There is something sublime about being pummelled by a strong pair of hands into a state of ironed-out bliss. But, honestly, who has the time to lie on a massage bed for longer than five minutes? Not me… I wake up with an imaginary (and rather annoying) cheerleader chanting ‘Go, go, go!’ in my brain; then spend the next twelve hours rushing around, trying to tick off everything she’s added to my never-ending to-do list.
Without fail, that level of busyness translates into a rigid body and brain-fogged mind but doing anything about it feels like one too many tasks to accomplish in a day. Luckily for me, I have Jeannie Bekker for a business partner, because when the five-star Taj Hotel in Cape Town invited the two of us to enjoy a mid-week spoil at their newly renovated J Wellness Circle spa, she insisted we stop working and start relaxing.
Easier said than done, I thought, imagining the annoying cheerleader tutting disapprovingly at the idea of me taking an unscheduled break. Turns out she was equally exhausted because as soon as we entered the tranquil spa on the 1st floor of the iconic hotel, she threw her pom-poms down and declared it a rest day. I happily agreed and was soon wrapped in a fluffy white robe and then whisked into a whisper-quiet, candle-lit treatment room for a two-hour signature treatment called Sushupti.
In Sanskrit, Sushupti means a deep or dreamless sleep and refers to the state of consciousness you enter when the mind can find quiet for long enough to withdraw from every kind of distraction, desire or activity. This separation allows you to step away from your worldly concerns and slip into a blissful state of relaxation.
The J Wellness Circle spa’s mantra is Atithi Devo Bhava, which means the guest is god. Well, that felt like an apt description of my experience.
It started with Zintle, my lovely therapist, first washing my feet in an aromatic footbath; then vigorously rubbing a luxurious body mask made up of a natural blend of herbs, green gram flour, honey, and fresh cream into my skin. After that, she wrapped me from top to toe in a tight swaddle of towels, which may sound claustrophobic but actually it’s the exact opposite. Think of it more like a strong, containing hug that allows you to physically relax and mentally let go. As the mask soaked into my skin under my terry-cloth cocoon, Zintle massaged my head with a fragrant oil, reminding me of how much tension I carry in my jaw and neck.
After unwrapping me, Zintle showed me to the shower where I rinsed off the body mask with warm raw milk infused with rose essence and rose petals. Yes, you read that right: milk! Like Cleopatra, and other ancient queens, I felt rather regal as I scooped up a ladle-full from the copper basin and imitated their royal milk-bathing regime.
Once I’d patted myself dry, I lay back down on the therapy bed and Zintle worked her magic on my muscles with a firm full-body massage that worked out the knots in my back and shoulders and eased the lactic acid build up in my calves and quads. The last heavenly installment of my Sushupti treatment was a face massage, with Zintle’s clever fingers smoothing out every wrinkle of tension she could find.
The combined effect of all seven remedies was the most incredible feeling of physical and mental calm as I moved into a deep meditation that made the two-hours pass in an eye-blink, allowing me to re-enter the world in a levitated state: my mind clear, my body supple, my skin soft, and best of all, my energy cleansed. Ready to take on the world… Except for the fact that my imaginary cheerleader was fast asleep and loudly snoring. Shame, seems the poor girl needed a break even more than I did 🥱🥱💤
Enjoy your own inner-city wellness retreat at the Taj Cape Town’s award-winning J Wellness Circle spa, which offers a diverse range of ancient Indian healing rituals and spa treatments. Book before 31 March 2025 and get 20% off your treatment if you use the promo code JEANNIEOUS20. Call +27 21 819 2028 or email jwellnesscircle.capetown@tajhotels.com