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Are you always losing that ‘fitness war’ of mind over matter?

Have you looked at the bulge over your stomach and felt despair? Do you feel lethargic all the time? Do you go breathless after climbing a couple of staircases?

How many times have you promised yourself that you will go to the gym, take a swim or jog around your neighbourhood but had always gave yourself an excuse and wriggle out of it?

We all know that we need to exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle and that’s why gyms are in vogue. However, how many of us will actually drive or take a bus to the gym? Even when we are at the gym, do we know what is the correct exercise we need to do to achieve our desired fitness? Can we maintain that discipline to exercise regularly?

Sure, we can always hire a fitness instructor or a personal trainer to train and to push us. Do you know how much an hour with a personal trainer cost? US$75 to US$120. That’s right. Two hours per session, three times a week will easily set you back US$600! How many of us have that kind of money even if we have that kind of desire to keep fit?

I was recently recommended to this program - Bodybot software. A personal fitness trainer by the name of Ryan Lee had designed a virtual program that ensure a ‘personal fitness trainer’ is always at your beck and call.

In a nutshell, this is how it works:

1. Log onto a website - Choose a desired fitness goal
2. Select from the recommended exercise routines
3. Set the music
4. Wala… a ‘fitness trainer’ appears and lead you through your exercise routines!

How much easier can it be? You can choose to exercise whenever you want in the comfort of your own home with your desired fitness goal - be it to lose fat, gain upper body strength, promote joint flexibility or better cardio-respiratory strength!

A list of fitness routines according to your desired fitness goal will be recommended to you and you can choose or design these routines differently each time so that you are never bored by the same routines. In addition, a ‘real life fitness trainer’ exercise along with you so that you can ensure that you are doing the right kind of exercise!

If you had always wanted to keep fit but lack the technique or the discipline, here’s your chance to try out this unique training program.

I understand that this software is causing a sensation with home fitness enthusiasts in the USA and I have downloaded a free trial myself. Why don’t you try it out yourself too - after all, there is a 8 week trial period for you to decide if this program is suitable for you. If you have always been hesitating about your fitness goals - hesitate no more - try out this software now! Click to learn more about the software.

Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort is really one resort in two physical locations. There is the resort hotel on one side of the road and a hot-spring theme park and spa retreat on the other side of the road. (Please see previous article for more details about the resort hotel)

Generally, if you are a hotel guest, you are likely to move between the two physical locations but if you are a visiting local, you are likely to visit the theme park only. You can take a hourly shuttle bus from Xiamen or drive.

The Riyuegu Hotsprings Theme-Park offers the paying public a choice of over 100 outdoor pools with 40 different choices of natural hot spring water for a relaxing soak.

These 40 different types of pools have various types of spices and extracts (milk, rose, lemon, ginger, peppermint and all sorts of tea etc) mixed into their natural hot spring water.

All the hotspring pools were tastefully secluded from each other to allow for private enjoyment. You can actually walk around in your bathing suit to wander from one hot tub to another. If you fancy some fish therapy, the Fish Pool has an additional charge.

You can also have your massage done at an additional cost RMB40 (about $5) for a half hour. The massage is performed with you lying on top of a giant stone slab that is heated by hot spring water underneath.

There are also written explanation on each hotspring for user to understand what each hotspring contains and its therapeutic effect. We were really amazed at how big the hotspring park is. The hotspring theme-park opens from 3pm to 1am during summer and 12noon to 1am during winter.

Members of the public pays a flat RMB118 (about US$17) or RMB168 (about US$24) with a buffet dinner and gets to enjoy all the facilities in the hot-spring theme park. The park also provides free bathing suits, towels and bathing soaps and gels - so don’t bother to bring anything; just come as you are!

Slightly aside from the hotspring theme park is the spa retreat. Guests at the spa retreat do not mind spending a bit more for their own private room which also comes with a outdoor hot-spring bath. Private massage services are also available in the room. The minimum charge for the usage of private room is approximately RMB210 (US$30) & RMB260 (US$ 37) for small & big rooms respectively. For those guests who also choose a spa package treatment, the room fee will be waived.

