A friend who is a ‘lifestyle reporter’ with a popular television channel writes in her orkut profile that ‘spa-ing is her only hobby’. Fortunately, her job offers her the ultimate luxury — getting paid for indulging in a hobby! The rest of us not-so-lucky ones empty our pockets once in a while to be wrapped in mud or chocolate (depending on preference), scrubbed till shiny (exfoliated in spa-speak), washed and hung on the line. No, that’s an exaggeration.

What’s not an exaggeration is the growing demand to get the mind, body and spirit nourished in the many spas that have sprung up all over India.

Though there are no specific statistics yet available, according to World Travel and Tourism Council, the spa industry, already well established in the US and Europe, is travelling further east with great growth potential in Asia, especially China and India. According to its latest figures, India tops the list along with China and Montenegro in spa tourism with the demand growing each year at the rate of 7.9 per cent.  Kerala, with its already ‘God’s own country’ status and Ayurveda roots, is said to be the fastest growing region for spa tourism in India. Says Ms Priti Chand, Director Communications, Phoenix Group global which runs the Maya Spa at the Radisson Plaza Spa and Resort, Kumarakom, “There is a great demand for wellness therapies in India today, both from domestic and international tourists. People are getting more conscious about their health and wellbeing and thanks to the stressed lives we lead, spa treatments are becoming more necessary than luxury.” Based on client feedback, Maya Spa has tailored spa holidays that offer a host of packages such as ‘detox’ ‘weight loss’ and ‘rejuvenation’ to stressed out holiday makers. “The yuppie generation views spa visits as a social climbing exercise — most of them view spa-ing as a trendy thing to do rather than a place for holistic healing,” says Asheema Suri, a counsellor at a Bangalore spa.

Increasing demand

That may well be the case but that only increases the traffic to these detox destinations. Harinder Singh, General Manager, Grand Ashok says the Rejuve spa at the hotel has doubled its revenue in the past year. “ We noticed the demand and revamped the spa. Our specific packages such as Jet Lag massage, deep tissue massage and colour n’ crystal therapies are much sought after,” she claims. Agrees Ms Elaine Wong, Clarins Regional Trainer at the Clarins Spa who says the skin spa treatments at Clarins Spa have been formulated with stressed-out urban professionals in mind. Like the refined waist treatment that targets the tummy area, under-eye massage treatment for that bane of modern life  — dark circles and the luxurious back exfoliation with massage and mask (for people bent over badly designed chairs!)

The evolution of the spa therapies has also meant that the medical industryis beginning to incorporate spa treatments such as hydrotherapy, naturotherapy and acupuncture. Even real estate developers are adding residential spas in gated apartment complexes and villas.
No wonder then spa-ing is my friend’s only hobby!

Bizarre treatments

Snake massage: Ada Barak’s spa in Northern Israel offers this rather wild treatment where six non-venomous snakes slither and slide across aching muscles and stiff joints.

Nightingale excrement facials (Geisha spa): Offered at a New York spa, this facial makes use of bird droppings which apparently contain amino acids that heal the skin. The treatment is said to have been first used by Japanese Geishas as a make-up cleanser.

Cactus massage: Clients in a Mexican spa enjoy a blend of nopal, a prickly pear cactus and pulque, an alcohol made from the agave plant, massaged into their skin using spine-free cactus.

Caviar facials: The pinnacle of luxury this, where clients are coated from head to toe in caviar at the Hilton Grand Spa in Rome. Caviar extract is said to have skin-firming properties.

Floataria: Currently a rage in Europe, these spas have floating tanks filled with water dense with high concentration of Epsom salts. Due to the high density of salt in the water, the body floats effortlessly in a zero-gravity environment. A sense of blissful tranquility is set to pervade the body then.

A round-up of India’s famous spas

* Ananda in the Himalayas, Uttaranchal
    This is luxury healing at its best. One of the country’s most recognised spa destinations, Ananda spa is nestled in the Himalayan valley — a stunning background for yoga classes, healthy meals and Ayurvedic massages!

* Oberoi Spa at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
    A few metres from the Taj Mahal, the resort built in the Mughal and Moorish style offers magnificent views of the Taj as well as a combination of Ayurveda and aromatherapy. 

*  Quan Spa at the JW Marriott, Mumbai
    In Chinese, Quan means "the source of pure water," and hydrotherapy is the focus here.
    There is also the $8,500 celebrity makeover package that includes six hours of treatment, stay at the presidential suite, a makeover, photoshoot and eight-course dinner. 

*  Maya Spa at the Radisson Plaza Spa and Resort, Kumarakom
    Maya Spa was recently adjudged the ‘Best Resort Spa’ at the Asia Spa awards 2007. Spread across 10,000 sq mts, the spa offers European and traditional Ayurvedic treatments including a special treatment called ‘Cloud 9 massage’ where  you can unwind in the warmth of a ‘nuvola’ where the absence of gravity allows you to float, literally on cloud nine!

* Spa at Devi Garh Resort, Udaipur
    Amidst the rolling hills of Rajasthan sits Devi Garh Resort, an imposing former 18th-century fortress.  The spa at this historic palace resort is all done up in white and offers both Indian and Western therapies.

Some Bangalore spas

* Angsana Oasis Spa & Resort (www.angsanaspa.com)
* Soukya Health and Healing Sanctuary (www.soukya.com)
* Golden Palms Hotel and Spa (www.goldenpalmsspa.com)
* BodyCraft Spa &Salon (www.bodycraft.co.in)
* SPA.ce (www.spacethespa.com)
* The 5th Element Spa
* VLCC (www.vlcc.co.in)
* Clarins Skin Spa at Bangalore Central Mall