Since it opened in Spain in 2008, Sha Wellness Clinic has been a favorite destination of everyone from heads of state to athletes, fashion designers to celebrities like Madonna, Demi Moore, Naomi Campbell and more.
Alfredo Bataller Parietti is the man behind the concept of the five-star, 6,000-square-foot resort that incorporates natural therapies like traditional Chinese medicine, macrobiotics and innovative technology for a holistic and personalized approach to wellness. Before opening the clinic, he had suffered from health problems for more than 30 years, says Alejandro Bataller, Parietti’s son and vice president at Sha.
“He was lucky enough to have met a doctor who had an understanding of nutrition and natural therapies, which enabled him to regain his health,” explains Bataller. “I was the second member of the family to visit the same doctor — at the time, I had been suffering from intensive migraines for over a decade that would not alleviate even with strong prescribed medication. So, I went to the same doctor, who changed my diet and integrated some natural therapies. My migraines went away after just a couple of weeks, and I have not suffered from migraines ever since. The change in diet, integration of natural therapies and lifestyle behaviors, was something so powerful we felt that it needed to be shared beyond our family and with the rest of the world.”
Now Sha is expanding, heading to Mexico in Costa Mujeres in January, just outside of Cancun. Designed by Mexican architectural firm Sordo Madaleno and interior designer Alejandro Escudero, the complex will have 35 residences and 100 rooms and suites overlooking the Caribbean Sea. A starting stay will cost $5,770, with a four-day “recover and energize” program, nutrition plan and accommodations.
“We have a goal to introduce Sha to every continent, and Sha Mexico has been in the works for many years by AB Living Group,” says Bataller of the real estate development firm created by his family.
At its core the Sha Method focuses on preventive and healthy aging — the absence of disease, with physical, mental and spiritual well-being in harmony with the environment. Programs start at four days, with most guests staying for a week or two. Activities range widely, with the most popular being “revitalizing medicine,” according to the clinic, which involves chelation therapy (removing heavy metals) and intravenous laser therapy (the irradiation of the blood with laser light stimulating natural bacteria fighting and detoxifying effects).
“A personalized experience is tailor-made to each guest’s needs by an unparalleled assembly of distinguished international experts and renowned medical specialists, united by their unwavering dedication, commitment and expertise,” Bataller adds.
Innovations include the use of neurofeedback, which focuses on the neuronal activity of the brain, he continues: It’s “an innovative therapeutic approach, utilizing real-time brain activity monitoring to enhance mental well-being.…This technology [quantitative electroencephalogram] provides a noninvasive window into brain functioning to let our clinicians identify the source of symptoms or dysregulation in the brain.”
Century-old practices like acupuncture and osteopathy are among the natural therapies, Bataller says. “We also just launched a new, three-part transformational breathing treatment that takes you through a psychological analysis and breathwork sessions before ending with an ice bath. This therapy teaches the body to use its own tools, breath and mindset, to manage stress.”
Here, Bataller explains the ethos of Sha Wellness Clinic, the dos and don’ts, and what visitors can expect at Sha Mexico, as well as Sha Emirates — coming in 2025 on the coastline of Sahel Al Emarat, between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
WWD: What are the dos and don’ts at Sha?
Alejandro Bataller: We know that our guests want to make the best of their time with us as productive as it can be. A stay at Sha is a self-discovery, an empowering journey to health and well-being, therefore you can do everything that leads you toward the best version of yourself in a pleasant way. In order to achieve that, we must learn and incorporate healthy habits that will allow us to prevent disease and live a longer, healthier life. Nutrition is key, therefore our menus are designed with no processed food, no refined sugar, no dairy, no alcohol, no coffee and minimal fish products. Coffee is also typically a part of the “no” list, and we strongly believe your results will be much stronger without it. We want guests to enjoy their visit, so the “do’s” include relaxing by our beautiful pool in between sessions, learning effective stress management tools, journaling, enjoying a cup of tea during tea time or joining a hike to the lighthouse overlooking the sea.
WWD: What does a nutrition program look like at Sha?
A.B.: It is a balanced, natural and alkalizing diet, designed according to individual constitution and condition to cover an individual’s nutritional needs. We are aligned with the nutritional principles of Harvard Medical School and the blue zone diets. There are three diet plans at Sha, which are recommended by the nutritionist based on your health, well-being state and goals. Every meal and meal plan is inspired by ancient principles and adapted to modern life. We start each day with a cup of organic miso soup, which is full of probiotics and is known to help curb appetite, before leading into three daily meals. Sha nutrition is based on foods of vegetable origin and, to a lesser extent, seafood, with an aim to being as organic, seasonal and local as possible and avoiding processed foods.
WWD: What is a typical day like at Sha for a visitor?
A.B.: Because every program is specific to the guest and their needs, no two days or stays will look the same. A day on the rebalance program might look like waking up and enjoying a peaceful breakfast alfresco, followed by some consultations with doctors and experts, such as a general health examination, nutritionist or a Chinese medicine consultation. Next you might have a workout with a personal trainer or a private yoga or breathwork session. You’ll probably have lunch and some time to relax and even enjoy the hydro circuit, followed by a variety of treatments such as cryotherapy, massage or pressotherapy. That evening, you’ll enjoy a lovely dinner guided by our culinary principles. We also love to recommend our healthy living academy workshops in between, as these classes help you meet other Sha guests and learn tips and tricks to bringing the method home with you.
WWD: How does Sha Mexico compare to Sha in Spain?
A.B.: Unique to Sha Mexico, the wellness clinic is set off the coast of the largest coral reef in the Americas, offering guests a unique location to immerse with nature, which has its own healing benefits. We’ll also feature traditional local therapies inspired by ancient, pre-Hispanic cultures such as Temazcal [a type of sweat lodge], aimed to cleanse the body and the mind.
WWD: What can you share about Sha Emirates 2025?
A.B.: Sha Emirates will be located on the coastline of Sahel Al Emarat, located just between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Here lies the natural beauty of AlJurf, a unique seaside destination steeped in history and lore and where the landscape reigns supreme. AlJurf is built in the UAE’s ancestors’ vision for the nation, a tranquil gateway that is seamlessly integrated with its natural environment. It is a second home community where residents can escape city life and instead live inside a natural masterpiece dedicated to the preservation of life and the generation of legacy. AlJurf is a seaside development that celebrates natural beauty and is perfectly situated for our third location.
See also: The West Coast’s Buzziest Wellness Retreats and What Makes Them Unique