My husband and I chose to do our spa treatment at the spa retreat. I opted for a 210 mins Aromatic Treatment Package which included a hot spring milk bath, body polish, body wrap, floral water spray and a 60 mins of aromatherpy massage.

The entire package cost us RMB1020 (about US$144) for two persons. (YES! There is no mistake - US$144 for a 2 person, 4-hour spa/massage package in a 5-star private treatment room)

We were led by our friendly masseur to our treatment room. The treatment room was extremely spacious, nicely decorated with both natural and dimmed artificial lights and divided into a wet and dry area.

The hot spring stone bath tub was simply the biggest I have seen in a personal room. All in, it was one of the biggest treatment room I have seen anywhere in all my spa adventures!

The hot-spring bath lies directly under an open ceiling. As you soak in the hot bath tub, you are able to star-gaze during the night. At the end of the massage treatment, light snacks (sandwiches, fruit platter and a dessert soup) were served to guests in the treatment room.

You could also order additional food and we did order a delicious black chicken soup with abalone, Xiamen dumplings and bean-curd skin shrimp roll. Most delicious!

You could tell that the owner and management of this spa resort had spent a lot of time, money, energy and effort in adding little touches to this resort.

It is always easy to hire the best interior designers and buy the best decorations to do up a good-looking resort but small, little touches such as bamboo containers for the shampoo, wooden combs, bright happy-coats, distinct wet and dry areas, bamboo screens for privacy and star-gazing outdoor spa pool can only be a result of much observations and considerations by the spa operator towards the comfort and enjoyment of the customer.

Again, if you ask me to be really fussy, the only thing that I do not like about the spa was that there is a time limit for you to relax in the room after treatment. You were only given a short 30 minutes to finish your food, change up and soak in the lush sofa. This put a sudden pressure on the guest to rush off after nearly 4 hours of peace, quiet and bliss!

If you are transiting through Xiamen or already staying in a hotel in Xiamen, make sure you check out the hotspring theme park or the spa retreat. You will certainly enjoy the facilities and treatments here. If you are planning a visit to Xiamen, why not choose to stay at the Riyuegu Resort hotel. You will enjoy the resort and there are hourly shuttles to Xiamen so that you can shop, play and enjoy in Xiamen as well!

Location of Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort:
1888 Fulian Road, Haicang District, Xiamen, China 361027
Size of Resort: One luxury hotel, one hotspring theme-park, one spa retreat
Facilities: Multiple luxurious spa facilities
Friendliness: Extremely polite resort staff and massage therapists.
Pricing: About US$17 for hotspring theme park entrance fee. Massage treatment ranges from US$15 to US$40. Between US$85 to US$175 for spa, beauty or detox packages.

I have been to Xiamen, China, several times but had missed the chance to visit this well-known Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort in Xiamen each time due to one reason or another.

Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort is very famous natural hot spring spa resort in Xiamen, China and had been extremely well-reviewed in travel and spa magazines.

Hence, in my recent trip to Xiamen, I made sure that I set aside at least 2 free days to visit Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort. I was so determined that I must visit this resort this time that even before my trip, I booked my accommodation online to ensure I had no further reasons not to go to this resort.

Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort is probably one of the nicest spa resort in Southern China. From previous written web and magazine reviews, I was aware that it is owned and managed by a Singapore company. The resort offers a 4 star class luxury hotel and just across a busy highway on the other side is the outdoor hot springs theme park and a spa retreat. An electrical golf-cart shuttles you between the two locations if you need to travel between the two.

In my opinion, the hotel should be rated 5 stars as I feel that the whole hotel resort was very well done-up with nice landscaping, elegant interior decoration, very clean and had pleasant and helpful staff.

