At Your Feet – Real Reflexology Arrives In Madrid!

According to the founders of ZenVida, Spain seems to have forgotten that its roots and old traditions involved self-care and wellness. For this reason, they have introduced a form of reflexology, as practiced in Asia, to promote the culture of wellness they believe Spain deserves. Alice Ellis investigates.

The feet are a heavily neglected part of the body. Nowadays, many would even describe it as awkward to touch or even look at our toes. This discomfort, however, is not the way I was raised to think about feet.

There are a few things I find as enjoyable as treating myself to a foot rub. I always believed this sentiment was universal, since I hadn’t previously considered asking the people around me their opinions on foot massages.

However, when I recently asked friends for their thoughts regarding the activity, I was met with aggressive reactions: “I would never let anyone touch my feet!”

Why not?

I started getting foot massages with my mom during my teen years, while living in New York City. There, we found many foot-and-body massage spas in little nooks.

Despite the environment feeling slightly chaotic, I always tried to go if I had some free time and extra cash—and now, in Madrid, I’d often rather spend the time and money on what I believe to be wellness, than drinks in a bar.

However, it has been a struggle to find places in Spain that don’t feel chaotic, and practice reflexology, which, when done properly, is priceless.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is the word of the moment in the world of foot rubs. It is a study of the reflex points in our feet, hands, and head, which connect to every part of our body and, when pressed, positively affect our gut and other vital organs.

According to Reflexology Plus, this practice is not new in the slightest; humans have been onto this for quite some time now. Its earliest found depictions were a painting in the tomb of Ankhmahor, “the Physician Tomb”, in Saqqara from the 2330 BCE, depicting multiple practitioners working on points of the hands and feet of their patients.

In China, similar traces can also be found dating back 2000 years, with descriptions of massage and acupressure systems showing specific points in the hands and feet linked to energy channels that connect to organs and body health.

In our era, we medically use reflexology too, more than the average person would know. In hospitals, reflexology can be used in pain management, anxiety, and to mitigate treatment-related side effects.

Despite all the proven benefits, there is still so much hesitance in the modern world to accept its medicinal effects—but I need no convincing; I have felt it myself.

Changing the game through ZenVida

I thought I knew what reflexology was until I was introduced to the real deal at ZenVida in Sol, Madrid—a luxury reflexology and massage spa founded by Scott and Sara.

When I first walked into the spa, I quickly realized this would be nothing like the experiences I had had in New York. Entirely inspired by Spain and made from Spanish products, from the chairs down to their bath salts.

Scott and Sara spared no expense to create an environment they had been searching for themselves.

The couple met in Sydney ten years ago. There, they would do reflexology once or twice a month, since it is a common practice in Australia. However, when moving to Madrid five years ago for Scott’s work, they could not find the service they had been accustomed to.

Sara specifically remembers a feeling of extreme body fatigue and difficulty finding anything resembling reflexology in Madrid, with the only alternative being foot massage experiences that were neither medical, relaxing, nor luxurious in any way.

The couple have had their lives changed by experiencing the benefits of a well-performed reflexology appointment and believes it should be accessible to everyone, especially Spaniards, who, in their view, seem to have been missing out.

“You can go to a spa like a Wellington or a Four Seasons, and those places are really luxurious, but when I walk through those doors, I can be in any city. There is nothing that tells me I’m in Madrid or that I’m in Spain. I’m just in a luxury spa. As the ZenVida idea started to come together, how do we differentiate ourselves from the 4– and 5-star luxury spas and from the cheap places? So we carved out this boutique luxury section in the middle,” – Sara & Scott

Wanting to make reflexology more accessible in Madrid, they decided to bring it themselves. The decision to make the environment as Spanish as possible was not only respectful, but also a desire to welcome everyday people and preserve the essence of the country in their business.

All the masseuses hired are dedicated professionals with experience in reflexology, Thai massage, aroma therapy, and more. They were carefully selected through a four-month interview process involving over 100 candidates.

Indeed, the couple has succeeded in their vision, and after having 10 to 12 of their staff mix oils in their living room, they have come up with their own signature blends and three treatments to choose from: “revive, relax, and recover.”

I received the one-hour Deluxe Revive experience during my visit, which included smelling and learning about every scent and its ingredients. Then I was escorted to a beautiful reclining chair, had my belongings put in my own personal chest, my jacket hung in the corner, and received a delightful shoulder and neck massage. At the same time, my feet rested in the warm water with the Revive blend.

With towels covering my legs, water trickling from the fountain, and instrumental Spanish music playing in the speakers, I was completely transported.

A lot of people might think an hour is too long, but they will easily spend 20 minutes scrolling through Instagram for absolutely nothing. When you are getting a job like this done, it’s as if a whole story is happening not only to your feet but also to your body.

Their reflexology prices range from 40 euros for 30 minutes to 60 euros for the full-hour deluxe experience. Massage-wise, there is a variety of options ranging from 80 euros upwards, like couples massage, Thai massage, travel recovery, pregnancy massage, and more— Also, for yoga lovers, stay tuned for their authentic yoga schedule which is to come out!

There is an unspoken peacefulness that lingers over ZenVida, just like being invited into a Spanish home.

If you want to experience walking on clouds and a great start to a relaxing end of your week, give ZenVida a try.

You will not regret it.

Click here for information and booking details.