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Magazine
WELLNESS VACATIONS: IN FIRST PERSON
Soul tonic
SHILPI MADAN
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Being nagged by stress that refuses to go away? Spas are an ideal way to get the sparkle back in your spirit.
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Photo: Mahesh Harilal
Recharging the body and mind: A spa at Taj Malabar, Kochi.
It is the ditty each overworked soul sings, when the body it lives in threatens acrimonious separation: You try yogilatis (a combination of yoga and pilates, an innovation you can bracket with power yoga, artistic yoga, passion yoga...), then Power Qi (tai chi with weights) and even the rudraksha bead relaxation to bring in soul soothing moments.. It doesn’t work. You feel there is something lacking.
Then you begin to imagine a soothing session that leaves your tired spirit feeling rejuvenated, your aching muscles relaxed and your worn out limbs sparkling like precious gems. You dream of a getaway that boosts your energy levels… You fantasise about those elixir hours you could spend exclusively with yourself, scissored from the cacophony of mobile phones and all the urban fritters that living in a city brings along. Wellness vacations bring in this and much more, giving shape to your physical resurrection and soul bliss through their magical and therapeutic menus.
Inner bliss
A truly magical holiday translates to moments spent in infusing your soul with inner bliss and a wealth of peace. Hinged on this vital tenet, spas and wellness centres rooted in tranquil locations in India and across the world woo urban weary souls into their soothing confines. Days spent in these legions of enervation revive your spirit, relax your physical self and rejuvenate every pore of your being.
For yoga purists, the dwellings of yoga gurus form the nodal attraction. Learning the correct progression of asanas and their impact on your personal biology, the right breathing techniques to benefit yourself and hone your ability to focus more effectively and for a feeling of overall well-being are the attractions when you decide to invest your holiday hours at a yoga institute. From the ancient learning groves of B.K.S. Iyengar to the more contemporary sessions of artistic yoga at Bharat Thakur’s centres to the racier version of passion yoga gaining ground in metros, there is something for everyone.
The crux is that when you return from your holiday, your soul feels richer.
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After a night of pure partying on Saturday night, a spa experience at The Trident is what breathed supple serenity into my being. Manic hours of work and travel had robbed my self of the sheen it deserved and of the calm it treasured. That is when I lined up for some chicken soup for my soul, for three hours of quietitude.
Tucked away in a serene setting, far from the madding crowd, yet easily accessible to weary urban souls like me, the Shanti Spa at Trident offers a slice of nirvana. The session began with the soothing knuckles of the trained therapist sapping away the dull ache in my back. It was a vital cocktail: the combination of astute aromatherapy, the deft incorporation of reflexology and the initiation of Balinese strokes.
Getting the glow
I felt the pores of my being come alive as detoxification formed the bones of the therapy. What followed was a detailed cleansing, toning and exfoliation of my skin with Ayurvedic potions for that youthful glow. Zeroing in on my skin type, a protein facial, complete with a T-zone treatment, and an exotic casmara mask followed.
Rain showers by Gassi, bath tubs by Kohler and music from Bose made up the dizzying luxe matrix. The body polish with sugar crystals re-texturised my tired skin and the eucalyptus-scented hot towel wrap readied me for my elaborate Swedish body massage. It lasted 90 minutes and the masseuse made liberal use of aromatic oils, shea butter and a home-grown Himalayan wrap. And in between all of this, I was actually lucky enough to avail of the magical Thai reflexology on my toes.
All in all, my experience at Shanti Spa served me up fresh, bereft of the nagging urban stress. And left me with a spring in my step and with a sparkle in my spirit. The Trident, Nariman Point, Mumbai. Tel: 022-66324343
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