Uma's relaxing interior: a space for well-being

Parisan salon and well-being space Uma is the spiritual and physical haven your body has been longing for, without knowing it.

Uma is also the name of founder Ken Assous’ daughter, and after listening to him talk to me so passionately about his other baby – the Uma salon – I’m convinced that he perceives both Umas occupy a place very close to his heart. The events surrounding the origins of the salon may certainly have a role to play here.

Ken founded Uma several years ago after discovering ayurvedic treatments and alternative exercise following a nasty accident. It’s heartwarming to know that a near-tragedy has since proved to be the source of such a resounding success – Uma is one of the most respected salons in Paris in the fields in which it operates.

Describing its specialities as ‘the arts of well-being and movement’, Uma’s offering is threefold – massage, yoga and gyrotonic. Of the three areas, we may consider massage to be their raison d’ être: there are twelve different types of Indian massage available (offering varying techniques and focusing on different parts of the body such as head, feet and back), as well as the Japanese Shiatsu massage and four different massages specially designed for pregnant women. Also on offer are reflexology, Reiki, Taoist face massage and more (some with exceedingly impressive names that may justify booking by email so as not to face the humiliation of mispronunciation on the telephone – Shashtishalipindswedam, anyone?)

I was lucky enough to enjoy a traditional Indian massage which was almost relaxing enough to lull me into a coma (no doubt assisted by the intoxicating aromas of two different types of massage oil). Based on the most ancient techniques, using just the right amount of pressure on every part of my body meant that I felt like I was walking on air the following day.

If my own non-massage-expert opinion has not yet convinced you of the wonder of Uma, let me tell you a little story. Lionel Pailles is Paris’ massage expert who in the name of research (nice job if you can get it!) took a tour of many of the city’s massage centres in order to prepare his critique. Inevitably, not all massages are good, but, after a bad one, there is one place which Monsieur Pailles trusted to put his body back in order each time – Uma.

Another little secret that Ken alerted me to was the difference between a genuine massage centre, and an ‘Institut de Beauté’ (beauty salon).  Believe it or not, there are only three centres genuinely specialised in massage in Paris, while there are countless beauty salons offering massage. Since typically beauticians may not have had the same level of specialised massage training as a dedicated massage therapist, it is visiting the latter that may put you more at risk of a bad massage.

For those who prefer their therapy to involve a bit more movement – which is not to say that both types of therapy can’t go hand in hand, of course – there is yoga and gyrotonic. Beginning with the former, there are daytime and evening classes of Hatha Yoga available, as well as a class for children aged 5-11, the pregnant woman, and the new mother. Gyrokinesis and the ancient Chinese art of Qi Gong are also on offer. Whilst all these exercises can be undertaken with a simple Yoga mat and teacher in front of you, the Uma salon is one of the rare centres to be fully equipped with the elaborate Gyrotonic machinery.

Take tea after your treatment at Uma's café

Gyrotonic derives its name from the combination of gyro – meaning circle – and tonic  – standing for strength and flexibility. Using multidimensional and circular movements in harmony with a special type of breathing, it seeks principally to elongate your muscles whilst also improving the articulation of your joints. A so-called ‘meditation in movement’, it draws on one’s physical and mental capacities at once, ultimately improving one’s strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, co-ordination, as well as stimulating the nervous system. It can also soothe, heal various ailments including muscle and joint problems, and significantly help with back problems, sciatica and arthritis.

Gyrotonic is particularly effective for the pregnant woman and the older lady. All of this takes place by linking you up to a rather mpressive-looking contraption. Since the machine can only accommodate one person at a time and your experience on it is tailored to your body and any problems it may have, classes are restricted to a maximum of three people. Consequently, Gyrotonic does not come in as cheaply as Yoga. However, for those with specific muscle or joint problems, it just might prove to be a very worthy investment.

Massages start at €50, yoga classes from €15, while an introduction to Gyrotonic is priced at €60. More information on UMA is available on the salon’s website.