the spas of South-Central Mumbai, which promise to offer a holistic experience

A 'sole' searching experience

In the second part of this weekly series, gives you the low-down on some of the spas — that are not housed in five-star hotels — in South-Central Mumbai, which promise to offer a holistic experience




  •  Areopagus Japanese Day Spa, Shivaji Park
The first element that draws you, when you enter a spa, is the aromas that hover around. At Areopagus, Temple of Healing as they call it, scented fragrance is aplenty and somehow as you breathe it in, your senses begin to tingle even before you enter your treatment room. As you browse the menu, you realise at once that it has carefully put together an amalgamation of Japanese, Chinese and Greek body culture and therapies. You can choose from their signature massages including Areopagus Signature, Tai Chi Therapy, Shiatsu, and Yuki Energy, among others. We go for a 60-minute full body massage - the Energy Holds Therapy. The receptionist informs that it invigorates a sluggish mind and body.
Once you lie down and surrender to the mild pressure of the therapist's featherweight touch, you begin to feel ticklish. Unlike the usual Thai technique, this massage relies on fingertip touch generously using copious amount of almond oil. Soon, however, the pressure becomes harder as you feel the fingertips kneading your muscle knots. The pain is only momentary, as you lapse into a happy, numb state pretty quickly.
You will invariably feel the tingling sensation running from your head to toe, even as you listen to the gurgling sound of flowing water and the whisper of oriental music in the background. And even in your rejuvenated grogginess, you feel the heat of the steam. After a hot shower, you feel as fresh as a dewy petal!
This all-women run spa is facilitated with steam, Jacuzzi with spinal and foot water jets. A must-try treatment on the menu is the Sweet & Spicy Body Exfoliation that blends cranberry pomegranate sugar scrub to exfoliate dead skin cells.
The receptionist recommends us to surely try their Day Foot Spa that uses Japanese massage technique to the minimum. We tell her that we're only too happy to come back for more, even as we leave with a smile on the lips and spring in the steps.



• Aroma Thai, Lower Parel
Bangkok's real Thai massages are not too distant for Mumbaikars anymore. Dark interiors, dim lighting, essential oils et al form the usual setting and mood. There's also the regular reflexology pedicures and manicures available here. But the must-try treatments include the 35-minute Sawadee Express foot massage, including a foot-washing ritual and jasmine tea finisher, the 90-minute head-to-toe Ananda Thai massage, the Arokaya Massage (foot massage using a traditional Thai herbal compress) and the Sukhothai Silver and Gold massages in which one therapist massages your feet while another indulges your face! In case you need a recharge, you know where to go.



• Sukho Thai, Lower Parel
After a hard day's work, your tired soles indeed need some pampering. A foot massage however doesn't just mean happy feet. As a holistic treatment, it helps promote restful sleep, increases blood circulation and even builds a better immunity system. You know when you neglect your feet what you miss out on.
For a complete experience of authentic Thai foot massage, head to Sukho Thai. Try their signature therapies — a 60-minute Thai traditional massage, which eases muscle fatigue, and foot massage with a herbal bun, which contains a blend of 23 therapeutic herbs. This bun when steam-heated evokes that feeling that you crave most — calm. You might also want to try their hot stone massage or kick off your shoes for a good scrub that exfoliates dead cells. Rest assured, you can be completely certain about their service here — they have their own training academy in Bangkok where therapists are trained for several days followed by a week of on-job observation.
• Birla Kerala Ayurvedic Medispa, Prabhadevi
The indigenous, ayurvedic massages have been the most favoured for generations, at least in India. Remember the time your grandma would knead your little hands and legs with hot almond oil under the sun? Blissful, right? A slice of that experience can be had here. A full body therapeutic ayurvedic massage, Sarvakaya Abyangam, is what you need after a long, long day at work. It helps ease away muscular pain and cramps and consists of a medicated oil therapy in which therapists gently apply oil in synchronised rhythmic strokes. It's a massage that removes fatigue from muscle tissues and eases your body while being considered to be the best treatment to pacify aggravated Vata dosha, the causative factor for several neurological and neuromuscular disorders. Abhyanga also helps delay ageing, sharpens eye-sight and provides flexibility of joints and improves mental clarity. Later, refresh yourself with some herbal drink at their in-house cafe. Try Witty Vittea (Vrikshamal tea) or Ashwamedha, a herbal drink for overall well-being. Or, if you don't know what to pick, simply ask the in-house dietician to help you out.
• Kaasha Spa and Nutrition, Worli Sea Face
If exotic is your style, this is the place to head. Also, if you're kinda' done with Thai treatments, try picking some from Kaasha's exotic menu. They promise therapies from Bali, Morocco, Hawaii and Philippines. You will also get the regular therapies such as Accu Reflexo Foot Therapy Message and Hand Luxury Manicure. And even though the interiors may slightly disappoint you, the OCD in some of you will love the fact that their towels are spotlessly clean and the walls, bright. Make sure you try the signature Moroccan Thermal Exfoliation, which includes a warm lava shell therapy or Kaasha's Philipino Ocean therapy. Also interesting is the Bio Fruit Cocktail Facial that has mango, bergamot, avocado and strawberry! Seriously, that's the closest thing to a Maui beach on this side of the sea link!

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