The Review - RESTAURANTS Published: 13 Decemebr 2007
Ki Mantra director Kingsley Ogedenge offers ‘the oldest medicine in the world’
Deep healing for the harried office hack
Stressed out Londoners are turning to walk-in massage to help them relax away from the pressures of the office.
Here, Peter Gruner tries out
Ki Mantra in Camden Passage
NOT being a “touchy feely” sort of bloke, I never expected to appreciate the so-called delights of a good vigorous back and shoulder massage. My idea of perfect relaxation is a couple of pints with the lads down at the pub or sharing a few glasses of red wine with Mrs G.
But when a colleague declared recently: “Oi! Pete, mate, you look like you are carrying the cares of the world on your shoulders”, I knew it was time to act.
I made my appointment and nervously headed to Ki Mantra in Camden Passage, Angel, which describes itself as an “urban spa”.
Clients include Sadie Frost, who has opened a dress shop recently in the Passage, Abbi Titmus and members of the cast of the West End musical Wicked. OK, if it’s good enough for them it’s got to be all right for me.
The owner of Ki Mantra is former amateur London 400-metre champion sprinter Kinglsey Ogedenge.
After making sure I didn’t suffer from any physical complaints, he leads me upstairs to a darkened room containing one massage bed.
He informs me he practices a form of deep- tissue massage, which should dissipate chronic tension – but it might hurt a bit. “Had a massage before?” he asks. “I haven’t but my wife has,” I replied jocularly. “Mrs G regularly gets a pain in the neck. I try various manipulations but she finds silence on my part seems to help.” “Just relax,” he says. I’m told to remove my jacket and shirt, loosen my trousers, and lie down on the bed. This is getting serious.
Kingsley begins pressing, squeezing and kneading my unwilling flesh. Soon I’m gasping in pain. “Ahh!” I call out. “That hurts a bit.” “It’s all the knots in your back,” he replies. “You’re very tense and strung out. Just let yourself go.”
Soon I’m no longer aware of the pressure of Kingsley’s hands. I’m almost drifting off and feeling all soft and rubbery. Very nice. After 15 minutes I feel like a new man. I would have gone for a jog, but I’m wearing the wrong shoes.
Later he explained: “Deep tissue massage is based on the Swedish system. It means deep work on the body where you try and relieve tension and stiffness. It can help, for example, people sitting hunched up on a computer all day. There is often a bit of pain but the gain is worth it. “Massage can even slow the process of old age. It can make the back supple again. “The idea is to release those painful knots in the back and shoulders. “If it’s done right it can give you more mobility and energy as well as making you feel totally relaxed. You can have a short blast which can be as little as 15 minutes or a long 90-minute session.”
Clients include high powered lawyers, business people, construction workers and office staff. “People come to us not really knowing what to expect,” he added. “Maybe they are not sleeping or they are feeling jaded or run down. We help people connect with their bodies.”
Massage is also gradually losing its association with the sex industry, thanks to the experiences of travellers who go to countries where it is part of the way of life.
Kingsley said: “It’s the oldest medicine in the world. When you hurt yourself you rub the injury.”
There are 13 therapists and beauticians available at Ki Mantra. They also serve healthy drinks.
* Ki Mantra Urban Life Spa, 5 Camden Passage, N1. From £10 for 15 minutes and half price treatment on Thursday from 10am to 4pm. 020 7226 8860. www.kimantra.co.uk
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