I haven't been to Thailand (yet), but I always hear about the wonders of the massage styles and…read moretechniques. Fortunately, I can experience a bit of the culture right here in Canton, thanks to Thai Touch, a massage and spa that opened its doors in January of this year. They've really made the effort to create a harmonising and serene environment, from the barely audible instrumental music and warm colour palettes to the dark wood furnishings and regional ornaments - and this is just in the reception area! With extensive services ranging from "Sneha" hot candle massage to reflexology massage, Thai Touch offers reasonable prices (from £25 for 30 minutes) in what appears to be an authetic and soothing atmosphere. For those eligible folks, Thai Touch also offers OAP and student rates as well.

Love Thailand, look Thai food, love Thai culture - ooh, and I love Thai massage! So, that said, I'm…read moreobviously very happy to see this tranquil new massage clinic open up in Cardiff, offering traditional Thai massages. Once you've had a really deep Thai massage, with all the Yoga-like stretching and manipulation that's also involved in this technique, most other types of massage may seem a bit too lightweight in comparison. If you're not used to the Thai technique, however, they will moderate it to suit your personal preference so you can enjoy a gentler version if you find it too brutal! It costs £40 for an hour, which I don't think is too bad considering how great you feel after being kneaded and stretched for all that time, and the amount of effort the masseur has to put in. They also do head, hand, back and shoulder and aromatherapy massages - but it's definitely the traditional Thai ones I'll be going back there for!

This is a very experienced massage therapist in various different techniques including sports…read moremassage, deep tissue, hot stone massage and aromatherapy. yopu can be treated in the comfort of your own home and also at the Victoria park clinic in Canton.

Had my first ever massage here and wow my back felt so much better afterwards for weeks. Friendly…read morestaff who couldn't do enough for you and great surrounding. I loved the fact that they have everything covered down to the smallest details such as good tasting tea and coffee and a biscuit to the side. There is nothing that this company hasn't covered. first class service all the way 100% recommend to anyone.

Gaia Lifestyle has two clinics in Cardiff, one in Pontcanna and another in Roath. They are…read more'dedicated to creating awareness of the benefits of Complementary Therapies, Ayurveda, Yoga and more'. Positioned around the corner from The Feet and Face Place, which provides a plethora of treatments that deal with looking good on a pretty superficial basis, I have to admit preferring the Gaia approach to health and beauty. It's not as flash as The Feet and Face Place, but it offers curative treatments as well as the purely cosmetic. It also provides Ayurvedic nutrition and lifestyle consultations, which deal with health and beauty on an essential level. (One thing in their favour is that the The Feet and Face Place offer Reflexology, which certainly does work on a more profound level than their other treatments). The Gaia Lifestyle Centre in Pontcanna operates an appointment only system, (as does their other clinic). They do not provide a reception as such, and so bookings are made with the individual practioners. A full list is available on their well maintained website. www.gaialifestyle.com/

Gaia's Ayurvedic treatments were what attracted me to try this place out, and I can only report…read moreback on this small area of their far wider range of holistic alternative treatments. Ayurvedic massages are meant to be incorporated into part of an overall treatment programme, often also incorporating yoga and nutritional advice. The practitioner at Gaia starts off by having a consultation with you about your lifestyle and then goes on to suggest massage treatments, and offers advice about yoga practice and nutrition. What I am most keen to tell everyone about, however, is the divine Ayurvedic Shirodhara treatment available here. This is also known as the 'third eye drip', which sounds far less appealing than it actually is! Basically, you start off enjoying a face, neck and scalp massage, and then the practitioner sets off a flow of warm oil onto your third eye on your forehead, creating the most unbelievable feeling of relaxation and peacefulness. I would actually go as far as to say this treatment totally transports you elsewhere, inducing a kind of dream like state without actually sending you to sleep. I can't recommend it highly enough, based on my own experiences!

I visited Alessa for the first time today and will certainly be booking further treatments in the…read morefuture. Alessa is a lovely lady, who makes you feel relaxed and at ease even before treatment starts. A total professional who is obviously an experienced therapist, she is the perfect package. Michael

Visited Alessa on my last tri to Cardiff and really enjoyed my massage with her.Alessa was very…read moreprofessional.Will definitely visit again. Mike