At Veda, Indian herbs including turmeric are used in treatments.
Ayurveda—the ancient Indian healing practice that explores the balance between the mind, body and spirit—has long been embraced by Angelenos. For years, one of the top destinations has been Surya Spa, a clinic in the Pacific Palisades frequented by everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Matt Damon. Now, founder Martha Soffer is moving her headquarters to the Santa Monica Proper Hotel. The 3,000-square-foot spa will offer Surya’s signature four-handed therapeutic massage, steam and oil treatments, yoga and meditation, and Panchakarma—a highly personalized cleansing, rejuvenating and detoxifying program that lasts for three to 21 days. Customized Surya culinary options such as gingered pear and turmeric bread will be available at the hotel’s restaurant and via room service. Meanwhile, in West Hollywood, Veda, a year-old ayurvedic center, offers traditional treatments such as Abhyanga (a relaxing full-body oil application) and Svedana (an herbalized steam that assists in flushing toxins) in a light-filled, contemporary space. The recently renovated spa at The Peninsula Beverly Hills has just introduced a new ayurvedic skincare line, Subtle Energies, which has been incorporated into two offerings: a restorative facial that combines aromatherapy oils with 24K gold leaf, and the Blissful Marma Massage, which merges long, firm, flowing movements with traditional Marma pressure points and chakra alignment. And for those who want to experiment with ayurveda at home, look no further than Uma, a Beverly Hills-based brand of luxurious botanical oils harvested and handcrafted at founder Shrankhla Holecek’s family farm in India—or visit Valentina Belova, a Santa Monica esthetician who combines Uma oil massage with microcurrents for a purifying and firming facial that is the perfect combination of East meets West.
Photography by: Morgan Pansing Photography
