Sole Awakenings Massage, Reflexology & Hot Stones
145 Waterman Street (1st floor right) ·
Providence, Rhode Island 02906
401-737-9108
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145 Waterman Street (1st floor right) · Providence, Rhode Island 02906 401-737-9108 |
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What is a hammam? The hammam is a centuries-old religious and spiritual cleansing bath said to originate in Turkey and the middle east. It’s recorded that there were more than 4,000 private and public baths in Istanbul in the 16th century. Today, the hammam experience is being revived around the world. Read on for more about my Moroccan hammam experience! Prior to May of 2006 I had never traveled outside the United States as an adult. It was at this time that I had an opportunity to visit a friend and her husband in Morocco. During my stay, my friend took me to a hammam. It is a place where people go (women go separately from men) to cleanse themselves physically, as well as being part of the spiritual ritual in Moroccan culture. We entered the hammam, checked in, and proceeded to the changing room. We undressed and wrapped ourselves in towels. Then we entered a warm, steamy room, and I began to relax immediately. The room was large with marble stone benches built into the walls along the perimeter, and very warm water flowing into huge marble bowls spaced about 6 feet apart along the perimeter as well . I picked a bowl to sit in front of and we drenched our bodies with water. The attendant gave us Savon beldi (black soap) to work into our hair, face, and body. We shampooed our hair after as well. Once clean, I climbed onto a large marble stone table in the middle of the room. Water was flowing everywhere. The room of this hammam is heated by wood-fire, so the marble you lay on and sit on is always warm. The attendant came over and rinsed me free of any extra soap. She then applied the “kiss” which is a black mitt with the texture of a clothy sandpaper. She scrubbed me well. I felt as if I was being taken care of, like a newborn being bathed by my Mom. It was a relief to have someone else do all the work! The woman was strong, gentle, and thorough. She was respectful of me personally. And she did all this labor for me with a look of genuine happiness on her face. She showed me all the dead skin that had been sloughed off my legs. It was nice to know I was getting a deep cleansing. After the exfoliation was complete, she applied a regular body soap and rinsed me once again. Finally, a mixture of henna and citron (lemon juice) was applied all over, from my face to my feet. This mixture felt refreshing and tingly. After several minutes, she rinsed me for the last time, and I took a few minutes to relax and absorb the fresh, renewed feeling I had. Afterwards, I wrapped up in a towel and went back to the changing/locker room to dry off and get dressed. When we got back to my friend’s home, I noticed my face was soft and radiant, and had a beautiful subtle tan that came from the henna application. My friend also had the same treatment. She goes once per week. I loved my hammam experience so much, that I requested we go back two days later. My friend obliged me, but she went swimming while I was getting pampered. When I was ready to leave Morocco and come back to the States, I went back to say thank you and goodbye to my hammam attendant, and I got a tear in my eye because my trip felt like a healing experience, and the care she showed me played a big part in it. When my friend and I went to Marrakech, we picked up some henna and some savon beldi, and some “kiss” scrubbing mitts. I have given myself many “mini” hammam treatments since I have gotten home, even though there is no substitute for the real thing. If I am fortunate to get back to Casablanca, I will make a visit to the hammam my first priority. I would like to share with my clients in Providence a piece of what I had the pleasure to receive in Morocco. Sole Awakenings’ Moroccan Hammam for the Face and Neck is designed to replicate all the steps of a real hammam (applied to the face and neck), and in the privacy of a massage treatment room. In addition to a light upper body and facial massage, you will experience relaxing steam from heated, moist towels, cleansing with Moroccan black soap, and the application of henna brought from Morocco, applied to the face and neck. The session itself is designed for you to feel relaxed,
pampered and nurtured during treatment. The desired result is for you to come
away feeling calm and at peace within, while emanating a beautiful outward glow of
confidence. A light, healthy tone remains on the face for a couple of days.
Enjoy!!!
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