Landmark Group launches new holistic healing concept - Tranquility

Incorporating a wide range of alternative health treatments, the 11,000 sq ft Tranquility 'holistic wellness spa' will also feature activities such as yoga, meditation, beauty treatments, a healthful café serving wholesome food and a retail area featuring a variety of beauty and health related products, preparations and foods.

The move marks a new direction for the Landmark Group, which, since its inception in 1973, has rapidly grown into a retailing giant in the Middle East and India. With new stores opening at an average of over one per week, Landmark's current retail outlets number at over 350 in total, including brands such as Babyshop, Home Centre and Lifestyle, Max, Shoe Mart and Splash.

'Alternative health care and fitness is a rapidly expanding industry with an annual 15 per cent growth rate, indicating that the Gulf market is ripe for a comprehensive wellness centre of this type,' said Renu Gidoomal, head of Landmark Group's new Natural Health Division. 'We are looking forward to a steady growth in Tranquility's patrons with Dubai's booming population, which is expected to grow annually at an estimated 6.9 per cent,' she added.

'Tranquility targets both the modern woman who leads a busy, active lifestyle, as well as those who have the time for relaxation and leisure. Locating the first Tranquility at the ground level of the Oasis Center will enable them to combine shopping with health, beauty, leisure and healthful dining in a calm, homely environment. Our modest pricing also reflects our belief in wellness being an everyday activity rather than an occasional treat at an expensive spa.'

The popular treatments will be provided by professional therapists specialising in Ayurveda, Crystal Healing, Hopi Ear Candling, Homeopathy, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Reflexology, Reiki, Swedish massage and various styles of Yoga. The centre also features Dubai's first Floatation Rooms.

Tranquility Spa is divided into five 'wellness zones': Meditation and Relaxation; Learning; Therapy; Leisure and Fitness; and Retail, which correspond with the five elements of nature that constitute the bedrock of Tranquility's philosophy.

The Spa's retail area houses hundreds of carefully-sourced products, books and preparations related to natural health and beauty from around the globe, as well as a creative florist to greet visitors. The area also includes a lending library with over 300 enviable titles on holistic health, which are available for either browsing or borrowing.

Tranquility's inspiring fitness studio offers classes in Ashtanga and Iyengar Yoga, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Body Balance and Modern Jazz throughout the day and in the evenings. Tranquility's Learning Room, complete with plasma screen, offers a perfect venue for hosting lectures and seminars by resident and visiting experts on all areas of holistic health.

The Haven Café with its Ayurveda-inspired vegetarian menu is Tranquility's chic healthful eatery. Open from breakfast onwards with changing daily specials, it features a fresh salad bar, a live Juice Bar offering a range of refreshing fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies. In order to satisfy the palates of seasoned meat-eaters, the Haven Café offers mock meat and mock seafood that taste identical to the real dishes. 'The café offers majlis type seating, benches and regular chairs and tables. We see the Haven Café as a place where visitors can relax and simply use as a 'regular' venue to meet up with friends and enjoy the wonderful food and cheerful ambience,' noted Gidoomal.

The main body of the Spa is a true comfort zone affording the warmth of one's own home. Said Gidoomal, 'As with the rest of the Spa, we wanted the interiors to offer therapies without being clinical and intimidating.'

Three of the six treatment rooms within the Therapy area are designed for practices such as Crystal Healing, Hopi Ear Candling, Homeopathy, Reflexology, Reiki and Swedish massage. The remaining rooms are devoted to Ayurvedic therapies; two of these feature traditional beds carved from medicated wood and soaked in traditional sesame oil.

Two Flotation suites - the first in Dubai - incorporate their own Jacuzzi and shower areas to enhance the unique experience of flotation or R. E. S. T. or Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique. This technique was first discovered by NASA scientists who wanted to simulate a zero gravity environment on earth. The resultant effects of such a zero-stimuli therapy are known to be highly beneficial, particularly for busy, stressed corporate executives, sportspersons and athletes, students and everyone in general.

'We are keen to make the Tranquility experience a positive one, which is why so much thought has gone into the detail of its interiors, its décor and accessories and to the state-of-the-art equipment,' explained Gidoomal.

The softly lit corridors of the main Spa area mark the entrance to the peaceful Meditation Room with its curtained seating offering privacy to individuals and central 'water wall' feature. Visitors may also unwind in the nearby Relaxation area on comfortable chaise lounges, complete with soft candlelight and soothing music. The room has a small podium as well, and can be used for informal discussions or for launching products. Finally, Tranquility hair and beauty salon is staffed with top hair stylists and professional estheticians and provides a variety of beauty services and treatments.

'We hope the spa's multiple amenities and its affordable pricing structure will encourage visitors to incorporate aspects of the Spa into their everyday lives,' enthused Gidoomal.