Michelle – business owner, wife and mother of two

I confess, I am a mom on the move. All the time. In fact, even when I am not physically moving, my mind is darting in a million directions. Time is a very precious commodity, and I do not remember when I last indulged in some ‘me-time’.

When Amani Spas invited me to experience their Mom-On-The-Move treatment, my immediate reaction was to recoil in horror. “No. I couldn’t. I have too much to do!” How could I possibly justify 90 long minutes which could surely be better and more productively spent – on everything else other than me?

But these ladies are persuasive, and before I knew it, I had been romanced into accepting an appointment on Friday afternoon, 19 April.

It was a cold and miserable rainy afternoon, and by the time I fell through the front door at Amani Spa Sandton – kids dispatched, dinner organised and husband on call – I must have looked as frazzled as I felt. The tranquil ambience, impeccably groomed ladies at reception, beautiful décor, and gentle music felt very foreign to me. I am used to chaos. It is where I am comfortable, and I was sure they could tell. “What am I doing here???” my inner voice shrieked. “Control yourself woman! Just get through this and you can go home to your safe space.”

I was given a brief orientation, and found myself in the change room removing every attachment to the usual me. My clothing, my bag, my keys, my phone. I wrapped myself in my heavy, fleecy gown, and walked away from my connection to the outside world. I felt panicked and very vulnerable. “What if…..” was on repeat in my head.

I was led downstairs and introduced to Nomzano. What a smile – right to her eyes! She guided me to the Jade room (a single treatment room infused with a soft green ambient light). After getting comfortable, the treatment began.

It must be said that Nomzano has magic hands. I don’t like to be tickled. If I am to be massaged, I like a bit of muscle in it! Despite her diminutive size, Nomzano was firm and rhythmic, and I found myself relaxing heavily into the cushioned bed as she deftly manipulated sensitive knots and tension from my upper and lower back. Not a word was spoken out loud. But that voice in my head changed tack: “Oh my… this feels other-wordly! This is good. This I need!”

My neck was next. That small part of me that carries my busy head. As Nomzano’s hands made their way up to my scalp, I wanted to weep and didn’t want it to ever end. The rest of my life was very far from my mind. For the first time in forever, it was just me, myself and I.

A whisper in my ear to roll over, and the massage continued seamlessly. At least, that’s how it felt. But we had actually moved on to my Express Babor Facial. My face was gently cleansed, exfoliated and moisturised – one action morphing into the other with Nomzano’s dancing hands. At the end of these 60 minutes, my entire upper body felt new.

It was now time for my extremities. As a master of avoidance, I try not to look at my toes and fingers much. They’re not a very pretty sight. My mother always said, “Show me your hands, and I will tell you who you are.” I suppose she would look at mine now and ‘tut’ disapprovingly. How she ever managed to always be beautifully groomed is beyond me.

My nails were shaped and buffed, the skin on my feet exfoliated, and my hands and feet firmly massaged. When I opened my eyes, I had to blink twice. My skin looked plumped, my nails were neat and shining, and my feet smooth. “Mom, look at me now!”

The realisation that my 90 minutes were up was not a nice one. NOOO! I was only just getting into this! But I felt great. Physically, I don’t remember feeling relaxed like this. That knot of anxiety in my stomach that keeps me company all the tine was absent – albeit temporarily. I found myself smiling demurely as I got dressed and prepared to head home.

What I took away with me was something quite profound. The realisation that I am important. That my health and well being is important. I am a woman – the same woman who loved, laughed, played, lived and enjoyed the little things in life before I became a mother, wife, teacher, nurse and psychologist, all rolled into one. I am happier when I acknowledge this. And my family is happier too.

I got home and, as my kids barreled into me as I walked through the door, I felt lighter somehow. They noticed! “Why are you so happy Mom?” It’s sad that me being happy is a foreign thing to them. I intend to change that.

Thank you Amani. It was good to meet the other me again!

Michelle