About Mandala Spa & Villas
The Location
The lush tropical haven rests on a 2.5 hectare hilltop above Angol in Barangay Manoc-Manoc, on Boracay Island, the Philippines. The prevailing atmosphere is one of serenity and tranquility.
The Architecture
Mandala Spa & Villas is a tropical day spa and resort. The architecture blends Filipino elegance with its capiz doors and woven bamboo floors with Italian modernity, furnished with Italian bathroom fixtures. Sliding walls dissolve the barriers between the outdoors and indoors.
What is a Mandala?
‘Mandala’ means “the space that contains the essence.” ‘Mandala’ is the Sanskrit word for “circle” or “whole”, symbolizing the holistic nature of all existence. Always graphically symbolized as well as taking the Tibetan connotation, a Mandala can represent a person’s spiritual evolutionary path.
The Philosophy
Mandala Spa & Villas reflects the philosophy and lifestyles of the owners, Karen Villarica Reina and Dieter Schrottmann, the same team that conceptualized the Kon-Tiki Floating Bar in 1985. Both believe that life is to be enjoyed and not endured.
It is a love affair with the spirit of Boracay that made this project possible. Being both long time residents of Boracay, Karen and Dieter felt that it was of importance to preserve a piece of the serenity and peace that the island became known for in the “early” years.
Mandala Spa & Villas approaches health holistically, regarding the outer as much as the inner self. Much importance is placed in creating a culture that embraces change as growth towards perfection.
Mandala Spa & Villas is about making a difference in a person’s life, if only to plant a seed that will eventually lead to a better quality of life.
The People Behind Mandala Spa & Villas. While Dieter was exposed to Shiatsu in Japan (he subsequently founded a company called “Health for the New Age “ in 1987, the company that pioneered in educating blind masseurs in Shiatsu and successfully operated in Manila until the early 90’s), Karen learned Watsu and other healing arts in Northern California, a world center for mind-body therapies, and continues to learn from Master healers worldwide.
The Staff. All of our Spa therapists are physical therapists or nurses who undergo a rigorous 3-month spa training course conducted by Mo-ching Yip, our in-house American-licensed massage teacher and spa consultant.
Mandala Spa & Villas Offerings. All Spa offerings are especially designed by Mandala Spa, with much emphasis on the natural and nourishing aspects of the experience. Western body work is blended with caring service. Our beauty concoctions are derived from Asia’s rich plant heritage. Pampering is met by wellness and the quest for relaxation and inner peace.
The spa is an environment for personal growth, a place to remind us of the quality of life, a place where we can reflect and achieve spiritual rejuvenation.
In line with its goal of offering a sanctuary for the soul, Mandala Spa integrated the “Healing Arts Foundation” into the spa concept. The healing arts aspect inspired the creation of spa services and treatments based on wellness. Also unique to the Mandala Spa & Vilas experience are the yoga classes led by our certified instructors as well as yoga retreats by renowned yoga teachers. Watsu (Water shiatsu) is offered at Mandala Spa & Vilas, where the receiver is taken to a very deep state of relaxation. Karen is the only certified Watsu therapist in the Philippines and the only certified Watsu instructor in Asia. She received advanced training at Harbin in Northern California, the birthplace of Watsu. Karen is also a Reiki Master-Teacher and leads Reiki sessions.
Visiting Masters of different disciplines are often invited to share their knowledge and skills with Mandala Spa’s guests and island residents.
.
Time spent at Mandala Spa & Villas, is time for yourself - time for your body and time for your soul. Mandala Spa & Villas, where you experience yourself.
Mandala Spa & Villas presently offers natural spa treatments in four private day spa villas, at the Yin Yang Pavilion which houses the saunas and shared treatment areas, and in the privacy of 12 luxury resort villas.