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Silence Retreat: Don’t Just Do Something, Sit There!

Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

Silence Retreat

Life is a noisy and chaotic proposition. From the moment our alarm clock jars us out of bed in the morning, through the continual cycle of talking, listening and maybe most disruptive – thinking – we engage in all day, until the verbal, internal, TV, radio, iPod and other forms of chatter finally die down before bedtime, we are trapped in a world of disruptive sound.

The truth is, exposure to talking, and even the sound of one’s own voice, day-in and day-out, for weeks, months and even years at a time without a significant break, is unhealthy for the mind. To make matters worse, many of us have an addiction to talking, or have one or more individuals in our close contact who are addicted to talking, amplifying the negative effects. For some of us, we are so conditioned to hearing noise that we don’t even know what to do with ourselves when we find ourselves in complete silence, like in nature.

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Tags: meditation, silent retreat, yoga
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Ancient Wisdom: Ayurvedic Massage

Thursday, December 16th, 2010

Ayurvedic Massage

India, the country that invented algebra, trigonometry and developed that little mathematical constant known as pi, is also the country that formulated the world’s first dynamic system of medicine, known as Ayurveda. Ayurveda, the study of the science of life, offers natural, preventive and curative measures to facilitate optimal physical, mental and spiritual well being. Among the numerous components of Ayurveda are proper diet, yoga, meditation and massage. Ayurvedic massage is believed to not only provide therapy to muscles, joints and bones, but it’s also thought to help eradicate emotional and mental problems as well.

All massage treatments in Ayurveda are prescribed based upon dosha type (bodily constitution), which a trained Ayurvedic doctor can determine. The three doshas in Ayurveda are Vata (dryness, coolness), Pitta (heat, absorption) and Kapha (water, lubrication). Everyone is made up of all three doshas, but most people have more of one or two. Such an imbalanced state does not facilitate optimal health; tri- dosha balance, according to Ayurveda, is the well-being that everyone should seek. Ayurvedic massage is one of the tools that can be utilized to help achieve this balance.

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Tags: ayurveda, ayurvedic massage, dosha
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Where the “Spa” Got its Name

Wednesday, December 15th, 2010

Spa, Belgium. Copyright (c) of the Belgian Tourist Office NYC/USA

In a wooded valley in northern Ardennes, 22 miles southeast of Liege and 28 miles southwest of Aachen, lies Belgium’s charming municipality of Spa. Though the traditions of the spa, including water therapy, massage and other body healing treatments likely originated in ancient Rome, it’s the healing hot mineral springs of Spa, Belgium that gave the modern day “spa” its name.

The word itself is an acronym for the Latin phrase, “salus per aquae” – or “health through water.” Widely revered throughout Europe for many centuries, Spa’s natural waters are strongly believed to restore health to those who drink and bathe in it. The local surroundings of Spa offer nine springs; seven of the springs maintain an alkaline state, are rich in iron and offer what is considered to be one of the most relaxing experiences the natural world has to offer.
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Tags: Belgium, History of spa, spa
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Time to Relax

Thursday, August 19th, 2010

Between Bluetooths, Blackberries, homework crises and household disasters, finding time to relax has become a chore in itself. And as 10-hour workdays become the norm, it’s more important than ever to give our minds and bodies a chance to truly find peace – even if it means putting “relaxation” on the schedule.

Thankfully, the spa world is embracing this challenge, and, with a little creativity, is making tremendous efforts to accommodate our often-taxing lifestyles and provide easy outlets for relaxation. One emerging trend is the one-stop-shop approach to relaxation. More and more, spa services are popping up in typically un-spa places, like hair salons, nail salons, airports, and malls. In fact, these days you’d be hard pressed to get a manicure and not have the option of adding on a hand or back massage. And no longer does your stylist just do a wash-and-cut, without offering a relaxing scalp treatment, providing the opportunity for a few blissful moments without the hassle of changing locations.

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Tags: relaxation
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Age is All the Rage

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

For so many Americans, the notion of “hopping into the tub” is much easier said than done. Those with arthritis, mobility limitations, or anyone who’s suffered from the sneaky side effects of aging (like that new pain in my back I felt this morning) know that your bathroom or home spa needs to be accessible. And thanks to a number of forward-thinking manufacturers, getting older doesn’t mean losing out on a luxurious bath experience.