The hotel rooms at Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort are beautifully decorated, spacious, modern and all bathrooms has a large stone bath tub with piped-in hot spring water. This is the best part… hotel guests can enjoy a hot spring bath in the room if they wanted more privacy or perhaps too lazy to go across the road to the hotspring theme park. The hotel also has a very nice outdoor swimming pool for guests to relax to. There is also a Western and Chinese restaurant.

The biggest drawback, if I can nit-pick, about Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort is that the whole resort is located in an industrial zone and Xiamen city is about a half hour drive away. For hotel guests, you can’t go or do anything else except stay and enjoy the facilities within the hotel or spa. But then again, if you are really looking for a spa resort to get away from civilization… well then, this is it!

(Note: A travel website review that I read before arriving at Riyuegu described the resort as being surrounded by lush greenery and scenic countryside all around. Don’t believe that review … it is all factories and industrial buildings once you move away from the resort!)

Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort has two spas. One is located within the hotel and the other is located across the road together with the hotspring theme park. Both spas offer almost the same spa, beauty and detox treatments and has similar prices. The difference is …. treatments done in the hotel spa are subjected to a 15% government tax but not at the spa retreat for hotel and non-hotel guests alike. (Hint from me: Now you know where you should have your massage!)

The hotel spa has a relaxing lounge whereby after your treatment, you can rest and relax at the lounge as long as you want. The hotel spa also offers a oxygen spa treatment room which the spa at the hotspring theme park does not.

I must say that I was very impressed with Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort. It is definitely worth a trip as the facilities are fabulous, services good and prices, simply affordable - compared to other large cities around Asia.

I highly recommend this resort for jaded spa enthusiasts who want to try something different other than their usual spa holidays to Bangkok, Bali, Penang, Ko Samui or Phuket.

Besides, the entire resort is supplied with natural underground hotspring water, (even in the hotel rooms) which is said to contain minerals that are good for the skin and body. Definitely a plus point over beach-side spa resorts which may actually cost harm to the skin and body if one is not careful to be exposed too much to the sun.

Getting There
Situated just half an hour drive from downtown Xiamen, Riyuegu Hot Springs Resort offers a shuttle service pick up hourly at the carpark opposite SM Square (Fuxia Road, nearer to Kentucky Fried Chicken).

Coming Up…
Watch out for our next article as we reiew the Riyuegu hotspring theme park.

Location of Riyuegu Hotsprings Resort:
1888 Fulian Road, Haicang District, Xiamen, China 361027
Size of Resort: One luxury hotel, one hotspring theme-park, one spa retreat
Facilities: Multiple luxurious spa facilities
Friendliness: Extremely polite resort staff and massage therapists.
Pricing: Ranges from US$15 to US$40 for massage only. Between US$85 to US$175 for spa, beauty or detox packages.

I practise Yoga regularly. Yoga music adds a soothing and calming effect when you are doing your Yoga postures and I like it so much that I even play Yoga music when driving or when trying to sleep at night.

Yoga music is also suitable when you’re having a spa session or when you’re self-meditating. Here’s a sample of a Yoga music. Play it. Even if you’re not a Yoga enthusiast, I am sure you’ll agree that it adds a soothing effect on the mind and body.

Man is forever chasing his own tail. Spa and massage services came about because the busy working man or woman needed a way to relax and release tension. They desperately desire a good massage but yet have so little time to visit a spa that they invented gadget after gadget so that they can get a massage right at home.

Now, we have the ‘mother of all spa and massage gadgets’; a spa capsule that is so portable that you can place one in the home, office or even in the shopping mall. Imagine a full spa and massage service that you can enjoy right at the office without getting wet or even having to remove a single piece of clothing.

Check out the video which shows the spa capsule in action. Launched just 5 months ago, it was said to have swept through USA with many companies buying it for their busy employees in the office.

Would you have gotten one for the home or office? Or would you have preferred a gentle, delicate and well-trained masseur’s hand anytime?

One of my best friend is a pure vegetarian; not for religious belief but because she believe in a all vegetarian healthy and natural diet.

I have also many other friends who subscribed to a vegetarian diet for either religious or health considerations.

