and 19th here at Santosa Detox and Wellness Center.
Tai Chi is a gentle form of exercise. It helps maintain strength, flexibility and balance. Often referred to as meditation in motion, Tai Chi is a wonderful activity to practice in all stages of life. Tai Chi is a mind-body practice that originated in China as a martial art, but the practice has great value in treating and preventing many various health problems. Some health benefits of Tai Chi include reduced inflammation, enhanced flexibility and agility, greater flexibility as well as lower blood pressure and improved heart health.
Tai Chi is both low-impact and mostly slow motion, and it is an easy practice to start. As you move, you breathe deeply and naturally while focusing your attention on your bodily sensations. The philosophy behind Tai Chi focuses on the Qui and Yin and Yang. Qi is the energy force thought to flow throughout the body while Yin and Yang are opposing elements thought to make up the universe that need to be constantly kept in harmony. It is believed that Tai Chi promotes this balance.
The oldest form of Tai Chi is Chen-style Tai Chi. This form of Tai Chi is the parent form of the five traditional family styles of Tai Chi and is characterized by silk reeling, which essentially alternating fast and slow motions with bursts of power. Chen-style Tai Chi is Tai Chi in its original form. What makes this form of Tai Chi absolutely unique is that Chen-style Tai Chi is not practiced all in slow motion. Chen-style Tai Chi alternates the slow-motion movements well known in Tai Chi wit short, fast, explosive movements. Chen-style Tai Chi demands more physical coordination than other types of Tai Chi as it can be perceived as more difficult and athletic than other styles of the practice.
Chen-style Tai Chi is spirited and energetic, but also as beneficial as other types of Tai Chi. Chen-style Tai Chi will lead practitioners to greater self-awareness and control of energy in the body. Practicing Chen-style Tai Chi is an excellent way to promote longevity and excellent health.
Exclusive Chen-style Taichi Workshop in Phuket
On March 18th and 19th, Santosa is proud to host Master Chen Juan at our detox and wellness center for an exclusive Chen-style Tai Chi Workshop. The serene setting of our detox and wellness center makes the perfect setting for this workshop. Located in the Kata Hill, Santosa Detox and Wellness Center is pleasantly surrounded by lush, tropical nature and commands sensational views of the Andaman Sea.
The Chen-style Tai Chi workshop is exclusive to Santosa Detox and Wellness Center. The master of this Tai Chi workshop is the daughter of Tai Chi Grand Master Chen Zhenglei, 19th generation of the Chen family and world-renowned teacher of Tai Chi.
Spaces are limited, so if you are interested do fill out the enquiry form below. A dedicated member of staff will get back to you as soon as possible with answers to any questions that you may have.
We look forward to welcoming you to our exclusive Chen-style Tai Chi Workshop on March 18th and 19th here at Santosa Detox and Wellness Center.