Forget the days of the clinical, unappealing walk-in bath. It’s true – not that long ago, stylish options for walk-in tubs were nearly non-existent. But today, you can outfit your bathroom with a walk-in tub that doesn’t disrupt your home design. Like Maax Professional’s high-concept collection of ADA-compliant showers and tubs, all of which keep you comfortable and your bath beautiful. And just because you have a new tub doesn’t mean you need to change your design tactics – compliment the wall of your bath with tiled designs as you would with any other tub. Stylish, but most importantly, safe.

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Tags: aging in place, steam shower
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Green Feels Glorious!

Friday, July 23rd, 2010

While we’re spending our spa time saving our skin, why not save the environment at the same time? The movement towards a greener spa experience has so many positive ramifications – and like most other eco-conscious trends, it takes only small changes to make a substantial impact.

It sounds like the simplest thing in the world but the #1 spa-thing you can do to minimize your environmental footprint is to keep your H₂O usage in check. When looking for products for your home spa, keep an eye out for bath elements that emphasize low-flow or water-saving technology – it’s incredible how the most basic of eco-conscious actions can still have such a tremendous effect. Choose products identified as “WaterSense certified,” as they comply with specific guidelines identified by the Environmental Protection Agency to promote water efficiency. And while you’re saving water, keep an eye on your energy consumption too. Products that incorporate green-friendly elements, like ThermaSol’s patented SmartSteam^TM technology – a temperature control feature that conserves energy by maintaining even levels of heat, and never using more power than necessary – make putting your green-foot-forward easy and effective.

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Tags: green spas, water conservation
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Small Bath? No Problem.

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Let’s face it – unless you had the luxury of designing your home from the ground up, or spent a month brushing your teeth at the kitchen sink while construction workers knocked down walls and descended on your W.C., chances are your bathroom isn’t the biggest room in the house. But fear not – a petite loo just might be the perfect size for infusing a lot of luxury into a little space.

LAUFEN mimo compact bath collection

In any compact area, the most important consideration is to make sure that everything you fill a room with is more than just “occasionally” useful. So if you don’t find yourself lounging in a bubble bath three times a week, why not skip the tub basin and opt for a shower stall? Space-saving and efficient, a shower stall can be custom-fit to your bath’s dimensions, and immediately enhances the size of the room. Amp up the luxury by installing a steam shower – ThermaSol has revolutionary steam units designed for even the tiniest bathrooms – and your days of soaking in the tub will be a distant memory.

While you’re saving ground in the shower, why not really free up some floor space and go small with other elements for the bath? Manufacturers have taken note of the shrinking trend in bath design, and have crafted gorgeous collections with a diminutive take. The mimo collection by Laufen is short in stature but huge on style, with smaller-than-norm sinks and toilets that pack a punch without monopolizing square footage. And never fear – the difference in size of the scaled-down versions is virtually unnoticeable in everyday use.

But if you’re not yet ready for a big bath overhaul, your small space can still benefit from some spacious updates. Make things feel instantly open with a lighter wall color – bright yellows, soft greens, and pastel grays are my favorites in a tiny bath. Opt for open-air shelves or cabinets – it’ll give the illusion of a bigger room, and gives you easier access to your bath knickknacks. And remember to de-clutter! The more you organize, the more space there is for you. So don’t dismiss your small bath just yet! There’s a lot of luxury to be had in even the tiniest of spaces.

Tags: compact bathroom, steam shower, Thermasol
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Auriga at the Capella Pedregal in Cabo San Lucas

Thursday, June 3rd, 2010

Occasionally we will be sent stories of spa experiences from our readers that are particularly memorable. We read about an experience at the Auriga spa in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico that reached that level of relaxation and revitalization that all spas seek to achieve and thought we should share it.

By: A fellow spa goer

There are spas…and then, there are spas. And the Capella Pedregal’s Auriga Spa in Cabo San Lucas certainly falls into the latter. Promising to not only transform but to transcend the spirits, this is one destination that delivers relaxation on a whole new level.

