Private yoga at Ushvani Spa

A growing number of spas and luxury hotels - including Cornwall's fabulous The Cove - are adding private yoga classes to their offering. London's luxurious Ushvani spa is one of the latest, as editor Lucia Cockcroft discovered.

I arrived at the sweeping carved doors of Ushvani spa in need of restoration. London's omnipresent roadworks and too-busy tubes had sapped my reserves and left me craving peace and quiet.

I had come to the right place. As soon as I stepped into Ushvani's reception, all traces of the grime and hubbub trickled away.

In its place, candle light, incense, attentive service, and - joy! - a complete absence of noise.

In yoga terms, I felt I had left the relentless rajas of the city, to enter a sattvic oasis.

Ushavni spa describes itself as 'an exclusive day spa' in the heart of Chelsea; a City sanctuary that promises a serene environment with expertly trained therapists, working to a South East Asian theme.

I had been invited to try out the spa's most recent offering; a private yoga session in the Sentosa Studio.

Mobile phone switched off, Malaysian-style slippers on my feet, I was led up the grand spiral staircase, to a large, eminently serene studio with high, white ceilings, shining dark wood floors, huge bay windows, and candles flickering away in the fireplace.

As well as newly launced 75-minute one-to-one and couples' yoga and pilates sessions, this beautiful studio is the setting for a few small group yoga classes every week.

Hatha yoga, yinyasa flow, pregnancy yoga, pilates and baby massage are on the menu, and the spa's rota of teachers are matched to the needs and wishes of the clients.

Mindful approach

My teacher, Anja Brierley Lane, specialises in vinyasa flow, pregnancy yoga and ayurvada. Her relaxed, attentive manner assured me I was in capable hands; Anja enquired how I was feeling today (a little frazzled!) , and asked some questions about a current shoulder injury.

She led me through a practice that was carefully modified to avoid too much shoulder-related weight-bearing.

We began sitting in Sukhasana, watching the breath, and gradually built up to some strong standing poses: half Sun Sulations, Warrior I and II, Trikonasana (Triangle), Side Angle, Uttanasana (Standing Forward Bend). 

Though an experienced yoga practitioner myself, I appreciated Anja's mindful approach and sensitivity to my shoulder problems.

I have come across plenty of teachers hailing from the 'just push on through it' approach, so to work with a teacher with the experience and empathy to modify poses (Warrior I with hands on hips; Side Angle with the top arm hooked under the forward leg, rather than placed over the head) was a joy, and a relief. 

There was also plenty of attention to detail, with Anja identifying that I have strong legs but a not-so-strong core!

At various intervals she instructed me to 'lengthen the tailbone', draw the naval to the spine and draw the ribs back!

The standing poses were followed by some long-held seated poses and forward bends, before we finished in Supta Baddha Konasana, and then Sukhasana.

By the time the session had ended, (particularly after sipping the complimentary, post-class Hibiscus tea), I felt calm and energised; my balance restored.

Spa treatments

Further exploration of the spa revealed the Asmara Suite (Asmara is the Malay word for love), dedicated to couples, friends or relatives.

It's an exquisite, beautifully appointed room, peppered with dark Malaysian furniture and decorative carvings. Before treatments, clients can wallow in a sunken stone bath, infused with signature ginger and nutmeg oils.

Treatments are at least 90 minutes long, and include Malay Massage, Balinese Massage, Ushvani Signature Massage, and a Signature Facial with Hibiscus flowers, coconut and Kemiri oils.

All clients are invited to the spa to relax, 30-40 minutes before treatments begin, with the same amount of time afterwards - making the prices (from £130 to £240 for 90 minutes) seem a little less eye-watering.

For the ultimate in pampering, private yoga classes (costing £85 for 75 minutes) can be booked before or after massages: the ultimate tonic to restore mind and body to equanimity.

For those without the resources to book a private yoga session, the spa's group classes will set you back a reasonable £15 for drop-in (or £12 if bought in bulk). I think it's a fair price to pay for top-quality tuition, class sizes that are far smaller than most dedicated yoga studios, and a stunning 'Zen' environment.

Private yoga classes at Ushvani cost £85 for 75 minutes. For details about the spa, see www.ushvani.com