After the stress and scurrying around during the Christmas period, relaxation and peace of mind is usually the last thing on your agenda. It’s the New Year and you’re back to work, you have a long list of things still pending from the previous year. You promise yourself you’ll turn over a new leaf, whether you want to eat more healthily or use that gym membership a little more often. Well why don’t you give yourself a head start and prepare yourself for the next 12 months. Book yourself into CHI at Shangri La’s Tanjung Aru Resort and Spa in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

What is Ch’i (pronounced chee and thus spelt chi)? The simplest definition is energy, and the natural flow of it throughout the universe. It encompasses everything in day to day life and quite literally is a way of life. A fundamental concept of chi is harmony. When discord resonates, practitioners of chi believe that an imbalance of energy is present and that harmony needs to be restored to achieve the perfect state of symmetry; for instance Yin and Yang, hot and cold.

CHI, the Spa, has truly been built around chi. It is all encompassing and can be felt the moment you step onto the spectacular grounds. Set upon its’ own island Pulau Bayu, it is surrounded by the South China Sea. With breathtaking views, it is the description of tranquillity and serenity. Walking down the boardwalk from the hotel brings you to the entrance, also known as the Sanctum, where you are greeted by a calming ambience. The healing process has begun. Water cascades from the central waterfall and equilibrium resonates throughout. To the left is the spa boutique where you can purchase various massage oils, body and bath products from the CHI origin collection and the speciality skincare range from Biodroga, Germany. And to the right is the consultation area where the oils to be used during your treatment are decided, by way of completing a short questionnaire, to determine which Chinese element you are; metal, wood, water, fire or earth. CHI’s therapies are based upon these 5 elements, in order to harmonise the body’s natural balance of Yin and Yang.

From the Sanctum, the lush gardens lure you to explore the island further. You will find the Yoga Pavilion, capable of accommodating up to 8 persons at a time. It has been tactfully located to benefit from the stunning sunsets Sabah has to offer. With 8 private spa villas, of which include 3 couples villas, the spa experience can be enjoyed in solitude or with a special someone. Upon entering the perfectly secluded villas, CHI, the Spa’s concept of a ‘spa within a spa’ can be felt as well as seen; a private garden or pond welcome you to your very own sanctuary. Villas include 2 separate chalets, of which the first you will encounter holds the private changing room, shower and herbal steam room. Across the way is the second chalet, where relaxation and rejuvenation transpire within the treatment room. Bringing the 2 areas together is the outdoor bath and shower where calm and peace reside.

During treatments, your therapist will endeavour to accommodate your every need beginning with cooling tea to prepare you for the indulgence ahead. Visually stunning, the room is in absolute harmony with soothing music that complements the treatment, aromatic concoctions of massage oils and of course the treatment itself. The 5 senses are stimulated to ensure complete physical and spiritual revitalisation.

A range of treatments are available, from CHI’s signature therapies and massages, body scrubs, body wraps to facial treatments. CHI, The Spa prides itself on utilising the natural elements that are part of Borneo’s natural landscape. For instance Sabah tea, grown on Mount Kinabalu, volcanic mud clay found in Lahad Datu, pearls from the bays of Semporna, cocoa harvested in abundance from the many plantations and numerous fruits, vegetables and herbs all of which are bursting with healing nutrients. CHI, The Spa is the perfect way to relax, unwind and achieve harmony through chi.

Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort & Spa
20 Jalan Aru, Tanjung Aru
88100 Kota Kinabalu
Sabah, Malaysia.
T: +6 088 327 888
F: +60 88 327 878
E: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
W: www.shangri-la.com

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