Spa treatment without getting wet

Feeling stressed? Climb into the latest spa pod, close the lid and, according to its manufacturers, enjoy 28 water jets pounding away your aches and pains, all without getting wet and remaining fully dressed.

While not for claustrophobics, Spa Shuttle, which is launching at this week’s FIBO fitness and health trade show in Germany, aims to provide the pleasures of “hydrotherapy,” but while staying dry. Users can vary the degree of hardness, pulse frequency, and velocity, all while soaking in calming music and visuals from the integrated audio-video, as well as enjoying a built-in aromatherapy treatment. Spa Shuttle claims its device can not only help with body aches, but also with cellulite and weight loss.

Another space age-styled device designed for the home is the Concoon, created by German design company Wasserbetten. The Concoon’s sleek design features a water bed to achieve a “floating feeling,” complete with surround sound audio and various light cycles that aim to provide therapeutic relief.

According to SpaFinder, an online spa industry news and information website, global spas are embracing these types of experiential pods that weave light, color, sound, and music together for the ultimate sensory experience. Look for the new Wolke 7 Cloud 9, a multisensory recliner created by Vienna artist sha, to show up in top spas soon.

The Slimline Pod is another personal sauna that claims to offer “the deepest organ cleanse.” A 30-45 minute session in the pod touts a host of benefits, including sweating out “toxins,” ramping up metabolism, reducing a range of ailments from depression to cellulite, and even tightening skin due to the LED lights within the pod. Check out a video from The Pod Spa in New York City on the Slimline: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwWrzMFv7F0

The Little Day Spa Announces Specials on Mother’s Day Packages

Sarasota, Fla (PRWEB) April 19, 2012

The Little Day Spa, a high-end day spa that offers luxurious spa treatments in Sarasota Fla., announces discounted spa packages for Mother’s Day: The Perfect Gift and Your Special Day. The Little Day Spa will offer the discounted skin care, facials and massage packages though May 15.

The Perfect Gift encompasses a variety of spa treatments including a neck, shoulder and back massage, an aromatherapy steam experience, manicure and express facial. Also included in the package is a gift of Dermalogica skin care products, a $90 value. The spa treatment lasts 2.25 hours and is valued at $120.

Your Special Day is a complete package for anyone who enjoys skin care and facials. This package includes a deep cleansing facial, an aromatherapy steam experience, a full-body Swedish massage, pedicure and lunch. The package also includes the gift of Dermalogica skin care products valued at $90. The spa treatment is 4.5 hours and is valued at $230.

“A spa treatment is the perfect way to treat your loved one for Mother’s Day,” says The Little Day Spa owner Maureen Young-Wolff. “Our spa packages are designed to offer our clients complete relaxation and luxury. And with our Mother’s Day discounted pricing, it’s a great time to visit the spa.”

Customers who are interested in purchasing a Mother’s Day spa package or gift certificate can visit The Little Day Spa’s website or contact the spa directly.

About The Little Day Spa:

The Little Day Spa of Sarasota, Florida offers high-end beauty treatments and services in a relaxing and beautiful environment. Residents of Brandon, Bradenton and St. Petersburg frequent the spa as a premier destination for health rejuvenation. The Little Day Spa uses 100% pure essential oils, rare plant extracts, minerals, exotic botanical oils, natural vitamins and herbs in their treatments. For more information, visit http://www.thelittledayspa.com.

PDF


Print

Tax-Day Spa Deals

Just because you spent tax day, and the months leading up to it, grinding your teeth and nervously over-plucking your eyebrows (anxiety doesn’t look good on anyone) doesn’t mean disheveled is your best new look for 2012. Instead freshen up with a spa treatment. Because guess what? They’re discounted this week. 

