Like many of us at this time of year I was feeling a bit jaded when I booked in for a limited edition Total Winter Wellbeing treatment with HeavenV Spa at Virgin Active Northampton Riverside.

Spoilt for choice with the pampering options available I finally decided on a massage followed by a manicure to make up this two-part 70-minute treatment.

Friendly HeavenV therapist Danielle explained I could choose the type of massage I wanted from a selection including ‘revitalising’ and ‘detoxifying’.

They all sounded pretty tempting but with muscles aching from a week of throwing myself into everything from Body Attack to Pilates I decided the muscle soothing massage with therapeutic ‘Fitness’ Body Oil was a good idea. And I wasn’t disappointed.

I don’t know if it was the warmth from the heated blanket beneath me, the wonderful fragrance of the aromatherapy oils or the soft, relaxing music, but as soon as I laid down on the couch I started to drift into a world where the pressures of work, kids and bills just didn’t feature. I was amazed at just how quickly I was able to unwind and soak up the experience.

                             

Danielle focussed on the aching muscles in my back, shoulders and legs and used just the right amount of pressure to loosen up the knots and stiffness, while making the massage really enjoyable and deeply relaxing. Her confident, professional manner really made me feel like I was in safe hands and the warming therapeutic oil smelt gorgeous.

She advised me to leave the oil on overnight as the Indian Bay and Clove Bud would continue to work their magic on soothing my aches and pains. She also suggested it would be a good idea to use  Fitness Bath Oil after runs and workouts – apparently a lot of guys do this too.

Feeling totally relaxed and definitely a lot ‘looser’ I crossed the corridor to another room where Danielle had all her Jessica products set up ready for my manicure. After taking a careful look at my embarrassing mix of long, short and largely broken nails, Danielle started by filing them down to the same length and shaping them. She massaged in Jessica Nourish Cuticle Cream and explained it provides instant hydration and continuous moisture to nourish and soothe cuticles and nails. It also shrinks cuticles naturally.

Next Danielle painted on Jessica’s ‘Bend Don’t Break’ which can be used as a base coat and clear polish. She explained it’s designed to give nails maximum strength and flexibility, protecting them from the abuses of everyday life. “Nails bounce back instead of breaking off,” she said.

The pampering continued with more massaging and much-needed moisturising for my dehydrated hands and as a finishing touch Danielle applied a few drops of Phenomen Oil to nourish my cuticles and encourage my nails to grow.

I left the HeavenV Spa feeling totally indulged and de-stressed, with a definite sense of well being that I hadn’t felt in a while. I’m definitely going to book in again before the end of February to give myself another winter boost.

The 70-minute Total Winter Wellbeing treatment is available at HeavenV Spas inside Virgin Active Health Clubs across the country during January and February 2012.