In a city like Mumbai where automobiles horns, noisy crowds and constantly buzzing mobile phones has become the vain state of today’s day & age finding a wellness santuary is far-fetched. However, over the last couple of months the winds have changed at the western suburb with the opening of a gigantic bungalow that features an array of health spaces, services and facilities.
Nestled at a quite lane of Versova in Andheri, Mumbai is an outstanding abode of wellbeing called the Inch by Inch – The Body Temple. Sprawling over 20 000 sq. feet of lavish space, the wellness center is known to the crème-de-la-crème of the vicinity for all its feel good reasons it houses, one of it being the only Thai Privilege Spa in the country. The Thai spa is the wellness centers major highlights spread across a tranquil 7000 sq. feet; it is impeccable in its authentic services and ambiance.
A Befitting Concept
Founder and a fitness enthusiast, Shital Nahar Agarwal pledged to make a difference by promoting a healthy approach to an urbanite’s lifestyle with the launch of her exceptional wellness venture. The wellbeing brand’s first branch was started about a decade ago at a posh alley in Marine Drive and then followed many others of its kind around the city, the latest being The Body Temple in Versova, Mumbai.
“I’ve always been passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and fitness has always been a very important part of it. I had seen my share of gyms and wasn’t really satisfied with the overall standard and level prevalent then hence this was an expected step taken to start a wellbeing venture… I believe if your passion becomes your work then it’s not work,” explains Shital. Inch by Inch gets its name from its trademark visible differences in ‘inches’ and not in ‘cm’.
A Spa-cial Model
Exuding panache and style, the Thai Privilege Spa (TPS) is given the best space in the cottage. The spa sits on the ground level of the superbly laid out building making it an easy access for spa clients. The concept of the spa is very clear in its approach, says Shital, “A balanced life has become extremely valuable in a city-ite’s lifestyle. One of the many aspects of a healthy life is relaxation and having a powerful mind.”
The spa not only radiates the true Thai milieu but also abides by the Thai Spa Privilege philosophy of bringing the body relaxation and empowering the mind.
Designing the Thai Experience
Unlike a lot of spas in the city that assure its client’s authentic services delivered in an incarnated Thai environment, Inch by Inch – The Body Temple claims the spa here is one of the most genuine ones in town since they have fostered the Thai Spa Privilege philosophy to the core.
Décor: The 7000 sq. feet humangous is designed with utmost precision divulging from the Thai concept and influences. Shital alongwith her husband Sunil Agarwal and a few insights from the spa brand brought the Asian-Thai theme alive. The idea was to bring the entire Thailand experience to its guests not only through its services but its ambiance as well. Hence the décor fuses contemporary style with ancient Thai accents. The spa also features a signature South-East Asian styled dome.
Colour: The spa has a soothing feel to it the moment you walk in; this has to be attributed to its perfectly blended warm colour scheme of golds, creams, browns and slight red accents. However, the colour gold reigns at this spa simply because it has a significant place in Thai culture. Therefore the colour scheme was worked around the hue.
Furniture & Artifacts: To create a Thai spa within the city wasn’t a difficult task for Shital and Sachin since they took the most legit way out by handpicking and sourcing the spas Cialis furniture and design elements entirely from Thailand after oodles of research and consideration.
Music: TPS boasts about their original music CD that culminates soothing Thai and Asian instrumental music that resonates throughout the spa.
Spa-ces: Constant effort from the management and staff ensures the spa is spotless all the time. The gigantic spa houses a total of 12 rooms, of which two are couple suites with facilities for a steam and Jacuzzi. Most of the rooms are equipped with a steam and shower area. A few rooms are called ‘Thaisala’ that equips two low mattresses for traditional Thai massages. It also houses five luxurious foot massage stations opposite a three foot bath area. The spa makes space for a separate mens and ladies restrooms that also accomodates steam and shower areas.
A menu fit for a King! The menu has eight packages and countless rejuvenating Thai treatments and therapies. Some of its most popular treatments which is one of TSP’s Signature treatments like the Oriental Foot Reflexology where all 63 nerve points on the feet are systematically worked on to re-establish energy flow and body’s state of equilibrium. The spa also hosts a one-of-a-kind Kids Massage Therapy for children less than 12 years of age. The massage benefits healthy neurological, social and emotional development. The spa has many takers for The Butterfly Massage -a couple’s treatment. It is one of the most pampering treatments that nurtures and revives the body and heightens all senses.
Staff Training & Management: As per the Thai Previlge standard the staff have been trained by certified trainers and therapists from Thailand. The therapists go through a rigorous training period and have to master over 30 massages before they deal with customers. Each therapist undergoes an interview where their knowledge of pressure points and various techniques are tested. Kalsang Dorjee heads the spa along with two managers and four therapists look after the smooth running of the wellness space.
Besides the Spa: Level one of the cottage accomodates a 1200 sq. feet state-of-the-art gymnasium and an adjacent 1200 sq. feet of outdoor space for functional training. The level also makes space for an outdoor kid’s activity or power yoga area. The basement has various sections like a room for kick-boxing, zumba classes; a group studio and TRX room; a space for indoor cycling and a salon named Revive. An in-house café named Barrio is stationed right at the facade of the cottage that serves hot healthy baked snacks and fresh fruit juices. The cottage also has a small swimming pool with a little sit out right next to the café.
The Verdict
Inch-by-Inch – The Body Temple is a true stance of wellbeing in every aspect. Mumbai surely, needed a full-fledged wellness house that could be enjoyed by the matured & evolved and the young & feisty too. Kudos to Shital and Sachin for bring healthy back into being!
Trivia
Name of the Wellness Center: Inch by Inch-The Body Temple
Area: 20, 000 sq. feet
Number of rooms at the spa: 12
Spa Timings: Tuesday to Sunday
7am to 9pm
Spa Manager: Kalsang Dorjee heads the spa, he worked earlier at Dharmsala in Himachal and has over five years of experience in the field. He’s a graduate and has been trained in European therapy from Ananda Spa for the duration of 1 year. Kalsang has also worked at many four and five star properties around the country
Number of therapists: 14
Pre- treatment drink: Cold, sweet Roselle Tea (Dry flower from Thailand) to quinch your thirst.
Post-treatment snack: Half-boiled green beans is served with hot green tea and honey
Products used: Authentic oils and scrubs from the house of Thai Spa Privelge, Thailand.
Gymnasium Head: Shane D’souza, Master Trainer
Address: J P Road, Off Yari Road, Next to D-Mart, Versova, Andheri (W), Mumbai-61. Tel – 26365555 / 26341973 / 1974.
Tags: Inch by Inch, Thai Privilege Spa
