Binu Svan
Fashion and Beauty Editor
Ahlan Masala
PO Box 5000024, Dubai, U.A.E.
“Ayurvedic Heaven” as per Ms. Binu.
Steeping into the compact space reserved for ayurvedic treatments, one’s senses are calmed by the soft classical music and the aroma of the traditional incenses. As I was still suffering forms the ravages of a recent bout of flu, I was recommended a cocktail of back and leg massages, a body wrap, a facial and an eye treatment.

The massages were just what I needed. After 15 minutes of the back massage, my sense of unease and pain flew right out the window and I allowed myself t o lie back and enjoy the rest of the fabulous treatment (which I secretly dreaded) was a cake-walk, with herbal oil being poured into the eye to get rid of accumulated impurities. This treatment is very highly recommended.

After a relaxing facial, which leaves the skin zinging with good health and vigor, they applied the body pack using traditional herbs and oils. This is not only gives the body a polished sheen, but also lightens skin pigmentations and blemishes. The wrap is allowed to do its work further while you sweat it out in the sauna.

Finally Dubai can boast of its own wellness centre. Focusing on providing guests and clients with various treatments and specialized care, Rochester Wellness Centre has tie-ups with most of the leading hospitals in Dubai. And besides the rehabilitation consultant and nurse, the physiotherapist and speech pathologist, it also boasts a wonderful ayurvedic health spa parlor and fitness centre.

Andrea Newton
Editor of What’s On Magazine
Andrea Newton floats away into the ancient world of Indian healing for her first-ever spa experience.

“I’m not a spa girl. I’d never even been to one before, or even had a facial. My spa avoidance was not because of a fear of strangers touch me of some bizarre aversion to pampering. I’ve just never felt the need to rejuvenate’. A good night’s sleep has usually been the extent of my self-restoration and I’d never been privy to the mind-altering bliss of a truly transcendent experience.

But after a particular hectic month, sitting on my office chair all day without exercise had left my body feeling more knotted than a macramé wall hanging.

A craving for some TLC led me to the Ayur Spa, tucked away in Jumeirah’s Rochester Wellness Clinic . As I was briefed on what I was in store for, the excitement bubbling in me started to surpass as stadium full of soccer fans about to witness a free kick. Maybe the manufactured brigade were onto something after all.

As their female therapist is my healer for the evening, led me in, vapors of burning sandalwood kissed my senses. I felt my connection to the outside world slowly melt away as I took in the soothing maroon walls, crepe-silk curtains and rosewood furniture, the sound of my own thoughts slowly fading into the rhythmic beats of classical Indian music. I was suddenly transported to a time centuries ago and I felt like a female Mougli in my muslin cloth underwear. Excellent…

She began my euphoric journey with a soft head massage. Using herbal oils to de-stress and cure insomnia, she gently rubbed and tapped till I felt like had a small party of elves dancing on my head. What followed was Abhyangam (250Dhs), an Ayurvedic massage where I was doused in thick oil. As she kneaded ripples of electricity soared through my blood. This age old method is known to remove toxins and aid circulation .Play –Doh would be put to shame by how pliable I had become.

The finale was the Sirodarha, a poster treatment for most spas, where warm oil and milk flow onto the forehead from an overhead vessel. At this point I wanted to kidnap her and take her home so that I could experience this mental ecstasy daily./ As I was leaving, I was already planning my next visit, having realized that the treatment at the Ayur Spa had just turned me into a spa- junkie.

Zoe Rawling
Editor, Visitor Magazine
Tucked away in a private villa in Dubai’s leafy Jumeirah residential area is the Ayur Health Spa which specializes in a wide range of Ayurvedic treatments. The spa staff are very knowledgeable and can recommend the perfect treatment tailored to your individual requirements, from Ayurvedic facials and head massages to Kizhi (Hot Bundle Massage with herbal compress). We tried the Stress Relief Massage which lasts a blissful 1 hrs and 15 minutes – soothing medicated oil is applied to the head and body after which you enjoy a relaxing massage before the dhara begins.

Anna Marie Gould
Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah
Dubai , U.A. E.
When I first discovered the Rochester Wellness Centre I was given a tour of the facilities and I was taken into the Ayur Spa. Prior to coming to Dubai I lived in the Far East for many years and I had great respect for Chinese medicine. Reflexology and accupuncture are often used alongside western medicine to cure a multitude of ailments so I siezed the opportunity to learn a little about Ayurvedic medicine and treatments.

I was introduced to Asha and for my first treatment I had a relaxing oil massage, it soon became apparent that Asha was giving me more than a massage, she instinctly pin pointed areas needing attention and I had complete faith that she knew exactly what she was doing. After the massage she took time to explain what she had found and offered advice on how to improve flexibility in areas of stiffness. The Ayur Spa offers a menu of massages and treatments for specific ailments for which different techniques and oils are used, the effects of the medicated oils are on-going and can last up to 7 days within the system.

Over the last few months I have come to know and trust Asha, I have complete confidence in her judgement, she has helped me tremendously, she loves to heal and she is very proud of her knowledge of the ancient art of ayurvedic medine. Asha's husband, Jose Paul also works within the Spa providing the same high standard of treatment to male patients,

The Ayur Spa is a real "Oasis in the Desert" and I am so lucky to have it on my doorstep!