Abhilasha Ojha gets into the beautiful spa at the Le Meridien, Gurgaon and walks out refreshed and relaxed.

I think of well known artist Raza’s Bindu when I close my eyes in the serene room of Le Meridien’s spa centre where I’m indulging in a glorious Balinese massage that’s serving well to rejuvenate my tired muscles. The dot was used by his teacher to make the students concentrate.

Balinese massage, so evocative of the rich history of Oriental therapies, soothes the senses and relaxes you. Using a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure, reflexology, and aromatherapy to stimulate the flow of energy and bring a sense of wellbeing, calm and deep relaxation, Balinese massage, through skin rolling, kneading and pressure-point stimulation brings you to a peaceful space. Combined with the aromas of essential oils, this massage helps in melting away those pesky knots and improves blood circulation.

Not someone who relaxes easily, with the mind constantly ticking with projects, pending deadlines, and other emotional triggers, I was surprised how this full-body, deep-tissue, holistic treatment lulled me into a complete state of relaxation. At the newly opened Le Meridien Gurgaon’s sparkling spa, I’m, quite literally, resting in the capable hands of my masseuse. The spa offers a range of therapies, including Balinese, Abhayanga, Swedish, and curated therapies such as Sports Massage, Couple Massage and Tender Touch, among others. The serenity of the space is welcoming and there’s a Zen-like feel in the spa area, particularly, given how thoughtfully the area has been executed. It’s a space that’ll put you immediately at ease. No surprise then, I’m smiling at the spiffy room where lemongrass fragrance emits gently and the lilting instrumental music is already allowing one to experience the wellness of luxury.

The massage is beautifully vigorous in the beginning with the expert applying deep pressure in order to treat the jammed muscles and joints. The feeling is ecstatic – lightness, sense of calm heightened with the aromatic oil that’s used, a therapeutic journey into awareness and holistic wellness. The masseuse, while using long, gentle strokes and kneading fervently, explains that the aromatic massage oil not only allows massage strokes to get more fluid, it also helps in resting the mind and making you feel comfortable on the whole. To be sure, at Le Merdien’s spa, the aromatic massage oil is used in accordance to the skin types –my treatment uses an Indian spice mix aromatic oil, perfect for sensitive skin.

The therapy lasts around an hour and by the end, I breathe deeply in gratitude of a spa treatment that’s brought out a new me, more refreshed and re-energised. The steam and sauna ritual post the massage is integral, ensuring that every pore of the body is soaking the goodness of this oil. Guaranteed to make you feel on top of the world, my stress level is reduced and I feel tremendously sleepy – a good sign, given how relaxing this treatment’s been.

Truth be told, there’s a reason why it’s so critical to include spa therapies in one’s daily life. A high-quality Balinese massage treatment, for instance, integrates ancient traditions and practices, allows for a rhythm to set in for your body, thus, allowing you to heal not just physically but also mentally and spiritually.

Freshly showered after an hour of indulgence, post my steam soak session, I walk out of the room smiling. The Balinese massage has worked wonders. The madness of the world awaits me but I walk out of the charming Le Meridien, Gurgaon, feeling sublime. The effect of the treatment is soothing. I’m in a blissful moment where no negativity can touch me. In that moment, I experience a spring in my step. This massage has cleansed me, not just from head to toe but from within. For the moment, I’m Zen.

Le Méridien Gurgaon, Delhi NCR
Phone: 0124 499 2000

www.lemeridiengurgaondelhincr.com