We recently discovered The Method, a lifestyle shop and massage space located on St Stephen Street in Stockbridge. It’s run by brother and sister team Dan and Jodi who personify the ethos of good living; full of vitality, stylish white attire and genuine smiles that welcome shop visitors and massage clients alike. They kindly invited us to experience The Method for ourselves so read on to find out what we thought of the new kid on the lifestyle block.
The Shop
This is a beautifully designed and well presented space showcasing each product range in full glory. Dan has a wealth of experience in retail and his level of knowledge and keen eye for detail is highly evident here.
All of the product ranges sold, from sans [ceuticals] to A.S. Apothecary, are small batch independent brands with the majority made from wild or hand-picked ingredients. For example Haeckels handpicks his seaweed from the shores of Margate. Haeckels is a natural fragrance and skin care brand. Their skin, hair and body products are a work of love; a love of natural ingredients, a love of design and quality but ultimately a love of the heritage of coastal living.
A.S. Apothecary is a small batch distillery making natural scents, creams, aromatic waters and balms from flowers, bark, leaves, roots, blossom and moss that they grow or pick wild in the fields, mountains and gardens that they love in Sussex, Cyprus and Scotland.
Sans [ceuticals] is a hair and skin care brand from new zealand. All Sans [ceuticals] ingredients are pure and sustainable, with no harmful additives. Made fresh in small batches, their collection is 100 percent naturally derived.
There are some great ideas here for really unique gifts, I especially loved the Heackels candles that are presented in an etched glass which can be reused as a coffee glass or refilled with another candle. The presentation box displays the latitude and longitude co-ordinates of where the specific ingredients for that candle were collected.
As to be expected the products here are aligned with well being and balance and one of the best selling candles, made by Heackels, gives off the scent of soil after fresh rain water has immersed it. I learned that this is one of the most natural scents and evokes the feeling of new life; stimulating a natural feel good factor. It was incredible how earthy and ‘real’ it smelt. You really could actually smell its authenticity.
All purchases are wrapped in a simple bag but the type you want to keep (and maybe carry around for kudos!) – the perfect finishing touch.
The Treatment Space
This is accessed via the shop and is in the downstairs part of the building and it certainly presents a surprise factor. Designed using mainly natural materials, the stone and wood interior is stylishly Swedish. The wet room and relaxation area are all for private use only – the policy here is to allow plenty of time between appointments so that the client has exclusive use of the massage space.
Jodi has been practicing massage around the world for over 15 years and although the therapies at The Method are inspired by Ayurvedic techniques she has developed her own style also influenced by Thai, Swedish and Indian practices.
Appointments are made on a treatment duration basis (30 mins / 60 mins / 90 mins) as opposed to a specific treatment type basis and your massage or treatment will be entirely personalised to your body (or mind’s) needs.
This starts with an informal consultation with Jodi, in the tranquil relaxation area, exploring what the desired outcomes are and therefore what treatment would be best for you. The treatment room is stylishly simple and a real haven of tranquility.
Jodi starts her treatments with a few minutes meditation before beginning what I can honestly say was the best massage I’ve ever experienced. I like a deep and firm treatment and Jodi explained after my session that she starts of at a certain pressure point and then just works with the body – she says it’s evident which areas need what level and type of attention. I left feeling invigorated and not at all lethargic.
The products Jodi uses in her treatments are sold in the shop too so if you’ve enjoyed your treatment and want to treat yourself at home you can do so. As I discussed with Jodi and Dan, many people view massage as a luxury treat where in reality it should be something of your well living routine. After feeling as well as I did after my massage here this is certainly something I’ll be introducing as my good life balance.
Contact Details:
Address: 9 Saint Stephen Street, Edinburgh EH3 5AN
Website: www.themethod.life/
Phone: 0131 225 4700