On official Tax Day. Tue 17, make like an Equinox member and take a free hourlong yoga class at any of the gym locations (4:30pm at Lincoln Park, 7:30pm at Gold Coast and the Loop). R.S.V.P. by emailing joyce.lee@equinox.com and referencing TAX DAY 12. That’s not all though. After the class, sink into a complimentary chair massage, enjoy sweet treats from Vita Coca, Vosges Chocolates and Chia, and take 15% off any spa treatment that day.

Guys, this one’s for you: Mon 16 through Wed 18 John Allan’s offers three express services: a $55 massage, $30 pedicure, $45 facial or $49 luxury shave Plus, purchase products online or in the store (enter the promo code TAXDAY) and take 20% off everything.

Or just pretend like you’re checking into a hotel downtown and take time off at the Spa@theWit this week. For $178 (taxes and gratuity included), ease up with a 50-minute massage with warm stones and aromatherapy or opt for a Fruit Pulp and Spice Purifying facial. Take an herbal neck wrap home with you to keep the bliss going. 

Singular Sonoma: Bunch of fun behind the grapevines – Austin American

By Helen Anders

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

• E-mail
• Print
• Larger Type
  Small Type

FREESTONE, Calif. — Buried up to my neck in a mixture of ground-up cedar, rice bran, plant enzymes and a dash of Douglas fir, I reminded myself that my trip’s mission was total immersion in Sonoma County’s quirky culture. That, I seemed to have accomplished.

This spa treatment was a new one on me. Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary founder Michael Stusser told me he picked it up during a visit to Japan and saw it as a way to fulfill what he considers his Freestone spa’s mission: to “play a role in providing that vitality we’re all looking for in our lives.”

Steeping in nature: The approach is intrinsically Sonoma, exactly the sort of thing I was looking for when I set out to discover the offbeat Sonoma behind its well-known vineyards.

My husband and I started in Sebastopol (about 50 miles north of San Francisco), with a drive down Florence Avenue. For several blocks, yards are festooned with sculptures — a Mad Hatter here, a surfer there — that their sculptor, Patrick Amiot, joyfully calls junk art. The neighborhood is one big outdoor art gallery. Amiot will place a piece in any willing resident’s yard. When it’s sold, it’s replaced by another. When we found one particularly art-filled yard with an art car sitting out front — a sight to warm the cockles of an Austinite’s heart — we knew we’d found Amiot’s own abode.

At Florence Avenue’s intersection with Healdsburg Avenue, we stopped at the casual Peter Lowell’s Restaurant for lunch. I ordered the fish sandwich. This was no battered and fried thing. Instead, local cod arrived Sonoma-style: deftly fire-roasted on toasted sourdough with fresh lettuce and red onion. Instead of fries, my side was a salad of squash and some sort of granola mixture studded with pomegranate seeds. It looked strange and tasted amazing, washed down with a mixture of fresh apple and pear juice. (The restaurant has its own organic farm. This part of the world was doing farm-to-table long before the rest of us understood the concept.)

After lunch, we drove up California 116, passing Mom’s Apple Pies, where Mom (Betty Carr) turns out not only apple but all sorts of pies, and heading on north past wineries, farms and espresso stands. About 10 miles up the road in Forestville, we found the Kozlowski Farms store. This turned out to be the quintessential place to get jammed up, with rows and rows of every conceivable flavor of jam, as well as jellies, butters, salsas (much milder than those of Texas), marinades, sauces and dressings.

After admiring the grapevines behind the store, we headed on up the road to Guerneville, a little town on the Russian River. A vintage 5-and-10-cent store and Rexall Drugs are still open amid art and antiques shops and a store called Hemp Chocolat. (Odd as the combo sounds, both chocolate and hemp clothing sell well at the store at 16222 Main St.)

We found an old bridge built in 1922, now just for pedestrians, and decided to amble across it. Just when I was getting into the pastoral vibe, I heard a soft, “Baaaaa.”

“Is that a sheep?” I mused to my husband, “or a goat?”

He looked over the bridge’s rail at the animal coming our way.

