Spa Rituals & Benefits

Submitted by ITV Production on Feb 06, 2015

By: Ritwika Gupta

Sinful. Royal. Mystical. Chocolate. Aroma. Wellness. Relaxation. Indulgence. Haven.

Ponder over these words with your eyes closed and it?s likely that your senses will immediately transport you to a quiet serene aromatic environment with soothing music playing in the background. Welcome to the wonderful world of Spas!

?To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul,? said Deepak Chopra. Swamped in the rigmaroles of daily life, the mind, body and soul often seek a retreat. Whether you?re a working professional, homemaker, entrepreneur or student, it is imperative for everyone to unplug from your routine life once in a while and escape to another world - where you can relax and rejuvenate.

What?s more, if you love indulging in spa therapies, you?ll be happy to know that these rituals come with a set of amazing health benefits as well. A visit to the spa not only caters to one?s cosseting needs but also offers the much needed care and benefits that our body and skin require.

Studies have shown that physical therapies are necessary for our overall well-being. The spa at The Deltin Resort, Daman, offers a variety of treatments that modulates energies and stimulates the body's natural healing abilities. Deltin Spa operational manager Mahalaxmi Pillai says, ?Every treatment we offer is based on the concept that the body?s own energy is the natural source of healing and well-being. People visit our spa for our unique Balinese massage, which is a form of a traditional Indonesian massage that originated in Bali.?

According to Pillai, the Balinese massage uses a variety of techniques including stretching, skin rolling, kneading, stroking, pressure-point stimulation and aromatherapy to stimulate the flow of oxygen and ?qi? (energy) around the body. The massage not only helps in calming down the body but also boosts blood circulation and targets knotted tissues in the body. When combined with the aromas of essential oils, a Balinese massage is sure to give you a relaxing experience while addressing physical issues as well.
Treatment: Balinese Massage
Duration: 60 min/90 min
Price: Rs 3500 ? Rs 4500 (excluding Tax)

Traditional Chakra therapies are also beneficial for deep healing and balancing. Chakras refer to the seven centres of spiritual power in the human body. At Aura Nand Spa, Mumbai, qualified master therapists called ?ajarns? provide Chakra treatments that take customers on a tranquil journey.

Aura Nand Spa & Moh Spa CEO Derek Machado elaborates, ?For Aura, we have introduced the Chakra therapy, a customized treatment that will focus on your chakras to help you find balance. It increases awareness and also the strength of your immune system.?

The Chakra therapy at Aura Nand Spa is based on a traditional lomi lomi technique that involves the usage of palms, forearms, fingers, knuckles, elbows, knees, feet, sticks and stones to knead, rub and sooth the skin.

According to a research study conducted by Marc Zollicoffer for Aveda Corporation, each chakra of our body is associated to a specific aspect of our lives and by focusing on that chakra we can become aware of those issues and then work with them to achieve greater health and happiness.
Treatment: Chakra Therapy
Duration: 60 min
Price: Rs 2600 (excluding Tax)

Hot oil massages have also increasingly become popular within the spa and salon industry. It helps improve blood circulation in the body from head to toe. The head oil massage at the Deltin Spa is a thirty-minute treatment that improves concentration and activates blood circulation. Pillai explains, ?The head oil massage aids in quick and sound sleep. It strengthens your hair roots, relaxes, calms your mind and reduces stress.?

Treatment: Head Massage
Duration: 30 min
Price: Rs 2000 (excluding Tax)

Similarly, the newly introduced hot oil massage at the Mumbai based Moh Spa can bring lasting relief to body aches, tensed, exhausted and painful muscles. Machado elaborates, ?In 2015, we?ve introduced the hot oil seasonal treatment where heated candle oil is poured directly onto the skin of the customer in order to warm and massage the whole body. Hot oil massages calm the nerves and promote longevity.?

Treatment: Hot Oil Massage
Duration: 60 min
Price: Rs 1600 (excluding Tax)

The Duo massage offered at the Deltin Spa uses techniques based on healing traditions. Pillai informs that two therapists mirroring each other?s movements perform the massage. Not only is this synchronized massage the ultimate form of indulgence, but it also targets the deeper layers of connective tissues and focuses on areas of tight muscle fibers that form in the muscles after injuries. Pillai adds, ?It can be like experiencing two full body massages at the same time. The therapists will use the client body as a canvas onto which they choreograph slow, detailed moves of varying paces and pressures.?

Treatment: Duo Massage
Duration: 30 min/45 min
Price: Rs 4500 ? Rs 6500 (excluding tax)

Apart from the physical benefits, spa therapies also take good care of the skin. Good skin care helps delay the natural aging process and prevent various skin problems. Shvasa Spa at Hyatt Regency in Gurgaon offers the Revitalize Facial, which purifies the skin, removes excess oil and stimulates circulation. Hyatt Regency Gurgaon director of rooms Vishal Sapra says that the skin treatments reduce impurities and restore balance.

?We have a treatment called Shvasa Ritual that is also part of our bridal package. It begins with a gentle exfoliation enriched with rice, milk, oatmeal and honey. Rice and oatmeal gently peel off dead skin while milk and honey enrich the skin with deep nourishment. Skin is detoxified with sandalwood and fuller?s earth mud wrap, which draws out impurities, nourishes the skin and refines skin pores,? Sapra says.