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The west London treatment rooms of Shymala Ayurveda impressed our Spy with their décor, authenticity and the effectiveness of her massage. As in all proper Ayurvedic treatments, she had a consultation with a doctor first, so that the therapists could use the right massage oils for her dosha. These obviously worked to unknot her tense shoulders. We haven't seen any change on the chocolate front, though...
First impressions?
How did they welcome you?
What happens next?
Which treatments did you have?
What were the treatments like?
How did you feel afterwards?
What happens afterwards?
Long-term effects
Was it worth it?
What else could you have?
Any special features?
Who do you think would like it?
Why did you give the spa this rating?
Would you go again?
First impressions?
Shymala Ayurveda is inside an elegant townhouse on Holland Park Road in west London. The building is set back from the pavement. There are no garish signs or floor-to-ceiling windows for passers by to peek inside, so it feels more like a private haven than a high-street spa. On entering, I was greeted by wafts of a lovely aroma, and the peaceful sound of falling water from an inset feature in the wall.
The décor in the spa is a mixture of traditional Indian and contemporary European design. Imported carved wooden furniture from Kerala, vividly coloured and embroidered fabrics, and walls in cerise and gold, are juxtaposed with sleek contemporary lines. The glass-topped table in the lounge area displays herbs and spices used in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, and there are modern touches such as the vertical water feature in the hall. The overall effect was a spot-on effort at Eastern vibrancy in the urban West.
How did they welcome you?
I received a friendly welcome from a member of staff who showed me into the spa's spacious lounge area. A member of staff offered me a drink. Once I was seated, she showed me some of the treatments and products available at the spa. One of the main brands here, Sundari, uses ingredients used in Ayurvedic medicine, such as neem oil and gotu kola (Indian asparagus, apparently). Sundari is handily packaged in colourful patterned boxes that match the spa's interior decoration perfectly!
After I'd had a look at the organic and natural goodies on offer, a member of staff introduced me to the spa's own Ayurvedic doctor for my pre-treatment consultation. Ayurveda is an ancient "science of life" that originated in India. At its simplest, your dosha is your individual bio-energy, which needs to maintained in balance for health.
What happens next?
The 15-minute Ayurvedic consultation in the lounge included an analysis of my dosha plus a suggestion for a suitably dosha-nurturing eating plan. After I'd had my pulse taken, my tongue checked and my fingertips pressed, the doctor told me my Ayurvedic type. I was a "split of extreme Vata and extreme Pitta". He advised me of any possible health concerns, physical and mental tendencies, and even when I had last eaten. All of this was very interesting and far more accurate than I had expected to hear. I was entranced until I received an eating plan that suggested avoiding alcohol, chocolate, coffee and ice cream?
After my consultation, a therapist came to collect me for my treatment, and I followed her upstairs. The treatment room was decorated in a warm pink with wooden floors, and large blind-shuttered windows.
Which treatments did you have?
I had visited Shymala Ayurveda to try a Sundari Abhyanga massage (60 minutes, £100). The massage is combined with warmed oil to ease tension before the therapist applies pressure.
What were the treatments like?
I had been invited to try this Sundari treatment, and I was lucky enough to have the Sundari trainer, Christalla, as my therapist that day. Christalla began by cleansing my feet with a gentle Sundari scrub that smelt delicious. After she had washed my feet, I climbed onto the massage bed and got comfy. As soon as Christalla began to drizzle warm, fragrant oil over my shoulders, I started to melt into the bed. There is definitely something intrinsically relaxing about hot oil gently trickling onto your skin, rather than it being smoothed on with hands.
As the massage began, I continued to feel very much at ease, despite concerns over my knotty shoulders. Christalla's massage strokes were short, quick, and rhythmic, and felt effective without having to crunch away at my knots. Her massage focused on my back and legs, taking in pressure points around my ankles and neck, too.
How did you feel afterwards?
When I had awoken from my daze, I was pleasantly surprised to feel completely free of tension around my shoulders.
What happens afterwards?
Christalla left me to get changed, and I sleepily managed to make it downstairs. The treatment room itself did not have a shower, but there is a small corridor leading from the room with a shower and toilet. You don't have to go far if you do want to have a shower before you leave.
Once back downstairs, a member of staff offered me water, and I had a brief rest in the lounge before returning to normality. You can also rest in a small room, separate from this spacious waiting area, should you wish to lounge in a chair without being disturbed. The lounge was quiet enough for me.
Long-term effects
After leaving the spa, I floated down the pavement! The massage left me feeling free of tension for a couple of days afterwards. It was so nice to have a massage that didn't hurt a bit, even though it felt like it had done some good.
Was it worth it?
The treatments aren't cheap at Shymala Ayurveda, but the atmosphere is warm and relaxing, the treatments are good and a little different from most city day spas.
What else could you have?
You can choose from a range of traditional Indian Ayurvedic therapies from Udvartana (a body firming therapy) through to a full 21-day Panchakarma detox programme. There's a yoga studio, so your new Ayurvedic plan can include relaxation techniques in classes, as well as in treatments. There are regular spa treatments on offer, too, so you can still get a body polish and manicure if you fancy.
Any special features?
I expected Shymala Ayurveda to be just a treatment rooms, but there is a cosy little heat area downstairs. There is a small steam room, shower and sauna, which, while compact, are stylishly decorated, and great for a couple of spa guests to make the most of their relaxation time. You can ask the spa to reserve time in this area if you want to make sure it isn't full when you get there.
The pale, neutral décor, transparent Starck Ghost chairs and glass doors etched with Ganesh figures worked well to make the space seem uncluttered and spacious, whilst in keeping with the spa's decorative theme.
Who do you think would like it?
Shymala Ayurveda is feminine and bijou: just right for a quiet afternoon relaxing with your mother, daughter or best friend. The spa has more of an air of decadent me-time than city worker's tonic.
Why did you give the spa this rating?
On this occasion, we gave Shymala Ayurveda 5 bubbles. This really is a little gem of a spa. The spa makes the most of the fairly compact space inside the building, the decor is simply gorgeous, the customer service was very good, and I felt at ease at all times. The focus on authentic Ayurvedic treatments and techniques sets Shymala Ayurveda apart from the offerings of many other day spas. So many use Ayurvedic terms in treatments that have little to do with ancient Hindu medicine.
Admittedly, I had the advantage of having a treatment with Sundari's trainer, rather than one of Shymala's regular therapists. So, to keep up this bubble rating, we shall expect the therapists to be just as good when we next visit!
See more on how we rate the spas.
Would you go again?
I'd love to take my Mum there for a treat, so I'll probably be heading there very soon...
We visited Shymala Ayurveda in April 2008
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