In celebration of our 30th anniversary this year, we are pleased to announce the premiere of Serenity - The Datai Well-being Series. This exciting new annual wellness programme brings the very best holistic practitioners from around the world to the heart of the Malaysian rainforest to host a series of residencies for guests.
Throughout 2023, Serenity - The Datai Well-Being Series will welcome a curated line-up of visiting practitioners, selected for their extensive experience, expertise, and holistic approach. Ranging from consultations and one-on-one sessions to group workshops, the programme will embrace a diverse platform of specialisms, from ancient disciplines including acupuncture, yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and singing bowl sound healing therapy; alternative medical practices such as chiropractic and podiatry; to contemporary therapies such as neuroscience.
The six practitioners who will take residence for the maiden edition of Serenity - The Datai Well-Being Series are confirmed as:
- 14-18 March, Bastien Gonzalez, Podiatrist, France
- 1-10 April, Dr Rui Pedro Loureiro, TCM/Acupuncture, Portugal
- 14-25 June, Paul Emery, Creator: A Peaceful Mind, Thailand
- 7-17 August, Roxanne De Guzman, Fitness Professional and Yoga Instructor, Canada
- 7-14 October, Christina Shiu, Singing Bowl Sound Healing Practitioner, Singapore
- 24-31 December, Dr Rafael Bagheri, Chiropractor, Canada
Recently awarded ‘Sustainable Spa of the Year’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards, The Spa at The Datai Langkawi offers immersive treatments inspired by the beauty and generosity of the natural environment to induce a sensory journey of overall well-being. Surrounded by a 10 million-year-old rainforest, treatments are Ramuan-based, a traditional Malay healing therapy harnessing local and natural ingredients from the rainforest, mangroves and sea for their numerous health benefits. Uniquely Malaysian, Ramuan dates back over several millennia and draws from a myriad of cultures, echoing Malaysia’s own history. As well as respecting local healing traditions, The Datai Langkawi reflects Ramuan’s heritage of evolution by striving to continuously innovate and embrace relevant contemporary practices. In this spirit, Serenity aims to nurture guests with experiences that rejuvenate mind, body and spirit, and instil a sense of harmony.
Arnaud Girodon, General Manager of The Datai Langkawi, comments: “The last few years have seen a dramatic rise in advancements and technological innovations in wellness, whilst, at the same time, research continues to support the undisputed regenerative and nurturing power of nature. At The Datai Langkawi, we are blessed to be surrounded by the uniquely healing terrains of the primeval rainforest, the sea and the mangrove, with nature at the heart of our well-being offering. With Serenity, we aim to create an evolving well-being platform, distilling the very best practitioners in their chosen fields from around the world. It is a diverse programme that explores the innovative, the alternative and the enduring, all rooted in a natural, authentic core. We want to give our guests experiences that go beyond the moment and beyond their stay, instilling a profound sense of harmony, and changing the way they look at themselves and the world around them.”
For further enquiries or to make a reservation, please call +60 4 9500 500 or email reservations@dataihotels.com
Bastien Gonzalez is famous worldwide for his meticulous and unique approach to foot treatments. He has won multiple awards for his signature podiatrist studio and services including Men's Spa Treatment of the Year and overall Spa Treatment Of the Year by the AsiaSpa Awards. His studio, the Pedi:Mani:Cure Studio by Bastien Gonzalez was also named World’s Best Nail Studio Brand by the World Spa Awards. A Paris-trained podiatrist, Gonzalez was one of the first practitioners to pioneer an integrated approach to hands, nails and feet, combining health and natural beauty in his treatment protocol. Gonzalez began his career with a medical clinic in Paris, after which he set up his practice and moved to work with luxury hotels in Paris, London and New York before expanding his practice further afield. His unique treatments employ medical-grade care of the nails, whilst incorporating deep massage, relieving any muscle tension or heaviness from toe-to-knee or finger-to-elbow. Gonzalez has also developed a celebrated product line, Révérence de Bastien, and is currently working on setting up a training academy to bring his revered treatments to the wider world.
