Anti-Oxidant Centre

Ganban’yoku, or bedrock bathing, is an increasingly common spa treatment in Japan (4,000 spas have sprung up since 2001), but has made its way to Singapore for the first time at Anti-Oxidant Centre, run by 33-year-old entrepreneur Suliman Harharah.

In short, you lie on one of 19 anti-oxidant beds, made of specially treated granite tiles which release far infra-red rays and negative ions. The tiles are said to have a range of beneficial effects, from decreasing the rate of oxidation to neutralising harmful bacteria – the results include a reduced cholesterol level, improved circulation, pain relief, increased immunity and rejuvenation.

With the room temperature at 39-41°C and humidity at 20-40 per cent, you also sweat more than you would in a hot sauna session. Harharah demonstrates the centre’s benefits with a raw egg and piece of bread that have been placed in the centre since it opened around a year ago – though they’re too hard to be edible, neither show any signs of decay, nor do they emit any unpleasant odour.

Sessions are good value, at $39 for 45 minutes, or $50 for an hour-long ‘Ganban Yoga’ session, combining yoga and a bedrock session.