Getting stoned and healed in Singapore

Tired? Overworked? Feeling stressed and depressed? Have you been secretly enduring those accumulated aches in your body because you have been such a workaholic?

What you need is a relaxing trip to a place like Singapore. Why Singapore? Because it is such a clean and safe place, you can go sightseeing amid non-polluted air and go shopping in this shopper-friendly fashion paradise where shopping is one therapeutic exercise.

You can also de-stress by going on a food binge in this nation where eating is a national pastime. Good food is cheap and abundant and never mind that extra pound because you can lose it again by walking in one of Singapore’s tropical havens or its Chinatown, perhaps the most spic-and-span in the world.

Or you can go to a Singaporean spa for a beauty service (such as a facial or aromatherapy eye treatment), a health and fitness spree (such as Pilates or yoga), a massage (such as aroma stone therapy or aromatic massage), a body cocoon, a scrub, a healing therapy (whether of Chinese, Indian, Thai, Japanese or North American origin) and a physiotherapy service for arthritis or a neck problem.

We entered one spa in Singapore – the St. Gregory Spa – feeling tired and stressed, and we came out totally refreshed and rejuvenated.

There are three St. Gregory Spas in Singapore and we chose its therapeutic spa located right within a mall, the Novena Square Shopping Mall.

St. Gregory Therapeutic Spa offers state-of-the-art treatments within its 30,000 square feet of modern parlors, while at the same time featuring centuries-old Asian therapeutic treatments. To cite the most interesting ones:

Massage

Aroma stone signature therapy – A rhythmic massage sequence, like that of a stream of flowing water, uses the power and warmth of stones to relax tense and tired muscles.

Aromatic body bliss massage – Powerful therapeutic essential oils and eastern massage techniques rejuvenate your body and strengthen vital energies.

Well-being massage – The skin gets light body brushing so that powerful massage oils can penetrate more effectively.

Chinese Healing Therapies

A husband-and-wife duo, Ge Ming and Tu Xiao Jun specialize in Chinese traditional therapy. Ge Ming worked as a physician in China before he developed skills in treating bone and muscle-related ailments. Tu Xiao Jun’s facial massages promote a radiant skin as well as treat nose congestion, tension headaches, poor blood circulation and insomnia.

Tui na massage – Tui na, or "push and pull" in Mandarin, combines accupressure with massage. Poor blood and chi circulation are the causes of most illnesses. Hence, this 2,000-year-old massage focuses on specific pain sites.

Ba guan therapy – This vacuum suction cupping technique improves blood circulation, and helps those affected with rheumatism.

Gua sha therapy – Using pressure and friction to the skin thus stimulating connective tissues affecting internal organs, this method releases blood trapped in capillaries and improves blood circulation.

Japanese Healing Therapies

Mutong or the wooden hot tub – Sit, relax and enjoy jet massage in a traditional wooden hot tub. Melt away stress as muscles are relaxed, and sleep easier after every soak.

Shiatsu body massage – A hot favorite, this full body massage applies pressure to release trapped energy and restores natural balance and well-being.

Thai Healing Therapy

Traditional Thai massage – This medicinal practice by the Thai Buddhist monks for some 2,500 years combines accupressure with yoga to "open up" and direct toxins out of the body.

Indian Healing Therapies

Sirodhara (herbal oil bath for head) – Warm oil is dripped onto the forehead for 45 minutes after the scalp is massaged. Effective for those experiencing anxiety, insomnia, depression and stress.

Herbal body massage – This detoxifying massage enhances immunity and is good for the skin and nerves.

Njavarakizhy (rice bolus massage) – A special rice called ngavara is tied in a herbal concoction, made warm by placing it in hot milk, before it is applied to the body. This nourishing and strengthening method will benefit those with arthritis and joint pains.

Vetever scrub bath – This bath includes massage with vetever cream for 10 minutes and then scrubbing with vetever root. Good for exfoliating dead skin cells, boosting circulation and adding luster to the skin.

North American Healing Therapy

Ear candling – Used traditionally by Shamen healers, this painless method uses honey extracts, pure beeswax and crushed herbs (sage, St. John’s wort and chamomile). Good for sinus problems, ear ache and removal of excessive ear wax.

Spa Essentials

Scalp treatment and massage – Perfect for dull, thinning hair, as well as relieving tension.

Eye care treatments – For tightening the skin around the eyes, minimizing dark circles, eye bags and puffiness around the eyes.

Hand and feet treatment – A mixture of a footbath with hand and foot massage using paraffin wax.

Fitness And Health Services

Pilates mat work – Fitness bugs in Manila are familar with this system developed 75 years ago by Joseph Pilates. Good for muscle strength and length, improved prosture, firmer and flatter stomachs, and overall body toning.

Yuan-ji dance – A combination of tai chi, qigong, martial arts and Chinese dance, this Chinese program is becoming more popular in Singapore.

Fit-ball – Training all body parts through standing, sitting and balancing one’s body on the ball.

Yoga - A popular favorite for relaxing body and mind and increasing flexibility.

Skincare Treaments

Aromapure facial therapy – Shiatsu massage techniques are combined to cleanse and replenish skin.

Japanese silk booster facial – Natural Japanese silk protein is combined with ingredients from plants for advanced aromatherapy skincare.

Advanced cellular facial therapy – For stabilizing skin cells and restoring balance to aging skin.

St. Gregory’s Spa also does the aroma spa body cocoon, where the whole body is enveloped in an aromatic musk detoxifying sea plants and pure aromatherapy oils. Plus body scrubs using ingredients like coffee beans, mint, lime and ginger salt to exfoliate dry rough skin.

Believing in the ancient Chinese therapy that says prevention is better than cure, St. Gregory’s has hired experienced Chinese physicians from Beijing, Suzhou and Wuhan.

Why go to a spa? "We usually spend long hours in air-conditioned rooms which make us more vulnerable to attacks of cold and humidity. After years of working in such environment, our neck, shoulders, back, waist and limbs may feel weak," say the St. Gregory Spa experts.

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For inquiries, call St. Gregory Spas at (65) 6298-0011 or fax (65) 6297-3591. For special tours, call the Singapore Tourism Board at (65) 6736-6622 or (65) 6831-3806. In Manila, call Singapore Airlines which flies daily to Singapore at 810-4951 or 810-4960. Inquire also at Nancy Harrel & Associates at 636-0255.