Pampered: Banishing the cold with calm

I had been suffering from a long and severe bout of cold when a friend suggested I try the Kundalini treatment to energise and rejuvenate the body. I'd heard of the treatment to align the chakras, or centres of spiritual energy, in the body and its benefits, but she suggested I do the one developed by Denise Leicester of ila spa products from the UK. Leicester is a registered nurse, aromatherapist and yoga teacher who has studied Eastern and South American traditions of healing. She combines the Kundalini healing process with music therapy.

This treatment is offered exclusively at the Natural Elements Spa at the Le Meridien Dubai. I arrived early and was guided by my therapist, Violet, to the relaxation area where I was made comfortable with a piping hot cup of lemon-ginger-honey concoction to soothe my irritated nasal passage. Next, my feet were placed in a large copper bowl with warm water and my legs and feet massaged with Himalayan salts.

"To balance the negative and positive ions in your body," explained Violet as she rubbed my calves with three coloured salts and then washed them off, while I sat filling a body-composition form to find the right treatment for me.

Having studied my form, Violet led me to a treatment room.

A calming Hindu chant played on the CD player beside the bed as I was asked to lie on my back and close my eyes. But my cold made it difficult and, as I stretched my hand towards the tissue box, I saw Violet mutter chants and wave her hands over me.

Then, she asked me to turn over and cupped her hands around my spine from neck to midriff. "Relax," she whispered as she poured a warm mix of essential oils (neroli, cardamom, jasmine and patchouli) on to my back.

I tried to, while she massaged my back. But my sinuses were in overdrive, especially in this upside position, competing with the singer on the CD and, I'm sure, breaking Violet's concentration quite often. However, she didn't give up, continuing to press the "marma" chakras (central points of energy) down my spine — from the top of my head to the tail bone — to remove blockages and strengthen and stimulate the nervous system.

About 45 minutes later, she placed hot poultices containing Himalayan salts and healing herbs along my spine and covered me with a fluffy towel. Aah, I have no words to describe the soothing feeling from these.

An hour later, she helped me turn over and rise. She smiled at me, slightly disappointedly. I knew it was not because her treatment was unsatisfactory but because I'd not responded well enough to it due to my cold.

"You must come again Madam," is all she said. I plan to. Soon.

The treatment

The Kundalini treatment is forDh400. Call 04 7022550 or e-mail naturale@lmdubai.com for details.

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