By Caroline Tapp-McDougall
With a one-of-a kind reputation for it’s integrative medicine practices, Spain’s SHA Wellness Clinic has brought its leading-edge approach to preventative health, wellness and longevity to a purpose-built destination on the coastline in Costa Mujeres.
After 15 plus years of transforming the lives of tens of thousands from around the world, SHA is expanding its cutting-edge, results-driven approach to health and wellness with the opening of a stunning new clinic designed by Mexican architectural firm Sorda Madaleno and Interior architect, Alejandro Escudero.
Just after their grand opening, I’m invited to check into SHA Mexico’s pristine, state-of-the-art wellness facility for a private, four-night stay and medical consultation. Over several visits to their Alicante headquarters, a magical hilltop mecca, I’d fallen in love with their lifestyle teachings and preventative medicine philosophy. Here for the first time, I’m curious to discover how the group’s founding family, the Batallers, are planning to ‘up their wellness ante’ here in Mexico (Rumour has it they’re opening a clinic in Dubai, as well, in the not-too-distant future).
Living and learning
The wellness resort’s stunning oasis of calm occupies a 100,000 sq. ft. multi-level oceanfront facility that sits grandly on seven, sunny hectares in Quintano Roo—just north of new Cancun’s Rivera Maya. Traffic willing, it’s about a 30- minute limo drive from the Cancun airport. Offering a hundred, soul-nourishing guest suites and thirty-seven permanent residences that blend seamlessly with the multi-floor medical clinic, spa and fitness facilities, and an indoor/outdoor dining room, it’s the ultimate destination for a personalized heathy lifestyle experience.
In what promises to be “a pleasant journey to optimal health”, my visit will capture both a “big picture” of my current state of health and share strategies and practical tools for both decision-making and holistic health improvements. Simply put… it’s all about me… and my physical and mental potential.
The SHA Method is designed to help move everyone towards optimal health and healing while they’re here. The objective is also to help guests form health habits to continue at home too. As in Spain, there are inaugural consultations, sort of a “get to know me and my body” chats and basic screening tests.
Using these initial results and recommendations for advanced diagnostics and possible lifestyle changes, the doctor creates a customized plan comes together for my stay. I’m invited to work with a number on-site specialists who introduce a combination of diagnostic tests, scientific medicine sessions, traditional and non-traditional treatments and natural therapies to strengthen my immune system, boost my body’s regulatory ability. Of note, there’s a lot to pack into four days so be prepared to be a little overwhelmed and take advantage of physician can wrap up conversations and, if you’re interested in continued physician support at home, on line follow ups.
It’s all about you
With a strong focus balanced natural, and alkalising nutrition that considers an individual’s constitutions, conditions and needs, the on-site nutrition and culinary teams work with the finest local, organic and seasonal ingredients. Their goal—to create tasty, nutritionally tailored meals that avoid processed foods, build healthy habits and provide optimum energy and satisfaction. There are also private education sessions, meal planning and cooking workshops and, of course, pre-planned healthy meals and snacks (not everyone’s cup of tea but certainly in keeping with the clinic’s wellness approach).
Far from the social “girlfriend style” vibe at many wellness destinations, people aren’t here to socialize. Other SHA-ites are only seen in consult waiting areas or the dining room. And, while several couples are here at the same time as me, men and woman, come here alone for a quiet, introspective time to learn and heal.
Set for life
Some guests are first timers obviously here for serious healing, weight loss or help with cancer or heart conditions but a good percentage are repeaters back for top ups/check-ups and time away from the rat race. It’s encouraging to see healthy folks here who look buff, fitness focused and already living the SHA healthy life.
Highly recommended for those willing and able to invest in transforming their lives.
Homefront Recommends Reading
The Power of Healthy Food
The recipes in the this book come from the founders, chefs and nutrition experts at SHA. Expect to find a tasty, therapeutic collection complete with illustrations and regional substitutions intended to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle during different seasons and times of the day.