“A human,” he declared. Sure enough, a man was walking in our direction, emitting assorted barnyard sounds. When he got to clucking, we scurried back into town, got in the car and drove just north of town into Armstrong Redwoods State Reserve.

Wow. Some of these Sequoia are 1,000 years old and 16 feet in diameter. We paid $8 to drive through the park, but, in retrospect, that was a mistake. We should have just parked at the visitor center and gone in by foot — free.

The rocky, steep, narrow road wasn’t wide enough for two cars to pass, resulting in a bit of a standoff when we did encounter another car. We were pinned against a wall of rock and terrified we’d scrape our rental car. Eventually, the other car backed up.

That evening, we drove to Santa Rosa and joined friends at Willi’s Wine Bar, where we sampled flights of Sonoma wines and shared small plates bearing creative dishes using local foods. Favorites included curried crab tacos, foie gras poppers and Moroccan-style lamb chops.

In fact, during our entire stay in Sonoma, we encountered this sort of fresh, tasty food, bursting with local flavor. It left us satisfied but not overstuffed.

On our second night, we drove half an hour in the fog from Guerneville down winding California 116 to Underwood Bar and Bistro in Graton, arriving a bit white-knuckled but quickly relaxing in the lovely, softly lighted bistro. Offering both small and large plates, this restaurant changes its menu frequently. On our visit, we enjoyed melt-in-your-mouth sea bass, mussels and Thai lettuce cups.

Total Woman Gym & Day Spa Celebrates National Women’s History Month

Southern California‘s premiere Fitness Spa, Total Woman Gym Day Spa hosts a series of Open House Parties Celebrations in honor of National Women’s History Month (March).

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 09, 2012

Total Woman Gym Day Spa, Southern California’s premiere Fitness Spa will host events at 11 of their locations in honor of National Women’s History Month. Women’s Education – Women’s Empowerment: The Theme for National Women’s History Month 2012. The gym and spa is exclusively designed for women with a staff of over 700 women assisting members achieve their fitness, wellness and spiritual goals.

“We proudly congratulate the six 2012 National Women’s History Month honorees and recognize and support all women and their achievements today and throughout history,” states Total Woman Gym Day Spa CEO Gene LaMott. Adrienne Stone, co-founder of Total Woman Gym Day Spa explains “March is the month to celebrate and remember the lives of women who have impacted us. Everyone has had women, whether it be their mother, sister, wife, teacher, boss, or friend that has enhanced their lives for the greater –The women who paved the way for us on one level or another to make us who we are today!”

The Westlake Village-based company has been in business for 46 years and has plans to open five to eight new locations each year, including expansion into Northern California. Total Woman Gym Day Spa are located in Laguna Hills, Brea, Irvine, Placentia, Glendale, Westlake Village, Woodland Hills, Northridge, Encinitas, Mission Valley, Torrance, Studio City and now in Valencia. It is the ideal one-stop shop for today’s modern women who are multi-tasking careers, families and homes. Women can get rejuvenated with a great workout followed by a relaxing spa treatment all under one roof. For event information or a complimentary day pass, visit http://www.totalwomanspa.com.

About National Women’s History Month: In 1980, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation recognizing the first National Women’s History Week. In 1987, that was expanded to the entire month of March. National Women’s History Month is an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements throughout history, as well as honor those women within our own communities and families who have played a pivotal role in our lives. http://www.nwhp.org.

Total Woman Gym Day Spa ~ Be Fit, be healthy, be a Total Woman!

Melinda Manos
Manos Public Relations, Inc.
(310) 993-6799
Email Information

Win £500 Skin Health Spa treatment voucher

Closing date: 9 April 2012

We’re treating one lucky InStyle reader to a luxury spa voucher!

Leading aesthetic clinic, Skin Health Spa, sets itself apart from a typical high street beauty salon with its sophisticated list of new and advanced treatments available across its six locations.

