Waxing lyrical
Despite there being no shortage of health clubs, spas and salons in the capital, there’s still not a huge selection for the discerning male. However Man/Age Luxury Men’s Spa in Marina Mall is one of the most luxurious options currently available.
When we heard that they were offering a new treatment – the Yon-Ka Soothing Candle Massage – we were intrigued. Being the resident male Abu Dhabi Week guinea pig, there was no surprise who was sent to investigate.
We’re greeted by our friendly masseur at the door of Man/Age Spa and as he leads us down the darkly opulent corridor to the manly yet well appointed treatment room he begins to explain what the soothing candle massage will involve.
If you’re thinking Madonna and Body of Evidence then think again – the Yon-Ka Ambre candle is specially formulated using a mixture of shea butter, mango butter and andiroba oil as well as rose and patchouli essential oil which creates a warm (but not painfully hot) lubricant when heated up.
We’re a little bit nervous but we’ve come this far so there’s no turning back now.
We begin to relax almost immediately though – the soft lighting, fragrant aromas and gentle background music set the tone and as we lie down on the table, our body is draped with towels, our eyes are covered and the masseur tells us to breathe deeply as he wafts the Yon-Ka candle under our nose.
He then uncovers our legs, pours a little of the melted wax onto our skin and begins to rhythmically massage it in. Much to our relief, the heated oil from the candle is not in the slightest bit painful as he moves from our legs to our arms and chest and finishes with a firm head massage.
We’re really starting to unwind now: we turn over onto our stomach and as the masseur sequentially works his magic on our legs, arms and back, it is all we can do not to fall asleep.
An hour later and it’s all over – we feel completely revitalised, relaxed and surprisingly calm. We’re definitely going to be back – most people have their cars serviced regularly so why not our bodies?
Jon Muller
