Quan

Water. It is the essence of life.

For centuries now, mankind has sought to learn the art of harnessing this eternal element in ways to soothe, relax and bring balance to our lives.

Fortunately Mumbai has always been gifted with this natural element. Surrounded by the ocean and dotted with a good amount of water bodies, the restorative energies of water are already around us. Quan, in Chinese, means the source of pure water. It also signifies energy, prosperity and wholeness. The elixir of life, perpetual youth and vitality. You will find this philosophy infused into each treatment (using ingredients from the ocean) and in restorative techniques. I choose to take the vishy shower treatment which required me to lie on a special bed and my body was scrubbed with spirulina and cleansed with a pipe with hot water slowly pouring on me with the vishy shower first cool and then hot. Seven jets massaged the different energy points of my body. Water, the exlir of life, worked wonders on me.

The eternal secrets of water now lie unlocked before you at Quan. The magical herbal tea with its secret ingredients is absolutely divine. The spacious therapy rooms offer the best Shiatsu massage in Mumbai. That too is a must. The therapist without a drop of oil massaged, turned and twisted me gently, leaving me completely energized.

I followed this with the hot stone treatment. Where bodies are massaged and special stones are placed on it rejuvenating every cell. The philosophy of Quan is to create life-enhancing therapies with health through water. Rhett Pickring, a qualified naturopath, has been associated with Spa Chakra in Australia, Chiva Soam in Thailand and Whatever in Singapore. Rhett has overseen the Quan spa in JW Marriot .

QUAN
J.W. Marriot Juhu,
Tel. 66933116.

Rudra

Just by chance, I got invited to RUDRA - located in the heart of the city in an old building at Kemps Corner. Dharam, the CEO, has put his mind, body and soul to restore this old space to its original glory uncovering the layers of paint and re-discovering the Burma teak wood. The slanting rich wooden roof and the skylight in each room through which the sun beams trickle in, makes it special. It is an amazing rare restoration in a city where original architectures are ruthlessly brought down and replaced by glass, granite and false ceilings.

Heritage lovers, peace and tranquility lovers, luxury lovers - all can rejoice at last because South Bombayites now have their very own holistic place - RUDRA . I was there at about 2 in the afternoon - by the time I left it was 9 in the night. As I entered the soothing music and the wood all around me just calmed me down. I felt as if I was up in the mountains and in a heritage cottage. I was taken in the therapist room where they scrubbed my body with a Himalayan herbs scrub to remove dead skin using deep tissue strokes of Himalayan origin.

From the moment I stepped into RUDRA I knew I had entered into an idyllic natural setting. Under the caring touch of the therapists, simple pleasures are renewed. It was followed with steam and a shower and back again to the room where I was massaged with the use of aromatic oils, herbs and spices followed with Javanese Cosmic massage where two therapists from Thailand used the thumb and palm pressure with essential oils. I found instant flow of energy and my entire being became stress free as the tensions dispersed. A final shower and lo and behold, I was taken into this modern salon. My head was in cloud nine, massaged by the hearing and speach imparied therapists. My hands and feet were manicured and pedicured. Finally, I was lead to the wash station with beds making it a unique and comfortable way to wash my hair. Hair blow-dried and a complete new me emerged!

Dharam (ex- Taj) has been awarded Asia's Best 2005 by Spa Finder. His personality reflects in the spa where every guest's needs are taken care of and each one's opinion matters, unlike other spas which can be rather impersonal. He has seen that every guest becomes a member of the 'RUDRA family' and their every need is looked after. Truly a sanctuary to feed the senses in the heart of South Bombay.

Rudra
Kemps Boulevard, Mumbai
Tel. 022 23875909 /23872363

Antara

The thought of going to Andheri to experience a spa treatment was not at all attractive when I first thought of it! It was just plain tiresome. I was in for such a pleasant surprise. Antara ("That within" in Sanskrit) is a serene day spa that nestles amidst 8.2 acres of tranquility and greenery at The Club. The quite, serene and beautifully landscaped gardens surrounded me and I felt rejuvenated after traveling in the hustle and bustle of the city. I was served a refreshing rose tea as soon as I entered.

