Author: JoSentMe

What most people know about ayurveda treatments comes from that enticing photograph of a stream of oil being poured onto the forehead – onto the ‘third eye’. Called a shirodhara this is such a powerful therapy that it should not be undertaken, or even prescribed lightly – and most serious practitioners will not recommend it for anyone staying in a resort or centre for less than three days.

In the hands of the ill-trained or uninitiated it can truly disrupt the nervous system (why do you think the Japanese adopted a similar routine as water torture!). So if it is suggested to you be very careful. But one thing is for sure, if you are staying at an ayurvedic centre for the recommended seven days, then by all means experience it. I know that if I had one a day for five days I would come home with a totally refreshed brain.

Sometimes if the doctor will not allow you to experience a full shirodhara, he might allow you a thakradhara, which is its younger, weaker relative. The treatment uses buttermilk…and while the smell can be really off-putting, it lasts just moments, for the rest of the time you will be in a deep, deep sleep…it too. is a great relaxant.

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I really, really wished I liked ayurveda treatments more than I do. I truly believe in their efficacy and as a medical discipline I have nothing but wonder and admiration for its philosophy of prevention other than cure.

I have also visited some of the most extraordinary and wonderful ayurvedic retreats in the world – and some of the most basic ( a heated wooden coffin anyone?)- and I have had oils introduced into parts of my body where I was unaware of any apertures. Plus I have met some extraordinary talented ayurvedic doctors and practitioners…and yet..

Although I must say that my latest such massage (you can’t say that I don’t try) was a particularly good one. It was at the rather grand underground spa at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodphur (it’s the place where Liz Hurley got married – the palace, not the spa) where Dr Mony, the resident ayurvedic doctor despatched me for the full abhyanga. Many people still expect a traditional type of massage, but the ayurvedic version is more of an application of oil, so that by the end of it you are slithering around on a table resembling a butcher’s block like an out of control eel. But I have to admit the masseuse was so adept that I was asleep before I knew what was happening, and my body felt relaxed and mobile by the time she had finished. And yet hours later, after a couple of showers and a bath I could still get a whiff of the herbal oils deep in my pores – is that why I still don’t love it?
www.tajhotels.com

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Don’t you just hate the waft of bad breath as your facialist gets down to business? Recently I had a very good facial – not always the case – and the products had a most delicate and pleasing fragrance but every so often the therapist was obliged to breath and with it came a blast of stale, end of the day breath. In fairness it wasn’t garlic or cigarette but it was distracting and a reminder that if you are getting up close and personal bad breath is a real no-no. (Sara P.)

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Have just had the most delicious head massage of all time! Lorraine, the Moulson in Moulson Devern in Bourne Street, London SW1 (020 7730 6818). As anyone who knows me will vouch, I am a woman in perpetual search of a ‘proper’ scalp massage that is not all pressing and poking but a vigorous agitation of the hair follicle roots. Lorraine’s method is even more thorough and pretty much takes in the whole body as she exorcises all your stresses and tensions. THOROUGHLY RECOMMENDED – she is also one of the finest colourists you are ever likely to come across! (Sara P)

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Which bit of “Please don’t get any oil in my hair” do many, many therapists not understand? Sometimes it is just not possible to do the full shampoo and blow dry after a treatment, so you simply ask the therapist to keep oil away from the crowning glory. Some nod and keep oil away from the crown of the head and not from the face, others manage most of it but not the neck, a few will wash their hands and give you a dry scalp massage and very, very few will wrap your head in a band or towel. I now bring a shower cap with me…not attractive I know, but better than looking like an oil slick at the bus stop.

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I cannot emphasise the importance of the therapist – he/she is the key to any good treatment…and I have been very lucky to have experienced some amazing practitioners over the years. When Xuba sang to me it reminded of a sweet Thai woman at the Banyan Tree spa in Phuket. She was one of their most senior therapists and taught at the academy there, and she must have been one amazing teacher. When she had finished working on my muscles and joints – she taught me to dance using movements which would help stretch my body and makeit more supple.

And then there was the Thai master who was visiting the spa at the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok ( believe me one of the most beautiful spas in the world), who asked me to lie face down on the floor mattress to prepare myself for a true Thai experince. Some minutes later, nothing had happened and I was wondering when it was going to start – I coughed, moved a little, shifted my position until eventually I had to look over my shoulder to see if he had disappeared. He hadn’t, he was praying – I have to admit the only man who has ever done so before touching my body. I know it’s a temple…but this was special. I eventually had one of the best massages I have ever had!
(www.banyantree.com
www.mandarinoriental.com)

For those of you who think this blog is being written by a schizophrenic – it is not…the running component is provided by my friend and business partner, Sara P, who will provide the enthusiastic amateur approach to spas for those who are a tad intimidated or unsure of what a visit to such a place might be

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Did 7 miles on Saturday (that is not even a third of a marathon!) and was pretty dead for the rest of the day. Good job I’ve got 7 more months of training – knees permitting! Went and had a Thai massage to ease my achy bones. I love Thai Therapeutics in Beauchamp Place, London SW3 (020 7589 3709) – no website, I’m afraid and not to be confused with Thai Therapeutics in Oregon, USA – although they may also be wonderful.

All the girls in London are Thai and do very workmanlike massages particularly concentrating on any areas you identify as needing their kneading. As someone who spends her life in search of a the perfect scalp massage I have to say that Noi comes close to doing a pretty good one.

An hour is £60 (with cheaper rates during morning hours). Don’t forget to say – Jo Sent Me!

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Did I say she sang to me? Having held the cowrie shells to my ears so I could hear the sea, Xuba then broke into this low,sweet chant which , in spite of its low volume seemed lound and intense because of her proximity to my body splayed on the massage table. It was bweautiful and quite moving and infinitely more preferable to other spa sounds which I am fast becoming allergic to. I loathe most of spa music and always ask for it to be turned off, much preferring the hum of the air-conditioning to the sub-Enya offerings, not to mention the clang of Tibetan bells or the song of the hunchback whale. Although I am very happy at one particular Italian spa where you get Puccini along with your pedicure

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