Spa Sessions

chami jotisalikorn, author of thailand’s luxury spas and thai spa book, reveals what’s hot in the world of wellness

SPA REVIEW: PENTHOUSE PAMPERING

You’ll be surprised at the transition from thai teak house to SouthIndian bungalow when you step through into the new Ayurvedic Penthouse at Bangkok’s Oriental Spa (tel +66
(0)2 659-9000 ext 7434, www..mandarinoriental.com). this self-contained annex recreates an authentic ambience from the sub-continent, complete with wooden treatment beds and furniture from India and rejuvenating therapies straight from the distinctive traditions of Keraleeya Ayurveda from Kerala.

with the help of a detailed questionnaire, Ayurvedic expert Christina Watson helps to select therapies suitable for your type to balance and detox the body. the relaxing Keraleeya Abhyanga is a 60-minute treatment consisting of oil massage, followed by herbal steam in a fabulous wooden steam cabinet. Other therapies include the Shirodara heated oil therapy on the forehead and Vadanam traditional facial.

Christina stresses that Ayurveda is a way of life, not just a quick fix, and the spa offers individually tailored long-term programmes for Bangkok residents, with an Ayurvedic doctor soon to be on the premises to help guide the way.

WELLNESS BUZZ: ALL AYE’S ON AYURVEDA

Now, there’s no need to go to all the way to India in search of Ayurvedic healing, with thailand and the Maldives emerging as the latest hotspots offering the ancient holistic “Science of Life”.

A slew of new spa resorts are leading the trend now. At the Angsana Spa Maldives Ihuru (tel +960 (0)6 643502, www.angsanaspa.com), the menu includes Ancient Treat, a spa package under the Essence of Angsana range, featuring a traditional Ayurvedic massage that helps ease tensions and promote circulation.

A few atolls away, the recently-opened Anantara Resort and Spa Maldives (tel +960 (0)6 644100, www.anantara.com) offers luxurious Ayurvedic massages, bathand steam treats as well as great service to go with its deluxe suites by the beach.

The spa at the Four Seasons Maldives at Landaa Giravaaru (tel +960 (0)66 00888, www.fourseasons.com) is a resort with in itself, with bothpool suites and garden spa suites offering a comprehensive approach to physical, mental and spiritual well-being, and a focus on yoga and Ayurveda.

the resort even features a dedicated Ayurvedic Retreat with in the spa complex, with a herb garden and resident expert for individually-tailored consultations.

Truly get away from it all at the Rania Spa onboard the Rania (tel +960 (0)6 740555, www.raniaexperience.com), a one-of-a-kind exclusive private luxury cruise yacht named aft er Queen Rania of Jordan. Enjoy thai and Ayurvedic massages, body scrubs, wraps, herbal facials and more – available bothat sea and on shore.

READERS RECOMMEND

In a place where spa standards can vary, Phnom Penh’s O’Spa (tel +855 (0)12 1 896404, www.ospacambodia.com) has quickly developed a loyal following among local expats and embassies in the Cambodian capital.

Located in the peaceful residential area of Daun Penh, near Wat Phnom in the historical heart of the city, the tastefully decorated spa offers a sophisticated range of treatments from thalassotherapy and Dead Sea mud wraps to hot stone and Balinese massage, administered by professionally trained therapists.

EVENTS

In need of a physical and mental spring clean? Head to Kamalaya Retreat Koh Samui (tel +66 (0)77 429800, www.kamalaya.com) and book yourself a spot on one of the retreat’s impressive line-up of special programmes aimed to help put your healthback on track.
• 11-17 March: Yoga Fusion with Carole Warren and Lorraine Taylor – Four different styles of yoga with in one programme to help you discover which one suits your personality and body type, and one-to-one support to create a practice you can take home.
• 7-13 April: Holistic Detox with Graeme Stuart-Bradshaw – An intensive body-mind cleansing programme to improve your physical healthand well-being, as well as revitalise your spirit. Graeme is a naturopathic physician and founder of the Integrated Medicine Institute (IMI) in Hong Kong, and brings together the most current medical research and detoxification methods.
• 28 April to 4 May: the Vital Essence of Being with Rajay Mahtani – A programme of yoga, holistic wellness treatments and nutritious spa cuisine to offer you an opportunity to relax, restore and rejuvenate your vital life energy. Two daily intensive yoga classes are taught by certified senior level BKS Iyengar method instructor, Rajay Mahtani.

Q&A

Why is Ayurveda catching on in all the major spas and wellness centres?
A medical and Ayurvedic doctor with over 10 years experience in alternative medicine, Dr Sushil Rahul of Chiang Mai Oasis Spas (tel +66 (0)53 815000, www.chiangmaioasis.com) gives some insight on this year’s hot holistic buzz:

Why Ayurveda?
Because Ayurveda is the ultimate choice for those who wish to live a harmonious life in tune with nature, coupled with a sensible lifestyle based on knowledge.

It shows us how unbalanced states can be corrected and maintained, based on one’s individual body composition.

What’s on offer at Oasis Spas?
We tailor our Ayurvedic menu and packages according to the client’s needs, based on an integrated holistic approach that involves relaxation, detoxification, rejuvenation and beautification. Specific treatments include Ayurvedic Shirodara, body massage and head massage.

What treatment is recommended?
What works best is a tailor-made package for the individual, based on consultation with the doctor.

What about Ayurvedic herbs – do they have to be imported from India?
As we are a day spa and not a clinic or hospital, we develop our Ayurvedic menu according to day spa requirements; we don’t prescribe herbs as such for the treatment. We use Indian and thai herbs to make Ayurvedic massage oils, and advise the client on making lifestyle and diet changes based on Ayurvedic principles and alternative medicine.

SPA SPEAK

No need to slip up when faced with the latest spa menus – grease up on your Ayurvedic terms.

Doshas – Ayurveda classifies patients by body types determined by proportions of the three doshas. these are Vata (air and space), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earthand water). An imbalance between the three is considered to cause various healthproblems. Marma Points – vital energy points of the body.

Shirodara – a stream of warm herbal oil is poured on the forehead in a continuous stream to induce a clear, calm mind.

Pizhichil – Warm herbal oil is poured all over the body and massaged into the body by two therapists.

Panchakarma – an Ayurvedic system of purifying and cleansing the body involving five processes.

WHAT’S NEW: YOUthHOSPITAL

with Bangkok Hospital’s new BMC Anti-Ageing Centre (tel +66 (0)2 310-3102, www.bangkokinternationalhospital.com) slated to open this March, medical travellers can now add a new destination to their list of holiday options.

Anti-ageing medicine is a medical speciality founded on the application of scientific and medical technologies for the early detection, prevention, treatment as well as reversal of age-related dysfunction, disorders, and diseases. the centre offers a wide range of services dedicated to preserving youthand vitality.

there are specific programmes relating to anti-ageing (functional medicine), hormone replacement, exercise, dietary advice, mental healthsupport and weight loss, alongside check-up services.