AYANA AWARDED ASIA-PACIFIC'S BEST SPA; INTRODUCES NEW SIGNATURE TREATMENTS

Hong Kong, 7 March 2011 – AYANA Resort and Spa Bali, which has just added the Best Resort Spa in Asia-Pacific to its list of accolades, has launched four new signature treatments created exclusively for its guests.

The new treatments coincide with the announcement at an awards ceremony in Hong Kong last month that AYANA was voted the Best Resort Spa in Asia-Pacific in the 2011 Destinasian Readers' Choice Survey– adding to a host of other awards recently, including #1 World's Best Spa in the 2010 Conde Nast Traveler Readers' Survey.

AYANA’s Spa Director, Michi Sonoda, thanked guests for once again voting for the resort's Thermes Marins Bali Spa and supporting its objective to be the pioneer of unique and innovative treatments available only at AYANA.

“We continually strive to be the best, and these new treatments are not just about relaxation and pampering, they elevate the concept of wellbeing to a whole new level,” said Michi. “They use the earth’s natural resources to specifically target our body’s seven energy centers to counter the negative influences of modern living, and restore our inner balance. Seashells are warmed for use as unique and effective massage tools, herbal blends are bundled and warmed to deeply relax the body, lava stones known for their healing properties are used for reflexology, and Ayurveda-inspired methods are used to open your chakras. Each treatment is exclusively available at AYANA, and is an experience not-to-be-missed.”

The treatments were created by wellbeing coach Rhett Hatfield, founder of Body Wisdom Coaching which focuses on ‘coaching from the inside out’ and owner of Body Wisdom Massage School in the USA. Each treatment provides a completely holistic experience to balance the energy centers in the body, with innovative approaches to ancient healing remedies. Rhett spent months developing the treatments and training AYANA’s spa therapists in the art of holistic healing.

Hot Shell Massage
For centuries, cultures around the world have honored seashells as a source of food, decoration, trade and for their spiritual connection to the divine feminine. Now you can experience the magic of these gems of the sea through a deeply relaxing Hot Shell Massage to melt tired muscles and soothe your spirit. Shells and sand are used to exfoliate your feet before a massage using dozens of warmed shells sourced from around the world, to specifically target different parts of the body. The types of shell used ranges from spiral shells such as ‘cowries’ and ‘nautilus’ (which targets the heart chakra) to clams and coral, each naturally smooth from the ocean. The high note of your experience is a unique seashell layout on your body to balance your energy centers, and a refreshing shell facial massage.

AYANA Fusion
Steamed herbal pouches containing AYANA’s fresh herbal blend of three gingers reputed for their healing and rejuvenating properties are used to relax tight muscles, making way for the long, flowing,
deep tissue strokes, acupressure and gentle stretching techniques that follow. The herbs are chopped fresh before the treatment by your therapist and placed in a 100% bleached cotton bundle which
is steamed and used as a massage tool to tap, twist, knead and deeply penetrate the whole body. The pouch delivers deep medicinal heat to relax the muscles, open the pores, stimulate blood circulation, and relieve tension and joint pain. A nourishing face massage with warm herbal face
bundles will leave you feeling relaxed and energized.

7 Chakra Dhara
For unbridled luxury, opt for AYANA’s one-of-a-kind Seven Chakra Dhara Journey. Your experience begins with an authentic Ayurvedic massage using long flowing massage strokes and pressure on key marma energy points to relax tired muscles and open the pathways in the body through which energy flows. Then seven synergistic aromatherapy blends attuned to the energy of each of the seven chakras are used together with a precious gemstone and a note from a chakra tuning fork to unblock and balance each individual chakra. Your journey ends with a relaxing marma face and scalp massage and a chakra tuning fork rhapsody to transport you onto a cloud of sound healing currents. Balanced and cleansed anew, this treatment leaves you in an optimum state of well-being.

Lava Stone Reflexology
Not to be missed is AYANA’s signature Lava Stone Reflexology treatment combining Chinese meridiens massage, Thai ‘sabai-sabai’ hand techniques, and European pressure points. Your experience begins with a ceremonial footbath followed by an energizing leg massage and therapeutic foot reflexology with a custom set of Lava stones from the mountains. To complete your treatment, a deeply relaxing hand, arm, neck and shoulder massage will release the burdens of everyday living and brighten your mood.


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About AYANA Resort and Spa
Named after a ‘place of refuge’ in Sanskrit, AYANA is perched on limestone cliffs up to 30 meters above the Indian Ocean near Jimbaran Bay on Bali’s south-western peninsula. The 77-hectare property enjoys majestic views and a secluded location across its 1.3 kilometer coastline, yet is just 15 minutes from Bali’s airport. The 368 guestrooms comprise 78 private pool villas and a 290-room hotel.

Resort highlights include the 22,000sqm Thermes Marins Thalasso spa with one of the world’s largest Aquatonic Seawater Therapy Pools and the Spa on the Rocks villas set amidst the Indian Ocean. There are five purpose-built wedding venues; the avant-garde Champa Garden for grand-scale events; four freshwater swimming pools including a children’s pool; a salt-water, infinity-edged Ocean Beach Pool at the cliff’s base, accessed via an inclinator; 13 dining venues; 18-hole golf putting course; tennis pavilion; jogging/cycling path; fitness center; children’s center; boutiques; comprehensive meeting facilities and business center; and resort-wide WIFI.

About The West Paces Hotel Group
The West Paces Hotel Group based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. was founded in 2002 by Horst Schulze along with several former Ritz-Carlton executives. The principals of the company leverage unparalleled hospitality experience and a diverse track record of operating world-class hotels and resorts to create value through superior service at luxury, world-class properties and conference centers in gateway cities and high-profile resort destinations around the world. West Paces has successfully launched two hotel brands, Capella and Solis, and has dozens of independent brands under its management. Co-Chairman and Founder Horst Schulze has helped reshape concepts of luxury service throughout the hospitality and service industries. As chairman of West Paces Hotel Group, he has created the unparalleled Canon service standards introduced at AYANA. For more information, visit www.westpaceshotels.com.