Posted in News on Thursday, May 23, 2019 by The Beachcomber Tours Correspondent

Maya’s calm manner and magical touch is exactly what you look for in a spa therapist. Currently living in Rose-Hill, the same neighbourhood where she was born, Maya has recently been appointed Spa Supervisor at Dinarobin Beachcomber; the Mecca of wellness in Mauritius.

The Dinarobin Beachcomber Spa is set against the stunning backdrop of the legendary Le Morne Brabant mountain. The spa boasts beautiful patios, calming pools and open-air treatment tables under stunning natural canopies made from cane. The spa has both a welcoming and tranquil atmosphere and an acute attention to detail; entering the spa is a sensory experience with the tropical scent of fragrant orchids hitting your nostrils, and the delicate petrea flower decorations catching your eye. Time seems suspended at the Dinarobin Beachcomber Spa.

The Discovery
“Dinarobin Beachcomber has been my school - I learnt everything here. Fourteen years ago I responded to a job advertisement as receptionist at the Spa, and I really fell in love with the beauty of the place, the intricacy of the spa therapists’ profession and the healing nature of the therapists’ work. That day was a life-changing moment; it was the first time I had ever set foot in a spa, and it was a moment that has guided my personal and professional life for many years after.”

Starting as a receptionist, Maya soon began to train as a spa therapist at the Santayarea Centre - a school approved by the Mauritian government, which trains the Beachcomber Group's Artisans in their different crafts. Santayarea trains up Mauritian and foreign students alike in all the different types of spa therapy.

“I studied the great schools of spa therapy, including ancient Indian, Chinese, Japanese and Balinese massage techniques. I learnt about the benefits of plants and the secrets of stones and I quickly became passionate about these practices. Every day I push myself to keep learning – my passion for wellness now runs through my veins. Like all Mauritians, I'm the result of a mixture of cultures and ancient traditions,” Maya smiles.

Sensory journey
“Coming to the Spa provides respite from everyday reality,” summarises Maya who oversees the smooth running of a team of twenty therapists and beauticians. Once you enter through the large carved wooden door, the silence is broken. Guests will hear the whistle of the wind in the trees, the delicate tinkle of water and beautiful birdsong. “These sounds leave your mind calm, relaxed and clear to listen to how your body feels,” says Maya. “Our treatments use natural products and endemic plants - vanilla, coconut, cinnamon, brown sugar to name a few. Through our diverse treatments, your body will be rejuvenated, relaxed and rebalanced.”

“We create bespoke programmes for each client, and many of our guests commit to our spa over long time periods. Some customers return for several weeks a year, in order to really progress with their fitness and wellbeing journey. They leave with a personalised and sustainable wellness programme tapping into physical exercises, meditation, and of course diet. The idea is that they will be able to follow these programmes once they have returned home,” says Maya. Afterall, wellbeing is a way of life, and the spa at Dinarobin Beachcomber strives to provide care for its guests even when their holiday is over.

Sharing
“My greatest satisfaction is seeing the client leave the spa feeling reenergised and happy,” says Maya. “Through our care, we try to restore harmony in our guests, to allow them to reconnect with themselves and with nature. On a personal level, my job has allowed me to meet many visitors of many different nationalities. I have relished experiencing these moments with them. No doubt it has made me a better person too, after all, the most beautiful journey is the journey of self-discovery.”