The recently opened Mindfulness Spa, located in the artistically blissful Hotel El Ganzo, can only really be considered a gracefully developed homage to the traditions, cultures, and practices throughout the world that have made wellness an art form. The extensive spa menu wasn’t built on short-term, fad spa treatments, but instead on ancient practices literally dating back to thousands of years ago.
To Kelli Nicole Castineiras, the mind, body, soul connection is no joke. As a doula who has overseen over five dozen lives enter this world, it’s safe to say this founder knows the importance of staying present. Which is why she turned to the best in the industry to cultivate authentic experiences, true to the practices created around the world.
Spa Mindfulness opened its doors to the public for a night of sushi, cocktails and a first glance at a truly unique spa experience. Guests were able to observe, touch, and smell the elements that created several of the spa’s signature services as live demonstrations were held. Each demonstration based upon a sacred practice, with time and thoughtfulness put into every detail for the guest to receive the very most from their time at Spa Mindfulness.
These were not your ordinary massage demonstrations. These were Ayurvedic based four hand massages, carefully taught to the Spa’s staff by Ruksana Khan, a certified instructor from Deepak Chopra’s Chopra center. If a massage fit for a guru wasn’t enough to get you in the door, the warm and fragrant oils paired with your individual Dosha, Swedena, and Shirodara certainly are. The practice is taken seriously, with massage therapists paired with the guest based upon Dosha energy to prevent any clashing energies.
For those seeking something less spiritual and more romantic, Kelli and team offer a massage fit for royalty…literally. The spa’s Balinese Wedding massage is a replication of the very same traditional massage ancient Balinese royalty would experience for the 40 days leading up their wedding. One glance at the massage and it’s difficult to comprehend that anyone could handle 40 days of such indulgence. With the organic Indonesian line Jamu used throughout the massage, the room is instantly filled with some of the most breathtaking botanical smells and sights you could imagine.
The Mindfulness Spa is the perfect place to throw away everything you thought you knew about chakras while taking in a Traditional Mayan massage. Yes, you read that correctly, chakras and “Mayan” in the same sentence. Further proving that this spa has built its services to offer practices with thousands of years of physical evidence. Kelli shared her discovery that throughout her extensive travels she found the very same practices being done in the ancient Mayan villages in Mexico that were being performed by traditional medicine men in China, which led the founder to return to San Jose del Cabo to offer the same experience to it’s locals and visitors. The Traditional Mayan massage is about detoxification, healing, and a smooth flow of energy through the opening and closing of chakras. Kelli and team built the massage upon a foundation of traditional stomach work found in ancient communities and traditional “limpieza” which involves the perfect balance of herbal and crystal healing techniques. This practice is about cleansing not gimmicks, and while you may not do any chanting don’t be surprised if you find yourself shedding a tear or two.
Finally, door number four leads the party’s guests to witness a Thai massage, which to the untrained eye could look more like assisted yoga than your typical spa treatment. While the massage does take place lying flat on a yoga mat, the practice requires a deep knowledge of how the body most efficiently works paired with an unshakeable intuition of how each specific body needs to be moved. The massage is geared to benefit anyone from athletes to those with past injuries, and creates much needed space throughout the body.
While the cocktail party served as an introduction to the spa’s signature line services, it doesn’t mean that every guest that attends has to be searching for an emotional or spiritual awakening. The spas extensive menu still offers some of the classics guest have come to know and love, with a Mindfulness “spin” on it. These services include Swedish and Deep Tissue Massage, reflexology, hot stone, signature facials, and pregnancy massages, to barely break the tip of the ice burg.
While Hotel El Ganzo has made a name for itself as San Jose’s edgier and more artistic rebel hotel, Spa Mindfulness blends in effortlessly bringing some much needed Zen to balance out the boutique hotel’s rougher bohemian edges. It’s as if the hotel itself returned from an eye opening trip to India and decided to ban itself from some of its naughtier habits. That’s not to say that El Ganzo was not already aligned with some of the stronger ethics of Kelli’s creation. Both the hotel and Spa mindfulness aim to meet the highest standards of environmental consciousness, choosing to buy locally whenever possible and use materials that are beneficial to both their guests and the planet as a whole.
To book your signature treatment and Spa Mindfulness call +52 (624) 104 9000 Ext 1517 or email spa@elganzo.com for the full menu and more information.
July 1- September Spa party $1290 pesos a massage for 90 min. Birthday girl is free with 4 paid guests. Spa party includes Use of sauna, steam , and jacuzzi. Exfoliations and body wraps are $690 pesos. Combo mani and pedi is $700 pesos Deep cleansing facial $1750 All Global Tradition massages are 50% off!! Mayan Balines Abyanga Thai Hot stone
Tuesday and Wednesday $690 pesos for 60 min massages from 10 am to 4 pm
All services include sauna, steam, jacuzzi, cool plunge
Reservations Spa Mindfulness 624 104 9000 Ext 1517 Email spa@elganzo.com