Skin Health Spa offers an array of up-to-the-minute beauty options including skin rejuvenating laser treatments, anti-ageing and wrinkle reducing options, treatments for sun damage, pigmentation and acne scarring, permanent hair reduction, pioneering Derma Roller facials, Microdermabrasion, plus more traditional waxing, indulgent facials, massage and even spray tanning.

To find out more about treatments and clinic locations visit skinhealthspa.com or call 0800 24 25 145.

One lucky InStyle reader will win a £500 treatment voucher for Skin Health Spa, to spend at any of the six clinics, on treatments of their choice. The Skin Health Spa locations are: London Marylebone (flagship clinic), London Bishopgate, Manchester (The Triangle), Dorridge, Leamington Spa and Nantwich.

Terms Conditons: Voucher valid for 6 months from date of issue and cannot be spent on take-home or retail product, or injectable treatments.

To enter the competition just answer the question and fill in the form below.

* Denotes compulsory fields

Women travellers seeking adventure

A group of women on a trek in Nepal with Lyn Taylors Adventure Travels. Picture: Supplied
Source: Supplied

WOMEN travellers are increasingly choosing active, adventurous holidays and cultural experiences such as cooking classes over spa retreats and resorts.

They are also more likely to travel by themselves than ever before.

New research found the proportion of women taking part in food and wine experiences on their last trip had risen nearly four per cent to 27.5 per cent in the past decade.

The number of women who travelled alone on their most recent holiday also rose three per cent to 13 per cent.

There had also been an increase in women living with or experiencing local culture, according to the Roy Morgan Research Holiday Tracking Survey.

Director of travel research at marketing research company TNS Jo Farquhar said women had more time to travel because they were having children later.

They were also the major decision makers when it came to travel.

“Work life balance is very important to women and holidays are a priority for them,” she said.

“Life isn’t just about work and they want to make time to take holidays, more so than men.”

“Women are more independent than they have ever been.”

Ms Farquhar said there had been a surge in tour companies specialising in women’s travel over the past few years.

“They don’t want things necessarily to be just for women but they want them to ‘get’ women,” she said.

Lyn Taylor’s Adventure Travels operator Lyn Taylor said women were seeking more active holidays and wanted to get out of their comfort zone.

Ms Taylor runs trekking tours to countries including Nepal, Bhutan and Peru and said many women on her trips were recovering from illness, loss or job restructures.

“It’s enriching their lives,” she said.

“They like a bit of indulgence as well but they like to combine it with a bit of adventure.

“They’re happy to stay in three star hotels with maybe one five star hotel thrown in and a spa treatment.”

Adventurous Women director Sue Hile said business was booming, but competition from women’s tour companies was increasing.

“Our trips are filling quickly – especially the adventurous ones,” she said.

“I find women are more likely to give things a go in a group situation.”
 

Pure Joy Day Spa offers last minute Valentine’s Day gift ideas

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – For those looking for alternatives to the usual Valentine’s Day flowers or candy, you might want to consider a spa treatment for that special someone.  At the Pure Joy Day Spa in downtown Honolulu, you can give the gift of relaxation via one of several Valentine’s Day spa package specials. 

For example, the Special Someone package includes a 60 minute Swedish massage, aromatherapy treatments, and an enzymatic hand treatment.

Appointments are still available, or you can get a gift card. 

For more information, visit www.purejoydayspa.com or call 532-PURE (7873).

Love to pamper?

Invite your special someone to a spa treatment together. Book a couple suite in advance. Indulge in some pampering this V-Day. There are plenty of options to choose from, as spas across the city gear up to celebrate love this season.

