Spa spy Treat yourself

A Revive Detox Day offers a get-away-from-it all in the heart of the city

The treatment

Revive’s Detox Days comprise two yoga sessions, nourishing and holistic food, time with a nutritionist/ herbalist and an optional detox massage. This takes place in a house and nearby studio in central Edinburgh at £110 (per person), with the next dates on 26, 27 or 28 January.

Why go?

The chance to enjoy the benefits of a yoga retreat without the often-considerable outlay of time, money or long-distance travel. After a frazzling few weeks at work the concept feels more like a necessity to me than a luxury.

Our spy says

First thing in the morning, I make my way, bleary-eyed, to a large, well-appointed house. The rest of the group is already tucking into breakfast, including fruit salad, green smoothies, and the most appealing take on chia pudding I’ve ever encountered. I am also more than relieved to hear that coffee is not excluded.

We then set off by taxi to a local yoga studio for a two-hour hot power vinyasa flow class. While I have done plenty of yoga, this is my first experience of the hot variety, and it is thankfully manageable. Instructor Alan pushes us but is attentive and encouraging and manages to get me into the crow position, where you balance your bodyweight on your arms. It may just be for a few seconds but I’m thrilled to manage something I never imagined I could.

We then head back to the house for brunch including shakshouka (baked eggs in tomatoes) along with a Greek salad and various dips such as beet hummus with seed-scattered crackers, with the food provided by holistic chef Nicola Orr. This is the kind of fare I always dream about but never get around to creating. I make a mental note to do so once I get home.

I then have a massage in one of the house’s downstairs rooms, and it eases out the knots in my neck and tension in my leg muscles.

This is followed by a break, and although I’m tempted to have a lie-down – I’ve been given my own bedroom to use for the day – I head to the nearby shops, stopping for a coffee and read of the paper – a meditative pause all of its own.

I make it back for the refuelling session of a raw Snickers bar, a pleasingly subtle take on its inspiration with just the right levels of chocolatiness and sweetness.

But before we know it, it’s time to head back to Alan for a yin yang yoga session. Given that it involves holding positions for prolonged periods it is intense – but gratifying when my muscles start to relax into the position.

The results

It’s a treat to have a whole day dedicated to wellness, and it puts a revitalised spring in my step that lasts far beyond the day itself. There is also the option of two-night retreats, Revive Weekends, but knowing the benefits of even a day I’m tempted to sign up again for some holistic r ‘n’ r. Namaste! n