Breathing Spell
One will find it hard not to relax at the Suriya Spa
By Maureen Macaraig-Martinez

It was hard to leave the workplace in a middle-of-the-week late afternoon to finally get that long overdue relaxation schedule at the Suriya Spa. After all, it’s not as if the work worries are over at the end of the day. I was on my way to the spa with another colleague, but my mind was running down a list of to-dos for the following day. Scheduled for a 90-minute body spa, I was also mentally calculating what time I would get home so I can still get some work done before dozing off.

But as I entered the Suriya Spa lobby, the mellow lighting and the aromatic smell got to me right away, as if prompting me to stop my task rundown and start loosening up. Accompanying the mood were the smiling faces of the staff, greeting us with such a warm, homey welcome, it didn’t feel like we were in the middle of the Glorietta Mall. It’s a different world within the facility. While the stores and shops outside were hectic with activity, Suriya Spa gave a feeling of serenity – almost like you were in a far-away vacation spot.

There are several services to choose from at Suriya Spa – from body massage therapies, Asian traditional body spas, and body treatments, to facials and foot and hand treatments. The body spa package I got – the Javanese Herbal Detox Treatment – is defined as “a modernized version of an ancient royal beauty ritual.” It sounded like an intriguing “ritual,” but the experience was definitely more than that.

The Spoiling Begins

Several spa attendants were waiting at the locker area, assisting me all throughout the preparation – from the shower to the sauna, and finally to one of the private rooms where I was turned over to Lhen, my spa therapist for the evening.

The room lighting was soft, creating an even calmer mood than that of the lobby. Playing in the background was mood music – that of very raw instruments creating a relaxing melody. And in front of me was an unusual set-up – the massage bed covered with banana leaves. That was where I was told to lie face down while Lhen was preparing the ingredients for the ritual.

Lhen started with the body scrub using sweet-scented spices and finely ground rice – rough but soothing to the skin. The strokes she used in applying the concoction all throughout my body were highly calculated – a sure sign of extensive training in spa therapy, which Lhen said was given to them prior to Suriya’s opening in April this year.

The spices were later on washed-off using a wet towel. I was then warned that the yoghurt application will feel cold – and it was. It was a sharp contrast to the warm feel of the scrub that gave me the chills, especially since the room was airconditioned.

But I didn’t have to worry long. With the towels over my yoghurt-topped body, I was wrapped using the banana leaves – which Lhen said eases the absorption of the spices – and plastic – which provided me the much needed heat. I was left for maybe 10 to 15 minutes, I don’t really know, because I just felt so relaxed I was able to take a nap.

The Final Touch

Lhen woke me up, removed all my wrappings, gave me my robe, and assisted me to the shower room where I washed off the yoghurt from my body. I was cleaner and more refreshed than ever!

Then it was time to go back to the room to get my 15-minute massage. Lhen’s hands were so precise. She knew where the pressure points of my body were. She concentrated on my shoulders and my back to loosen up what she referred to as my “tight muscles.” It was painful for the most part, considering how constricted my muscles are due to lack of exercise. But it felt good – really good. I felt myself loosening up from all the tension. At the end of the session, I was ready to doze off right there – my to do list already written off from memory.

I took a few more minutes lying down, before I got the energy to go back to the locker room to dress up. No longer in a hurrying mood, I lounged around as one attendant offered to dry my hair and another offered me tea to drink. It was as if time slowed down. I slowed down, but fortunately in this case, since I know I deserved the break. There was still work to be done, but it can wait for the next day. I thought to myself, I’ll save up the energy to keep me going the rest of the week. And next time the work in the office gets too heavy to handle, it is reassuring to know that a perfect rejuvenation activity can be had nearby.

Suriya Spa is located at the 3rd Floor of Glorietta 3, Ayala Commercial Center, Makati City (with another branch located at the Hotel Intercontinental). For reservations, call 893-1818 or e-mail suriyaspa@suriyaspa.com

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