The Palm’s Spa, Colaba, offers an idyllic package with the Cherry Blossom and Lotus Escape Ritual. Inspired by the Japanese Bath tradition, this treatment is ideal for your lady love as it is designed to relieve stress and relax the body and mind, while awakening the senses. Owner Karl Irani explains, “A spa date as a couple provides for the ultimate bonding experience as it enables you to destress with that special someone. The Japanese Bath inspired treatment uses a special rice powder cream, Asian scented Shea butter and reflexology inspired plantar modeling massage to create a relaxing five stage getaway. For men, I recommend the Executive Spa Experience that includes a unique mangosteen scrub, a Sothy’s facial and a Deep Tissue Sports massage.”

You could also try the Chocolate Delight Sensuous Strawberry V-Day spa packages at The Lalit’s Rejuve Spa. Manoj Chauhan, Manager, says, “The three-hour packages of Chocolate Delight and Sensuous Strawberry has massage techniques that blend touch and aroma to create sensations of pleasure and wellness to deeply heal your mind and body while soothing your soul.”

There are equally exotic treatments at Renaissance Mumbai Convention Centre that includes the Rose Strawberry Body Glow, winter’s favourite Exotic Coconut Honey Body Glow, and Dreamy Dips, an exotic massage therapy with sandalwood body scrub. If you wish to be a little more adventurous, head to The Serene Room — The Wellness Spa at the Shalimar Hotel, Kemps Corner, that’s offering a therapy called ‘The Look of love’. It’s a medley of aroma candle wax massage followed by a delectable wine scrub, completed with a chocolate mask. Saucy, eh?

How to Get the Most From Your Spa Experience

I’ve been covering all-things spa since the mid-1990s after a memorable first-time experience at a destination spa. People go to spas for many reasons. And while the experience can be all touch-feely, it can also be life changing, not to mention costly. Getting the most out of your experience is what really counts. Here are some tips for the spa newbie or the spa savvy.

1. Before going to a spa, take the time to do some research; just because your BFF endorses one or two and she swears by them, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re a good fit for you and your needs.

2. Not all spas are created equally. Know the differences and every bit of minutia about what they have to offer. This includes spa etiquette, treatment description, price, tipping, deposit, cancellation policy, etc.

3. When you contact the spa, whether by phone, email or online form, prepare a list of questions you might have and fire away. If you’re not getting a clear-cut answer, ask again until you’re satisfied with the answer.

4. Ask for a tour of the facilities once you arrive, just to make sure it’s up to your level of expectation; you have every right to check out; be suspicious if a spa gives you a bunch of flimsy excuses as to why they can’t accommodate your reasonable request.

5. While most spas are happy to give you a tour, depending on the day of the week (spas are generally at their busiest Thursday through Sunday), the spa may be a bit crowded, or you may not get a chance to see actual treatment rooms due to current guests getting treatments, or guests who are in a relaxation/meditation area; spas want to preserve guest privacy and having a parade of would-be guests can be disruptive and distracting for their relaxing guests.

6. If you’re planning on going to a resort or hotel that has a full-service spa facility, make sure when you call to make your room reservation to be transferred to the spa so you make you treatment reservation at that time. Be sure to ask about any special room plus spa packages, or specially discounted a la carte spa treatments.

7. Nothing is more disappointing than arriving at a hotel or resort and after getting settled into your room, you decide to visit the spa to make an appointment and you’re informed that nothing is available. Wait listing might be an alternative, but not that appealing.

8. Never be timid or shy about admitting that you’ve never been to a spa or have limited experience going to one if the spa asks you about your spa habits. Where treatment options are concerned, make sure to have the spa thoroughly describe what is involved in the that process from the person giving you the treatment and what’s expected of you while on the treatment table.

9. Once on the treatment table and if at any time you feel self-conscious or experience discomfort or pain, immediately speak up and let your technician know. Your technician should stop and take the time to explain to you what they’re doing, or they should adjust their pressure, etc. Your comfort is the most important thing, so don’t suffer in silence and be a martyr. A highly skilled technician should always ask if you’ve ever had the treatment elsewhere; one the treatment begins, they’ll generally ask you several times how you’re doing, or if they’re pressure is too light, too heavy, etc., or if there’s anything they can do for you.

