Jakarta as Spa Destination in Asiaspa

My article - Jakarta as Spa Destination got published in the Jan- feb issue of Asiaspa international edition.......

Universe in snowflakes and snow

.........My longcherished visit to Vaishnodevi at the most opportune time, when the traffic was at its bleakest and the old cave was open was a wonderful experience...beyond everything i had wished and visualised......and i walked up for 5 hrs and walked down again....both of us me and dhiren...that in itself is a miracle......and then snowflakes at Patnitop provided the icing on the cake...............

Wellness in 2009

..........I am back in India .........and its time for Spiritual Wellness .........and what a beginning !!!!! ....Diwali....wedding......Benaras, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, Vaishno Devi and Jammu........and yet to come Chardham yatra, Amarnath, kailash Mansarovar and ................

U me and Taj - Emotional Well being

.......Well the picture says it all...... i saw Taj Mahal again after so many years .......it is more beautiful or do i see a reflection :)

Wellbeing for the Soul- Rishikesh, Haridwar, Varanasi

.................Rishikesh....the place that has given me one of the most life defining moments when i did white water rafting in Ganga...it was an out of this world experience...and after crossing all the rapids, i jumped into the river and surrendered to the fast flowing river , it was as if eternity stopped in that moment. In the December cold, after the first numb shock, my body melted with the water around me and i could feel the divinity, energy and purity seeping in....i was in the lap of mother ganges....the most sacred river in the whole world.....

Actually this was the third stop for me because before this i had taken an early morning dip in ganges at Har ki pauri in Haridwar.....

Before that witnessing Ganga Aarti in Kashi and boating in seeing kashi from a boat in Ganga made the oldest city in the world was a very ethereal and sublime experience.....

My Favourate Treatments

There are two experiences that have stayed with me :

The best Hot Sand Massage at J W Marriot

Alameda Spa and Health Club a must try treatment is – the Hot Sand Therapy. The treatment begins with the massage on certain points of the body using a heated velvet pouch consisting of sea sand, various beans and traditional herbs. It continues with a warm spicy body exfoliation using ginger scrub to restore skin vitality and radiance. A warm oil body massage will end this treatment for total relaxation which can culminate with a quick shower or a floral or spice bath soak.

The special touch that I really liked was when one lies on the stomach facedown, what lies beneath is a big aromatherapy bowl with crushed ginger, lemongrass and pandan leaves releasing aromatic steam for inhalation, to me it is a very very special touch which enhances the overall effect of the treatment.

The hot water used for wiping has crushed ginger and it smells of ginger, and is very warming and soothing. After the treatment one feels very much rejuvenated and at peace with oneself.

The Best Balinese Boreh at TSRH

Another personal favorite is Balinese Boreh, a traditional village remedy used by rice farmers in Bali. It is believed that the Boreh can warm the body and relieve aching muscles and joints especially during rainy season. A complete treatment that begins with massage followed by scrub and body mask. What is most surprising is, after the mask, you can feel a surge of heat in your body and this is an excellent treatment for cold weather or if one is suffering from cold and congestion. It last for 2 hrs and costs Rp 400,000.

My Wellness Reading

.......... well its been sometime since i wrote that because i am very busy doing the following things :

1. Spa Hopping & Spa viewing for my assignment

2. I have been catching up on my reading. Two good books on Wellness that i am reading now are :

The Tao of Detox by Daniel Reid a very simple and lucidly written book which simplifies the detox for the common person. If i had to write a synopsis of the book in 5 lines - i would sum up like this " All health problems arise due to two basic problems - Acidosis(excess acid and hypoxia( insufficient oxygen). When internal toxicity exceeds the body's capacity to cleanse itself, alkaline and oxygen levels plummet and a state of toxemia develops. How to counter it ?Alkaline and oxygen are the twin pillars of good health and strong immune response which is what any good detox programme / detox diet and detox lifestyle does - Flushing out acids and restoring proper PH balance ( our blood has a pH value of 7.3-7.4, exactly the same as sea water - No wonder Thalassotherapy is a wonder therapy and works miracles) through breathing properly or oxygenationSecond important point one of the chronic reasons of acidosis is deficiency of essential alkaline minerals and elements - especially calcium and Magnesium.

The second book that i am reading is " Eat right for your blood type" - Dr Peter J D'Adamo complete encyclopedia. Phewwww and after that i have started to like my brocolli and spinach . It is intensive but i am taking it easy.

The third book is ESQ - Emotional Spiritual Quotient by Ary Ginanjar Agustian - an inspiring and new perspective to Islam and ESQ.