The realization that this is an environment like no other begins when you walk through the enormous center-hinged pivoting solid wood door. Flanked by a long hallway glowing with candles in amber votives, you weave your way into warmly lit rooms, styled from both Mexican and Mid Eastern influences. Here, your comfort is their only concern. Relaxation rooms, stocked with premium teas and healthy refreshments, are designed for ultimate luxury and rest. And what’s standard fare for most spas – pool, steam and sauna rooms, cold room – is simply the beginning at Auriga, as evidenced by the stunning entrance to their saltwater pool, adorned with stepping stones gushing with running water.

But the amenities are just the beginning. The true healing starts with one of the many treatments from Auriga’s extensive menu of spa services. Designed to “restore and rejuvenate the skin while relaxing the body and mind,” my Cocoon treatment was simply a taste of heaven. The two-hour package begins with an herb-infused foot bath, followed by two types of invigorating body scrubs, a rinse-off, and finally, a warm seashell massage. At the end of this treatment, I kid you not – not only was my skin glowing but my senses were transported into a state of relaxation so rarely achieved by a spa experience. It was then, in the warm after-glow of my experience at Auriga, that I knew what a magical place this was, and how this could be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had with a spa.

Find more information about Auriga at www.auriga-spa.com

If you’ve had a similar transcendent spa experience please tell us about it in the comments.

Auriga Spa Entrance

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Tags: destination spas, spa experience, spa review
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Spa Customer Service is More Important Than Ever

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

I read an interesting post on the NY Times business blog about how a spa owner in Mt. Kisco, NY let negative energy bring down the spa’s atmosphere, and in turn the spa’s sales. It got me thinking about spa services and how they are delivered is so important right now. Spas may seem like a non-essential luxury in these tough economic times, but we have seen that many people actually view a visit to the spa as a more affordable way to treat one’s self as opposed to purchasing large ticket items like a pricey new car. Spa treatments are also a great way to relax and relieve stress in these stressful times.

Exemplary Customer Service

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Tags: customer service, massage services, spa service
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Fish Spa Treatments Getting Shut Down

Monday, April 19th, 2010

We’ve written about unusual spa treatments in the past, but this spa treatment is actually not as far out as the snake massage or gold facial, yet is getting a lot more slack than any other treatments we’ve mentioned lately. In a recent story by NPR.org, they discuss how this treatment is being shut down in various states. If you’ve ever sat with your feet in the water of a lake or pond, then you’ll know that if you have a lot of dead skin on your feet, that often little fish will come and tickle your toes with their little nibbles. While it might just seem cute at the time, spas in the United States, China, Japan, South Korea and Turkey began offering this spa treatment in 2008 when this treatment began to boom.

Spas are now being ordered to shut down any fish spa treatments because the cosmetology boards have ruled in over two dozen states because you can’t clean the fish, and every tool that is used on someone needs to be either disinfected or thrown away. We don’t want to see the fish be thrown out, with their last meal being the dead skin from your feet! Some say that there have been no proven cases of foot fungus being passed by these fish, but the possibility that this could occur seems to be quite real, so the fishies have had to go, at least for now.

Fish Spa

Spas that offer this treatment have warm pools or hot springs that contain cute little fish known as doctor fish. These little fish don’t have their medical degree; they are actually one of two species of fish: Garra rufa or Cyprinion macrostomus. Other nicknames for these little nibblers include: nibble fish, kangal fish, and little dermatologists. These fish are used primarily for foot treatments, but also can be used for facial and body treatments and even to treat various skin diseases such as psoriasis.

When you put your feet in the water, the fish swim up to your feet immediately and nibble off all the affected and dead skin, while leaving the healthy and young skin untouched and unharmed. This treatment is painless and actually tickles a bit, making it a very popular and fun treatment for many people. Now that the spas are being forced to stop this treatment though, you may need to visit your nearest pond or lake to get a similar spa sensation. We have also seen a trend that is beginning to become more popular where people are purchasing their own nibbling fish and setting up their own home fish spas! Talk about a luxurious home spa!

Tags: fish spa, fish spas not safe, fish spas shut down, home fish spa, how to have a home fish spa
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