Treatment gives chance to reflex

Halfway into my hour-long reflexology treatment with Lisa Beveridge, I start to think that this experience is a little bit spooky. It's similar to having your palm read, as this intuitive therapist is uncannily spot-on about every niggly health complaint and, indeed, emotional problem or personality quirk that you might have.

According to her, all she has to do is look for "crunchy" or hard spots on your feet which, using this ancient method, can help to diagnose imbalances in corresponding parts of the body. In fact, Beveridge is so confident about doing this, she likes to announce her findings in the earlier stages of the treatment, rather than you revealing your health complaints during the initial consultation.

She's amazingly good at it too. Among other things, I was told I had a very busy mind, which she "released" by pressing on a rather tender pressure point at the front of my calf. She also identified my sore neck and, in order to ease this, she left my feet for a moment, and pushed on fleshy areas on my forearms. Although this was rather uncomfortable at the time, it managed to completely sort out my stiffness. According to her, this is thanks to the "chi", or vital energy, which is being allowed to flow freely throughout your body.

If, however, you're cynical about alternative medicines such as reflexology, but enjoy having your feet massaged, then this treatment can be enjoyed purely on that level. Beveridge uses a light rose-scented cream, which feels beautifully cooling on a hot day, and she really works it into aching tootsies and lower legs.

It's also worth mentioning that this is the ideal therapy for those who feel shy about disrobing, as you only need to whip your shoes off, roll your trousers up, and the rest of your outfit can stay put. Don't worry about your ingrown toenails, as she's probably seen a million of them.

According to her, some clients can feel a little queasy after the treatment. Indeed, my mum tried reflexology a few years ago, enjoyed it, but felt nauseous for the rest of the day. Thankfully, I felt really great – relaxed and on an even keel – for the rest of the weekend.

Lisa Beveridge works at Napiers, 35 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh (0131-315 2130, www.napiers.net), and Thuja, 37 Comiston Road, Edinburgh (0131-447 7037, www.thujaorganics.com)

Half price introductory offer, 20 for an hour (usually 40).

Healthy appetite

If chips are your signature dish, then try one of

the new healthy eating classes at cook school, Cookingmania. They're hosting weekly Eat Well sessions with dietician Nell Nelson, which will involve demonstrations of how to prepare various nutritious dishes. For example, on Tuesday 15 June, 7pm-9pm she'll be creating Moroccan vegetable tagine with barley couscous, as well as a rose water exotic fruit salad. See website or call for details of further classes this month.

50, 1/2 North West Circus Place, Stockbridge (0131-220 2040, www.cookingmania.co.uk)

Ab fabulous

Are bingo wings and ab flab preventing you from slipping into that bikini? Then get hold of the new Abs and Arms book from US fitness and wellness guru David Kirsch, author of the cult Body Sculpting Manual Series. This quirkily illustrated book provides an eating guide, alongside a series of simple fitness routines that are designed so that you can do them almost anywhere, including the office.

Abs and Arms by David Kirsch, 15, Space NK (www.spacenk.co.uk)

Scent away

The new Travalo is a smart little gadget. It's an aeroplane-friendly decanter that holds up to 50 sprays' worth of your favourite perfume. The clever thing is, you don't have to faff around, when it comes to pouring your scent into it. Just remove your fragrance bottle's nozzle, attach the Travalo to the top of the tube, and pump the perfume out. As it doesn't contain any glass elements, it's also robust enough to take to the gym.

Travalo, 9.99 (www.travalo.com, www.theperfumeshop.com)

This article was first published in The Scotsman on Saturday, June 12, 2010