Boston - December 13, 2004

Breathing Space

Exhale Mind/Body Spa

If you think about it, gyms are a lot like torture chambers. All those steel contraptions (delt and ham stretchers), ironclad benches, and yelps of pain that bounce off the padded walls. It’s like Alcatraz, only everyone’s jumping around in Spandex.

Make a prison-break and run to Exhale. The soothing new spa-slash-gym is all urban sanctuary (and no scary lockdown). You’ll start relaxing the moment you walk into the Zen-like space. No lotus position required, but should you wish, they have top-notch yoga and Core Fusion classes (their signature).

And then there’s the reward: no-holds-barred spa treatments. Everything from the Body Enlightening, a mix of massage and yoga that rids you of toxins, to the Energetic Therapy, an acupressure-guided fix designed to realign you. Finish with treats from the organic cafe, and you’re one blissed-out escapee.

If this is considered “doing time” at the gym, you’ll gladly do a stretch anytime.

In fact, you may just be locked up for good.

Exhale Mind/Body Spa, 28 Arlington Street, at the Heritage on the Garden (617-532-7000 or exhalespa.com).