BENGALURU: Set in a commercial complex, the Kalyan Nagar branch of the O2 spa has thoughtful amenities, refreshing services and a considerate staff.
Having successfully won my war with weekday routines, I headed to the spa on a Thursday looking for some much needed muscle relief. Spread across 1600 sq ft with a total of five rooms; three single rooms, one couple room and a Thai massage room, the spa has calming interiors.
I was greeted by two attendants as soon as I entered, one of whom was the manager Usman Sheriff. I was served lemon juice and soon I and Usman engaged in a conversation of the possible services I could indulge in based on my work and sleep schedule. We discussed my routine and lifestyle and even discussed how I was feeling emotionally about the week that went by.
Following the discussion, I was recommended a session of foot reflexology, an aromatherapy massage and an African coco butter moisturising body scrub. If you would like to pick a service of your choice that is okay too, but if want my advise, I’d say let the experts pick it out for you after a hearty talk. Also, for the men out there, check out their Male Escape therapy and let me know how that went. The name still spikes curiosity levels. My therapist Maya, started off my sessions with a foot ritual, which involves cleaning feet with water mixed in rose water with rose petals. She escorted me later to a room to get started with the massage.
For my aromatherapy massage, Maya used both pure and essential oils such as lavender oil and Ylang Ylang oil, a known antidepressant. It is a full body massage. The aroma and the calming ambience puts you at ease as soon as you lay down. The session included long strokes of massaging with medium pressure along with kneading.
I felt light with soothen muscles and was relaxed after the massage. Maya’s kneading technique helped loosen up my shoulder muscles and the session was definitely a stress relief.
In the foot reflexology session, Maya pressed on pressure points on my feet, heels and massaged my calf muscles. This one is highly recommended if you are trying to get over a jet lag. And like any good masseuse, Maya did save the best pampering routine for the last. I was lathered with African coco butter mixed with rose water for a body scrub session. Along with the massage, the best part of it how smooth it leaves your skin after.
I walked out smelling like chocolate after this one. Now, who doesn’t like smelling like a sinful dessert?
The spa has a steam and hot shower attached to the therapy room. You don’t have to carry on anything extra for your sessions as they offer you fresh towels, disposable slippers, comb and underwear. The room also has a hair dryer in case you want a blow dry your hair before stepping out. I was served ginger tea and fruits following the treatment. I felt lighter, refreshed and frankly quite happy to have treated myself to some me time on a Thursday afternoon.