We've heard of customised spa treatments suited to our skin type, mood and even Chinese elements (see F for Fusion), but a treatment tailored to the phase of the moon was a new one for us.
The Auriga Spa at Capella Singapore, a new luxury hotel on Sentosa Island, offers four signature treatments that correspond to the four phases of the moon's cycle - new moon, waxing, full moon and waning.
'We believe that the human body is linked to the cycle of the moon,' says Elaine Shong, Auriga spa director. 'That's why we will only recommend treatments that are synced to the current moon phase. We strongly discourage trying the waxing moon treatment when the moon is in its waning phase, for example, as this would disrupt the alignment and rhythm we have with the energies of the lunar cycle.'
She explains that the different phases of the moon mirror the effects of the four seasons. The new moon, for example, is linked to winter - 'a time when you have been wrapped in a cocoon and need to awaken'. As such, the corresponding new moon treatment involves a firmer massage that begins at the feet and works up to the shoulders and head, a process that revitalises the body.
The waxing phase corresponds to spring, 'a time when seeds start sprouting' says Shong. The treatment is designed to stimulate the senses by using aromatherapy oils, which release energy in the joints and warm them up.
Summer is a time when we are at peak energy levels, according to Shong, and the full moon treatment balances this with a light massage as well as a refreshing exfoliation and body wrap.