The calm is just the beginning, the first step in the holistic approach to healing, as evident in the Chi Spa Village at the Island Shangri-La Mactan. Inspired from the Shangri-La legend, this secluded village in the heart of a vast green expanse offers an infusion of traditional Chinese medicine and Himalayan healing philosophies with specialized signature spa treatments, creating a holistic healing and rejuvenating effect designed to calm the spirit, relax the mind, and ease the soul.

The idea of healing and maintaining good health is that the natural life force—Chi—must flow freely within the body. Once blocked, there is a greater likelihood that illness will occur, so in order to clear natural blockages, movement must be created in the body—movement of the physical body, which includes exercise, stretching, massage and hydrotherapy, and movement of the mind and spirit, through relaxation and meditation, will help release the flow of chi energy in the body. Furthermore, according to the traditional Chinese Philosophy of the Five Elements, healing is created by a balance of yin and yang energy in the body. The balance is helped by determining a person’s element—metal, wood, water, fire and earth—which helps determine the proper oils to be applied in treatments that are based on ancient healing practices of the Himalayan region.

The ritual of the Chi Spa begins at the very entrance of the village, where the fountain and the wooden walkway over a lotus pond transports guests to another place and time. Upon entering the main Sanctum, guests are greeted by receptionists and therapists going about in small, quiet shuffles as they help the guests in their pre-treatment consultation and guide them through their stay.

Music and sound are also key factors to calming the mind. Not simply silence but the right choice of music and natural sound, minus distracting factors like sliding doors shutting and timers ticking off how many minutes you have left, are what help enhance the experience.

The Five Elements Theory is generally applied to the physiology and pathology of the human body by using the relationships of generation and subjugation to understand and treat human conditions. Generation literally means that one element somehow helps generate another, and subjugation is the opposite. The order of mutual generation among the five elements is that wood generates fire, fire generates earth, earth generates metal, metal generates water, and water generates wood. The order of mutual subjugation, on the other hand, is that wood subjugates earth, metal subjugates wood, and so on. It is believed that the movement and change of all things exists through their mutual generating and subjugating relationships. These relationships are the basis of the never ending circulation of natural elements.

However, extreme subjugation and counter subjugation are the natural conditions of the generation and subjugation relationships. This means that the subjugation of one of the five elements to another surpasses the normal level, which implies that a hyperactivity of a certain element, say the metal element, will subjugate the corresponding element, in this case the wood element. The latter element is then made weak and insufficient. Conversely, counter subjugation means that weakness of a certain element will cause its corresponding element to compensate, leading to a natural dominance.

In its simplest application, it is about achieving balance based on what is learned through the dominance or weakness of an element. Though there are much more complex explanations and associations made here, it is the balancing of energy through the logic behind this that guides the Chi spa treatments and makes them effective. What is wholly remarkable about the signature treatments of the spa, however, is the fact that the results of these treatments can be felt after just one round, and lasts for a long time after the treatment ends, especially if the oils used are not immediately washed off of the skin.

When treatments are made specifically to suit needs, it is much easier than having to decide on a combination on your own. In Chi Spa, the treatments allow the guests to choose based on their immediate needs, with the help and guidance of the therapists, and makes for a much more rejuvenating experience.

Some of the signature therapies include Chi’atsu, which is a water treatment wherein guests float in warm water while stretching and shiatsu-like massages are applied, and is designed specifically to ease muscles and improve flexibility. Another signature therapy is the Travellers Retreat, which is perfect for overcoming jet lag and relieving stiffness, aches, and pains as it combines a Himalayan Bath Ritual, a detoxifying Biodroga Algae Wrap, and an Aroma Vitality Signature Massage. Another treatment is specifically for Chi Balance, which utilizes a variety of Oriental techniques and oil to harmonize the chi flow in the body. Yet another treatment is the Yin Yang Couples Massage, which is done in coordination in light and rhythmical strokes focusing on specific meridians to release tension and restore peace and harmony.