Pioneer of traditional Thai massage in Paris, the Royal Spa Ban Sabaï opened its doors in Bastille seven years ago. Since last June, a second establishment has been set up in the sixteenth arrondissement.
« Ban Sabai » – which means « warm house » – offers you exceptional and varied services that all have one goal: absolute relaxation and change of scenery.
The masseuses at Ban Sabai are all exclusively graduates of the Wat Po school in Thailand, which has been the reference in the art of Thai massage for 2500 years (no less!). If you arrive in the morning you can catch them praying to Buddha while burning incense. As for you, when you leave, it is your masseuse that you will want to honor like a goddess!
Because nothing is left to chance here: after having passed a traditional outfit of the most comfortable, you are installed in an armchair whose softness announces the color. A cup of freshly cut fruit and tea is available. The masseuse begins by washing and brushing your feet. She coats them with Tiger Balm and then starts the massage by alternating with pressure with a stick on the digitopuncture and reflexology points. Relaxation and confidence will come over you very quickly. It is important to know that for this so-called « foot massage », she will also massage the entire legs, arms, shoulders and oh! unspeakable happiness, the face and skull.
For a second service, choose between a soft and relaxing massage with essential oils on the skin, or let yourself be surprised by the discovery of the traditional Thai massage: more « muscular », it has both relaxing and re-energizing virtues, in depth and in the long term, and does not neglect any joint or tension point of the body.
Settled in an individual cabin with a whirlpool bathtub and a steam room, you find yourself on what you think is a classic massage mattress (« but why is it so wide? ») but quickly realize that it also serves as a tatami. Indeed, the masseuse comes with you and begins a choreography whose epicenter is none other than yourself. Each part of your body is stretched, kneaded, « hit », more or less energetically. The gestures are of such a precision and fluidity that you don’t ask yourself any question when she asks you to take such or such position, and you obediently transform yourself into a rag doll. A must try!
In the end, you will leave this enchanting setting with a paradoxical but delicious sensation: that of having become aware of every square inch of your body, and that it weighs no more than a feather.
Rates:
from 50 euros (manicure/pedicure) to 420 euros (SPA « DUO », 3 hours.)
www.bansabaï.fr
Camille SALMON ([email protected])