WASHINGTON, D.C., August 1, 2005 - As part of its wellness program, The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. will offer guests a chance to strike a pose in the water with ‘Aqua Yoga’, Tuesday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. The 60-minute class incorporates yoga postures and breathing exercises with the benefits of water therapy, providing participants with a total body workout that strengthens muscles, increases flexibility and promotes mental awareness.

“With yoga’s increased popularity we wanted to offer our guests something a little different that they can’t experience everywhere,” says instructor Sidney Aquino. “Aqua yoga combines the therapeutic nature of water exercise with the calming and harmonizing qualities of yoga. This class is the ultimate in stretching and resistance training. ”

Each class begins with a warm-up breathing and meditation exercise out of the water, including a series of ‘Sun Salutations’, which stimulates the major muscle groups in the body, increases circulation and helps synchronize the breathe with movement.

Next, a 40-minute session of traditional yoga postures along with breathing exercises in the water will help increase muscle tone, mobility, flexibility and balance, without stress on the joints. Participants can use foam “noodles” to help balance and perform the poses, each based in the ancient Hatha yoga tradition, which include the tree, half moon, lighting bolt, swan and the warrior series. The session concludes with a relaxing poolside visual meditation.

Aqua yoga is complimentary to hotel guests and $35 for non-hotel guests. Participants have use of the spa’s “heat experience”: an amethyst crystal steam room, experience shower, vitality pool and ice fountain for women, and a separate amethyst crystal steam room, experience shower, sauna and cold plunge pool for men. Space is limited and advance sign up is required for the class by calling (202) 787-6100.

About The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. offers eight treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center with Technogym® equipment featuring individual television screens and head phones, heated indoor 50-foot lap pool and a sundeck overlooking Washington marina and the Potomac River.

In addition to a full array of spa services including massages, wraps, body scrubs and facials, several specialized treatments are available at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., including Chakra Balancing with hot stones, whereby volcanic hot stones are used to massage the body, and the “Traveler’s Release,” a jet lag remedy based in the Ayurvedic tradition. Overall, the subtle oriental influences, fluid spaces, expert treatments and gracious service allow guests to The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C. a marked departure from the real world.

About Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C.
With sophisticated oriental style that reflects its powerful and prominent waterfront locale, the 400-room Mandarin Oriental sets a new luxury standard in the nation’s capital. As part of the Portals development project in the Southwest section of the District of Columbia, the hotel overlooks the Potomac Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial, offering unprecedented panoramic views from Georgetown to Old Town. In addition to exceptional accommodations and gracious service, the hotel features outstanding meeting space, dining, spa and fitness facilities. The hotel is located at 1330 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20024.

For reservations and further details on Mandarin Oriental, Washington D.C., please call

1-888-888-1778 or visit www.mandarinoriental.com.