A West Coast Middle Eastern Escape ~ Miraj Hammam Spa
Like a vintage jewel, the Miraj Hammam Spa brings a touch of old world ritual and romance to Vancouver’s modern South Granville landscape. A hammam-spa, fashioned on the ancient bath-houses of Turkey and France, Miraj’s musk and myrhh scented, soft lamp-lit interior beckons one behind an entryway of curving wrought iron, right into a Marrakesh medina.
In this world where steam baths and hydrotherapy are thought to be life-giving and essential to well-being, it’s no surprise that Miraj’s most popular offering is its signature “Gommage” treatment where high-intensity steam chambers soothe and cleanse. Here, even shy west-coasters must cast aside their prudish ways as, post steam, they must strip off their batik (signature Miraj) sarongs, for a whole body exfoliation with a Moroccan black olive sea-salt scrub. The good news, the treatment is offered to you alone – unless you are here on couples day, with your other half, or with a friend.
Post gommage, you are showered off and left with buttery-soft skin. Plan to retire to the tea lounge for some sweet cake and chai tea… You will be there for a while.
~Insiya Rasiwala, Spas of America
Insiya
Rasiwala teaches vinyasa yoga and writes about wellness, health and the
sustainable lifestyle in Vancouver, Canada. You can check out her blog
on the sustainable yoga lifestyle at yogue.wordpress.com.
