Massages from all over the world
Cleansing ritual for beautiful skin
Massages are true all-rounders: They reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure and deepen sleep. They relieve tension, stimulate blood circulation and metabolism, get the lymph going, tighten the skin, relieve pain and improve the defense. And are pats for the soul. A study (not yet published) at two psychiatric hospitals in Berlin showed that one-hour full-body treatments can even boost self-confidence and help to develop a new body sensation. The healing power of touch is known worldwide, every country has its own traditional rituals? Here is an overview of the six most beautiful massages that are currently offered with us.
Lomi lomi: Hula magic from Hawaii
Originally, "Lomi lomi" (in Polynesian terms, "rub, squeeze, knead") was a multi-day temple ritual that served "initiation" and was associated with prayer and fasting for all concerned. It could only be celebrated by chosen kahunas (priests). Also, to deal with negative emotions such as fear and anger, which were considered to be the cause of illness. In addition to the massage of the abdomen, special attention is paid to the back, which, according to the belief of the Kahunas, should reflect the "future". The touch on the bare skin does not run according to a predetermined pattern, but follow the intuition. With palms and elbows, the Lomi-lomi therapist treats the skin in the hula rhythm and releases any tension with expansive, gently flowing strokes. Even more effective: to get into the hands of two masseurs working synchronously. It is slightly raised at the shoulders and hips and gently rocked. South Seas sounds and the scent of frangipani flowers enhance the Hawaiian feeling. Again awake, you feel light and elated, like on clouds. Duration 1? 2 hours, costs about 75 to 120 euros.
addresses: Institute Hawaii Steinkirchner Str 1082166 GräfelfingTel.089 / 854 45 93 or www.instituthawaii.de
Klaus Assmann Falcon Horst 3522159 HamburgTel. 040/644 03 33
Beauty & Wellness Spa at the "Marriott Hotel" Berliner Str. 9380805 MünchenTel. 089/36 00-28 14.
Recommended reading: "Lomi lomi Nui" by K. Assmann, Aurum Verlag, 12.80 euros
Java Touch: Knetkur with coconut oil
The pampering massage comes from Bintan, a small island off Singapore. As everywhere in Indonesia, there are also days long wedding ceremonies for the "purification" of the bride (Lulur), which is lavishly bathed and anointed. This includes "Java Touch", a mix of exfoliation and supersoft massage. "We stir in a fresh paste of coconut and jojoba oil and knead it into the skin for 50 minutes," explains Swantje Droessel, manager and owner of the "Spa Futuresse" spas in Munich and Hamburg. The fine coconut flakes that are stuck in the paste have a slight peeling effect. At the same time, the skin is covered with a velvety protective film? Ideal for dry skin, right now in winter. Tensions are stroked with a lot of tact. Duration 50? 60 minutes, costs about 100 euros.
addresses: "Spa Futuresse" at "Le Méridien" Bayerstraße 4180335 MünchenTel. 089/24 22 10 90
"Le Royal Méridien" At the Alster 52? 5620099 HamburgTel. 040/21 00-10 40 or www.cityspa.de
Java Lulur rituals z. At the "Lindner Grand Hotel Beau Rivage" InterlakenTel. 0041/33/826 70 07Lindner Hotels & AlpenthermeLeukerbadTel. 00 41/27/472 10 00 or www.lindner.de
Recommended reading: "Asia Spa" by Ginger Lee and Christine Zita Lim, Christian Verlag, 24,90 Euro
Thai massage: printed matter from the Far East
The traditional, 2500-year-old healing method (also called "Nuad") is traced back to a contemporary Buddha and came from northern India via detours to Thailand. Maybe that explains the unusual mix of yoga exercises, acupuncture and reflexology. Like all Asians, the Thais assume that life energy circulates in the body, which is connected to the organs via energy channels. If it gets stuck, you get sick. To make them flow, certain energy points are stimulated from the feet up with full physical effort. The masseurs use hands and feet, elbows and knees and put a lot of pressure on the so-called Sên points. In doing so? lying or sitting? Arms and legs stretched and stretched, as in yoga. Only that one remains passive. Even if it sometimes looks like that, the Thai massage is anything but a hauruck method. On the contrary: The masseur performs the movements very slowly and concentrated, to get a feel for the elasticity of the muscles and to avoid strains. Afterwards you feel wonderfully relaxed and strengthened. Duration 90? 120 minutes, costs about 50 to 75 euros. addresses: Renate KrackowStresemannallee 8622529 HamburgTel. 040/51 31 05 58
"Althea" House of Wellness Caffamacherreihe 1620355 HamburgTel. 0 40/34 96 05 96 or www.althea-wellness.de
Nuad Thai AcademyAuenstr. 3180469 MünchenTel. 089/18 70 37 47 or www.nuad-thai.de
"Side Hotel" Drehbahn 4920354 HamburgTel. 040/30 99 90.
