Oooh spa
August 22, 2004 | 12:00am
More and more people are becoming spa aficionados. Modern spa treatments are based on the ancient Chinese philosophy that the body is capable of healing itself. The fundamental principle is the "life force" or qi (pronounced as chi, ki in Japanese) which flows through us.
I was nine-years-old when I first learned of the benefits of a body massage. My grandmother was 70-years-old and recuperating from a stroke that left her half paralyzed. Upon her doctor’s advice she agreed to have a massage daily on her legs for better blood circulation. She lived another 13 years after that.
My own experience with massage came when I gave birth to my only child, Nico. I was then 26-years-old and living with my very kind and caring mother-in-law, Doris Bailon. Lita, her masahista, visited me daily for two months.
I have grown fond of a good massage. And every time I am in Bangkok, I never fail to get one. After all, the Thai massage has been done for over 2,500 years. No visitor to Thailand should leave without having one as there are massage centers in almost every corner in Bangkok.
A Thai massage uses no oil or lotion and one is required to wear loose clothing. For two or even three hours, the Thai masseur performs his art on a floor mat because he uses his hands, elbows, forearms, knees and feet to apply pressure on the acupressure points. He twists, pulls, manipulates and contorts your body in all sorts of positions.
On our recent trip to Bangkok with Claude’s sister Carmen, who is also a massage nut, we tried something we never tried before but heard so much about. A taste of pampering at the world’s best hotel spa, The Oriental Spa, which was voted The Best Spa in the World over three times in the past five years. Their house blend of fragrant oils, aromatic herbs, juices of fruits and vegetables are all beauty secrets from centuries past. A balanced diet of the freshest organic ingredients, herbal teas and fruit juices are specially prepared to cleanse the body and clear the mind. They have created a meditation room with an in-house meditation expert. An Oriental Spa visit can last an hour to even six for a full day rejuvenation program.
As we entered the century old Thai-style teak house it was like entering an oasis of tranquility. There was something in the air that awakened my senses. The women did not walk but glided on the teak floors, not a sound or a creak was heard.
We were led to a luxurious suite where we were greeted by two women, who asked us to take a shower in a glass-encased bath. The gush of hot water felt really good on my tired muscles. I cranked my neck to feel the hydro massage on my back and shoulders. The two ladies reappeared with mud and essential oil and the delightful experience began.
A mud mixture of seeds and flowers from Northern Thailand and honey was applied on my body. The touch of the masseuse was so light and gentle. Gradually she increased the pressure in order to exfoliate. I had an essential oil massage. A concentrated blend of essential oils extracted from plants was applied on my face, scalp and body to ease my muscle tension and release energy through acupressure. The oil felt so warm on my back and the circular hand movement was so unhurried that at first I thought she was praying.
My hour at the Oriental Spa made me clamor for more. It is no wonder famous celebrities the likes of HRH Crown Prince Federick, George Bush, Earl Spencer, Boris Becker, Elizabeth Taylor, Pierce Brosnan and Goldie Hawn have all been guests at the Oriental Spa.
"If there is one luxury I would like to treat myself even if just once in my lifetime, it is pampering for at least three days at The Oriental Spa," I said. Claude laughed because he knows I don’t eat vegetables. "You?" he replied, "You will not survive a day without meat and junk food." "On the fourth day, I will run to the Sala Rim Naam for a wonderful traditional Thai food with loads of patis," I replied.
For such a wonderful and delightful experience from spa experts, call our Mandarin Hotel, Manila for information.
I was nine-years-old when I first learned of the benefits of a body massage. My grandmother was 70-years-old and recuperating from a stroke that left her half paralyzed. Upon her doctor’s advice she agreed to have a massage daily on her legs for better blood circulation. She lived another 13 years after that.
My own experience with massage came when I gave birth to my only child, Nico. I was then 26-years-old and living with my very kind and caring mother-in-law, Doris Bailon. Lita, her masahista, visited me daily for two months.
I have grown fond of a good massage. And every time I am in Bangkok, I never fail to get one. After all, the Thai massage has been done for over 2,500 years. No visitor to Thailand should leave without having one as there are massage centers in almost every corner in Bangkok.
A Thai massage uses no oil or lotion and one is required to wear loose clothing. For two or even three hours, the Thai masseur performs his art on a floor mat because he uses his hands, elbows, forearms, knees and feet to apply pressure on the acupressure points. He twists, pulls, manipulates and contorts your body in all sorts of positions.
On our recent trip to Bangkok with Claude’s sister Carmen, who is also a massage nut, we tried something we never tried before but heard so much about. A taste of pampering at the world’s best hotel spa, The Oriental Spa, which was voted The Best Spa in the World over three times in the past five years. Their house blend of fragrant oils, aromatic herbs, juices of fruits and vegetables are all beauty secrets from centuries past. A balanced diet of the freshest organic ingredients, herbal teas and fruit juices are specially prepared to cleanse the body and clear the mind. They have created a meditation room with an in-house meditation expert. An Oriental Spa visit can last an hour to even six for a full day rejuvenation program.
As we entered the century old Thai-style teak house it was like entering an oasis of tranquility. There was something in the air that awakened my senses. The women did not walk but glided on the teak floors, not a sound or a creak was heard.
We were led to a luxurious suite where we were greeted by two women, who asked us to take a shower in a glass-encased bath. The gush of hot water felt really good on my tired muscles. I cranked my neck to feel the hydro massage on my back and shoulders. The two ladies reappeared with mud and essential oil and the delightful experience began.
A mud mixture of seeds and flowers from Northern Thailand and honey was applied on my body. The touch of the masseuse was so light and gentle. Gradually she increased the pressure in order to exfoliate. I had an essential oil massage. A concentrated blend of essential oils extracted from plants was applied on my face, scalp and body to ease my muscle tension and release energy through acupressure. The oil felt so warm on my back and the circular hand movement was so unhurried that at first I thought she was praying.
My hour at the Oriental Spa made me clamor for more. It is no wonder famous celebrities the likes of HRH Crown Prince Federick, George Bush, Earl Spencer, Boris Becker, Elizabeth Taylor, Pierce Brosnan and Goldie Hawn have all been guests at the Oriental Spa.
"If there is one luxury I would like to treat myself even if just once in my lifetime, it is pampering for at least three days at The Oriental Spa," I said. Claude laughed because he knows I don’t eat vegetables. "You?" he replied, "You will not survive a day without meat and junk food." "On the fourth day, I will run to the Sala Rim Naam for a wonderful traditional Thai food with loads of patis," I replied.
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