Indian spa experience

The Oberoi Spa, Business Bay, Dubai

Cost: Dh350 for 45 minutes

The experience: “Would you like ginger tea or lemongrass with honey?” asked my friendly therapist, Hazel Rynjah. I forced open my eyes, finding it hard to wake up from my deep sleep, my body totally relaxed. I had just finished my Shiroabhyanga Ayurvedic treatment and I couldn’t understand where the time had gone.

It had all started when Hazel greeted me at reception and took me to a private treatment room, where I changed into a robe. My feet were soaked in warm water full of bath salts. The atmosphere of the spa room was serene and beautiful – the lights were dim and the sounds of Asian fusion music filled the room.

After laying face-down on the massage bed, Hazel applied a warm Ayurveda Vatha oil using long, rhythmic strokes, gently massaging my back, shoulders and neck for 20 minutes. The oil used in this therapy balances all three doshas (different Ayurvedic body types), eases back pain and relieves stress. Hazel then massaged my legs, feet and each toe with the same medium pressure (my chosen preference).

The treatment neared its end all too quickly with an application of warm aromatic towels on my back. Finally I was turned over and oil was dripped on to my head while I was given a scalp, forehead, face, neck and shoulder massage.

The process nourishes the five senses by focusing on the marma points (vital energy points) and Hazel’s finger tips even moved gently over my eyelids too. She missed nothing! Afterwards I felt rejuvenated and totally calm.

To book: Call 04 444 1444 or visit www.oberoihotels.com/hotels-in-dubai/spa-fitness.aspx.

Soft Touch Spa, The Kempinski Hotel, Mall of Emirates, Dubai

The Cost: Dh890, 90 minutes

The experience: My experience began with a quick consultation with the spa manager as she tailored the treatment to meet my needs.

Already feeling I was in good hands, I was ushered into a luxurious treatment room, and as I lay face-up on a large bed, my therapist covered my eyes with a soothing herbal eyeshade.

The treatment started with a 40-minute massage using a warm Karpooradi oil, which is a blend of sesame oil, Trachyspermum ammi, Cinnamomum Camphora and jelly plant, to relieve muscular pain and joint stiffness and pain – ideal if you’re an active gym bunny, and it also improves blood circulation.

Next was the Njavara rice – the key element in this treatment. This unique crop is cultivated only in Kerala, South India, and is traditionally used for its medicinal properties and to alleviate pain in weak muscles, and help to strengthen them.

The boiled rice is wrapped in a muslin cloth bag when still hot and dipped in milk and a herbal mix. It feels hot once it’s applied.

The treatment is a bit like a hot stone massage, but instead it’s a hot bag.

For the perfect finish, my therapist spent 20 minutes gently massaging my body with a slightly warm oil to bring my body temperature up after the cooling Njavara rice.

This treatment is great for any one suffering from sore and aching muscles. Afterwards I felt relaxed but rejuvenated and ready to take on the rest of the day.

To book: Call 04 409 5909 or email spa.malloftheemirates@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/en/dubai/mall-of-the-emirates/luxury-spa.

Sofitel So Spa, The Palm, Dubai

Cost: Dh500 for 50 minutes

The experience: As soon as I entered the spa my body went into total relaxation. The only way I can describe it is similar to entering a tropical rainforest. As I walked down a corridor from the spa reception to a relaxation room, I passed a wall of leaves and flowers – it was like entering my own garden.

A friendly member of staff appeared with a cup of detoxifying tea. “It will help rid your body of toxins,” she smiled. My first thought was anything that healthy wouldn’t taste nice, but it was incredibly refreshing and delicious!

My therapist showed me to the treatment room and started to wash my feet with coconut milk and warm water, before asking me to lie down on the massage table. “The massage is very unique,” she explained. “The aim of Ayurveda is to balance the energy points inside the body for optimum health and to achieve all-round wellbeing.” It sounded good to me.

I felt warm oil being poured on my body, which heated up as she massaged me. It felt like I had a hot water bottle on my back. Then she pressed on my pressure points, such as my feet and the back of my knees, then swept her hands in different directions while ‘pushing away the bad energy’ from my body.

The massage was so relaxing that I must have drifted off as I was awoken by a whisper. “All done,” my therapist said, and that was it. I felt totally revitalised and relaxed. I didn’t know whether I wanted to go for a 5km run or go back to sleep, but I felt amazing.

To book: Call 04 455 5433 or visit www.sofitel-dubai-thepalm.com.

Balance Wellness Club, Oasis Centre, Dubai

Cost: Dh600 for 120 minutes

The experience: As I entered the spa feeling tired and stressed, I couldn’t wait for my treatment to begin. Still my first impressions were of the spa’s chic decor, with its floral designs and water features giving a nod to Eastern influences. From the welcome lemon and mint juice to the luxurious fluffy bathrobe and towels, I immediately felt my stresses begin to melt away.

I arrived early so I took advantage of the sauna and steam room before my treatment.

After a consultation with my therapist, Valsala, we established that I was stressed and it was affecting my emotional and mental health. She recommended Chakra Wellbeing, an Ayurverdic treatment that includes a scrub, full-body massage, mini facial and mini sirodhara (where warm oil is poured on to the forehead). The treatment uses Ila products to help relax the nervous system and activate energy fields, with the aim of getting my body and mind into perfect harmony.

In a dimly lit room, the therapy began with a soothing foot ritual. This was followed by a body scrub using Himalayan crystal salts to remove dead cells. Warmed by rubbing it, the Himalayan salt – rich in minerals including magnesium, calcium, iodine, zinc, potassium and sulphur – emits negative ions that strengthen the bio-magnetic energy field.

Next was the full-body chakra massage. Valsala explained it is an Ayurverdic belief that we have seven energy points in the body, through which energy flows and these are the chakras. This massage uses seven blends of chakra well-being oils to harmonise and rebalance the seven chakras, and involves gentle massage strokes to knead the muscle and roll tension away.

Valsala also worked on my marma points (vital energy points) ) along my spine to stimulate the nervous system. The coordinated strokes were deeply soothing and lulled me into a blissful state, while balancing my chakras.

There was more to come – an ananda facial with sirodhara. My skin was cleansed, scrubbed and massaged to open up the energy fields. A face pack was applied for 30 minutes, and while the ingredients nourished my skin, a mini sirodhara was poured over my forehead. This is good for releasing stored emotions and purifying the mind, but also to treat the likes of headaches and anxiety.

I left with soft, silky skin and felt rejuvenated. Pure bliss.

To book: Call 04 384 7010/7011 or visit www.balance-wellness-centre.com.