Life

Tried & tested

Laura Wurzal enjoys a stress-busting treatment with a little help from The Beatles

IT'S pretty fitting that I travel to Liverpool to try out Lush spa's latest stress releasing treatment, inspired by The Beatles' music. As a big fan of Lush and the iconic band, it's a match made in heaven.

The Hard Day's Night treatment launched late last year at The Hard Days Night Hotel but it's now available at Lush spas. As the song name hints, it's designed to relax your mind and body through firm massage and gentle stretching.

Inside the therapy room a 'Let It Be' sign's projected on the ceiling and I change into a pair of cosy striped pyjamas, just like the ones John Lennon wore during his bed-in for peace with Yoko Ono. As I'm tucked into warm sheets by the therapist, I feel like I'm ready for bed.

The treatment combines firm massage, pressure points, yoga and passive stretching, where the therapist places my limbs into position and holds.

The massage starts on my back and neck, moving to my legs and arms then finishing with a blissful face and head massage. No products are used; just strong hands over the sheets and pyjamas, a unique feeling.

My initial reaction is to tense up during pressure point massage but, gradually, I relax.

Music's integral to the treatment, with the Lush team reworking classic Beatles songs using binaural beats to induce calmness, and songs follow The Beatles' journey.

By the end of the massage I'm lulled into a meditative state. The treatment ends with a pot of English Breakfast tea and Jammie Dodgers, served on a Hard Day's Night record.

I feel light and relaxed, yet revived, and the tension in my neck and shoulders lifted completely. The treatment certainly Please Pleased me, and now I Feel Fine!

* Lush Hard Day's Night treatment, £85 for one hour 15 minutes, available at Lush Spas (01202 668 545; www.lush.co.uk/spa).