Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 1 January 2015 | Page 18

N

estle d
a m o ngst
signature Sauvignon
Blanc vineyards on the
slopes of the Steenberg
Mountain is the bespoke
Ginkgo Day Spa, at
the Steenberg Estate.With anew
fiancé in tow, we head in for a day
of reflection, revitalisation and
connection. The spa is a modest
building with rosewood floors and
smiling staff. We are beckoned to
wait in the Relaxation Room, whilst
sipping some Chai tea. According
to Ayurvedic (Ancient Indian)
philosophy and medicine, these
spices are considered to be ‘sattvic’,
or calming, vitalising and mentally
clarifying – the perfect antidote
to the stresses of modern life and
appropriate as a pre-treatment
drink.
The couple’s therapy room is a double
room flanked by an oversized bath
and shower It contains two beds
.
and a large glass door leading out to
the vineyards, although this is closed
for the duration of the treatments
and the wooden blinds are drawn to
sustain a feeling of tranquillity.
The Ginkgo Tranquillity package
is one of 8 packages offered by
the spa, which tailors packages
for parties, mothers-to-be and the
debutantes.The first treatment is an
aromatic hot spa bath. The Gingko

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staffs leave us alone, with a glass of
Steenberg’s signature 1682 MCC in
hand, a personal all-time favourite.
Whilst sipping our bubbly, we soak
in the warm tub, infused with an
aromatic elixir called Liquid Yoga by
Mio Skincare. This is a perfect milkymoisturising blend of essential oils,
mineral salts and therapeutic herbs,
and the combination of bubbles and
warm water immediately surrender
our bodies to the process.
The spa bath is followed by a full
body exfoliation using Mio Skincare’s
Double Buff. Being particularly
sensitive about body exfoliations, I
interrogate my therapist about the
product. Double Buff is a fine grained
combination of pumice, bamboo,
pineapple, sweet almond oil and
shea butter which leaves your skin
,
perfectly polished, re-mineralised,
smooth and supple, and radiating a
healthy glow.
The scrub is applied liberally by hand
and with circular motions. A quick
shower to remove all residue, and
we are now perfectly prepped for
our next treatment.With its healing
properties, clay is an ancient remedy
practiced by the likes of Cleopatra,
the Romans and the early French
cultures, and even the Essenes
(authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls)
were convinced it was the elixir of
youth. It is well known for its healing

effect on gum disease, skin rashes,
haemorrhoids, infected wounds and
bites, and, when ingested, it aids
with digestion problems, circulation
and hormonal imbalances, relief
from chronic constipation, ulcers,
liver skin, prostate problems and
,
so much more. Clay assists in the
elimination of troublesome toxins
(including heavy metal toxins) and
can be used regularly in clay baths,
clay body wraps, foot wraps or by
mixing it into a simple clay drink.
Ginkgo Spas offer an array of
therapeutic clay products, including
the ionic detox therapy powder
,
which is a system cleanser (to be
taken orally) and the Detox Clay
body wraps, for cellulite, rejuvenation
and relaxation. It is understood that
Indian freedom fighter Mahatma
,
Ghandi, was a well-known clay eater
.
The clay is brushed on over the entire
body and has an extremely warm,
pleasant sensation on the skin. The
body is then enveloped in a plastic
wrap and you are left to just lie there
and contemplate the awesomeness
of not being able to do anything but
remain still. Being motionless, moist
and warm gives