10. Don’t be late to your appointment. Most spas will suggest you arrive at least thirty minutes beforehand. This allows for your being shown to the locker area and amenity area (showers, steam, sauna, whirlpool, etc.). If your treatment doesn’t start when it’s supposed to, don’t be shy about asking for an explanation. If it’s because the spa accommodated another late arrival before your treatment time, you should not be penalized and have your time shortened because of other late arrivals. Don’t hesitate to ask for some type of adjustment for the spa inconveniencing you; this can include a discount, or an add-on to your treatment (extra massage time, eye or lip treatment if getting a facial, paraffin or mask for nail work, etc.).

11. If you’re plus-sized, and your robe doesn’t fit, don’t hesitate asking for a larger sized robe; if the spa doesn’t have one that fits you, you have every right to express your disappointment; you might even want to ask management for a slight discount for the embarrassment you’ve experienced in not having their robing fit you properly.

12. Avoid spas that expect you to pay upfront beyond perhaps a deposit. Avoid spas that expect you to pay an additional non-refundable fee for their own insurance coverage in the event of a guest emergency and having to reschedule without penalty; some spas offer this gimmick to even include their own spa equipment failures. Guests shouldn’t have to insure themselves for the failure of advertised spa equipment.

13. If you ever decide to book a salt glow treatment or any body treatment (including expanded pedicures) that involves exfoliation, do not under any circumstance whatsoever shave anywhere on your body less than 24 (or more) hours before your treatment. Not all spas remember to mention this to guests who book these types of treatments, or they make the presumption that the guest has had the treatment before and knows this caveat.

14. If you’re on medication and you’re not certain about contraindications from some of the spa treatments, products used, or some of the spa amenities (sauna, whirlpool, steam room, etc.) and how it might pose a health risk, check with your medical professional beforehand. Most spas will ask their guest’s to fill out a brief questionnaire that asks about medical issues, medications being taken and even allergies; part of the questionnaire usually includes a waiver and your approval of the treatment. Signs are usually posted throughout the spa facility about health warnings. Same thing applies if you’re allergic to certain things; a well-run spa will also ask you about this.

15. If you’ve scheduled for a massage, besides knowing what is involved with the type you selected, make it known at the time of the reservation that you want either a male or female therapist. Most spas will ask the guest beforehand if they have a gender preference, while others don’t and it’s a surprise.

16. Once you’re on the treatment table, you should be fully draped throughout the entire treatment process without any of your private parts exposed.

17. Some no-nos in spa-dom — no loud talking or laughing, no cell phones or other electronic devices, and no children under 16 or 18 (this has to do with insurance).

18. Lastly, because spa experiences are sensory-driven, no two therapists will have the same touch when they give you the same type of massage, even at the same spa, for example. For facials, results will be different depending on the products used, since each spa tends to use their own preferred brand and private label brand (same for all treatments).

Your spa experience is an investment in self. You should always leave feeling better than when you arrived at the spa. And while problems are the exception, should any arise, approach it with honesty and sincerity. Most spas want satisfied guests and your feedback will be invaluable. Remember, they want you to spread the word, and especially to return.

Lastly, knowing why you want to go to a spa is just as important as finding a spa that will meet your needs and expectations. And while the spa experience is relaxing, pampering and restorative, it can also be life changing.

By Terry Herman

Terry Herman is a recognized expert in issues related to spa, beauty, wellness and lifestyle. Her work has appeared in both consumer and trade publications, including her digital magazine, “Terry’s Spa, Beauty and Wellness Go-To.” In addition to writing and reviewing, she is also a management consultant and motivational speaker. She also serves on EXPERIENCE | PREMCHIT Journeys in Retreat to Wellness Advisory Board, which is comprised of 10 international experts in various fields of wellness and spa. To find out more about Terry and to read her blog, visit her at Red Room.

Follow Red Room on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/@redroomdotcom