'Wellness' is the latest buzzword

There’s a new buzzword in town — wellness — and it means much more than your yearly health check-up.
Wellness is an industry custom-made to this age-phobic, looks-obsessed and in-shape generation. And keeping you ‘well’ aren’t doctors, pills and nurses, or the now passe health clubs and beauty salons. It’s a holistic approach that’s in demand. Catering to this are wellness centres or spas, five of which have not only found place but also acceptance this past year in the city.
With everyone shortchanged for time, a package deal is what entices and that’s where these wellness centres step in. At the bare minimum, they offer a spa area with jacuzzi, steam, sauna and chilled showers. Gymnasiums with state-of-the-art equipment, weight training and personal trainers; a beauty salon and treatment rooms with massage facilities varying from aroma therapy to Ayurveda. There’s also at least one swimming pool, squash and tennis courts, and in-house consultants — nutritionist, doctors, therapists and even spiritual healers.
Though restricted to a niche, these exclusive and very expensive outlets are appreciated by the well-travelled uppercrust Mumbaiite who misses his overseas pampering.
Udayan Bose, CMD Lazard India, divides time between London and Mumbai and doesn’t like his schedule to go haywire at either place. His wife Usha and he believe in fitness and frequent spas at both homes. Says Usha, “Who doesn’t want to look good? And for that you need a complete programme, that’s what a wellness centre gives you. We are both health-conscious and with so much competition and stress, you need to be part of a wellness centre.�
Initially, even health clubs were deemed unnecessary and today they are a must. Ditto beauty salons. Weight loss centres have struck gold. Following this, even spas are coming down from their la-di-dah status and gaining fast acceptance. Dr Nirmala Shetty, naturopath foresaw this shift and started Nirmal Herbal clinics, that are one step short of a full fledged spa. “There is no point in going for the standard facial or a mere aerobics class if you don’t complement it with the right diet and the right inner treatment. My clients come and spend a day here. Who has the time to go to five different venues?� And people are buying this ‘whole’ argument. Over 200 members at Rennaissance Powai, JW Marriott has 260, Grand Maratha Sheraton’s wellness centre gets them Rs 30,000 in daily revenues.