The spa concept and therapies have been designed by Dr. B. Rajesh Srinivas, a qualified naturopath and aesthetician who has over 12 years' experience in setting up wellness facilities. I enjoyed the combination of relaxing aromas, soothing music, earthy colours, and interesting textures as it took me to a meditative state. The chakra healing done by Dr. Srinivas himself on a water bed - the only one in Bombay -where he sensed my body's energy and then balanced the imbalances of energy flow by working on the chakras. This made me feel light as if I was realised of exccess burdens. I then went in for an aroma massage. The therapists are specially trained to ensure the highest standards of non-intrusive personalized service. The products used are extremely effective as they are organic, safe, not tested on animals and are the results of several thousand hours of research in cutting edge cosmetology research labs of France. After this I sat by the pool side and had a whole wheat salad. I could not hear a sound of the city other than the birds twittering. Was I really in Bombay? I went in for a blow-dry, coming out all set to party at their open air cafeteria which only serves healthy grills. They also offer facials, massages, hot-stone therapy and healing Ayurveda therapies, amongst a few things.

Antara brings forward a five star experience at affordable prices and their luxurious spa therapies and products helped nurture my mind, body and soul.

ANTARA SPA
197, D.N. Nagar, Andheri (w), Mumbai 400053.
Tel. 022 56939999, Fax. 022 56919081.

Nirmal Herbal

I believe in Mother Nature and its strength of nourishing and healing our Soul, Mind, Body and its Beauty. I found complete answers in Dr. Nirmala Shetty's remedies on skin and hair care. In the technological world we have all moved to with its chemicalised, artificial, synthetic and plastic preparations, it is highly refreshing to experience her fined tuned and international perfection natural remedies in a professional spa that helps you to get the Cleopatra look.

It is divine to immerse in some of her beauty portions for that glowing look. My first trial of henna treatment on the hair gave it a refined, voluptuous look! So particular is she to individual needs that she realized henna activates my sinuses, therefore she mixed herbs and spices. Which relieved me of my cold. The products are so pure, you can eat them. The health food freak that I am, I actually did taste the products and then went ahead and got myself pampered with a body massage with ingredients ground in front of me and got washed by milk and then water. I thought I was a princess of medieval times.

Dr. Shetty's beauty secrets reinforces our trust in Nature's power. Feed your vanity with natural ingredients and Dr. Shetty's combination. Glow the natural way!

Dr. Nirmala Shetty
Nirmal Herbal Chimbai Road Near Jaldarshan Building, Bandra (W)
Tel. 022 26550915

Taj

The first thing that struck me as I entered the spa is the soft minimalist and simultaneously luxurious atmosphere. I was welcomed to a traditional royal experience with a tikka on my forehead and a garland around my neck. As I entered the treatment room my feet were washed in water with rose petals.

The soft music, the healing touch of the therapist, the aroma oils blended with ancient Indian Ayurvedic herbs put me in a blissful state. These are the best oils that I have ever been massaged with. I was so relaxed that I actually fell asleep. When the extremely skilled therapist woke me up from my deep slumber I felt like a new person completely rejuvenated and at peace with myself. The steam room further removed the toxins and the huge large jacuzzi calmed me. The sound of the water and the additional attribute of soaking in it was an amazing restorative experience.

If you are a member the added benefit of using the state of art health club, the amazing pool on the rooftop, joining in the group workouts or opting for the yoga and meditation in their fitness rooms is available to you. Spread over 2.6 acres are flourishing landscaped gardens. One should really take time out regularly at the Taj Spa to slow down and get in touch with your inner self. If you are not a member you can only use the spa or book yourself into the independent three tiered tower block house for the weekend indulging yourself in the finest Indian rejuvenation therapies ranging from signature treatments, Indian aromatherapy massages, time-honored Indian treatments, body scrubs and wraps, Yoga and meditation, beauty treatments and an exclusive range of holistic healing therapies. Lie down by the pool or sweat it the gym... the Taj Spa offers it all to you under one roof.

