Indian inspiration The ayurvedic philosophy and science of life in Indian culture is firmly established in mainstream health and well-being centres. The philosophy behind it is to balance the mind, body and soul using herbs and techniques to restore well-being.
The newly launched Indoceane Indian (HK$600), offered at Chuan Spa, incorporates techniques from India, Egypt, China and the Mediterranean. Following a body scrub and milk bath, comes the Indian connection: a massage using movements that target specific and localised parts of the body and has the multiple benefits of relieving tension, stimulating circulation, and giving the body a general boost. Therapists use a qi balm on certain areas before the massage, said to prepare the body to release tension. The treatment is rounded off with a Chinese-style body wrap.
Plateau Spa offers a similar therapy with its Tridoshic Restorative Ayurveda massage (HK$980). This is a firm, deep tissue massage to improve blood circulation, general flexibility and to provide a boost to the body's natural recovery process. Also offered at the spa is the Sirodhara (HK$1,200, pictured), a treatment where warm oil is poured onto the head, or third eye, to aid relaxation, reduce stress and help with insomnia.
The Peninsula Spa, by Espa, offers a selection of ayurvedic therapies in its Peninsula Ceremonies signature body treatments. These are based around the three doshas or body types according to ayurvedic medicine: vata, pitta and kapha, with each treatment designed to improve the well-being of these three body types. The Vata Comforter, for example, combines a blend of Indian herbs, marine muds and warming oils to alleviate conditions common to vata body types such as anxiety, hyper-activity and dry skin. All the packages (HK$2,000) include a consultation, body scrub and facial massage, in addition to the chosen massage.
And at the Beautiful Skin Centre you can get an Indian head massage (HK$440). The treatment combines a massage with the balancing of chakras and is said to help relieve tension, headaches, eye strain and other stress-related ailments.