Recommended reading: "Traditional Thai Massage" by Rudolf Theelen and Nicole Wetzler, Irisiana Verlag, 14,95 Euro.
Herbal Spa: Thai heat kick
One hot item is "Herbal Spa" or "Pantei Luar" (literally, "going to new shores"), a method that has its origins in ancient Siam and Indian Ayurveda. For this, lime pieces, grated coconut and an exotic spice mixture are filled into a fist-sized cotton bag and heated with steam. Then the therapist first knocks the skin off with one or two of these "herbal stamps" before gently massaging along the energy pathways: first the back, then the front, where the heat is particularly noticeable in tense areas. The cushions inside have a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees, outside it is just above the skin temperature (below 45 degrees), "You can not get burns," calms Dr.. Dr. Bernhard Uehleke, doctor of natural healing and specialist in phytotherapy at the Charité-Hochschulmedizin Berlin. "The heat is good on the skin, it stimulates skin metabolism and blood circulation, but also develops further reflex effects." Through the open pores, active ingredients (firming citric acid, for example) can penetrate better. And the flavors also act like a natural tranquilizer. Duration approx. 60? 90 minutes, costs approx. 90 euros (partial treatments approx. 42 euros / 30 minutes).
addresses: Cosmetic institutes about Klapp Cosmetics GmbHTel. 056 02/93 59 28.
Haslauer GmbHTel. 086 54/48 87-22 or www.reiteralm.de "Kurhotel Am Kurfüstlichen Schlösschen" Kurfürstenstr. 3456864 Bad BertrichTel. 026 74/94 40.
Rundlingsdorf SagasfeldTel. 058 62/172 51 or www.sagasfeld.de
Wambo Mambo: Power Massage from Australia
From the Australian Aborigines was taken over "Wambo Mambo". Sounds soft and playful, but the name is deceptive: here is cracked hard. With a wooden roller, the masseur forks tight muscles, rolls them downright soft? once in the direction of muscle fiber, once across. Effect: The muscles become more flexible and supple, tensions are then blown away. The Rollerkur heats the body, the circulation is greatly boosted. As a reward and so that the reddened skin can calm down again, it is gently caressed with a fluffy fur glove. The contrast is heavenly, and you feel fit afterward. Duration 60 minutes, cost about 100 euros.
addresses: "Spa Futuresse" at "Le Méridien" Bayerstr. 4180335 MunichTel. 089/24 22 10 90 or www.cityspa.de
From spring also in the "Le Royal Meridien" An der Alster 5220099 HamburgTel. 040/21 00-10 40
Sound Massage: Good Vibrations from Nepal
Singing bowls, made of up to twelve metals (mostly brass), were originally used by Nepali and Tibetan monks to initiate meditation. The form of sound massage developed from it also has a contemplative effect. Place one to three bowls on the back or front of the body and beat gently with a clapper: the heaviest bowl (low tone) on the lower back, the lighter bowls (high tone) on the shoulders and universal bowls (wafting sound ) at the joints. The "sound journey" usually begins on the feet or on the lower back, then the belly is on it. As soon as you can feel the sounds, a pleasant shower will pass through you. The sound triggers gentle vibrations, which spread in the whole body wave-like? like a stone thrown into water draws circles. By vibrating the body, the sounds release tension. But they should also aim directly at the subconscious and provide positive energy there. Although the latter is hard to imagine, the sounds definitely help letting go of negative thoughts, you can not focus on problems during the massage. Duration about 45? 60 minutes, costs about 35 to 40 euros.
address: Institute for Sound Massage TherapyOrtheide 2927305 UenzenTel. 042 52/24 11 or www.klang-massage-therapie.de
Recommended reading: "Singing bowls for health and inner harmony" by Peter Hess, Ludwig Verlag, 10,95 Euro.
