Ayurveda is a traditional medicine recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Sanskrit (a classic language of India), Ayurveda means knowledge of life. It is a holistic practice that considers the person in his/her totality: mind, body and spirit are united and exert direct reciprocal effects. Generally, before any Ayurveda session, a simple evaluation of the person about to receive it is made to verify his/her dosha, meaning his/her energy or mood. In the Ayurvedic science there are three types of dosha, and depending on which is the most predominant, different types of oil and massage techniques will be used.

At the beginning of the massage, the chakras (energetic centers) of your body are activated. Relaxed, and lying face up, you receive pressure on the navel (Nabhi), heart (Hridaya) and between the eyebrows or third eye (Staphani). Right from the start, the feeling provided by the contact with the oil and the finger and hand pressure by the therapist is very soothing. The movements in this first phase include slight internal pressures and the manipulation of the areas surrounding the three points mentioned earlier. Once the energetic centers are put in action, the attention is concentrated on the feet. They receive pressure on the four main points and the whole area of the soles is massaged, with a good dose of oil. At times, you perceive some reaction on other parts of the body (elbow and shoulder), especially when the center of the foot is pressed. The dynamics of the treatment are then extended along the legs and arms. The feeling after the manipulation of the abdomen, sternum and heart deserve special mention. The relaxing atmosphere of these centers in Lanzarote helps to let go while laying on the bed, letting your breathing slow down and indulging in a maximum sense of wellbeing.

Face down; the therapist works on the calf muscles and femoral biceps. During the whole process there is a treatment of pressures with horizontal and vertical movements on the muscles. After the legs, the attention shifts to the back, especially the lumbar and cervical areas, which are carefully massaged with special oils in preparation.

After a new position change, that is, face up, the chakras are reactivated, but with a more relaxing pressure on the navel, plexus, heart and between the eyebrows. The session culminates with a relaxing head and face massage. The eyebrows, forehead, jaws, certain points of the nose, the temporal and occipital bones receive an ample rubbing while pressure is applied on different points. After one hour, an extreme feeling of relaxation engulfs your body. Something like general anesthesia without any pain. You’ll feel like new. Visiting the Spa at the Arrecife Gran Hotel you’ll be offered a complimentary tea after the massage..

Where to get an Ayurveda session in Lanzarote

• Arrecife Gran Hotel Spa (Arrecife): One hour and 45-minute, or 70-minute Ayurveda session. Prices: € 95 and € 58 respectively. Hours: Every day from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. Location: Parque Islas Canarias, no number. Information: Information: +34 928 800 000.

• Hotel Costa Calero Spa (Puerto Calero): 70-minute Ayurveda session. Prices: € 71.40. Hours: Every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Location: Urbanización Puerto Calero, Yaiza, Lanzarote. Information: +34 928 849 582.

• Hotel Princesa Yaiza Spa (Playa Blanca): 1-hour Ayurveda and sports Ayurveda. Prices: € 85 and € 92 respectively (special offer for residents: 30% discount with free spa, Turkish bath and sauna session). Hours: Every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location: Avenida Papagayo no number, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote. Information: +34 928 519 222 (Extension 5175).