Leonardo da vinci descri–bed the human foot as ‘a masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.’ Like all masterpieces, feet come with a fascinating history. In fact, the strong sexual focus on the foot, which started in Europe intensified in the early 13th century when poets and novelists raved about the beauty of white, narrow feet with high arches and long toes. Indeed, feet were considered so sexual that in art, angels were depicted with long wings to hide this erogenous part of the anatomy from the public eye. Flat feet were considered ugly. And it was a bad omen to meet a flat-footed person before undertaking a journey. In India, touching the feet acquired religious and social overtones — touching the feet of elders is considered a sign of respect. Then there are the beauty customs of decorating feet with henna or alta. An offshoot of the foot fascination was the now outlawed foot binding custom in China where tiny feet were regarded as a symbol of gentility. Feet of young girls were tightly bound after breaking off the toes and arches so that feet shrank to a point where they could be put in three-inch long shoes.

Given that in an average lifetime, we walk the equivalent of more than four times around the world, it’s surprising that feet are often the most exploited part of our body. But now, with the emphasis on an entirely well-groomed body which includes a pair of pretty feet, spas and brands across the globe are trying to change this concept by offering treatments and products that promise to pamper, soften and soothe soles. Probably one of the most cutting-edge contemporary foot treatments involves dipping your feet in a pool filled with tiny, toothless Turkish spa fish that nibble off the dead, crusty skin leaving you with baby-soft, smooth feet. A rage in China, Japan, Singapore and Europe, it has gained several long-term loyalists. Closer home, too, we have treatments and products for happy feet.

In Mumbai, My Foot Reflexology — The Relaxation Lounge at Atria Mall and Nirmal Lifestyle, Mulund, offer not just reflexology to improve circulation, but also a Hot Stone Therapy which uses volcanic stones for deep tissue healing. “Our most unusual treatment is the My Foot Signature Foot Rejuvenation that soaks feet in crystal mud to rejuvenate,” says CEO Bhavna Vohra. The Quan Spa at the JW Marriott which combines Oriental wisdom with ancient Indian knowledge to give you rejuvenating therapies that use the healing power of water. Spa Director Davina Hassell believes Indian women have realised that our feet carry all our weight around the whole day and need special care. She recommends the Foot Ritual which consists of dipping your feet in a bowl of warm water to which Himalayan bath salts, tangerine and rose oil have been added. After a soothing scrub of wild organic thyme and peppermint oil, a massage with parijat oil deeply relaxes. The ultra-chic Christiaan Georgio salon at Mumbai’s Grand Hyatt Hotel boasts clients like Pinky Roshan, Sunaina Roshan, Bhavana Pandey and Mehr Jesia-Rampal. Here you get the royal treatment quite literally. Indulge your senses with the Royal Pedicure which involves immersing your feet in a rose petal and milk bath. Then lie back and let the therapist scrub, buff, clip and trim till you get perfect nails. A massage with rose petals and aromatic oils completes the pedicure, describes senior pedicurist Mawi Synod.

At the Jean Claude Biguine House Of Beauty in Bandra, Mumbai, you get both, French expertise as well as treatments that use only natural products, says spa manager, Caroline Le Du. A special VIP room allows you to enjoy the Biguine Bio Pedicure which uses elixir oils, ylang-ylang cream and orange leaf lotions to exfoliate, massage and beautify. Very dry feet could try their S.O.S paraffin pedicures while stressed-out soles could opt for a Moonwalk Massage to relax.

Like the legendary Egyptian queen who was known for her penchant for extensive pampering rituals, the eponymous Cleopatra Spa Beauty Wellness and Nutrition centre at Juhu in Mumbai has a range of sinful soaks. “We have Chocolate Therapy which uses the aroma of chocolate along with a chocolate and vanilla scrub and massage to uplift the senses, Vinotherapy in which grape seeds and wine provide intensive anti-ageing benefits and a Tropical Wrap where fresh fruits like papaya and lemon smoothen the skin and remove tan,” elaborates spa director, Ritu Kolentine.

Alternatively, you could also look at our own rich, cultural heritage which advocates the use of healing therapies that embrace Indian spirituality. “Not many people are aware that every organ in the human body is connected to a corresponding pressure point in the foot. It is also said that in ancient times, healers would touch a certain point in the foot to heal various ailments,” says Bina Patel, Vice President, Spa Operations and Development, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces. Among the treatments available here is the Pãda Mardanã or Indian Foot Massage, a sublime massage performed on the soles producing a deeply relaxing experience, as well as benefiting the body as a whole via reflex zones of the feet.