In the gym that I visit, many members are also swapping stories of raw and/or vegetarian diet in place of processed and cooked food. In fact, many people who are into gyms and exercise routines are beginning to believe that meat, processed food and cooked food are not healthy for the mind and body and nothing short of a vegetarian diet will keep the mind and body healthy. For some, even cooked vegetables is not good enough - it must be raw, uncooked and un-processed vegetables straight from the earth.

The proponents of a raw diet will tell you that many of today’s modern illness and diseases were rare and unknown during our ancestors days. They believe that the air, food and lifestyle we lead today are causing great harm to our body, causing it to develop all sorts of illnesses and diseases that were almost unknown in our ancestors days. Examples of modern illnesses includes high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases and cancer. We cannot control the air we breathe but we can control the food we eat and the lifestyle that we lead.

Opponents of a raw diet will tell you that a raw or even just a vegetarian diet will lead to an in-balance in body nutrients, will make one more susceptible to common illnesses such as cold and flu and generally makes one more lethargic.

Who is right or wrong?

If I am health-conscious, exercise regularly and am interested in a natural food diet, should I look at a vegan or raw diet as a food and life-style change? Will the right raw or vegan diet bring about the right and adequate nutrients that my body will need? How can I make raw food palatable and tasty? How do I create variety and interest? What kind of raw diet do I need if I already have certain health weaknesses?

I can’t answer many of these questions but I do know that many of my friends and peers are extremely keen to explore the vegetarian or raw diet for personal health reasons. A popular proponent of the raw diet, Frederic Patanaude, has written many articles, columns and books on this subject. So, if you are interested in exploring a raw or vegan diet yourself, please feel free to check out his website and recommendations.

In case you need a gentle reminder, take note that Mother’s Day will fall on 11th, Sunday 2008 this year.

If you work or live near a shopping mall, then it’s time to make a trip to pick up a gift for mother. Ideal Mother’s Day gift can include flowers, jewelery, cooking or baking ware, dresses, cosmetics, chocolates, bags, perfumes or even shopping vouchers.

For mothers who have had almost everything or if you decide to pamper Mother this year, why not get a spa or massage package for your mom? In fact, spa and massage packages has increasingly become a popular Mother’s day or Birthday gift for moms. For working moms, it’s the ultimate ideal gift for it gives mom a chance to pamper herself knowing she must have worked very hard; having to work and take care of the family at the same time.

If you know that your Mom will be free on Mother’s Day, you can easily call up your favourite spa and book a spa pacakge for her. Ideally, you should include a facial, scrub and massage if you can afford, so that Mom can really get the ultimate pampering experience! Be sure to book early as slots availability run fast on important days such as Mother’s Day for all spas, big or small.

If you can, pick up your Mom and send her to the spa yourself. Then, have a long lunch or dinner with her after her spa session and I’m sure Mom will remember this year’s Mother’s Day experience for a long, long time!

If you are unsure whether your Mom will be free on Mother’s Day, you can always give her a spa package gift voucher. Almost all spas will sell you a gift voucher so that you can pay for the spa package and give your mom the voucher which she can arrange a spa appointment directly with the spa at a later date. Be sure that the spa will honour the voucher for at least another 3 to 6 months when buying such a voucher from the spa.

If you know that your mom has never experienced a spa or massage previously, try to accompany her to the spa yourself. At the spa, let the massage therapist know that your mom has never visited a spa previously so that the therapist will make it a point to guide your mom and to let her feel at ease at all time.

If you have decided to pamper your mom to a spa session, then do hurry up! There’s less than a week to go before Mother’s Day!

I would not have come across this small but friendly spa boutique in Bangkok if I did not have a bad experience with another local spa. (See earlier article)

Relaxation Massage & Spa is a small spa boutique located on the 6th level of Big C Complex in Bangkok. The spa is located on the same level as the cineplex in the building.

As I stepped into the entrance, a smartly-dressed lady was sitting at the reception table talking over the phone in Thai. Although I did not understand a single word of Thai, but from her body language, I could tell she was trying her best to arrange an appointment with the other party.

