New York Spas: Pratima Ayurvedic Skin Care Clinic & Spa

by Naomi Serviss.

Contact Information

Pratima Ayurvedic Skin Care Clinic Address: 110 Greene St. Suite 701 New York, NY 10012 Phone: 212-581-8136 Web Site: www.Pratimaskincare.com

About Naomi Serviss Email: naomiserviss@hotmail.com More Articles by Naomi Serviss

Don't let the name fool you.

There's a lot more than skin care going on here. Once you enter Dr. Pratima Raichur's domain you will be transported into a kinder, gentler universe and hopefully emerge a calmer, more balanced being. I know I did. For a week at least.

Pratima, a naturopathic physician with expertise in botany and chemistry, created the Bindi products sold throughout the world. She is a lovely human being, a gentle spirit with a fierce determination to help others achieve maximum physical and spiritual health. To gaze into her warm eyes is akin to melting into a mother's embrace.

I was there not only to experience a wonderful, Ayurvedic Abhyanga massage, but to be one of the first Westerners to try a technique never before offered on this continent: Rudraksha Therapy.

A little background as to the science of Ayurvedic treatment and philosophy: Ayurvedic is steeped in 6,000 years of ancient Indian medical science, with principles and treatment based on each individual's constitution. Treatment, whether it involves skin, body or spiritual care, is centered around the need for balance through the study of body type. After filling out a detailed questionnaire, each person is designated a particular "dosha," or body type.

You're either a Vata, Pitta or Kapha. Or a combination of two. I know, I know, it sounds a tad New Age-y, but trust me, this is Old-Age-y, as in 6,000 years old. Suspend disbelief and you just may be enlightened. (Besides, it's fun to figure your body type out and learn how to live with it!)

My body type is a combo of Vata-Pitta, (mostly Vata, if you're really interested) which dictated the type of skin care I should be following, in addition to eating properly (good luck on that one). If you're lucky enough to nab a consultation with Dr. Pratima Raichur herself, she will give you insight as to what kind of cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing routine you should be doing. And believe me, you will follow her advice because this gorgeous, ageless beauty is a testament to her own methodology: her skin is flawless, glowing and time-defying. And I love her philosophy regarding her famous skin-care line: "Anything you put on your skin you should be able to eat." As in: no artificial ingredients or chemicals. Her oils and creams are based on organic plants and fruits and smell delicious. It was hard not to take a nibble.

But enough about the skin care for now. You want to know about the Rudraksha Bead Treatment, right? These so-called "beads" are actually dried fruit from the rare Ultrasum Bead Tree, native only to Northern India and Nepal. It is believed by Ayurvedic physicians and Rishis (wise men) that the beads contain many healing properties, both medical and spiritual. Indian saints wore garlands of the beads to help meditation and doctors used them for treatment of nervous system disorders.

The beads are strung into garlands to create necklaces or bracelets and are believed to generate an electromagnetic field that emanates vibrations that sooth the nervous system. Now here comes the treatment, whose goal is to relieve stress and tension: Thousands upon thousands of these small brown beads (all with natural holes at either end) have been strung and hung from the ceiling of one of Pratima's small treatment rooms.

When the door was first opened for me to enter (fully clothed) my reaction was: "Wow! What the heck is that?" It was like entering a hippie den except there were no black lights or Jimi Hendrix music playing. Just lots and lots of beads strung all over the place.

A bed in the room held a small pillow and I took my place on it, lying face up, staring at a zillion beads hanging from the ceiling and draped all over. Once I got over the weirdness of the experience, Pratima herself explained that I was to simply relax and "Let go." She put some Indian chanting music on and softly chanted herself after placing a few strands on my forehead. She stayed with me briefly, chanting in a soothing warm tone then quietly left. I was there for about 45 minutes and have to tell you, it was the most amazing meditation session I have ever experienced. I got used to the chanting tape and started drifting away in a peaceful reverie. I even successfully stopped myself from worrying about deadline pressure (including the one to write this for you!) and simply gave in to the delicious pleasure of being, not doing.

I felt heartbroken when Pratima glided in and whispered, "Naomi, it's time." If there was more space I'd devote another column to the words of wisdom Pratima offered after my session. My peaceful mien lasted all through the next week when the deadline really was due. Maybe I should schedule a follow-up….

Photos courtesy of Pratima Ayurvedic Skin Care Clinic

Let Your Voice Be Heard! Vote in the Spa Site Polls

Share your spa experiences in New York on the Spa Site Forum in the "Share Your Spa Experience" folder.