Pushing the boundaries of spa treatments

Set below the consultation rooms of the Medi-Sculpt aesthetic centre and next door to a day hospital specialising in plastic surgery, the newly opened VivAri Spa in Mogale City is where medicine meets wellness, writes JOANNA STERKOWICZ. ocated amongst giant poplars in one of the most restful and tranquil properties in Mogale City (West Rand, Gauteng), VivAri Spa combines all the pillars of wellness and new age technology.

It boasts numerous facilities, including a dry bar, gym, juice bar, infrared cabin (for relaxation, recovery and treatment of injury), a starlit steam room, an ice fountain and a vitality pool, as well as a relaxation area and refreshment station. There are eight treatment rooms, four of which have their own private gardens. In addition, there is a magnificent manicure and pedicure lounge.

VivAri is equipped with state of the art medical equipment, such as a Visia machine for expert consultation and prescription of treatments and home care; a HydraFacial machine, a Dermapen for micro needling, and the VelaShape II for body contouring. The spa is owned by two local doctors who share a strong focus on female black empowerment. It is managed by Alecia van Graan, who heads up three therapists, one nail technician and a front desk assistant. Says Van Graan: “Our mission is to enhance the inner and outer well-being of our guests through excellent professional, prescriptive L and tailored treatments.”

The name, VivAri, has Sanskrit origins, meaning ‘intuition’ and ‘integrity’. It is also the combination of the names of one of the owner’s sons, namely Aryan and Vihar. Our mission is to enhance the inner and outer well-being of our guests through excellent professional, prescriptive and tailored treatments. Support Philippa Abbott of Spa Sense, who has consulted on the VivAri project for over a year, notes that the spa was conceived to support the Medi-Sculpt aesthetic centre and Dr Anushka Reddy’s practice. “We need to be able to offer pre- and post op care, as well as the more advanced aesthetic treatments. As VivAri aims to be a cut above the rest, we offer treatments with the best and quickest results.”

Some guests of the spa are patients who have been treated at the adjacent day hospital.

Ice An unusual feature of the spa is the ice fountain. This is an ice waterfall that provides a pleasant cooling experience following a session in the sauna or steam bath. The guest can take advantage of ice, produced by a generator and collected in a glass basin. Music is a big focus in the spa, and is contemporary in style with a ‘Café del Mar’ feeing. The massive playlist is constantly updated so as to keep current.

Copper One of the spa’s massages on offer involves the use of copper cups. Abbott explains: “These copper cups become one with the therapist’s hands. They heat up instantly and provide a deep pressure and ability to target trigger points. Copper has healing properties, is antibacterial and anticorrosive, so will last forever.” PB