For soul and sole therapy, head to a tranquil beach resort in Goa and treat your tired feet to a specialised acupressure Foot and Leg Therapy. Aspiring to be as close to nature as possible, the Sereno Spa at the Park Hyatt, Goa offers holistic treatments inspired by Ayurveda and yogic traditions. Spa Director, Jaichandran Thampi says this treatment combines the healing benefits of seaweed, Himalayan salts, bees wax and coconut oil to give you supple skin. Allow yourself to be lulled into deep relaxation while the therapist goes about stimulating your reflex points to revitalise you.

If the beach does not entice you, head to the hills. Ananda In The Himalayas, a frequent haunt for Hollywood and Bollywood celebs, provides some serious pampering. With a deep emphasis on spirituality, the treatments include a Foot Ritual, an ancient Indian tradition to welcome guests. Feet are washed in spring water over stones especially picked from the Ganges. “The healing power of these stones passes positive energy to the guests so this is done prior to all treatments,” says spa manager, Mark Sands. From a Hot Stone Treatment designed for trekkers to reflexology using the magical energies of crystals such as rose quartz, lapis lazuli and yellow citrine, the focus is on holistic healing.

Romantic Rajasthan offers ample opportunity to reach the height of relaxation. The Sports Massage at the idyllic Devi Garh Fort Palace in the Aravalli hills uses aromatic creams to penetrate and loosen tight, sore muscles. A Padabhyanga Foot and Leg massage combines essential and herbal oils with pressure point therapy to stimulate, cleanse and balance. Finally, the Spa Pedicure invigorates with honey and sandalwood. If you’re at any of the Oberoi spas, try the Sole Therapy, a variation of the Thai massage which does not use any products and is a dry massage. The therapist works on the energy lines of the leg and feet to enhance mobility and relax joints.

The folks at Shreyas Yoga Retreat in Bangalore believe feet carry you to your destiny and need to be indulged. An invigorating peppermint, rose petal, milk and sandalwood soak is followed by a strawberry, brown sugar, honey, oats and aloe scrub that gets rid of dead cells, even as an almond, apricot and olive oil massage leaves skin glowing. Relaxation takes on a whole new meaning at the Amatrra Spa in Delhi, with a floterium containing warm saline water. The treatment involves lying on a bed and floating on water while listening to chanting mantras and gazing at stars above your head, an effect achieved through optic fibre lighting, making this a truly rejuvenating treatment. This forms the basis of most of the foot treatments at Amatrra such as the Oasis of Peace that involves a reflexology session and 20 minutes of floatation to energise instantly.

If a spa sojourn doesn’t fit into your schedule, you can still get your dose of pampering with several brands offering products that allow you to recreate the feel of a spa within the comfort of your home. “Indian customers today are more aware of the importance of a well-maintained pair of feet and are willing to spend on products that can deliver effective results,” says Vitika Banerjee, Senior Category Manager, Skin and Personal Care, Avon India. Apart from their One Stop Pedicure treatment with aloe and chamomile extracts, Avon also has a citrus and lavender range to cure everything from cracked heels to dry skin.

With a celebrity clientele that includes Bipasha Basu and Shweta Bachchan Nanda, the H2O Plus range has a Skin Smoothing Therapy comprising aloe, shea butter and marine extracts to soften and an invigorating Mint Foot Rub with menthol and emollients that moisturise, says Brand Manager, Sippy Jindal. Whether you are looking for moisture booties, a peppermint scrub or even a hemp protecting cream, The Body Shop would be the place to get it. At Good Earth you can get everything from rose water and petals to warm towels, salts, essential oils and spa slippers while L’Occitane has a Shea Butter Foot Cream to nourish and Aromachologie Revitalising Leg Gel which promises to relieve even the most tired legs.

If the feeling of organic cocoa butter melting over your feet accompanied by the tingling of mint sounds good, the range from Lush is a must try. From their Bubble Bars and Ballistics, a pre-soak to the Pied De Pepper, a spicy cream for the feet and Running To The Embassy, a rich emollient for parched feet, the tempting products have the likes of Amrita Arora, Dino Morea, Laxmi Menon and Kim Sharma hooked.
So go on, put your best foot forward and walk pretty.