July 2008
Ying, Yang and Zen are now my oyster - London Informer press coverage
Massage, Zen and relaxation are not concepts I am used to in day-to-day life.
As a dedicated lover of adrenaline and pressure, I tend to go out of my way to avoid the lulling sound of bird and dolphin song.
That was until I realised my muscles had knotted into a slab of hard concrete which left me unable to move. Something had to be done. So it was with a sense of trepidation, and a smattering of relief, that I visited the G-spa in LA Fitness, Pelham Street, South Kensington with, to test out its new services. I opted for a deep-tissue massage to iron out my rock-hard shoulders.
My only other experience of a massage was during an ill-fated trip to south-east Asia, during which my tiny Thai woman informed me - and my size 10 Western frame - that a pummelling from her tiny hands would be: "good for me, good for baby."
No woman likes to be told they're pregnant, especially if they are most definitely not.
Needless to say, it went downhill from there and is a memory I have tried to forget.
But South Kensington was a world away from sweaty Bangkok. I was greeted by a charming South African woman, who I am now eternally grateful to for sorting out my back.
Thanks to her strong hands and some essential lavender-scented oils, I was transported to a meditative state in which the pressures of newspaper reporting was a far-off nightmare.
To my surprise, I found myself enjoying the soft classical music, bird song and relaxing hurn which filled the room.
As my legs, hands and back were systematically rubbed down, I felt a weight being lifted from my shoulders - what at one point made a sound akin to shattering glass.
The next day I felt limber and light - about as far from the pain-wracked blob of my past massage experience as you can get.
So I've been converted. Ying, yang, and zen are now my oyster.
I'm swapping espresso for herbal tea.
And far from being a hot-bed of tension, I will spreading my calm new demeanour to everyone I interview in west London. So watch out.
A range of treatments are available at the spa. A half-hour massage costs £40. For more information see www.g-spa.co.uk.
Spa guide - Vicky Smith article
WHAT: Oxygen Facial and Microdermabrasion
WHERE: G-Spa, 63-81 Pelham Street, SW7 2NJ; 020 7581 7040
THE CLAIM: Designed as a healing tool to improve the appearance of the skin, the oxygen facial fights bacteria and helps to eliminate irritation. Microdermabrasion aism to exfoliate, increase circulation and encourage the renewal of skin.
THE FACTS: I'm not particularly prone to bad skin as such, but a little extra pampering never goes amiss, and the thought of some maintenance courtesy of G-Spa wasn't exactly unappealing. Firstly, its quite fun going to a spa in South Ken - whether it's a post-Harrods pick-me-up or a recovery session after a gruelling tour of the museums. Secondly, and most importantly, the neat little spa, (located inside LA Fitness), offers a great range of treats. The revitalizing oxygen facial was combined with the hi-tech anti-ageing Microdermabrasion treatment to ensure total skin satisfaction. Having previously experienced Microdermabrasion, I knew to expect a tingling as the crystals were blasted over my skin to eliminate dead cells, however the oxygen treatment that followed was a new experience - a stream of oxygen over the face which feeds serum packed with vitamins, minerals and collagen into the skin as it goes, which is followed by a soothing oxygen mask. More of a wake-up for skin than a relaxing and pampering facial, I emerged refreshed and rosy-cheeked.
Oxygen facial: £70
Microdermabrasion: £90
Treatment of the week - Daily Mail article
XEN-TAN
SUMMER is here and it's time to get out your little strappy dresses. But if pasty, dry skin is putting you off, then be sure to book yourself an Xen-Tan (pronounced 'Zen-Tan'). Truly one of the best self-tanners around, the colour is incredibly natural, definitely non-streaky and it smells delicious. It's easy to do at home, but for a treat book into G-spa in London and have it professionally applied. The treatment starts with a thorough exfoliation leaving skin baby-soft. The Xen-Tan colour is instant, although it does deepen over the next four hours.
Call 020 7581 7040
