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SPA SESSIONS
what’s hot in the world of spa and wellness
ABSOLUTELY!
Spa retreat newcomer Absolute Sanctuary (tel: +66 (0)77 601190, www.absoluteyogasamui.com) is a Moroccan-themed wellness centre perched atop Bophut Hill with a stunning infinity pool (right). Not convinced? Here are four reasons to check yourself in:
STRETCH
Four daily classes with experienced instructors are held in a glass-paned studio. Look out over the lush Bophut jungle while you practise. Hot yoga is also available.
DINE
Surprisingly, the organic food and juices served at the Love Kitchen are darn tasty. The Cheong Mon Burrito (a bean and vegetable wrap) is a must-try, as is the cashew cheese, which is so Philadelphia-esque you’ll wonder if it’s really dairy-free.
DETOX
Fasting, yoga and colonic hydrotherapy are the pillars of detox. The latter is not as frightening as it sounds; the hydrotherapy takes 45 minutes and helps to clear out debris and detritus trapped in the intestines.
SPA
The four-hand massage and sports massage come highly recommended, as do Jurlique facials. Expect a post-holiday glow!
WHAT IS… SIX-HAND MASSAGE?
Perhaps you thought you had experienced the ultimate in luxurious indulgence when you tried a four-handed massage. But wait, that was so 2007! Trisara Phuket (Srisoonthorn Road, Cherngtalay, tel +66 (0)76 310100, www.trisara.com) has now devised a three-therapist, six-handed massage experience. This 90-minute paradise-journey begins with a foot scrub, ends with a scalp massage, and lavishes attention on everything in-between. Afterwards, reentering the real world is best done slowly, while savouring fruit and ginger tea.
LET’S GO OUTSIDE
Have your massage on the beach in one of Alila Cha Am’s (Tambol Bangkao, tel +66 (0)32 709555, www.alilahotels.com) brand new seafront cabanas. The roofed cabanas on Cha-Am beach, a two-hour drive from Bangkok, were created by Thai furniture designer Kenkoon (www.kenkoon.com) and can also be used for seaside dining, or, making use of the free wireless internet, a quiet surf.
CAVI-AAAH
Pampering treatments get an ultra-luxe boost with decadent ingredients like caviar added into the mix.
Singapore manicure outlet Polished Divas Nail Lounge (237B Victoria Street, Bugis Village, tel +65 6339-7646, www.polished-divas.com.sg) is offering just that with a four-step Spa Caviar Manicure and Pedicure that uses protein-rich fish egg extracts to give hands and feet an anti-aging moisture surge.
While you have your nails done, lean back and enjoy a back rub in one of the plush massage chairs, and select a film (comedy or drama) from the on-demand, seven-inch portable DVD player.
ANCIENT HEALER
Dr Arun Satheesh, a third-generation ayurvedic doctor and consultant at Angsana Spa Allamanda Laguna Phuket (tel +66 (0)76 362700, www.angsanaspa.com), explains the world’s oldest medicinal system:
What is Ayurveda?
“Ayu” means life and “veda” means science. It originated in India at some time between 5,000 and 8,000 BC and aims to balance the body, mind and spirit.
What ayurvedic treatments are off ered at Angsana Spa?
Kalari massage: the therapists use their feet and hands to massage the body (below). It improves flexibility of the body and was used to prepare warriors for combat.
How long did you have to study to become qualified?
Four years of school plus a one-year internship in a hospital for my Bachelor’s in Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, then three years’ study to get a Master’s Degree.
Did you feel pressure to carry on the family tradition?
No – it’s the passion to heal that runs in my family. My mother is a gynaecologist, which helped me learn the difference between Indian and Western medicinal benefits, and the holistic advantages that ayurveda and herbal medicines offer.
What’s the best complement to Ayurveda?
Yoga. According to that discipline, “life span is directly proportional to the flexibility of your spine”. Through ayurveda and yoga, you can alleviate physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.
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