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Home > News > India News > Article > Two new massage options in Mumbai Whats On goes for a double test drive

Two new massage options in Mumbai What's On goes for a double test-drive

Updated on: 02 January,2009 07:15 AM IST  | 
Anjana Vaswani |

We decided to find out how well the National Association of the Blind has trained its visually impaired masseurs. PLUS, whether an hour spent at just-opened Tahaa Spa was worth it

Two new massage options in Mumbai What's On goes for a double test-drive

Waiting to exhale
Tahaa Spa and NAB didn't know we were there. What's On reviews anonymously and pays for services

TOUCH THERAPY

We decided to find out how well the National Association of the Blind has trained its visually impaired masseurs. PLUS, whether an hour spent at just-opened Tahaa Spa was worth it


In Japanese, "Shi" means finger and "Atsu" means pressure. Put them together and you see why the word is associated with an age-old therapeutic massage-technique that is performed by applying pressure with fingers and palms on pressure-points that relate to the central and autonomic nervous system. Nuad Boram or traditional (Thai) massage, on the other hand, has its roots in India, at a time when herbal medicine was widely practiced by Buddhist monks. This therapeutic massage-technique is believed to have been introduced to Thailand about 2,500 years ago by a contemporary of Gautama Buddha.

In Mumbai, Tahaa Spa at Napeansea Road claims to offer genuine Thai massages, while the National Association of the Blind at Worli trains visually-impaired individuals in the art of acupressure. Both massages are relaxing.
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Read on to find out which one works best for you.

Get a Shiatsu rub without leaving your home

When we heard that the National Association for the Blind was teaching the visually-impaired techniques in acupressure, we wondered how good the massage would really be. When masseur Raksha Berede came over to my residence, I wondered if she was disabled at all. The 35 year-old moved about with incredible ease. "I'm used to it now, but when I first started, I had problems maneuvering and getting used to the idea of going from house-to-house to give massages," she said.

Raksha gently but firmly applied pressure using her fingers, knuckles, thumbs, palms, and elbows. She pressed specific points leaving me with a sensation that was tender, tickling, and sometimes intense.

Briefing me about what pressure-point affects what area of the body, Raksha says she lost her eyesight because she was subjected to physical abuse. She left him, her 3 year-old daughter in tow, determined to be independent despite her new disability. "It was difficult, and my father insisted on tagging along for massage appointments. But he has come around now," Raksha smiles.

For: Rs 350 Call NAB on 24942795 and 24945108 to book a massage. Call Raksha on 09892407003

For some Thai-style pampering

The combined scent of essential oils greeted me at the entrance, tipping me off about the popularity of their aromatherapy treatment. An attendant showed me to a simply, but tastefully done up room, and once I'd slipped into a white bathrobe, the royal treatment began. Massage therapist Roong, one of many therapists here trained at Phuket's Banyan-Tree spa, washed my feet in a pool of warm water. A brief chat later, she decided to use mild Jasmine-oil for the massage, taking allergies and preferences into account. Roong started the kneading at my feet while inquiring about pre-existing health conditions, aches and pains that I'd like addressed. Every inch she pressed down, offered consummate relief that comes with the release of concealed trauma. A steam was followed by a shower. Appointments are lined up bumper-to-bumper, and for weekends you better book a week in advance.

For: Rs 2,900 approx. They offer a 6-month-membership for Rs 50,000. Manicures and pedicures available. Call: 23681004.




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