HEALING HANDS
After a month of debauchery, Anna Millar discovers
some Eastern flavour is just what the doctor ordered
Mental note to self: stop channelling Gwyneth. As a glass cup is set alight, blown out then placed on my back, things at the Shivago Thai Clinic, off Edinburgh's High Street, are feeling decidedly un-Hollywood. Indeed, as the foreign contraption comes towards me, Ms Paltrow, Madonna at al, have a lot to answer for.
Within moments though, any fear is gone, as a slight pull on the back is replaced by a feeling of complete detoxification. My back may have come up in four large circular red marks by the time my ten-minute treatment is over, but this is merely a sign that the blood cleansing treatment is doing its job, or so traditional Thai therapist Kei Ngu assures me.
My first foray into this latest celebrity fad has followed a range of Thai therapies courtesy of this refreshingly authentic new clinic. Following practices begun in Thailand over 2500 years ago, Shivago strips back the pomp of the more humdrum gym massage experience. Naff panpipes are mercifully absent, as visitors are invited into airy rooms filled with traditional Thai ornamentation; while a thin red mattress on the floor affords a baggy pair of Aladdin-style trousers to change into. The treatments that follow are individually created to help prevent stress- related ailments, such as muscle pain, stiffness, headache, joint pain,
tiredness and low energy.
The Thai foot massage puts any previous reflexology experiences to shame, as a therapist works first on the feet before working her way up to pummel the inner thigh area with her toes. Later, a hot Thai herbal compress, used over the clothes, helps gently eek out any festive stresses before some impressive stretching and breathing exercises
complete the experience.
A home-made tea adds a suitably familial end to proceedings and I
leave with my chi suitably intact.
I Shivago Thai Clinic, Buddafie/d, 25 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh,
07878 256 774..
Cardonald College. Mosspark Drive. 0141 272 3333. www.cardonald.ac.uk
Edinburgh
Subtitled films could be a thing of the past after an extensive but manageable series of Spanish. Japanese. French or German lessons. The University of Edinburgh‘s institute for Applied Language Studies offers short courses to take you closer to linguistic perfection. Term begins 12 Jan. and courses last 1 1 weeks. There is an open day on Sat I0 Jan. 1 lam—3pm to enrol or enquire about courses. Institute for Applied Language Studies. Hill Place. 650 6200. www.ials.ed.ac.uk
16 THE LIST 14—28 Feb 2008
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Glasgow
Francophiles should head to the Alliance Francaise. for specialist tuition in current affairs. or the chance to brush up on your conversational or business French. The next course in beginner‘s French starts 7 Feb. Alliance Francaise. Park Circus. 33! 4080. www.afg|asgow.org.uk
Edinburgh Floristry
Save a small fortune at Mother's Day. by signing up for a lioristry course at Telford College. The pan-time ‘Creative Floristry' class teaches everything you ever wanted to know about colour. texture. balance and construction. but were afraid to ask. Course begins 3 Feb and runs until March. Telford College. see Edinburgh. art.
Bicycle maintenance
(ioing green seems a great idea — getting a puncture does not. The Edinburgh Bicycle Co-op offers bike maintenance and wheel- building classes. llalf-day foundation courses are £24.47 and day-long intensive courses. £47.96 including lunch. Iidinburgh Bicycle (‘o-op. Alvanley Terrace. 0845 257 0808. www.cdinburghbicyclecom
Cookery
There‘s an awe-inspiring range of speciality food classes through the CFC. including baking and vegetarian cuisine. the incentive to get you singing in the kitchen in no time. Or for cookery lessons without fear of being slagged by any know-it-all domestic goddesses. Cookingmania run men-only cookery evenings. Mon from 5 Jan. classes are £40. CliC. see lidinburgh. Altemative Therapy: Cookingmania. Main Street. Davidsons Mains. 336 2012 www.cmkingmania.co.uk
Glasgow
Cookery
()ne-day. evening and live-day cookery courses are available at The Cookery School to tart up your culinary skills. livening classes let students cook two dishes every week. then sit down and dine mid-class. liquipment and wine are provided. Day classes have individual ‘themes‘. including a chocolate masterclass for the sweet toothed. The Cookery School. (ilassl‘ord Street. 552 5239.
www.thecookeryschool.org
Edinburgh Aerial Skills
Jennifer Paterson shows her class the ropes -- and ribbons and silks —- of aerial dance. guiding them through trapeze work too. lmprovers class starts 7 Jan for 6 weeks. £75. Out of the Blue Rehearsal Studio. Dalmeny Street. Leith. info(a‘aerialdance.co.uk. 07989 978598. www.aerialdancc.co.uk
Glasgow
Climbing
For first-timers or experienced climbers. Glasgow Climbing Centre promises a relaxed atmosphere and a variety of surfaces. ()ne-off lifetime membership is £10. adult entry is £7.10 or a yearly pass is £290. (ilasgow Climbing Centre. Paisley Road West. 427 9550, wwwglasgowclimbingcentre.com
Trapeze
Try aerial acrobatics at Lansdowne Parish Church. Total beginners will be flying
through the air in no time. Prices and times vary. Spinal Chord. 416 (ireat Western i Road. www.spinalchordcom. 07863 132
48].
Something Different
Edinburgh
Wine Appreciation CiiC. see ininburgh. an.
Comedy Stand up CliC. see Edinburgh. art.
Glasgow
Burlesque
Club Noir. venues vary. tina(a"clubnoir.co.uk. www.clubnoir.co.uk
Novel Writing Centre for Lifelong Leaming. Strathclyde University. (ieorge Street. 0141 548 4287. wwwstrath.ac.uk/cll
Theatre Studies
Ramshorn Theatre and Film Studio. University of Strathclyde. Ingram Street. ()l4l 552 3489. www.strath.ac.uk/culture/ramshom
Find the steps to suit you. from the range
of dance classes on offer. With everything from breakdance to ballet and Bollywood. there's bound to be something to help you find your groove.
Edinburgh
Dance Base. (irassmarket. 225 5525 wwwdancebase.co.uk
Tell'ord College. West Granton Road. 559 4000. www.cd-coll.ac.uk
Edinburgh Tango. venues vary. limail itii't)(a‘edinburghtangoorguk. www.cdinburghtangoorg.uk
Glasgow
Dance House. St Andrews Street. 552 2442. info(a‘dancehouseorg
Ashanti Dance Studio. (ireat Western Road. 07949 155 922. wwwashanti.org.uk Anniesland College. llatlield Drive. 357 6093. www.annieslamlac.uk