An entity unto itself! The Spa at Hotel Tugu is truly 'traditional', with barely a hint of 20th-century trappings.

What this enlightened subterfuge means in plain English is that these forms of gentle exercise do as much for easing tension as treatments themselves. And a relaxed state of mind enables clarity of thought, which in turn, enhances beauty. Again, Deepak Chopra stresses the importance of editation:''To make the right choices in life, you have to get in touch with your soul.To do this you need to experience solitude, which most people are afraid of because in the silence you hearthe truth and knowthe solution. Ultimately the only solution to all problems are spiritual.''

Besides meditation and yogic exerciser unique way of getting in touch with our spiritual souls (female only) is available at Naz Workshops, Singapore. Trained aromatherapist and horticulturist Nazli Anwari and her partner Cheyenne Goh are aiming to give backto south- east Asian women a part of their heritage in the form of their interactive 'Erotic Women's Workshops' based on aromatherapy and Asian herbs. Says Anwari, "'Women today are losing their vital force. Even their posture says,"I don't feel great any more."We help them get back in touch with their sensuality" In the belief that there is an alchemist in us al , these workshops encourage women to mix herbs and spices to make their own body scrubs, to blend their own floral oils, to make herbal tea infusions and their own floral cleansing waters. In this way they are getting back in touch with nature. Also by learning to massage themselves and by taking time to soak in a flower bath, they are getting back in touch with their bodies - a sensual, rewarding ritual that Anwari believes plays little if no role in women's lives today.

All of this could be described as humanizing herbs and spices. But whatever guise you choose, the focus on nature's store cupboard and her rich aromas is giving Asian beauty worldwide appeal. Leaf shampoos, crushed nut conditioners and cocounut body scrubs fall in line with the new mood for'eco-chic', where eco-consciousness and style are no longer mutually exclusive.

It is also part of the Asian ideology that says that a desire to be beautiful is valid; it is not the vacuous pursuit of vanity that tends to be associated with beauty practices in the West. In his treatise Daya Putih for the inner Beauty, the Doya Putih foundation's leader, Sunnadi Kertonegro, makes the lofty claim that 'the path to beauty is the path towards consciousness and the origin and purpose of life'.

While Kertonegro's path to beauty and lifes purpose is through the spiritual patterns of Doyo Putih, which claims that the Hindu gods dwell in our bodys organs and must be assuaged through mindful movement, there are other more familiar routes such as the soft exercise techniques of yoga, meditation, tai chi and qi gong. In practising these oriental art forms, which concentrate our attention on breathing and body rhythms, we can go a long way toward clearing our minds from daily dross and becoming aware of our mind-body interdependence.

Mindful exercise is integral to the Asian spa philosophy. Even though it is in the heart of Bangkok, The Oriental Spa Is an outpost of serenity, ideal for some meditative moments.

The Spa ot jimbaron is the only tropical spa where you can take a shower lyinl down.These jets replicate rainfall to send you into a relaxed state.