Dr Rui Pedro Loureiro is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor and licensed acupuncturist and combines ancient wisdoms with contemporary diagnostics in his practice. He offers services ranging from a full Epigenetic Test that provides a detailed report about a person’s health in the preceding 6-8 months, over ‘Quit Smoking For Life’ using electro acupuncture, Holistic Facial Rejuvenation and a revolutionary Bio-Gold Infusion Facial, as well as assistance in improving sleep, reducing stress and anxiety, and tonifying your immune system, amongst others. He has amassed numerous accreditations and training in his 23 years of clinical practice, including a Bachelor's Degree from Chengdu's University of Chinese Medicine in China, and postgraduate degrees in Cosmetic Acupuncture from CMIR/ACUMEDIC in London and Beijing's University of Chinese Medicine. He is responsible for the Chinese Medicine Department at St. Louis Hospital in Lisbon and is the Clinical Director of Clinica Cura Pura in Aveiro, in Portugal. Dr Loureiro has also enjoyed stints with leading luxury hotels as a Healing Master and visiting practitioner.
Paul Emery uses a unique and powerful combination of the best and most effective mind/body techniques, developed over the past four decades by internationally renowned medical professionals. He has combined them to create a new form of treatment called A Peaceful Mind. This includes elements from NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), Energy Medicine, Kinesiology, EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques), TFT (Thought Field Therapy), along with his current neuroscience-based technique, the Havening Technique. This rapid Psycho-Sensory treatment gently releases unwanted emotional responses such as stress, anxiety and worry by combining tapping meridian acupressure points, or therapeutic touch to the arms and face alongside visualisation. Paul’s QEPR coaching service was awarded the prestigious ‘Asia Spa - Holistic Treatment of the Year 2010 Award’ and he is the co-author of 'The Soul of Success' with Jack Canfield. Emery was a resident at Chiva-Som International Health Resort for over six years and has been a visiting consultant at many of the world's top resorts. His international clientele includes Hollywood and Bollywood stars, as well as politicians, rock and pop stars, royalty, doctors and even psychiatrists.
Roxanne De Guzman is a highly experienced fitness professional and yoga instructor, as well as a spa and wellness consultant. In her private fitness training and yoga sessions, she works one-to-one with guests, focusing on their unique goals based on where they are in their fitness and well-being regimen whilst incorporating a youthful and playful mindset. Roxanne offers a range of services including: (1) a personalised fitness training programme on-site (with the option of a tailored take-home programme); (2) Private and Group Yoga Sessions, incorporating Vinyasa, Hatha, Iyengar, Ashtanga or Jivamukti styles; or (3) Thai yoga stretch sessions: a blend of passive yoga with Thai massage, PNF stretching and shiatsu pressure points. Roxanne has been involved in the fitness and spa industries for over twenty-five years and has amassed numerous certifications and licenses, working and consulting with top luxury resorts around the world.
Christina Shiu is a Singing Bowl specialist and founder of The Singing Bowl Gallery in Singapore. She has been conducting and teaching Singing Bowl Sound Healing Therapy and Singing Bowl workshops for over nine years. These therapies employ sound healing in which sound and vibrations permeate the body to restore peace and harmony. They are also thought to offer powerful healing properties. Christina’s teachings are rooted in the world-renowned Singing Bowl Masters, Santa Shakya and Shree Shahi. She regularly conducts wellness sessions with Singing Bowls for corporations and government agencies in Singapore and has performed in opening ceremonies at regional events. Christina also specialises in training and has been invited to train spa practitioners in luxury hotels around the region.
Dr Bagheri is an experienced chiropractor with over 16 years’ experience, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a Doctor of Chiropractic degree, both from Canada. He is a strong advocate of combining different treatment approaches for neuro-muscular disorders. His expertise includes spinal manipulation, muscle release technique and other modalities. He has worked with physicians and other health care professionals in numerous multi-disciplinary settings with hands-on therapy and clinical chiropractic practices. Dr Bagheri is passionate about achieving optimal postural and spinal health and emphasises a proactive, prevention-based approach using spinal correction rather than alleviating symptomatic pain relief. Dr Bagheri is also a corporate wellness speaker. Dr Bagheri kicked off our new annual Well-being Series in December 2022, and we are happy to welcome him back as our closing residency for the premiere year of Serenity – The Datai Well-being Series.