A wellness getaway: Health spas that are just a drive away from Mumbai

Nowadays, city-dwellers are devoting weekends to their health by checking into wellness spas. A typical day at such resorts begins with a complimentary class of yoga, followed by a day full of massages and healing therapies. One can also enjoy delectable nutritious food that are locally sourced. Check out a few places that are less than a five-hour drive away from Mumbai.

EXPLORE SPA, LE MERIDIEN MAHABALESHWAR

Contouring / Firming Body Treatment

Most spa treatments conclude with a sauna session, but this starts with one. The movements in this massage are designed specifically to work collagen build-up. It involves the movement of both palms parallely in opposite directions. The masseur informed us that it borrows from a Japanese massage technique (our guess is anma not shiatsu). Instead of oil or cream a gel is used for the massage. The body wrap too is gel-based, and it takes some time to get used to lying with a somewhat slimy layer on your skin. Once the entire procedure is done, your skin is slathered with generous amounts of lavender moisturiser (except on the face) leaving it supple yet firm. It’s recommended for those who prefer cold massages.

Limitless Facial

This 90-minute treatment combines hot stone therapy with a body massage and a facial. After a steam, you are treated to a massage that includes a variety of strokes — big, broad and smaller strokes on the lower back, and mini strokes on the upper back and neck, which leaves you relaxed. This is followed by a massage with hot stones, which were not as hot as one would expect, but they relieve stress from the body. Long and circular strokes using smooth and heated stones relieve muscle pain. The massage is followed by a facial, which has the usual suspects — cleansing, scrubbing, taking a steam, moisturising that cleans and purifies the face.

SHINE SPA, GRAND SHERATON PUNE

Potli Massage

This treatment combines two iconic therapies into one spa treatment — micro massages with body elixir (a non-greasy body oil) and potli massage. The treatment begins with the former micro massage followed by the potli massage which uses heated herbal pouches also known as potlis (or poultice). The potlis are kneaded onto specific pressure points to help heal the body. The last step is an algae body wrap made of detoxifying algae, seaweed mixed in mud or clay, and warm water. It’s hot when applied all over the body, and you are cocooned in towels. After the wrap cools off, your body heats up once again and this change in temperature helps the body get rid of toxins as your skin cells are stimulated.

Bamboo Massage

In this massage bamboo sticks of various shapes and sizes are used. The pressure is more focused unlike the ones created by the fluid movements of a masseur’s palm as bamboo wood is soft and distributes pressure evenly. This mechanism works well especially in areas around the collarbone and above shoulder blades. Especially on the toes, the slimmer sticks work wonderfully at easing the kinks. The massages in this session are of a neutral temperature. Therefore, this therapy is apt for those who prefer massages that are not warm due to friction created by the movement of the palms.

HEAVENLY SPA, THE WESTIN PUNE

Heavenly Spa Signature Massage

This spa session is designed to help the body and mind relax. At the beginning, the masseur asks us to choose a stone from a variety of three, placed in a wicker basket. The stones have hope, love and gratitude written on them. We were asked to pick the stone that has the emotion we want to focus on. This stone is kept at the bottom of the spa bed so that our eyes are focused on them during the massage. A quilt filled with heated crystals are placed on the spa table. Sleeping over them instantly relaxes and soothes the muscles. For the head-to-toe massage, white tea and aloe oil is used, as it is supposed to have healing properties. Those who wish to relieve stress can opt for this.

Restore

This treatment is good for taut and stressed muscles and tissues. The rigorous massage that targets deeper layers of the muscles was a stress reliever. The therapist focused on the back and neck mainly, which relaxed the large muscles in the body. Later, a head and face massage is given with gliding strokes and focus on the pressure points. It leaves one feeling refreshed and relaxed. This is recommended to those who have a history of prolonged computer usage and stiffness.

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