School of Spa

The Sanctuario School of Spa is a division of the Sanctuario Spa, Salon and Organic Café, a member of The International SPA Association (ISPA), the voice of the spa industry which represents more than 1,700 health and wellness facilities and providers in 49 countries. The Sanctuario School of Spa is the first and only spa school in the Philippines .

Sanctuario is cocooned at 1829 Jorge Bocobo Street , in the bohemian district of Malate, Manila . A majestic ancestral mansion built in the 1940s has been converted into a sprawling spa complex. The spa contains a full service salon, locker rooms, elegant vanities, treatment rooms with bath tubs, teak soaking tubs, therapy rooms, an organic café, gift shop, dry sauna, steam room, two Jacuzzis, and a wading pool. Sanctuario also has a gallery of art works from known Filipino artists such as Arturo Luz, Bencab, Alcuaz, Urquijo, and Malang.

Courses and Schedules

Full Body Reflexology

An understanding of reflexology is essential for all courses. Students will lean the different reflex points on the hands and feet. Massage of the reflex points on the hands and feet can improve health by relieving stress and restoring the natural flow of body energy.

Traditional Thai Massage

Students will learn traditional Thai Massage as it is practiced at the Wat Po Temple in Bangkok , Thailand . Thai massage has been practiced for over 2,500 years and is based on the acupressure points according to Indian Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and yoga. During the massage, the therapist uses his hands, thumbs, fingers, elbows, forearms, knees and feet to apply pressure. The therapist will also pull, twist and manipulate your body in ways that have been compared to "passive yoga."

Shiatsu

This Japanese form of massage is holistic in nature and helps to improve the well-being of the entire body instead of only treating specific symptoms. It borrows principles from acupuncture and incorporates techniques from osteopathy, physiotherapy and other healing traditions. This dry, finger-pressure massage is based on Oriental healing concepts that treat vital energy points on the body.

Aromatherapy Massage

Aromatherapy using essential oils is a highly therapeutic treatment for both mind and body which works mainly on the nervous system, getting into all those knots and stress points. Natural essential oil blends are applied to the whole body, providing a great boost for your immune system. This combines the power of touch with the sense of smell. Students will also learn the benefits of the different aromatic oils.

Foot Spa/Massage

Students will learn the fundamental procedures in Foot Spa using various soaking and scrubbing ingredients. They will also be taught Xiamen Foot Reflexology, an ancient form of healing which works on the principle that the body's organs, including the brain, are connected by energy channels to trigger points in our feet. There are reputedly 7,000 nerve endings in our feet and the students will learn which area mirrors which body part.

Body Scrubs/Wraps

Students will learn the fundamental procedures in performing body scrubs and body wraps. They will learn soaping, soaking, softening, scrubbing, and soothing applications using fruits, nuts, oils, clays, muds and lotions.

Fees and Enrollment

Basic course fee is Php6,500.00, payable in full before the start of the course. A 10% discount is given for each additional course. Fees include training handouts and materials, and certificates.

Classes are held at the sprawling Sanctuario Spa. Each course will include one week training at Sanctuario Spa. Courses are handled by seasoned Spa specialists who have been trained abroad. Students will get a chance to practice on actual clients under the supervision of expert therapists. Outstanding graduates may be offered job positions at Sanctuario and other spas.

To maintain the quality of training, only a limited number of slots are available.