While waiting for her to finish her conversation, she smiled at me and ushered me to take a seat at the waiting area and handed over their spa treatment price list. Shortly, she came over and explained to me their spa packages. To my surprise, she turned out to be the spa manager, and she spoke good English.

I told her my needs and she recommended their 2.5 hrs Herbal Rejuvenate Package which consisted of a Thai Herbal Scrub, Thai Herbal Bag Compress Treatment and a Traditional Thai Massage. I wanted a Thai traditional spa package and not having tried a Thai Herbal Compress Bag treatment previously, I agreed immediately.

It was almost 9pm when we walked into the spa and it closes at 10:30pm. The receptionist was very nice to ask if the therapists were willing to stay later than their usual working hours before committing to us. We were glad that they were willing to accommodate the extra late hours.

We started off with a a complimentary 15 mins floral foot bath. We then started on the Thai Massage and then it was the turn for the herbal bag treatment.

I was looking forward to the Thai Herbal Bag treatment. First, the Thai Herbal Bag was heated up in a hot pot. The therapist then used the hot Thai Herbal Massage Bag to quickly dabbed various parts of my back.

Ouch! That’s my first reaction but after a few seconds, as my body began to accept the hot body dabs, I began to enjoy the heat on my back as each dab began to stay longer and longer in one position. I was told that the herbal bag treatment is ideal for aching bones and joints, clearing blocked breathing passage ways and detoxifying the body.

I later read that this unique Thai Herbal Massage Bag or Luk Prakop (Thai hot compress) is one of the most interesting variety of the Thai Traditional massage. More than ten exotic Thai herbs (such as Lemongrass, Plai, Leech Lime, Curcuma, and Galangal) are pounded and put into small bags, heated up and then placed onto various body parts to relieve aches and pains. While under-going treatment, the Thai Herbal Massage Bag also gives a strong yet pleasant aroma.

At the end of the treatment, I was completely relaxed. I was very pleased with their service. The therapists did not do a rush job even though it was way beyond their working hours. I will strongly recommend this spa to fellow avid spa goers and will not forget to go back to them whenever I’m in Bangkok

Location of Spa:
6th Floor, Big C Rajchadamri (Opposite Central World Plaza)
Lumpini, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330
Size of Spa: Three single treatment rooms, one open space of five beds for Thai Massage, 5 foot massage chairs
Facilities: Private Shower and jacuzzi
Friendliness: Extremely polite receptionist and massage therapists. Speaks good English.
Pricing: Ranges from US$18 to US$45 for massage only. Between US$85 to US$175 for spa packages. (The spa was having a 15% discount for spa packages when we were there)

Pix credit: http://www.wadudcorp.com

Sivara Spa is a luxury chain spa exclusive to Amari Hotels and Resorts in various parts of Thailand (Bangkok, Koh Chang, Krabi, Patttaya, Phuket, Samui, Trang)

On my last trip to Bangkok, I stayed at the Amari Watergate and Sivara Spa is tucked away on the 8th floor of the hotel and facing the swimming pool and health centre.

The Sivara Spa at the Amari Watergate Hotel in Bangkok is newly renovated to a modern and contemporary Thai style. As you walk into the reception, you can find a delightful interplay of bronze “lotus flowers”, water walkways, stones, curtains, candlelight and flowers.

There are three spacious zen-themed double rooms and 5 single treatment rooms. Each of the themed double rooms is assigned to a signature treatment.

In the spa brochure own words, the various themes for the treatment rooms are:

The Mystical Forest room harnesses the spirit of the forest and allows guests to meditate on the power of nature. This botanically-inspired room features a tropical rain shower to wash away the stress of the day. The refreshing blends of essential oils used for the massages will leave the body feeling rejuvenated.

In Floral Bloom room, you can guarantee that tension will drain away and the spirit will be revived with a rose petal bath in this floral paradise. The fragrances of flowers will cleanse and purify your soul, whilst the ylang ylang, lavender and marjoram essential oils, used in the treatments, provide the ultimate feminine indulgence.

In the Herbal Inspiration room, the healing qualities of herbs - known for centuries, as nature’s gift to mankind - are combined with luxurious pampering.

I opted for the “Sarada Package” (2hrs) treatment which comprises a oil massage & facial. I was not keen to do a facial and the receptionist was flexible enough to change the facial to a body scrub instead.

From the lighting and temperature in the room, to the volume of music and pressure applied during massages or scrubs, the therapist was so caring and considerate for my entire treatment. The gentle therapist at the spa truly live up to the gracious spirit of the Thai’s spa culture.

For total relaxation, the Sivara Spa also offer a complete range of massage, spa, facial and body treatments. The selection of treatments include Thai and oil massages, body polishes and wraps, facials, and even a customized half day, full day, multi-days spa program. There is also the awesome 4-hands massage, which has become the signature treatment of high-end Thailand’s spa, but due to time constraints, I could not find time for this famous treatment.

The prices in the Sivara Spa are typical of hotel spas and are hence slightly on the high side. If you are a guest of the hotel, make sure you pick up a discount voucher at the hotel conceige which will entitle you to a 10% discount and a free floral foot bath.

Location of Spa: Amari Watergate Hotel, 847 Petchburi Road Bangkok 10400
Size of Spa: Three couple treatment rooms, five single rooms
Facilities: Private Shower and jacuzzi in couple’s room
Friendliness: Extremely polite receptionist and massage therapists
Pricing: Ranges from US$60 to US$120 for massage only. Between US$115 to US$220 for spa packages.

Here’s something interesting for fellow spa enthusiasts in a bargain hunting mood … a spa promotion online search directory.

This is how it works - supposing you are in the mood for a spa or massage session, and you jolly well know that spa establishments run promotions all the time - you look up on the internet: http://www.totallyspa.com, and bingo … you’re shown a list of spa establishments in Singapore that happens to be running a spa promotion! Just pick one and off you go happily!

This website is essentially a niche web search directory targetted to spas in Singapore. In their own words:

“totallyspa is your online source for Singapore spa promotions. Treat yourself to the many available treatments on promotion now.”

Nifty idea, isn’t it? Well, almost…

This website is useful if you are too lazy to check out various spa websites and so, you can find various promotions consolidated here on your behalf. However, I find their spa directory and promotions not comprehensive and seems to only cover spas that, I assume, has signed up for their directory services. If your favorite spa is not listed with them, you’ll not find their promotions even if they are indeed running a promotion.

The key attraction for this website is their spa promotions. However, I noted that these are standard spa promotions and not something at a even better pricing or discount. If I have a bookmark of my favourite spa websites or are on the mailing lists for these spas, the promotions I am likely to recieve from these spas will be as good if not better. Hence, this website may only be useful for the occasional spa customer and not hard-core spa and massage enthusiasts like myself or some of my readers.

However, I do appreciate the logic behind the website’s founders. What I can suggest to them is to expand their directory services to not only Singapore but the entire Asia region. Hence, if I intend to make a trip to Hong Kong, I will definitely do my research at this website because I am obviously not familiar with Hong Kong’s spa environment, much less the promotions being offered by Hong Kong spas.

I will also suggest that the website sign up independent writers or get readers to review the spa promotions that are offered. Due to competitive circumstances, almost every spa worthy of it’s name run price promotions almost everyday, and so it is important to differentiate the ordinary promotion from the really, special promotions.

In addition, not every reader go for promotions but some may choose a spa based on service, variety of treatments, location, ambiance and other reasons and hence, independent and well-written spa reviews may attract a reader more than the best price promotion. A poorly managed spa will still fail to attract customer despite the best price promotions!

Regardless, I must commend the website for their attempt in making spa promotions that are running wild all over the various medias into one consolidated location. If they can improve further based on some of my comments, then I am sure spa enthusiasts like myself will make this website a must-have reference in the future.

Pix credit: http://www.totallyspa.com