EVER HEARD OF AN ECO MASSAGE IN LONDON? OR AN ETHICAL MASSAGE?

You can now book for a massage in Notting Hill Gate, that not only delivers you some great health benefits, but one which is also good for our environment. When I first heard about it, I thought it might be some gimmick but I quickly changed my mind after I'd booked a treatment.

I was introduced to a young woman named Tina who set up her Eco Massage studio in Notting Hill, London, only two minutes from the Notting Hill Tube station. Quite handy.

She explained:

"In my practise, I find out what the patient wants and utilize products which suit their needs. Unless there is a special request, I will use:

1. Ethically harvested massage oils, either naturally perfumed or un-perfumed

2. Almond oil or other oils, depending upon allergies of individual patients

3. 100% recycled hygiene roll to cover the massage table

4. Egyptian cotton Fair Trade towels

5. Lighting that uses energy efficient subtle bulbs

6. Electricity that is sourced from 100% renewable energy by Ecotricity. I can also use candles upon client request.

7. For full body Mud treatments, I use natural mud that the indigenous people of the Caribbean have used for centuries. It is full of gentle exfoliants and beneficial mineral properties for the skin.

I like to reduce my Carbon Footprint and impact on the earths resources where possible. It is amazing how much massage paper towel roll I go through, so I'm pleased that it made from recycled material and that it can then be recycled again."

Apart from great efforts being taken to run a London massage practise in perfect harmony with the environment, her massage techniques are also steeped within Indian tradition. Being from Mauritius originally, her parents and ancestors originally came from India where the techniques used were part of daily life.

"Authentic Indian massage is one of the most effective forms of massage for muscle relaxation and repair. I work on your pressure points, blood circulation, stimulation of your muscles and organs. I offer a very healthy, full body massage for my clients. I have actually developed my own unique style of massage with techniques that have the most effect. Whilst it is predominantly an Indian massage, there is also a fusion of Balinese and Swedish'. I was inspired by Indian techniques when I was very young and more recently by Balinese techniques when I visited some Bali spas a couple of years ago.'

When the massage was nearly finished, I was escorted to a chair where I was wrapped in a saron and my head rested in her hands. What unfolded was a sensational head massage that released any left over tension from my day at work and left me feeling energised and invigorated. I was very impressed, I just had to write an article about it.

TINA's LONDON MASSAGE STUDIO CAN BE CONTACTED ON +44 (0) 7874-723-606

Posted under Environmental News