With the premise that the world is made up of five elements: air, fire, water, earth and space, Ayurvedic principles say that these elements are represented in humans by three “doshas” or energies: Vatta, Pitta and Kapha. Once any of these accumulate and become out of balance in the body, disease and illness could occur. To recover and maintain balance means following a lifestyle that supports a healthy diet, exercise, relaxation time and skin-care routine.

If you’d like to experience the healing power of Ayurveda for yourself, CitySaheli recommends the following Manhattan spas. You can receive a diagnosis of your ‘Dosha’, enjoy fabulous detoxifying programs, herbal massages, purifying facials and much more. We’d love to hear your feedback and your own personal favorites.

Mention City Saheli to get a discount at any of the spas listed.  Details for each discount are described below.

Chopra Center & Spa (at Dream)
1710 Broadway at 54th St
New York 10019
212-246-7600
www.chopracenterny.com

Namaste! Forming part of the luxe 14-floor Dream hotel and restaurant, this is a truly magical spa experience. Designed by Deepak Chopra himself, this luxurious midtown retreat offers meditation and yoga classes, in addition to the superb herb-infused and customized spa therapies. Try the wonderful Udi (steam and mud treatment) or a fabulous tension-relieving Vishesh massage. If you’re feeling particularly decadent you can ask for an extra masseur for the first 35 minutes.

SPECIAL OFFER: The Chopra Center & Spa is excited to offer City Saheli readers 20% off any 50-minute or 80-minute spa service! Offer is valid through December 31, 2009. One offer per guest.

Fine Living New York Ayurveda
154 W. 14th St (at 7^th Ave.) 4th Flr.
New York 10011
212-616-4127
www.newyorkayurveda.com 

This wonderful no-frills, office-like spa on the West Village/Chelsea border offers fantastic body and face treatments. Given by fully trained Ayurvedic practitioners, there’s a wide variety of therapies offered, from a dosha diagnosis to a heavenly foot and hand massage. CitySaheli tried a dosha diagnosis with Ritu Rudra, who studied at Delhi University and has been practicing for 10 years. The spa has its own Ayurvedic skincare range and also offers special Pregnancy and Post-Partum massages.

SPECIAL OFFER: FINE LIVING is generously offering CitySaheli readers 20% off all its treatments and products until December 31, 2009.

 
Amore Pacific
114 Spring St  No. 3
New York 10012
212-966-0400
www.amorepacific.com

Although not Ayurvedic, we’ve included Amore as its products are all botanical and work amazingly well on your skin. Well-known throughout Asia, Amore Pacific grows its own anti-oxidant green tea on its Korean plantations. Matsutake mushrooms, Korean ginseng and nutrient-rich bamboo sap are also used in its rejuvenating and anti-aging treatments and products. If you love facials, ask for Oni, and she will give you one of the best facial massages you’ve had in your life. We were in seventh heaven!

SPECIAL OFFER: Amore Pacific is kindly offering City Saheli readers a complimentary “add-on eye renewal treatment” with any 60-minute facial treatment, until December 31, 2009.

Pratima Ayurvedic Skin Care
The Soho Building
110 Greene St., Suite 701
New York 10012 (between Prince and Spring St).
212-581-8136
www.pratimaskincare.com

Pratima clinic and spa founder, Dr Pratima Raichur is a legend in Ayurvedic circles, with more than 30 years of experience in treating clients from the ‘inside out’. Her Soho spa only uses the purest organic herbs, roots, flowers and essential oils, and boasts its own excellent skincare range. CitySaheli loved the Herbal Body Exfoliation – perfect for dry winter skin. Luxuriate under warming botanical herbs while you enjoy a relaxing face and scalp massage. Bliss.

SPECIAL OFFER: Pratima is very kindly offering all CitySaheli readers a 10% discount on all treatments (Tues, Weds and Thurs only). Plus 10% off any products. Both offers are valid until December 31, 2009.  

CitySaheli found a fantastic Korean day spa that can get anything off your skin to give it a fresh young look.  This is the perfect place to exfoliate and ideal for ladies looking to “de-tan.”  While there are many Korean day spas out there, check out CitySaheli’s tried, tested and truly terrific spot.

The Place: Four Seasons Spa, in Fort Lee New Jersey.  The Spa offers a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi and salt room. You can purchase a pass to use just the facilities or get a scrub or massage service, which includes use of all facilities. 

The Process: For $50 enjoy a steam followed by a full body scrub in Zen-like paradise.  It’s not painful and don’t get frightened if you see erasure-like marks emerging from your body.  It’s all part of the process.  You will be scrubbed by women dressed in bathing suits who use an exfoliating mitt to scrub you from head to toe.   After your scrub, you will relax in the sauna and the salt room.   Pair this treatment with a massage and feel all your stress melt away.  A truly unique experience that makes you and your skin feel brand new.

 CAUTION: Be comfortable in your skin as the scrubbing occurs in an open spa for women only.   It’s worth it for the type of scrub down you will get.  CitySaheli approve.

Where:

166 Main Street, 3rd Floor

Fort Lee, NJ 07024

 201.592.6990

Glow. (Skip the 60 min Facial.)

D.I.Y.:  Face Mask, Face Scrub, Moisturizer

Typically after a spa 60 minute facial your face feels brighter and you feel refreshed.  To obtain these same results at home, start by cleansing your face thoroughly.  Then use a light face scrub to exfoliate and remove the dead skin cells. Follow this scrub with a face mask suited to your skin type.  Please use the guide below for a reference.

Follow by massaging a face moisturizer (chosen per your skin’s needs) for approximately 5 minutes. Using facial masks regularly will lengthen the time you will need to go back and get a facial.  It’s an affordable way of keeping your skin fresh and new.

CitySaheli Picks

Splurge: SK II Facial Treatment Mask

Wont damage your pockets: Mario Badescu – Flower and Tonic Mask

Steal: Queen Helene – Mint Julep Face Mask (at your local drug store)

Smooth. (Bring the Spa Body Scrub to your Tub.)

D.I.Y.:  Sugar Scrub, Deep hydrating moisturizer

No need to spend big bucks in the spa to remove dead skin cells and achieve baby soft skin.  Use a sugar scrub during your shower to remove dead skin cells that have accumulated during the dry winter months.  Investing in a good brush or loofah can also help achieve results.  As soon as you exit the shower, towel dry and apply a deep moisturizer.

CitySaheli Picks

Splurge: Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish

Wont damage your pockets:  Bath and Body Works – Aromatherapy Sugar Scrubs

The Body Shop – Body Butter

Steal:  St. Ives Apricot Scrub (at your local drugstore)

Shine. (Deep Condition without going into Deep Debt.)

D.I.Y.:  Purchase a deep conditioning mask or even try an oil you already have at home (i.e. coconut oil or almond oil) and make your hair the shiniest it’s ever been.

CitySaheli Picks

Splurge:  Kerastase Masque Oleo-Relax

Wont damage your pockets: H2O Plus Hair Repair Seaweed Masque

Bumble and Bumble Deep Dehydration Therapy Mask

Steal: Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask Conditioner (at your local drug store)

Hurry and reserve a spot sooner than later-appointments fill up fast!

CitySaheli Picks

Manhattan

Ling Spa: 45 Min LING Oxygen Plasma Facial Glow with Papaya Enzyme Peel

The Salon & Spa at Saks Fifth Avenue: 50 Minute Therapeutic Massage

New Jersey

Massage Envy: 50 Minute Soothing Hot Stone Massage

For more information check out the Spa Week Website