Beauty

Two therapists choreograph 66 minutes of heaven at Lush Spa, Edinburgh

The heavenly Karma treatment at Lush Spa

The treatment

Karma, £225 for 66 minutes (not including consultation time) at Lush Spa, Edinburgh.

Why go?

If you want a treatment that’s completely immersive, this new creation is influenced by ayurveda, with bespoke Indian music, and two therapists working in harmony.

Our spy says

I arrive slightly early for my treatment, so am treated to a pretherapy therapy, upstairs on the shop floor, with a hand and arm massage using a buttery massage bar. Bonus.

Then my therapists come to collect me, and I’m led downstairs to their peaceful basement-level spa, where we run through my consultation form and what will happen over the next hour or so.

I’m given a drink of water in an ice-cold copper cup, and shown this magic tablet (a sort-of bath bomb), the coconut water that’ll be part of the treatment and a poultice, all of which smell gorgeous (and mainly of patchouli).

I’m told that when the treatment starts I’m to imagine a white light travelling up my body and to let go of whatever negativity I’m holding onto, in order to reinvigorate my prana (life force). Fine with me.

Into the cosy treatment room and, once I’m undressed and lying face down, I signal that it’s fine for the therapists to come back in by clanging the singing bowl by the bed.

They begin 66 minutes of something heavenly by pressing down on chakra points, all choreographed to the music. Sometimes the therapists mirror each other, at other times they are working at either end of my body.

There are whispered affirmations, and I don’t know how they remember all the moves, it’s so detailed. I am pummelled, stretched (at one point my legs are bent and lifted right off the bed) and soothed with hot oils.

When I turn over, there’s a stomach rub with hot stones, scalp rub, more leg action, and I’m lulled into a semiconscious state.

The treatment finishes with the shirodhara, which involves pouring liquid onto your third eye (ie the middle of the forehead), using a traditional suspended copper contraption. I’ve had this before, but using oil, and I had to wash my hair about 52 times afterwards, so I’m grateful this version uses patchouliscented coconut water. Finally, I’m left in the room with a billowing cloud of scented dry ice (I think this is the bright orange tablet they showed me earlier).

The results

Amazing – a completely nurturing and full-on experience. I sip a cup of mango chai in the waiting room, and wish that I could take it from the top. Very good Karma. n Lush Spa (115 Princes Street, Edinburgh, 0131-225 4688, www.lush.co.uk)