Naturally yours

Mumbai, Health, Spa, Club Oasis u00c3u0083u00c2u00a2u00c3u0082u00c2u0080u00c3u0082u00c2u0094 Fitness Centre and Spa, homemade concoction

Homemade remedies have been popular in the Indian household since centuries. Whether it's sipping on turmeric milk to banish that cough or applying limejuice to get rid of the stubborn tan, they are an easy fix for beauty and health problems. But a homemade remedy coupled with a tranquil spa setting is a definite route to bliss. I get a taste of this when I head to Club Oasis - Fitness Centre and Spa at the Grand Hyatt on a lazy afternoon.

After switching my T-shirt and jeans for a bathrobe, my therapist Mahi ushers me into the spa room. The white walls complement the ebony décor and the incense sticks add a fragrant note to the air. She cleans the soles of my feet with warm water and then starts scrubbing the almond and saffron body polish, an in-house concoction of curd, rice flour, almond granules and saffron strands. The cool effect of the curd gradually makes way for the warm almond granules and is utterly comforting.

Mahi scrubs the mixture on my feet, legs and gradually moves up her hands on my back. She takes great care in exerting the right amount of pressure and her deft hand movements work their magic on the innumerable knots in my back. She informs me that while the curd and saffron reduces tan, the almond granules work as a scrub, removing impurities. I like the fact that this concoction can be made with ingredients easily available in the kitchen and is ideal to have a spa day at home.

After a 45-minute intense massage, she asks me to have a hot water bath. My skin thoroughly cleansed, Mahi asks me to lie down again and starts the second part of the regime, which includes an aromatherapy massage. She uses a Forest Essentials Bath and Shower Oil Bitter Orange and Indian Cinnamon for the same. As she massages the oil, its fresh citrusy aroma envelopes the air. Mahi asks me if there is any specific area that she should focus on and I suggest that my neck and shoulders need special attention, thanks to sitting on the computer for long hours. Mahi uses gentle pressure to ease the tension with the padded palmar surface of her hand, fingers and thumbs. It envelopes me to such an extent that I slip into a serene slumber.

Minutes after I wake up, I see Mahi has moved on to the third part of the regime, which includes a face and head massage. After a 15-minute massage, she switches the oil with bhringraj oil, an ayurved preparation that is known to moisturise and condition hair follicles and promote growth and starts the head massage.

The mild headache, which I had before stepping into the spa, quickly disappears and I feel completely relaxed. After an intensive yet blissful 135-minute session, Mahi informs me that the therapy is over. As I wash off the remains of the day, I notice the therapy has deeply moisturised my skin, making it soft and supple. As I step out of the spa, there is a slight smile on my lips and I hum a note, a sign that I live another day to face the world in all its glory.