Taj wellington mews
Luxury Residences,
Colaba, Mumbai
Tel. 022 66569494

Osho

After Rudra and Quan I snatched a weekend to escape from Bombay to Osho - this world class resort is built on dynamics of meditation - being aware of the inside with freedom to be what you want to be. Situated 100 miles south-east of Bombay, it spreads 40 acres in Koregaon Park, a tree lined suburb of Pune. Their gardens are simple yet distinctive. The architecture is stark. The foodie that I am, I must make a special mention of their 'Meera Kitchen' which serves food for the soul. It has a vast repertoire of international dishes, from flaky Pumpkin Croissants, Singapore noodles, Mexican Burritos, Sibs Guldasta Narangi Palao etc. The culinary skills, hygiene, planning, combinations are unmatched. Each dish is a piece of art. The executive chef maintains international standards, monitoring to strive for the best. Wastage is just 15% and used for vermiculture. The day for Binaifer (Bach flower therapist) Ashwin (photographer) and myself were filled with a host of meditations and therapies to choose from. Osho's active meditations are designed to first release the accumulated stresses of the body and mind making it easier to experience the thought-free relaxed state of meditation. The giant size pool resembling a lake with water being recycled every 15 minutes offered amazing aqua aerobics and is worth a dip. The emphasis is on having fun and being you. I tried the Osho Kundalini meditation with four stages to release all the accumulated stress of my day.

All three of us tried a variety of meditations in this peaceful atmosphere. In the evening in a truly international environment the night life is alive with friends dining under the stars, with music and dancing. The ambience is magical: leaves whispering secrets to singing waterfalls, abundant tropical foliage surrounding us, fragrant with an earthy scent! Be there!

The wellness package weekend at Osho Meditation resort took us on a journey of self-awareness where attitude, exercise, diet, meditation brought our physical and mental energies to a peak.

OSHO Meditation centre
Koregaon Park, Pune.
Tel. +91 20 6601 9900

Kare

After Osho Kare was definitely on my map. Overlooking the Mulshi dam on a mountain in between virgin trees, literally in the womb of the Sahyadris is Kare, situated on an unspoiled route where barely one or two cars pass by the whole day. Peace, calm and serenity surrounds the place.A guest who came here years ago and never left describes it - if one wondered what heaven was like, it is at Kare. Little cottages and rooms dot the hill, the sound of the birds and rustling of the leaves fills the air. Dr. Kalmadi (founder of Kare) left his medical profession after Ayurveda cured him of his major back problem. According to him, 70% of the healing is done by nature surrounding it at Kare. This synergy of nature, Ayurvedic massages, the relaxing Yoga in the midst of flora and fauna, the saatvic food in the semi open air dining room was food for the mind, body and soul. The Kare team with its doctors welcomed me with a tikka and a beautiful arti thali - the traditional Kare welcome. Photographer Ashwin and me had a consultancy with the Ayurvedic doctors before our treatments were prescribed. Our schedule started at 7 in the morning with herbal teas followed by Iyengar Yoga. Breakfast was overlooking the lake, fresh fruits, herbal tea and piping hot dosas. Then we were off to our treatments rooms.

Marma points or sthans are special points of energy in the body. Marma therapy helps to unblock these channels of energies and thus restores health. And the next days the Abhyangam.

It is a general body massage with herbal oils, prepared according to body constitution to counter different diseases and for rejuvenation purposes. It increases blood circulation in the body.

We had our showers. Followed by lunch and siesta Ashwin was busy photographing while I was soaking in the nature.

The meals were simple and light even though they were prepared in pure ghee the traditional ayurvedic way.

Lots of treatments are offered and people stay there for weekend, days or months relaxing or curing ailments or just rejuvenating.

We came back with a feeling of tranquility and since then have been there three times and intend going there again and again. The little prayer before the food, the always welcoming doctors and therapists and the bells ringing morning and evening in the little temple still resonates in my head. In two days I was more refreshed than I had ever been after any other holiday. Nature cures, I endorse this.

Kare Ayurvedic Retreat,
Village Gonawadi, Mulshi Lake,
Mulshi Khurd, Pune District,
Tel. (Pune) +91 20 25442945.
Tel. +91 20 25171247

Dr. Prakash Kalmadi of Kare.
I have realized Spas are no longer an indulgence or a luxury but rather an absolute necessity. No wonder so many employers are offering spa therapy not as a perk but because it actually improves employees' productivity and morale. Whether a business traveler, a stressed mother of three, an obese person, a couple who wants to reconnect, a teenager who is troubled by acne, a group of friends planning a celebration a spa would meet their varying needs.