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Mind: There's an Aboriginal Idea

Posted on: Sunday, 31 October 2004, 09:00 CST

Feeling stressed by the rush-hour crush on the Tube, it takes me a few moments to adjust to the cool, light ambience of the Body Experience Spa in Richmond, London. Never heard of it? It's not surprising, as this new Australian-inspired venture opened less than a year ago. It already has a starry client list, however, and regulars are said to include Mick's kids Jade and Lizzie Jagger, as well as his ex-wife Jerry Hall, who lives just round the corner.

Body Experience was founded by Australian Janine Hawkins, a former IT specialist who decided to bail out before she burnt out. "I've always been passionate about health," she says. "I've also had a fascination with Aboriginal culture since I was a child. My grandparents spent three years living with Aborigines and I loved listening to the stories they told me about the dreamtime and the spirituality of their existence."

Sounds good in theory but does Body Experience live up to the hype? Or, is the "healthy Australian meets ancient Aboriginal" theme just a clever marketing ploy - a novel alternative to the Eastern, lotus blossom, joss- sticks-and-candles combo that dominates so many spas?

I have booked myself in for a Kiradjee, an Aboriginal-inspired treatment (Kylie and Elle McPherson are apparently big fans) created by Australian John Odel who learnt his techniques directly from healers of the Latji Latji and Coper Pedy tribes.

"Kiradjee means healer," says Odel. "It is a holistic massage that combines a few different styles of massage with Aboriginal healing rituals. Kiradjee therapists are taught to go into a meditative or dream state called tooranook before they begin. It involves a lot of work on the human energy field and spine. I was taught this by a Kungka (female elder) from the Latji Latji tribe."

Two hours later, I come out relaxed but a little spaced out. The treatment differs from an ordinary massage in that almost every part of your body is worked on, using different types of massage such as acupressure and deep-tissue techniques. In fact, I'm so chilled, I almost have to be carried to the "day-dream suite" where I am served a tropical fruit salad and left to admire the Australian landscapes on the walls.

Another native Australian invention soon to reach the UK is the Li'Tya range of beauty products. American distributor Gayle Heron, who has strong links with the state of Victoria's Yaitmathang Aboriginal tribe, has obtained permission from the elders to create this organic line. Li'Tya means "of the earth" and it uses native ingredients that are harvested by the tribe who are paid for their labour and also receive 10 per cent of the profits.

Li'Tya is already available at the Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Turnberry Resort in Miami, a celebrity hot spot, where famous guests include Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It's also the only place in the US which offers the Aboriginal Dreaming Body Experience. "This treatment incorporates Aboriginal healing rituals derived from the Yaitmathang tribe," says Kenneth Ryan, spa director. "It also uses the Li'Tya products."

The treatment starts with a sacred smudging ritual, to cleanse negative energy, and meditation. This is followed by a two-hour treatment which involves a foot scrub, body exfoliation, mud application, steam, a special shower, followed by a foot, body and scalp massage. "The Aboriginal Dreaming Body Experience has a very powerful, spiritual component." says Ryan. "We are honoured to have permission from elders to use it."

But I can't help thinking, what are the Aborigines really getting out of all of this? Are we hijacking their beliefs for our own gain? Odel thinks not.

"There are a few tribes who believe that it is important to impart their knowledge because their ancient practices are in danger of dying out. It is the Aborigines who hold the key on how to survive in Australia, yet already we've lost most of that knowledge."

But what do Aboriginal people think? "I think it's wonderful that people are doing things to keep the culture alive," says Bobbi Maher, an Aboriginal Kiradjee therapist. "The problem is many young Aborigines aren't interested in their culture, especially, if like me, you haven't grown up among other Aborigines. Many people just associate Aborigines with boomerangs and didgeridoos. So, it's great that someone's finally looking at Aboriginal culture from a different angle." n

Body Experience Spa, tel: 020 8334 9999; The Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Turnberry Resort, tel: 00 1 305 932 6200, or visit www.willowstream.com

Source: Independent on Sunday, The

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