Trendy Stone Spa is something of a misnomer for one simple reason: no water. Instead, the spa's bizarre method of detoxification and overall physical benefiting is said to be the result of lying on a slab of volcanic rock. Hailing from Japan, where Trendy Stone has 2,000 branches, the first overseas location is in Beijing.

Infrared on the rock bed

Save for two flower-shaped air humidifiers, the room is water-free, lined with 12 imported stone beds. "They are called 'precious stone' in Japanese, for they can give off far infrared [long wavelength] rays as well as negative oxygen ions," explained spa owner Yuan Shuxiang.

Those far infrared rays (FIR) are a natural part of the "electromagnetic spectrum," according to Yuan, and abundant in sunlight. Humans easily absorb FIR as their cells are a similar wavelength (resonate at the same frequency). Far-reaching claims routinely made by those promoting such products include that FIR enhance the body's microcirculation, accelerate metabolism and boost the immune system. "Far infrared rays slowly warm your body," Yuan added. "As for the negative oxygen ions, they can unblock sebaceous glands [reducing acne]."

The rocky test run

After taking a shower and donning a special suit, Lifestyle entered the room, experienced a wave of heat, and sat on the stones. It looked like a sauna, but Yuan pointed out the difference, "One can't bear the heat in a sauna for long since it only heats your skin. Lava stone spa heats your body, its cells, from inside. It's like cooking mutton cubes on a skewer by using carbons, heating from inside to out." Fortunately the experience bears no resemblance to being skewered - one simply drinks water while lying on the rock, covered in a blanket.

"One need to drink lots of water to make up the loss while staying in the spa room," explained Zhang Chunxia, the spa consultant who periodically entered the room to make sure we were still alive. In less than five minutes, beads of perspiration started streaming down my body.

This sweat, however, was unusually fresh and cool, another alleged benefit. It's even suggested that one avoid showering between spas. "You need to wait until the sweat dries, it can serve as a toner and what's more," Yuan added, "it doesn't have any odor thanks to the negative oxygen irons." What is recommended is that you take a water break in the room next door every 20 minutes.

"It's like feeling water exuding from every single cell," was how Trendy Stone regular Wang Shuai described her sweating experience. "I spend my days in front of the com-puter and don't want to do any exercise since I'm tired when I get back home. This spa helps me drive out the waste in my body like sports would." For those who do have extra energy to burn, Trendy Stone also has a lava stone yoga teacher offer-ing high-temperature, hour-long yoga classes every week.

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