Spa treatments have different goals. This month, OHLALA’s editor headed to M|Spa for a re-energising therapy that allowed her to say goodbye to her stubborn knots.
T here are many ways to embrace wellness in our everyday lives and going for a massage is one of them. I am pretty lucky that I get to try many different types of therapies – in the name of work, of course. However, wellness goes beyond rubbing and kneading muscles and joints; it’s about caring for your overall health to minimise the chances of getting ill. It combines emotional, environmental, mental, physical, social and spiritual aspects to promote a balanced lifestyle.
I believe that our busy schedules are excellent excuses for not doing much on behalf of our health – we simply don’t have the time. If this is something you see yourself doing a lot, maybe committing to at least having a massage once or twice a month might help you get into a state of mind that can pave the path to a healthier life.
This month, my pampering experience happened at M|Spa at Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery Collection, located in the heart of Msheired Downtown. The spa menu is vast, with treatments ranging from Swedish, Thai, Sport (and the list goes on) massages and facials to special packages. I headed there for the Soul Revival Signature Massage that involves a mix of techniques to enlighten and relax body and mind.
Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery Collection lets you immerse yourself in Qatari heritage combined with elegance and M|Spa follows the same vibe of quiet sophistication. Tones of beige, brown and white with blue accents compose the colour palette, giving a calming atmosphere. The welcome drink was a concoction of ginger, lemongrass and honey to awaken my senses and put me in a relaxed state.
I moved to the changing area to slip off my clothes and be embraced by a comfy robe. The space has all the necessary amenities for pre- and posttreatment, with a shower and sauna in case you want to relax a bit more and get ready to grab a meal in one of the hotel’s outlets, as I did. There is a locker to leave your belongings and a dispenser with refreshing infused water.
The rooms are named after flowers and Lily was the one chosen for me. Julie, my therapist, invited me in. The place was illuminated in a soothing tone of blue and rose petals decorated the massage bed. There were three oils to choose from: chamomile, argan and rose. For some reason, I have always been drawn to the scent of these tiny yellow flowers, which are very popular in Western Asia so, once again, I picked chamomile. The benefits go from anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents to calming properties. It is also known to tackle anxiety and help with sleep; maybe my body is sending me signals through my olfactory senses. I am quite an energetic person and slowing down is a bit of a challenge for me – chamomile oil sounds like a good start.
The therapy began with a foot-cleansing ritual. Julie washed my feet while telling me that she would mix Thai and Balinese techniques in my massage. She is originally from Thailand, a country known for its expertise in the subject, so I knew I would be in excellent hands.
She then asked me to lie down on the massage bed with my face down, which meant that my back was her first target. I have really bad knots in the upper region that have been there for a very long time and I try to ignore their existence and let them be. However, Julie had a mission to help me find relief in my shoulder area using all her know-how. After a few motions, she said: I will fix you.
Thai massage employs an ancient healing practice that combines stretching, deep acupressure and gentle rocking motions to enhance flexibility and improve energy flow. The Balinese method also applies stretching and acupressure, but adds reflexology and aromatherapy to release muscle tension, stimulate circulation and induce deep relaxation.
The use of both techniques, allied to my therapist’s experience, resulted in a tailor-made treatment that indeed helped me feel the tension melt away. It was not the most pleasant massage ever, but it was exactly what my body needed. After pulling, stretching, cracking and kneading, I was feeling fixed! Julie recommended more sessions to truly resolve this issue.
The massage was supposed to last 60 minutes, but she asked if we could do 90 to achieve an optimal result, and I replied, ‘Oh, yeah’.
I must say that if you are looking for a massage that will improve your body’s function, Soul Revival is exactly what the name suggests – it gives your vibrancy back. Some massages leave you feeling sluggish when they end, but this one left me feeling lively, which was great. I had a business lunch with a colleague at AtTeatude afterwards, and this was the perfect feeling to carry on with my day.
For more information or to make a booking, please call M|Spa at Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery Collection on 4009 9700 or WhatsApp 3158 6970.
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