Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

BODYLICIOUS

Some more pepper, please

SMELL AND FEEL GOOD At the Taj Spa

INDULGE IN: The Masala Wrap, followed by a Pehelwan Maalish.

GLAMOUR QUOTIENT: An invigorating treatment, the Masala Wrap consists of a hot mixture of traditional Indian spices that promotes deep cleansing, relieves muscular soreness, and improves circulation. The Pehelwan Maalish that follows uses specially blended aromatherapy oils for a powerful massage that's great for the skin, and provides relief for aching, sore and tense muscles.

THE PROCESS: I picture languid caviar facials. I dream of sinking into barrels of merlot, followed by a luxurious zinfandel and grape scrub. I conjure up Cleopatra glamorously soaking in a bathtub of milk and velvety rose petals.

I don't expect to be marinated and trussed up, like a particularly unwieldy Christmas turkey. How do I manage to begin my day as Audrey Hepburn, and end up looking like the main course on Nigella Lawson's show?

Well, the team at the picturesque Taj Spa takes their treatments very seriously.

The brochure's made for indecision. Perhaps I should have my `system purified' with the Shudikara, described as "a lymphatic drainage massage, a wholesome cleansing scrub and a plantain leaf wrap leaving you with a feeling of lightness." Or try a classic, the Indian Head Massage, done with a blend of Amla, Brahmi, Jatamansi, Curry Leaves and Neem. Decisions, decisions.

Dr. Anuradha Mathad, Assistant Spa Manager, earnestly discusses my options. I want something quirky to write about. She's a serious Ayurveda practitioner who clearly won't encourage flippant fantasies that involve champagne pedicures and caviar creams. (Sigh!) We finally agree on a "Masala: Spice Scrub' followed by a Pehelwan Maalish, traditionally given to wrestlers. "Ooh fun," I think. Till they guide me to the sauna, and once that's done start slathering on the Masala. After being steamed like a dim sum, it's a little disconcerting. The masseur marinates me with a hot paste of stunningly fragrant spices, which include nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, clove and black pepper. They've been soaked, ground to a paste and mixed with rice flour. "You're going to feel hot," she warns me. "Oh please, I'm from Chennai," I snigger. Complaining about heat is for sissies.

What I don't expect is to be wrapped in layers of towels, like an ancient Egyptian Mummy. When I brought up Cleopatra, this certainly wasn't what I was thinking of. It now feels searing hot. And I can't even fidget, since my arms are firmly pinned to my side with the towel wrap. On the plus side, I smell fantastic, like a spice garden in full bloom. "The wrap is good for colds, sore muscles and also exfoliates," says the masseur, as she gives me a gentle head massage, with cooling sesame oil infused with curry leaves, for hair strength and darkening. Then there's a face massage, with oil blended with amla for its nourishing vitamin C.

After what seems like forever, it is finally time to get rid of the now scratchy wrap. I shower, and heave a sigh of relief. I'm all set for the Pehlwan Malish, or so I think. I can't quite describe the process, but the fact that my face looked like Edvard Munch's `Scream' should give you a clue. I was stretched like bubble gum, pounded like dough and at one point I suspect my masseur was practising hip hop moves balanced on my back.

(The Masala Wrap is Rs. 1450, and the Pehelwan Malish is Rs. 3500. (Both exclusive of taxes.) Both together take a about three hours.)

THE VERDICT: I came out feeling fantastic. This treatment promotes deep cleansing, relieves muscular soreness, and improves circulation. And that gorgeous smell clung to me, making me feel like a rather large oil diffuser for the rest of the day.

DETAILS: The Spa: Specialising in traditional Indian treatments, the Taj Spa is present in eleven Taj hotels across the country, as well as four abroad, in Mauritius, the Maldives, Bentona and Bhutan. The spa combines its signature massages and wraps with yoga and meditation, aiming at holistic healing and a lingering sense of wellbeing.

ADDRESS: Covelong Beach, Kanchipuram District - 603 112, Tamil Nadu, India, ph: (91-44) 6741 3333

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail