Detox Inch Loss Treatment at the Soma Centre

Emily Paine visits the Soma Centre to banish the winter blues

Above: The Soma Centre, Royal Garden Hotel

Barely into 2008 and my enthusiasm for my New Year body-beautiful resolution is already wearing thin. Which is less than can be said, unfortunately, for the rest of me. As winter draws on, the interminable darkness saps any desire I have to pound away on the treadmill, and it’s clear that something’s going to have to supplement my rare outings to the gym. A ray of hope appeared in the form of the Soma Centre’s Detox, Slim and Tone treatment; I was intrigued and went ahead with fingers crossed. The treatment was designed by Elizabeth, a veteran therapist at the centre, and makes use of essential oils and plant extracts to eliminate waste and firm the body.

Upon entering the Soma Centre, the winter blues instantly begin to lift. As it’s built in the basement of the Royal Garden Hotel, the grim grey light of the outside world doesn’t impinge at all, and the centre is a calming and warm, chic cocoon.

My lovely therapist Kasia set to work with a full exfoliation, using Soma’s luxury body exfoliating cream, leaving my skin with a tingling sensation. Following this, I stood on a mat while Kasia applied the detox and slim gel, and then wrapped me in bandages from the feet up. Now looking like Tutankhamen but feeling surprisingly comfortable, I lay down on the bed and was covered with blankets while Kasia massaged my head and feet to soporifically relaxing effect. After a blissful half hour, I was unwrapped to find that the gel had absorbed completely into the skin, leaving it smooth and silky.

I was then treated to a lymphatic body massage which, other than putting me in the mindset of a tropical island rather than a gloomy London day, helps any build up of toxins to make their way around the system and flushes them out altogether. I left the treatment room feeling purer, calmer and shiny new, with a bottle of detox gel in hand. The treatment is intended to work over a course of 6 – 10, in conjunction with a healthy eating and exercise regime. Though I’m usually sceptical, particularly about my ability to uphold my side of the deal, this treatment makes you feel so positive and energised it looks likely to galvanise even the gloomiest of us into action – and speed up the slimming and firming in the process.                                                                                                                   
Detox Inch Loss Treatment, Soma Centre, Royal Garden Hotel, 2 – 24 Kensington High Street, W8 ; 020 7361 1995; www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk