Citywide Health & Beauty

We first encountered Melody Hekmat through Bodyism—a wellness club in Notting Hill a few doors down from goop Lab—and over the years, we have grown addicted to her powerful Jivamukti classes. Hekmat is the kind of gently encouraging teacher who knows how to get the best out of her students without overwhelming them, which helps explain why she’s so in demand around town. You can take her classes at Bodyism, Triyoga, KX, and Sanye Yoga Studio.

Katy Meade King is a self-described soul sister. As a child, she knew she had otherworldly abilities but pursued a career in fashion. However the pull toward spiritual work was all-consuming, and after years of study, Meade King is now a Reiki healer, a master Anusha healer, and a medium. Each session is different, but overwhelmingly she specializes in helping clients heal from trauma and sadness in her own delicate, deeply empathetic way. (The best way to reach her is via emaiL: [email protected].)

Astrology is one of those enthralling specialties that we can never quite figure out for ourselves, which is why we have the London-based Nymph of Neptune on speed dial. With several years of experience interpreting client’s birth charts behind her, this astrologist is an expert at illuminating the significance of planetary positions—specifically Mars, Venus, Mercury, and the moon—at the time and date of our births, and what that might mean for us personally and professionally. An hour or two with Nymph of Neptune is truly enlightening. What’s more, sessions can be conducted in English, Italian, or French, the choice—and the path—is yours.

Known for her Vita Liberata tan—an alcohol and perfume-free treatment that uses sugarcane agents to bronze the skin—Daniela works her magic on the go. Besides the convenience of an at-home spray tan, the formula is also especially gentle on sensitive skin.

Amelia Freer is a strictly science-based nutritional therapist with a huge demand in London, not to mention two bestselling books under her belt. She's a steadfast researcher, and she won't tout a superfood or a strategy until it's proven to work, which is probably why she has a long list of devotees. There's also the fact she's a great cook, and she won't just reteach you how to eat but will recommend doable and delicious recipes (see our story with her, here) that won't make you feel like you're missing out. Though she's not currently taking clients, her two books—Eat. Nourish. Glow. and Cook. Nourish. Glow.—are a great start and offer her sensible, user-friendly approach to nutrition. Photo: Candida Boddington

Danish skin-care brand Själ incorporates gemstones and high-quality minerals into its formulations, which are said to vibrate at high frequencies that cause cellular regeneration. When those properties are put into action in the form of chief facialist Henrik Gaardsal's facials, you're in for a treat. He uses rose quartz and amethyst wands for a head-to-toe gemstone massage that relaxes the body and stimulates lymphatic drainage, followed by the most soothing facial around. Some call it a bioregenerative treatment; others call it heaven. Book in advance, as London is just one of Gaardsdal's many international stops.

You might go to Giulia for hay fever and be surprised by the totally non-related questions she asks—about your character, habits, how you sleep—but that's because she's looking for root causes rather than simply treating symptoms. After your first consultation, you'll receive her homeopathic remedy in the mail, which she hand blends herself. The number of sessions depends on the complexity of the issue—a hay fever remedy may just take one visit, while skin disorders, hormonal issues, back aches, arthritis, etc., will take a few. Whatever it may be, she's effective, and incredibly affordable, so it won't break the bank.

Trained in both the ancient art of Reiki and the modern science of neurolinguistic programming, Light combined the two to create her own approach, aptly named the Light Technique. Light generally sees patients for a course of four to six appointments and combines talk therapy with Reiki, the idea being that the Reiki relieves pain and helps you relax, while the NLP helps to change our own deeply held habits and beliefs—that's when the real breakthroughs happen. Each session is tailored to the client and Light regularly helps people with everything from stress and anxiety to weight gain, hormonal imbalance, grief, and fatigue. Her massages in and of themselves are a treat.

Keah Lan has quite a following for her at-home Pilates, yoga, and reflexology sessions, so much so that she's trained an entire staff in her methods to help satisfy demand. She's an exacting teacher and when it comes to reflexology; a session goes far beyond deep relaxation. Integrating her background in Qi Gong and traditional Chinese medicine, she can also identify vitamin deficiencies and posture problems, help with insomnia, and more—though she's probably best known for her pre- and post-natal reflexology and yoga sessions. Bring your kids, she works wonders on them, too.