The Hindu system of medicine – most commonly practised today in India, Sri Lanka and parts of South East Asia – is more than 3,000 years old and is rooted in the idea of balance between mind, body and spirit. While there are quite a few places to get a massage in London, there are far fewer places to experience an ayurveda massage. The only downside was having to leave the cocoon of the container and head back into the real world ‘as I was’: sleepy, dishevelled and covered in that delicious-smelling oil. Each massage (£85 for 60 minutes) is tailored to the needs of each individual body, so after a chat about my aches, pains, preferences and the weird places I hold tension, we moved to the petite but cleverly designed massage studio, and my therapist began. Happily, my frazzled arrival at the space, simply decked out with calming tones and fresh interiors, was met with soothing words and a line-up of delightful, and 100 percent natural, oils to sniff. For me, that meant late and slightly sweaty after rushing out of a meeting and across London to the appointment. Set across three shipping containers at the Gossamer City Project, with a bright, greenery-draped courtyard at its heart, the aim here is to champion the power of touch as an antidote to city stresses. Its tagline is ‘come as you are’. Perfect for anyone scared off by fancy spa days.Ī shipping container might not sound like a nice place to strip down for a massage from a stranger, but it turns out it’s actually pretty delightful at Masaj. The building shares a terrace with cosy cafes and lunch spots, so you can take yourself for coffee after the massage while smelling like a bowl of potpourri. But the location – right on Charlottes Place in Fitzrovia – could not be better. The spa itself is very small, with the candle-lit treatment rooms tucked away in the basement. The heavy scent of sandalwood and lavender in the air mean the chances of falling asleep are extremely high. The skilled massage therapists at Radiance in Fitzrovia are particularly good at responding to their client’s tolerance levels, always checking in to make sure the pressure is just right. The Decléor Aromatherapy Full Body Massage, however, is very gentle, and uses a blend of aromatherapy balms and hot essential oils that help release muscle tension the moment they hit the skin. When you’re extra sensitive, even a ‘relaxing’ massage can make you feel like day-old dough that’s being kneaded by an angry baker. If you flinch at the thought of a ‘deep tissue massage’ but start burning essential oils the second you feel stressed, this is the treatment for you. Perfect for full relaxation in a very convenient location Almost ready to take on the Central line again. After 90 minutes I felt feeling peaceful, refreshed and genuinely rebalanced. The long, assured strokes, with hands rhythmically moving along the entire length of your body (they recommend you go nude), create a powerful, almost trance-like sensation that will quiet even the most meddlesome of minds. Though the robes are super soft, FYI. Its signature massage (£120 for 60 mins, £135 for 75) is a lesson in really taking the time to reset. The focus here is on lifelong wellness and taking a pause from your hectic city existence, rather than snuggling in soothing fluffy robes. Instead, you’re welcomed with an invigorating cup of ginger tea and ushered, in gentle tones, into a sleek and minimalist treatment room. Here, in a quiet corner of the COMO Metropolitan on Park Lane, there are no water features, hot tubs or options to add prosecco to your treatment. 90 minutes, £230.įorget everything you think you know about spa treatments. There’s no pool, however, (since it’s a listed building) so don’t expect a fully equipped spa day when you’re planning your visit. The spa itself was beautiful, in the basement of the five-star Holborn hotel. Even though it was an experience (a two-stage, old-school ritual is very different to the run-of-the-mill back massage), it’s completely on your terms from the type of oil to be used down to the type of music you want to be played during the treatment. Elvedina, my therapist for the afternoon, chased each knot in my upper back quite intensely (as requested) and I came out feeling scrubbed, primed and massaged to perfection. After the private shower: time for the deep tissue massage. The salt is mixed with a mixture of detoxifying oils is used with the salt to soak into the body. The initial salt body treatment, with a magnesium sulphate scrub sourced from Epsom, helps exfoliate the skin and remove excess toxins from the body. Perfect for anyone up for a historical experience.Īt the slightly unsettling sound of a seventeenth-century gong, the detoxifying body ritual begins.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |