Gaia History

Gaia Soaps

Gaia Natural Products, Gaia Bathtime, Gaia Therapies & Corporate Massage, Gaia Spa,  

A Success Story

Gaia Natural Products first made its appearance in Mallorca after founder Trudi Murray replicated the old fashioned way to produce soap from local island oils. The inspiration came after reading about the soap manufactory and trade of a soap factory in the port of Andraitx in the 1930. Soap was produced here from locally grown olives and exported by boat to Cuba from where it would return laden with sponges. The factory later grew to open another branch in Bunyola were it remained until the 1980. In fact it was the last remaining member of the saop making dynasty that first sampled Trudi’s soap and deemed it ‘excellente’ and signed an aval for her to become an Artesan soap maker. Passing the examination set by the board of Artesania she has been a Master Artesan since 2005 and can proudly display the award for Artesania in the Baleares.

Gaia Bathtime, c/Corderia 28 Palma de Mallorca

In 2008 the first Gaia shop proudly opened its doors in the Calle Corderia which is in the historical artisanal quarter of Palma, where to this day you find basket makers, candle makers and now again soap makers. The shop sells a wide range of soaps but also a large assortment of handmade cosmetics for women, men and children. The interior is an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and intriguing antique collections, from old perfume bottles to old cameras.

In 2009 Blanca Ticha joined Gaia Bathtime as the resident therapist and yoga teacher. Blanca has made her way to Palma de Mallorca across half the world via Japan, Thailand, India and New Zealand. Living and practicing bodywork in each of these countries has been a life-transforming experience to her both on a personal and professional level. By bringing together the very best of the East and West in Gaia Therapies, Blanca offers a signature style incorporating the profundity of deep tissue and restorative effect of relaxation massage.

The therapy space is an urban sanctuary, cool and quiet and the epitome of relaxation. It offers massage of all kinds, facials and couple massage. ‘All the therapies use the very natural Gaia products. The facial, called a Goddess Facial, is a ritual of exfoliation with oats and rose petal powder, deep hydration with cacao butter, finishing with Goddess oils chosen for the therapeutic effects not only on the skin but to an all woman wellness’, says Blanca Ticha. Three times a week insiders meet here for a very special kind of yoga. Warrior yoga, pioneered by Blanca which in her words:’ prepares and helps you to cope in the modern urban jungle’.

Personalized Spa Treatment at
Hotel ALbatros Illetas

Through the therapy work done to excellence at Gaia Bathtime it was a natural next step for the dynamic duo to start developing Spa treatments for Hotels in Mallorca .They offer tailor made Spa menus prepared in harmony with the Spa space and location of the Hotel. Trudi and Blanca are justifiably proud to have in their port folio of success urban spaces as well as country and seaside hotel spas, each with its unique collection of treatments and tailor made products and Gaia trained staff.

A selection of hand made Gaia Spa
Products at the Hotel Albatros Illetas
Palma de Mallorca

Last but not least the latest branch on the Gaia tree is Corporate Gaia which offers a mobile team, headed and trained by Blanca to visit large offices in Mallorca. ‘Through our work at Gaia Bathtime we had become increasingly aware of neck and shoulder pains as a result of repetitive desk jobs and stress at work, ‘recalls Blanca.’ The obvious step was to work in conjunction with employers to reduce this strain on staff by offering 15 minutes chair massage a week to reduce these incidents.’ The idea has proved a success as many employers find it a useful total quality management tool and absence at work as a result of RSI could be significantly reduced.

Corporate Gaia 

Blanca Ticha & Trudi Murray

In just six year Gaia Natural Products has come from making soaps in a manner reminiscent of the last century to being a big influence in how this island presents what is good and natural and wholesome. ‘We recognise the trend is towards natural, locally grown ingredients and nostalgia for simplicity and this is reflected in everything we do at Gaia.’